Need more HP
Technical Article Contributor
Joined: Dec 2008
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. With research and patience, you can build your vehicle on a lower budget than you may expect - or even "free" if you don't count your own labor as an expense. Troll craigslist for people who don't know what they have or are moving and need liquidate etc. I recently got an old Ditch Witch off craigslist. They actually paid me $20 to take it away. I was able to fix it with time and $25 and it could sell for $800. I bought a 91 Camaro for $400, put $200 into it and sold it for $1200. I bought a 1972 Jeepster for $2000, put $400 into it and sold it for $3800. I bought a Lincoln welder for $50 with 20 pounds of rod and used it for 3 years, then sold it with no rod for $180. I saw a V10 F250 that was totalled but running for only $2000 - which could easily be financed by selling the OP's 5.4, then parting out the truck for profit.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Joplin MO
^^^
Is no one listening to this man. Every one keeps suggesting gears, boost, or other expensive mods. I agree that 4.56 gears would be a night and day difference for him but unless he is going to do the job himself hes lookin at about 2 grand. Regaurdless of current tire size I wouldnt go to a 4.10 from a 3.73. That just seems like a waste of money and a disappointment waiting to happen. Thats why I suggested the GOTTS mod which is practically free, or a tuner for about 300-400. You could also throw some shorty headers on it which would compromise some low end torque but increase mid range HP. Also a new throttle body or adding a throttle body spacer would free up some cheaper power, I would also suggest running a bottle of Lucas tune up in a bottle through the gas tank. Doesnt really increase power but it would clean out your injectors and upper cylinders and restore lost power. Unfortunately, Ford didnt really leave us a whole lot of room for HP gains without dropping serious cash.
There was also no mention of a budget.
Why would you recommend shorties over long tubes when you suggested a tune as well?
I agree, cams are a good idea. You get to play with the power band.
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Joined: May 2013
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I'm not disagreeing that Gears and Boost are $/hp more effective but cams are easy and even if he got a good street tune, he'd be out less than he would be if he did gears. (If he's 4wd.)
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Montgomery PA
Thanks!
I see in your sig you only have 110k on the truck. You could easily sell that 5.4 and buy a V10. The only issue is downtime on the truck and the cost of band-aids and the tuner - which you could probably use on your existing 5.4.
Oh, and I still have no cruise control, so I can't help you out with that if you go V10.
I see in your sig you only have 110k on the truck. You could easily sell that 5.4 and buy a V10. The only issue is downtime on the truck and the cost of band-aids and the tuner - which you could probably use on your existing 5.4.
Oh, and I still have no cruise control, so I can't help you out with that if you go V10.
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Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Montgomery PA
I don't want to dump allot of money in it, just the upkeep. I use the truck for work more than a DD. I have a gas sipper for that. Just simple (cheaper) add ons that wont affect reliability and longevity. Been tossing around the idea of selling it and buying a V-10 but have no clue what I would even ask for it. Decisions decisions!
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Joplin MO
If you want towing power, you need torque, not necessarily horsepower. Start with 4.56 gears and a programmer with custom tunes, or sell it and buy a F-250 with a V-10. Underdrive pulleys and e-fans may help too. If you are going to go into the engine internals, you might as well hang a blower on it. A Gotts mod on the intake may make a small difference, and that's a dirt cheap mod.