Ive got a 2004 4.2L V6 manual and was wondering what suggestion anyone had for Air intakes, chips, gears, and exhaust sys. I just put rims and some BFG ATs on it and needs a boost. Ive looked at Mac and K&N intakes and it seems as Mac offers more Hp gains. Also if anyone knows what gears come stock with it would be helpful. My driving is all highway so take that into consideration.
a Magnaflow SI/DO set-up seems to be the favorite among 4.2 owners. Either a 14" or 18" would do justice. I love my exhaust note, especially paired with my K&N '77 series CAI. Also a xCal 2/3 with custom tunes would help out ALOT with mileage.
I wouldn't expect much more than 20 mpg on the highway, no matter what mods you do. Yes, I've heard of people getting as high as 25, but that's rare and you would probably have to drive at 55 mph on cruise control to do it - and it won't happen with oversize tires or aggressive tread tires.
My 03 is stock except for a low restriction muffler, I'm assuming it's similar to yours, and the BEST I ever got on a tank was 23.2, the worst was 12.8. My normal highway driving gets between 18 and 19 on E10 gas, cruising in the 65 to 75 mph range. If I can get pure gas, I can knock down 20 mpg if I keep it down to under 70 mph.
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2003 F150XL 4.2 short cab/bed 4x2 5 speed manual 3.55 LS
yeah I just looked and I have a 19 axle code. Ive been looking at JET programmers. Seems to be the best bang for your buck ie up to 130 hp and 205 ft/lbs of torque. Which I wouldn't expect to get out of my V6 but Im sure it'll give more gains for the price than a air intake sys or exhaust sys. What do yall think about programmers?
Those claims are usually made on higer end cars, not our trucks. Best bet would be to stick with either an Edge Evo or an Xcal 2/3, with tunes from PHP (Power Hungry Performance), Troyer, or VMP.
The best mileage I've seen so far in my truck was 20.3, crusing @ 70-75, with AC on, and doing I-10 through lower Texas hill country....Still waiting on better results.
For now I say go with an exhaust, then add a CAI and/or programmer later.
stay away from throttle body spacers...
check out mac mufflers too.. their cold air intakes are definitly worth it. but i really really like the way MAC's mufflers sound.
ive heard them on lightnings, 4.6l mustangs, 3.8l mustangs and i have one on my truck.
oh i had 300rwhp but removed my sport stickers (xl sport) and immediately lost like 25rwhp...
__________________ 2001 - DHG Bullitt #3286 2003 - 4.2l V6 F-150
39lb Injectors
255lph Walbro Fuel Pump
90mm Lightning MAF
Diablo MAFia maf extender
MAC Performance Lightning muffler
SCT X-cal2
PCV Delete
and some crazy hair dryer thing under the hood.
and 20" wheels Turbocharged at 8psi
275.5rwhp and 338rwtq Dyno Sheet
Seems to be the best bang for your buck ie up to 130 hp and 205 ft/lbs of torque.
yeah those gains are for the diesels.
get a custom tune, 4.10 gears, a larger throttle body, a "GOTTS INTAKE", e-fans and a shift kit.
__________________ thanks to Dirty88 for the sig
- '01 Procharged Lariat on a custom suspension - Tuned by Troyer
- '03 Harley Davidson Edition - still stock and staying that way
- New Eddie Bauer Expedition - Tuned by VMP
yeah. pretty simple actually. you flash your engine with a programmer and love it so much you drive the dog ot of it 24/7. sooner or later its going to die
i think the only thing that will actually degrade the life of a stock 4.2L is a turbo setup. if you had the money and could afford new internals for the 4.2L AND a turbo, i think ur fine. but directly, ive never heard of a perfectly fine engine go out due to a tune
2004 4.2L V6 open to power gains
thanks to Dirty88 for the sig
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