Ford 5.4L V8 Triton Engine: Specs, Problems, and Reliability. The Ford 5.4 Triton V8 is a part of Ford’s Modular V8 engine family, a 5.4-liter typically aspirated eight-cylinder gasoline engine, which was first offered in the 1997 Ford F150. The 5.4 engine generally is a stroked version of the 4.6-liter version since the architecture of both engines is very similar. Throughout the production history, there were three versions of 5.4 L engine: 5.4 SOHC V8 with 3-valve heads or 2-valve heads, and more powerful, 5.4 L DOHC 4-valve V8. 2- and 3-valve engines were used primarily in Ford F-Series pickups, while most famous Ford’s sports cars (Ford GT supercar, Ford Shelby GT500, Ford Mustang SVT Cobra R) and luxury cars (Lincoln models) were equipped with 5.4 L DOHC 4-valve engine.
The first engine, introduced in 1997, was a SOHC 2-valve 5.4 L V8. It has a cast iron cylinder block. While the engine shared the bore diameter with a 4.6 L version, the increased stroke demanded a taller engine block deck height – 10.079 in (256.0 mm) compared to 8.937 in (227.0 mm). The internal parts include fracture-split powder metal connecting rods and light-weight aluminum pistons.
Later, this engine will receive a forged steel crankshaft in some applications. On top of each cylinder bank, there is a SOHC aluminum head with two valves per cylinder. There are two timing chains at the front, one for every camshaft. The valvetrain features roller finger followers and hydraulic lash adjusters. The valve covers are aluminum and the intake manifold made of composite material. All 5.4 L V8s were equipped with individual coil-on-plug electronic ignition system and electronic sequential multi-port fuel injection. The 5.4 2V engine was produced at the Windsor Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario.
Table of Contents
Ford 5.4L V8 Triton Engine: Specs
| Manufacturer | Windsor Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario; Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario |
| Production years | 1997-2017 |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminum, Cast iron |
| Cylinder head material | Aluminum |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Fuel system | Sequential multi-port fuel injection |
| Configuration | V |
| Number of cylinders | 8 |
| Valves per cylinder | 2/3/4 |
| Valvetrain layout | SOHC/DOHC |
| Bore, mm | 90.2 mm (3.55 in) |
| Stroke, mm | 105.8 mm (4.17 in) |
| Displacement, cc | 5,409 cc (330.1 cu in) |
| Type of internal combustion engine | Four-stroke, naturally aspirated |
| Compression Ratio | 9.0:1 – SOHC 2-valve engine; 9.8:1 – SOHC 3-valve engine |
| Power, hp | 230-260 hp (172-194 kW)/4,500 – 2-valve SOHC; 295-327 hp (220-244 kW)/5,000 – 3-valve SOHC |
| Torque, lb ft | 323-355 ft-lb (438-481 Nm)/3,250 – 2-valve SOHC; 347-369 ft-lb (470-500 Nm)/3,500 – 3-valve SOHC |
| Engine weight | – |
| Firing order | 1-3-7-2-6-5-4-8 |
| Engine oil weight | SAE 5W-20 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 1997-2003 – 5.7 l (6.0qts) with oil filter; 2004+ 6.6 l (7.0qts) with oil filter |
| Oil change interval, mile | 5,000 (10,000 km)/6 months |
| Applications | Ford F-150, Ford F-Series, Ford Expedition, Ford E-Series, Lincoln Navigator, Lincoln Mark LT, Ford Fairlane G8, Ford LTD, Ford Falcon, Ford Futura, Ford Fairmont /Ghia |
The 5.4 3V version was first offered in Australia and used on the 2002 Ford Fairmont under the name Bara 220. On the North American market, that engine debuted together with the renovated 2004 Ford F-150 model. Ford 5.4 L Triton 3 valve engine has redesigned cylinder heads with two intake valves and one big exhaust valve per cylinder. Ford engineers also offered a variable camshaft timing (VCT) system, which greatly improved power and torque over the 2-valve SOHC version and also fuel efficiency. There are numerous chump changes inside the 3v engine causing a higher 9.8:1 compression ratio and bigger oil capacity. From the beginning, the production and assembling of the 5.4 3V engine were at Essex Engine Plant in Windsor, Ontario. But the last 5.4 Triton 3-valve engine left Essex Plant in 2008 and afterwards the production was moved to the Windsor Engine Plant.
Ford 5.4 Triton V8 Engine Problems and Reliability
Like Ford’s 4.6 L V8s, the Modular 5.4 L Triton engine has comparable common problems for their engine family, that included blowing spark plugs and spark plug threads stripping (1997-2003 model years), stuck spark plugs due to a gap between the plug and the cylinder head which gets full of carbon deposits (typical for 2004+ model years), and intake manifold cracking and leaking (poor design of plastic intakes). It should be noted that these problems can not be called widespread, and 5.4 Triton V8s have earned a good reputation in terms of reliability and longevity among the majority of owners.
The problems listed above are popular and are at least repairable and will not empty your pocket. With proper fluid changes and regular, scheduled maintenance, any 5.4-liter Triton engine will serve more than 200,000 miles (320,000 km).
Modifications
Ford SVT Lightning 5.4 L engine. This 5.4-liter supercharged engine produces 380 hp (283 kW) and 310 ft-lb (610 Nm) of torque.
Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Edition. This 2002-2003 model was equipped with 5.4 L supercharged and intercooled V8 engine. Power output: 340 hp (254 kW) at 4,500 rpm, 425 ft-lb (576 Nm) at 3,250 rpm.