I recently purchased a 2000 Ford 5.4 XLT 4x4 and have decided to start the process of systematically improving overall performance. My question is what mod will provide the best overall performance gain for my first purchase -- the Superchip or a Gibson exhaust? Ultimately, I will be looking to purchase both, just looking for the best bang right away -- not that I'm impatient or anything :-).

Thanks in advance.

 

Thanks for the recommendation 98SCREAMER!! I think you sold me. By the way, nice truck -- the taillights look great!

 

HI Cyclone,

Well, you can do most of the more popular mods in any order you like, but if you want them listed in order of best bang-for-the-buck, here are the top 3:

1.) Optimize the powertrain programming with the Superchip - this will get you a power gain of about 10%-12% more horsepower; the maximum rated gains at sea level altitude are 28 hp & 46 lbs./ft. of torque, but many people live at different altitudes of course, and the higher you go the less the gain from any kind of modification (as well as less power stock too), due to lower oxygen content in the atmosphere, so just figure about a 10%-12% power gain over what you're making where you are right now. This product is available directly from us, and we have a link just below in our signature line that will take you directly to our online ordering system here.

2.) Reduce restriction in the air intake tract, using one of the airbox elimination kits, they are worth about 14 hp on the 5.4 motor. These are available from the F-150 Online Store, which you can access by clicking the link on the left side of your screen here that says "Online Store".

3.) Reduce restriction in the exhaust system, using a good aftermarket cat-back system, figure anywhere from a low of 10 hp to as much as 14 hp from the best cat-back systems. These too are available in the Online Store.

Remember that you can do these in any order you like, we've just listed them in order of power gained per dollar spent.

Most people are well satisfied with their performance at this point after doing those 3 mods, but if not, from there you can go on to things like underdrive pullys, headers, converting to electric cooling fans, etc.

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

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 02-16-2001).]

 

Thanks for detailed follow-up Mike, it really helped make my decision. Superchip here I come!

You'll be hearing from me soon.

Regards....

 

Welcome to the board! cyclone.
The first thing I put on my truck was the K&N intake,then the exhaust,then Superchip. You can do it in any order,but it's a tough descision between the two.
The chips do increase the fun factor quite
a bit for the cost,I would do the chip first.
When you add an exhaust and intake it will wake it up even more. After I put the intake and exhaust on I was somewhat disappointed with the overall effect. It was like,where's the performance? I put the chip in when I was in a high altitude city.
I was very happy with the results,until I got back home to Houston. Once I was back at nearly sea level,I understood why everyone was on here raving about it. It felt like the altitude change had added another 10 HP at least. Oh well,I'm getting long winded here,chip first,just my opinion,,,,,,98

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98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
Yokahama AVS/ST's
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Stillen Quad light air dam, sweet!!
Euro taillights
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
[b]Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
Viper alarm
On the way/wheels,tires, etc..etc.......
the monochromatic boogie is done,cool!.
Come see my new pictures@ www.my-f150.com

officialtomwaits.com
reverendhortonheat.com

WOW,what a cool site!

FENDER GUITARS ROCK!!!
Had to take the picture out,it was way too out of date,,,,98

 

Cyclone,

Don't forget pulleys! There won't make BIG gains, but are still well worth the money. Easy and fairly inexpensive. My exhaust cost $400, my pulleys $100. The sad part is that the horsepower gains are very close judging by the numbers. I also picked up a very slight mileage increase.

Just for kicks, I did other mods before my exhaust on this truck. It's fun to pull away from a loud truck in one with an exhaust you can't even hear!

 

Signmaster makes a good point, in that a good 3-piece set of underdrive pullys can add almost as much power as a good cat-back exhaust, 11-12 hp for the pulleys, versus 12-14 hp on a good cat-back exhaust for the 5.4 motor, roughly. We don't list them higher on our "bang-for-the-buck" list simply because so many people are putting high-powered stereo systems in their vehicles that a lot of people won't use a full 3-piece set, if they go with them at all. That doesn't diminish their effectiveness, however, they're an excellent way of getting more power to the rear wheels!

------------------
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

 

This place is awesome -- you certainly know how to make someone feel welcome. Thanks for the added advice Signmaster (and the follow-up reply Mike)... Now I just have to find a way to convince my wife that all these mods are "really" necessary



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That part is easy with the pulleys. Honey, you HAVE to replace pulleys when you get a new belt.

Or try method #2....

I'm only doing this to get better mileage. You want us to save money don't you?

 

...then there's method #3.

"....please, please, please I promise this is it...no more truck stuff, I promise, please, please? How 'bout I do the laundry for a week?"

cyclone, Chip it, you'll like it.

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<A HREF="http://home.att.net/~jmtkennedy/Expedition/Expy.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
2000 Eddie Bauer Expedition 4x2</A>

• Estate Green
• 5.4 ltr
• 3:55 LS rear
• Superchip!<A HREF="http://home.att.net/~jmtkennedy/Expedition/Airaidfr.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
• Airaid FIPK</A><A HREF="http://home.att.net/~jmtkennedy/Expedition/GibExitFr1.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
• Gibson S/S Swept Side Cat Back Exhaust</A>
• Tow Package
• Rear Load Leveling
• Moonroof<A HREF="http://home.att.net/~jmtkennedy/Expedition/CenturyChildSeat.JPG" TARGET=_blank>
• Century Child Seat!</A>
• Hellwig Anti-Sway Bar ordered
• Front Polyurethane Anti-Sway Bar Bushings ordered

[This message has been edited by FamilyRide (edited 02-19-2001).]

 

Call the wife from the performance shop and tell her that all the "cool kids" are doing it and you wanna fit in. Or in my case, I buy a set for my truck and buy a set for hers and we are good to go.

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Steve
Mine:
1999 F-150 Sport Supercab
Bright Red 4.6L Auto
Billet Grill, Billet Ant, Clear Corners, Sony CD Player, Pioneers in all doors, Kicker 100si Amp, MTX preformed undersear box. Fiberglass Bed Cover
Hers:
2000 Expy Sport
Black, Grey Leather 5.4L
Clear Corners, Alpine CD Player, Punch 150 Amp, JL Audio Preformed Sub Box in rear panel.

 

Hey Mike or anyone who knows....
If you do the chip first, and then later add the other mods, (FIPK, exhaust)does the chip have to be reprogrammed, or is it simply a matter of resetting the computer?
Tony

 

Hi tfratzke,

Relatively minor bolt-ons like you listed do not require any adjustments to the programming in these trucks. As a loose general rule, it's when you do major mechanical mods, things like superchargers, nitrous oxide, camshaft changes, ported cylinder heads, or if you're changing the mass airflow meter, etc., that require custom programming to compensate. And, the Superchip is a flash module design, so it can always be updated for any major modifications you might choose to make later on, so your basic investment is protected.

------------------
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

 

tfratzke: It doesn't matter which order you add the chip, air filter and exhaust upgrade. Your Ford computer will "learn" about them as you add them. The chip does NOT need to be reprogramed for them either. You can disconnect the battery, turn on your headlights (5mins) to make the learning of your new mods faster. But you don't have to if you don't want to. The computer will still "learn" and adapt to the new stuff.

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2k F250 CC SWB 6 speed 4x2 Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, rear privacy glass
TT Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards, mud flaps
265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd, rechargable MagLite
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip, Stepshields, Ventshields on windows, rubber bed mat
rugged liner bedliner on tailgate, quick disconnect jumper cables
unaFORDable (decal on tailgate) Western Diesel Turbo Brake (whoa boy)
Finally gauges!!: Pyrometer & Boost on the A-Pillar mount

 

Thanks for your reaplies!
Tony