What is the fastest/cheapest way to get 250 HP out of the 4.6L w/o a supercharger? In other words, what bolt-ons should I get and in what order?

 

Performance chip and a cold air intake. As for 250rwhp, every bolt on you can find.

 

Cut the exhaust off after the cat, and install an electric fan after you get the chip and intake.

 

These motors respond well to a chip but for 250 hp, which i assume you mean rwhp uuuhh how much are you willing to spend? do you need the hp all the time? how about nitrous!!? give us details about what you have now, mods, body style, rear end, tranny......etc.

 

couple of things that make a big difference.

#1 what year 4.6, Do you have the pi heads and intake.

#2 automatic or manual trans. if you have a manual trans the 250 rwhp could be had with bolt ons.

if you have a non pi heads and intake and an automatic i would start looking for a supercharger or even more if you choice the heads, cam and intake route.

the mustang guys with a 5 speed can make 260 rwhp with all the bolt ons, tha automatics are down around 15 from that.

 

so what is rwhp on a 4.6l non PI heads & a manual trans??

I have done the 1715 superchip (tow program) & K&N & cut out the stock muffler & droped a Magnaflow in, just curious what I might be up to?

 

I've got the same situation. I have a 2000 F150 Sc, 4.6 V8 4x4 Automatic. Since i now have a job(high school sucks), im looking to upgrade the truck finally. so a chip and new exhaust perhaps? I want to keep this thing legal too.(I live in Missouri.) Ive removed the silencer elbow from the intake, that gave the truck a deeper sound, but doesn't seem to do much for performance. So you would say chip, exhaust, and electric fan? Does it matter in which order i do it? And how much would most of this stuff cost?

 

don't waste your time on exhaust, it doesn't do much for hp gains. Chip$400, intake$200, electric fans$400, that is already a grand and you won't feel much improvement and if you do it will get old quick. just save up and spend another 2000 on a supercharger and then you'll have power!!

 

Go down to the "Computer Chips" forum and ask Mike Troyer aka Superchips_Distributor. He knows more about "modding" Ford trucks than anyone. IMHO

If you have a '99 or up 4.6L you're already @ 230 HP. You only need one of Mike's custom "chips" or "tuners" to get to 250HP. Add an intake, exhaust and E-Fans, and you'll be well above that !

Good Luck,
Bill

 

hey SVEACH, where in Missouri do you live??

 

For those of you who asked I have a '99 4x4 supercab. I thought it only had 220 HP stock but someone said it has 230. As of right now the only bolt on I have is a SI/DO Flowmaster 40 series exhaust which I had installed yesterday. I'm looking to get a K&N CAI system soon and then probably a chip like you guys all mention doing. Hope this answers some of your questions.

 

well i don't think the 4.6 got the PI heads until 2000 or 01 so you don't have 230 hp. the 5.4 got PI heads in 99 (do a search) and are you shooting for 250 and the rear wheel or engine hp?? please clearify.

 

Preferrably 250 rwhp but I would settle for engine HP. I don't need gobs of it, I don't tow anything or go off road much, I just want a little more under the pedal. It's good at take off and then after that it just kind of tapers off.

 

don't waste your time on exhaust, it doesn't do much for hp gains.

uh,yeah it really does help.especially if you're talkin bout puttin a chip,electric fans,and an intake on it.once you get all that extra fuel and air in the engine it has to leave it efficiently too.a good muffler will give you good gains on an otherwise completely stock engine.

 

I have postyed this list before...

Here are the options I would go with on a budget and in the order of importance:

1)Look in the classified for a Computer Chip or Super-Tuner. You should be able to pick up a standard or multi-program chip for about $100 (you will need to get it reflashed for your specific program) or a Super-Tuner for a little more. Scan the posts in the Computer Chips forum for more info - A PERFORMANCE CHIP WILL BE THE BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK PERFORMANCE MOD YOU CAN DO.

2) A freer flowing intake and exhaust do not have to be high dollar upgrades. Check out
www.f150online.com/tech/airbox.html
for an airbox mod using a K&N filter ($50) and trimming the airbox - you can also remove the intake silencer
www.fordf150.net/howto/airintake.php
to help complete the intake mod.

3)A high quality catback exhaust can run $300+. You do not want to put a "true duel" exhaust as that will rob the low end tourque that these engines produce. An alternative is to just replace the stock muffler with a freer flowing muffler (the options are vast here - $100).

4)Electric Fans will cost about $400. Don't try to save a few dollars piecing a system together your cooling system is critical to the life of your engine. I also recomend getting a redundant duel system in case you have a failure on one system and putting a real temp guage in your cab so you know what is happening with the cooling.

5)Underdrive pullies will add a little more - $200. Be careful if you are adding a high amp sound system or other high power items.

After that things will get very expensive for any significant HP gains and they will not help with milage. Do your research and don't be afraid to ask questions. The supporting venders are also a good source of information. Any performance mods that you do should also include resetting the computer.

Good luck,
T