Project Modifications for my F-150
Thread Starter
|
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Fresno, CA, USA
Project Modifications for my F-150
Project Modifications for my truck
Thanx to all for their words of wisdom as their advice was helpful. Hopefully, their suggestions will continue to be helplful in the future. Right now, I am wondering what will be next to do with my F150. I recently have put a new SONY head unit complete with 2 thundering 12"woofers, and amps located snug underneath my seat and have LIMO tinted the windows for added privacy. SO far...so good...
My only question is...what now? I have been looking for Billet grill inserts for the front grill, but was wondering if it is easier/cheaper just to buy the insert or buy a new grill front with an existing grill insert? If so, which one or which brand would be better and at what cost? How about them Crystal Clear headlights...they look really trick, but how well do those perform?
I am also interested in tips that would get me the most fuel-efficient but the most powerful performance for my V-6 4.2L engine. I will soon add a K&N filter whenever I get solid advice as to what type of engine modifications and exhaust are BEST recommended.
Another question would also be, what is better, a SuperCharger or a SuperChip? If one is better than the other, why? My final question for now would be what would be better for handling/suspension...Lowering my truck or adding the now popular Airbag Suspension?
Again...Thanx for your time in regards to my project, I would gladly accept all suggestions as soon as possible as I am in need of help, Thanx...
Thanx to all for their words of wisdom as their advice was helpful. Hopefully, their suggestions will continue to be helplful in the future. Right now, I am wondering what will be next to do with my F150. I recently have put a new SONY head unit complete with 2 thundering 12"woofers, and amps located snug underneath my seat and have LIMO tinted the windows for added privacy. SO far...so good...
My only question is...what now? I have been looking for Billet grill inserts for the front grill, but was wondering if it is easier/cheaper just to buy the insert or buy a new grill front with an existing grill insert? If so, which one or which brand would be better and at what cost? How about them Crystal Clear headlights...they look really trick, but how well do those perform?
I am also interested in tips that would get me the most fuel-efficient but the most powerful performance for my V-6 4.2L engine. I will soon add a K&N filter whenever I get solid advice as to what type of engine modifications and exhaust are BEST recommended.
Another question would also be, what is better, a SuperCharger or a SuperChip? If one is better than the other, why? My final question for now would be what would be better for handling/suspension...Lowering my truck or adding the now popular Airbag Suspension?
Again...Thanx for your time in regards to my project, I would gladly accept all suggestions as soon as possible as I am in need of help, Thanx...
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Hi liquid11,
With regards to answering your questions regarding the body/exterior modifications, I'd sugggest talking to Rogere Lemere, the fellow who runs the F-150 Online store, as he does a *ton* of customizing and knows all the ins & outs of many different grills, etc. You can reach him at 916-361-2510.
With regards to "what is best, a supercharger or a Superchip", there is no real direct comparison, they're two completely different types of parts, and I'll explain a bit..........
A supercharger is thousands of dollars (literally, ranging from about $2000 to $5000), and gets you about a 35%-40% power gain. Expensive, and a big power-gainer, it's a *major* modification to the vehicle. Can it be done on your 4.2 V-6? Yes, but it's going to cost you BIG $$$. If that is worth it to you, then sure, having a supercharger can be great fun!
A Superchip is roughly a coupla hundred bucks, and gets you about a 10%-12% power gain, and it's a relatively minor modification mechanically speaking, nothing like a supercharger, so there really is no "direct" comparison between a supercharger and a Superchip. Also, with a supercharger, you should have a Superchip anyway, to tune the engine properly.
A supercharger makes more power by compressing the air, to pack more atmosphere into the cylinders. This makes more power, and is a major modification, very involved, that requires professional installation & a proper tune on the motor, etc.
The Superchip is a much simpler type of device, that makes it's additional power by re-tuning the engine specifically for the use of premum gas. It's a much less inviovled modification that just about anyone can install themselves, and it's far cheaper than a supercharger, and of course, it also adds considerably less power than a supercharger will on these vehicles.
The Superchip is the single best bang-for-the-buck modification you can make to that vehicle to increase performance, as nothing else will give that kind of performance gain for less money. But it doesn't compare to a supercharger, they're 2 different animals, so to speak.
It sounds like to me that you might want to sit down and map out a game plan for yourself, deciding on the most cost-effective modifications to get your performance where you want it. You might want to decide on some kind of budget up front, or you might want to talk with someone to get an idea for about how much it will cost to get your performance where you want it, there are a couple of ways to approach it, but having a good a game plan sure helps.
If you would like some help with that, please feel free to give us a call, we'll be happy to go over all of that with you in detail, so you can give it some thought in your decision-making process.
Best of luck whatever you decide,
With regards to answering your questions regarding the body/exterior modifications, I'd sugggest talking to Rogere Lemere, the fellow who runs the F-150 Online store, as he does a *ton* of customizing and knows all the ins & outs of many different grills, etc. You can reach him at 916-361-2510.
With regards to "what is best, a supercharger or a Superchip", there is no real direct comparison, they're two completely different types of parts, and I'll explain a bit..........
A supercharger is thousands of dollars (literally, ranging from about $2000 to $5000), and gets you about a 35%-40% power gain. Expensive, and a big power-gainer, it's a *major* modification to the vehicle. Can it be done on your 4.2 V-6? Yes, but it's going to cost you BIG $$$. If that is worth it to you, then sure, having a supercharger can be great fun!
A Superchip is roughly a coupla hundred bucks, and gets you about a 10%-12% power gain, and it's a relatively minor modification mechanically speaking, nothing like a supercharger, so there really is no "direct" comparison between a supercharger and a Superchip. Also, with a supercharger, you should have a Superchip anyway, to tune the engine properly.
A supercharger makes more power by compressing the air, to pack more atmosphere into the cylinders. This makes more power, and is a major modification, very involved, that requires professional installation & a proper tune on the motor, etc.
The Superchip is a much simpler type of device, that makes it's additional power by re-tuning the engine specifically for the use of premum gas. It's a much less inviovled modification that just about anyone can install themselves, and it's far cheaper than a supercharger, and of course, it also adds considerably less power than a supercharger will on these vehicles.
The Superchip is the single best bang-for-the-buck modification you can make to that vehicle to increase performance, as nothing else will give that kind of performance gain for less money. But it doesn't compare to a supercharger, they're 2 different animals, so to speak.
It sounds like to me that you might want to sit down and map out a game plan for yourself, deciding on the most cost-effective modifications to get your performance where you want it. You might want to decide on some kind of budget up front, or you might want to talk with someone to get an idea for about how much it will cost to get your performance where you want it, there are a couple of ways to approach it, but having a good a game plan sure helps.
If you would like some help with that, please feel free to give us a call, we'll be happy to go over all of that with you in detail, so you can give it some thought in your decision-making process.
Best of luck whatever you decide,
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: Ventura, Ca
Dear liquid 11
For a cost effective grille insert go to an industrial metal supplier. and purchase a sheet of perforated aluminum screen (about $6) make a paper template of your grille, cut it out and wire it on in the corners w/ some 20 gauge silver wire bolt the Ford emblem on over the top, you may have to cut holes for the studs on the back of the emblem
For a cost effective grille insert go to an industrial metal supplier. and purchase a sheet of perforated aluminum screen (about $6) make a paper template of your grille, cut it out and wire it on in the corners w/ some 20 gauge silver wire bolt the Ford emblem on over the top, you may have to cut holes for the studs on the back of the emblem