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Image Source: F150online
Let’s say you have access to a supercharged 5.4 liter V8 from a Shelby GT500. You also have an old, tired, rolling F-150 chassis which has been gutted previously due to transmission failure. As you look around your garage space, you notice an array of miscellaneous parts scattered that could help aide you in performing a swap.
What would you do? Would you swap the Shelby’s legendary power plant into this 1997 F-150 4×4 – or would you source a more worthy donor vehicle? When F-150online forum user F150_UAE found himself in that same situation, for him, it really wasn’t a question.
Starting with a rolling chassis ’97 F-150 four-wheel-drive model, the owner began by steam-cleaning and degreasing the entire engine bay to accommodate the new engine. After that, the new 5.4 liter V8 fit like a glove. The owner comments that the new engine and TR-6060 transmission fit in the truck like a glove.
So well in fact, that he was able to retain the creature comforts such as air conditioning and power steering. Additionally, a few modifications like relocating the alternator to clear the steering input shaft needed to be performed.
Because the GT500's factory supercharger sits rather high, the owner had to modify the new donor truck's firewall in order for the supercharger to clear. Nothing like hammering out some steel, eh?
Did we mention the custom fabricated exhaust manifolds? they’re two-inch primaries to a 3-inch collector.
Although the truck won’t be retaining it’s factory four-wheel-drive system, the drivetrain does host some new modifications to put the power down smoothly to the rearend. A SPEC stage 2 clutch, Hurst Performance short throw shifter, and a McLeod Racing hydraulic adjustable master cylinder all work together to create an improvement in drivability. Upgraded fuel components such as dual Aeromotive Inc fuel pumps and Division X fuel rails are controlled by a Ford Racing GT500 Engine Control Pack using a donor GT500’s engine and transmission harness. Unfortunately, the owner of this ultimate sleeper hasn’t updated his thread in almost a year. We can only image how the truck must run for now.
That begs the question: what would you have done differently if it were your truck?
