chip should be your next purchase without question, it helps the shift points w/manual big time..

I have not installed the air-aid system yet but I did order it already.. results to follow

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Green and Brown
97 F150 XLT
V6 4.2L auto 4X4
Tinted Rear Window

MODS :
K&n air filter
Superchip
Ravin Z55 exhaust

GOODIES:
12 disk cd changer,
jvc 4ch 560watt poweramp (waitin on the speakers)


What's next?still thinkin):
FIPK,Tornneu cover,
headers?, Jacobs ignition system,anything
for more hp....

 

i agree with patrickjp, the chip will do wonders. The gears would also help, but if you can not install them yourself it will be very expense. also if you get a custom burned chip then change your gears, the chip will not work at it's peak or at all making a new chip necessary.

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fordtrucker001, 2000 XL Sport White 2WD, with V6, air, automatic and CA emissions. Mods are k+n filter, ford/duraliner bedliner, wet okole seat covers, extang classic platinum tonneau cover, and gibson dual exhaust. Future plans include a poweraid throttle body spacer, superchip flipchip, headers, and possibly a supercharger.

 

The airaid FIPK only adds power on top, and would be of little help towing.

On my automatic, the chip seemed to add power everywhere, but I bet 4.10 gears would make an even bigger difference in towing and performance.

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1999 XLT S/C, 4.2 V-6, auto, 3.55 rear, dark torreador red/harvest gold, Ford bed liner

Clarion ARX8570z Head Unit, Sony 10 disc CD, Infinity 610cs components & JBL GTO7520 speakers; USAcousitcs 4065 amp and Polk 8" subwoofer

Edelbrock IAS, Energy Suspension anti-sway bar bushings, Steeda Rear Anti-sway bar, 2" rear drop.

Superchip, Airaid FIPK, Flex-a-Lite Black Magic electric fan

 

The chip will be the biggest bang for your buck. I would also recommend the airaid (I here they make a good combo).

 

edit

[This message has been edited by max mitchell (edited 01-20-2001).]

 

There seems to be a lot of V6 fans in here so I will see if what you guys will help me out to make me like mine. I tow a couple of boats with my '99 V6, 5spd, 3.55. I just added a new true dual exhaust which should hopefully help. I am looking at 3 more options: 1) Superchip 2) Airaid/K&N Intake (suggestion on either would also be appreciated) 3)changing to the 4.10. ALL INPUT IS VERY WELCOMED. Thanks!
-Dan

 

Chip then the gears. If all you want it for is towing, that intake as mentioned before will not help in the lower RPM's. Sort of like we need to use a supercharger for our trucks instead of a turbocharger. Because of "turbo lag" in the lower RPM's...

Good luck man.

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SpliT



2000 Work Series
Deep Wedgewood Blue
Standard Cab 5-Spd
4.2L V6 3.08 Gears
Mean Streak Cat-Back Exhaust(Anyone else have one, I hate mine)
Weld Super Single Wheels
Pioneer Deck DEH-P7200
Tinted Windows
Clear Corners
Superchip
AutoMeter Tach(Not Installed Yet)

Future Mods: FIPK, Bedliner, Billet Grille w/ Painted Grille Surround, Color-Keyed Bumpers, 6.5" Fabtech Ultimate Suspension Lift!!!

Email Me at: F150v6@Aol.com

 

i tow regularly around 3000lbs 3 to 4 times a week. the best thing is the superchip first. then free up the intake as much as possible. this has helped me alot in mpg and drivability. i have a homemade fipk with a tornado air management system installed right behind the k&n filter. free up that intake. however you wont feel all the benefits till you modify the exhaust. i would only reccomend a si/so only no dual out for towing for this engine. with a tail pipe only a 1/4 and no more than 1/2 inch wider than stock. backpressure is key! loose the back pressure and loose the low end power and your mpg will go to $h!t. good luck

 

Let me kind of jump in and maybe get an idea of what the best exaust would be for me. I was thinking of putting the duel exaust on my 97 truck. Which is the stock 4.2 with the added K&N filter in the origional housing. Htowndan did you notice a difference with your mileage with your duel exaust?
Also Hut if you could give your two cents I would appreciate it. I was thinking of putting the Flowmaster 40 on my truck. I will do light towing everynow and then but mainly looking for a little more power and better gas mileage. Thanks for any help.

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1997 F-150 XLT Reg Cab Short bed 4.2 5 Spd 3.55 K&N Air filter. P265/70/17 tires

 

werclvr,
for this engine i think the best thing is a single in single out exhaust. whether it is a borla,gibson, or flowmaster. this is a truck and it has a v6 in needs the back pressure to maintain low end power. plus with a single 3 inch pipe verses a dual 2.5 pipe there is less contact between the exhaust gasses and the very hot metal. so with a 3 inch single pipe the exhaust gasses will be cooler more condensed and flow faster and less turbulent. dont get me wrong duals can be great if the v6 was blown!

 

I did the dual with 2 1/4. It's a true dual and has maintained mileage since I haven't done anything with the intake. That's next. I will be doing the gears and chip at the same time. Since I have to take it easy on the new gears for the first 500+ miles this will let me have and idea of what kind of mileage the truck gets when I am not STOMPIN on the peddle!!!!
Dan out