Hey Mike I got a ques for you. I'm having a shop put in an auto start on saterday and I know they will have to disconect the battery, will I have to pull my chip out before they install or will it be fine. They said the auto start will learn stuff like idel speed on start up, things like that. What do you think.
Bye the way dont know if you remember talking to me a few weeks ago on the phone or not(I was the guy that already had 65K), About which mod to do next, I allready had dynomax catback, superchip, and k&n fipk. You told me to replace plugs w/ bosch plat +4(easier than it looked) and accel wires. Well just thought I would let you know it made a litte improvment but not much. I'm tryn to get a few more miles on the truck so see if I'm getting better milage. I'll keep you posted.

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98 f150 4.6 auto 4x4 supercab-short box/bright red & black/6 disk cd changer/ dynomax cat back/k&n fipk/super chip/lund taillight covers/clear corner lens/pace edwards box cover/ultra wheels/ westin nerf bars/steel horse billit grill & bumper insert/reflex shocks/bosch plat. plue 4/accel wires/skidoo summit 700 high mark/FORD DEALERSHIP

 

Hi summitman,

I think it's probably a good idea to pull the Superchip while they do that work, and then just put it back in when you get the vehicle back. It really shouldn't make any difference is the real answer, but just in case, since it's so easy, go ahead and pull it and then just replace it when they're done.

Changing over to the plugs isn't going to give a "big" power gain, but with that many miles on your original plugs, you easily picked up 8-10 hp, and maybe as much as 12-13 hp over those plugs with 65K miles on them. If you replaced brand new factory plugs with those +4's, you probably wouldn't see more than 3-5 more hp at most. The reason we recommended them in your case was simply because you were due for new plugs anyway, and if you have to replace them, you might as well put in the +4's and get everything you can out of it.

As far as the next "bang-for-the-=buck" mod, afer doing the chip, the intake & the exhaust, then it's things like headers, underdrive pulleys, etc.

Have fun,

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

Mike, what are the gains of headers on a truck such as mine and what is the approx. cost of having them installed?

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1999 F-150 Lariat SC 2 WD, White/Silver, 5.4L, 3.55LS, K & N FIPK, Superchip, underdrive pulley set, Dynomax Super Turbo Series Exhaust, six disc CD changer, towing package and captain chairs

 

Hi Mikey,

Depending on the brand & type of header, on the 5.4 your gains will run anywhere from 14-17 horsepower. We generally like JBA.

As fae as what they will cost to be installed, I couldn't tell you, we don't do that kind of work. What I would suggest is to contact Roger Lemere, who is partners with Steve Eppinger the Webmaster of F-150 Online in the Online Store here, and let Roger go over the cost figures with you. You can reach Roger at (916) 361-2510, he's out in California. Whatever you do, make sure to have your headers Jet-Hot coated, it costs a bit more but is *well* worth it in keeping underhood temperatures down and even a bit more power gain, as headers give off *incredible* amounts of heat if they're not coated inside & out like Jet-Hot does. Makes them look beautiful forever as well.

Good luck!

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer