Hey Everyone,
I have a 99 F-150 4.6L and the only current performance thing I have is a K&N filter. I was looking for something to give me more horsepower, but not kill my gas mileage. The K&N improved the mileage a bit. It is just the filter and not an intake system. Any thoughts?

 

Custom Tunes are the way to go. Anyone of the big 3 on here are a good choice. VMP, Troyer and PHP.

 

Agreed, get a Xcal2 with some custom tunes.

 

never heard of a "custom tunes" what exactly is that? an intake or something?

 

I'll be the first, if I can type fast enough)

A custom tune involves adding a "chip" or "programmer" to your vehicle that reprograms the Power Control Module (PCM) which is the computer in your truck that controls everything. A custom tune is written specifically for YOUR setup that is delivered to the PCM through the programmer.

It is a very simple mod - you just plug the programmer into the OBDII port.

- Jack

 

So do I need to order the programmer/chip specifically for teh way my truck is setup? Are they very expensive?

 

They're in the $300-$400 price range. You can poke around in these threads looking for Power Hungry Performance (or just PHP) or VMP or Troyer and you'll start to find discussions of what appears to be the "favorites" among the folks here. We're all biased, so you have to take our recommendations with a grain of salt.

Once you decide on a device, you can order it. Each source has it's own way for you to communicate your tuning needs and you'll find that on the individual websites.

I have a Gryphon programmer from PHP, so that's the only one I can talk about with any degree of confidence.

- Jack

 

I'm gonna try a super chip programmer this weekend, I'll let you know what I think.

 

Custom tunes are a great way to get extra power, but keep in mind you are changing things Ford set from the factory. Ford sets tunes from the factory as a balance of reliability vs. performance vs. emissions.

If you start changing tunes you can see alot of power gains but you can also effect reliability and the life span of your engine (I'm going to get hell from members here over that). Also a nice new tight engine can take / handle custom tunes better than an old high mileage engine.

I would only use custom tunes when you need the extra power like towing or hauling something heavy and turn them off when the extra power is not needed. (I'm really going to get hell over that one) But if you want to get groceries in your truck with tunes maxed out that's up to you.

Those are my thoughts on the matter, but it is probably not the popular opinion here.

 

my father is bringing the super chip programmer home for me to try out. it belongs to another coworker of his. and my father is a mechanic at a ford dealership, so I trust whatever he does(if he breaks it, he can fix it lol) I just want to see if there is much difference b/t my stock 4.6(with K&N only) and with the chip in.

 

2 things.

1) a brand new engine needs to be broken in, so i would not run custom tunes right away (as they lead you to drive it harder). Also, a high mileage engine will perform better on custom tunes then on the factory tune.

2) Factory tune being safer then custom tunes?!?! seriously? These Fords are notorious for running lean from the factory, custom tunes fix that. Custom tunes often have better emissions results as well. Custom tuning pulls as much safe and reliable power out of your truck. My truck feels 1000x better on the tunes then with factory.

Sorry, but your logic isnt clicking with me.

 

www.VMPTuning.com sells the Xcal2 with 3 custom tunes, support, etc for $395.

Agreed except unless he has less than 1,000 miles on it than it's not a problem to run a tune. This is coming from quite a few tuners.

 

Very well then......

I did forget about the break in period. The thought of zero miles on an engine is something I have never had a chance to deal with.

I knew I would get it, but I think I'll still run custom tunes when I have to / need to like towing or hauling and stick with my slug tunes for everyday driving. But Your truck is yours, and mine is mine. So everyone should do what they think is best for their needs, not what everyone else is doing.

Cheers!

 

I got 93000 on it right now, so i'd say it is broken in!

 

I was doubting that a 99' had less than 1,000 miles on it.