Hey guys i logged on a few times but never really read any of the messages but i did today and registered. I am in need of some guidance. I have a 1998 F-150 XLT ext.cab with the 4.6 Triton motor. I want to give it more power and performance but dont even know where to start. It all started the other day when a 1997 Chevy 4.3 was in front of me at the lights...he took off and i tried to catch up and couldnt. I was very disturbed by this. I am not about to let a chevy do that to me again. The only mods I have done to my ride since ive had it is new exhaust and replaced the filter with a K & N filter. Just the filter though not the system. But if i could get some suggestions and links to where i can get or look at most of these mods I would appreciate it. Thanks guys.

 

Welcome to the boards.... a good start with the K&N filter...add an intake, chip and catback exhaust.... that's a good start.

The Beast Of The East ... My Gallery

 

hey thanx for the suggestion......any certain brand or a good brand to go with.......and i am somewhat mechanically inclined....so how is the install......super hard or somewhat easy for someone who is inclined such as myself........

 

For the mechanicly inclined, the Superchip is a breeze. It can be a bit intimidating because you are getting into the heart of the truck (the pcm) but it is easy.
Just to let you know what I think people should expect from the Superchip, You will have respectable gains. Not Earth shattering. For some, who really don't "feel" thier truck, nothing at all will be felt. For thoes who know what thier truck is doing, there is a nice increase in exceleration, throughout the rpm range. It feels like a more direct response, like it knows what you want it to do right when you want it to do it. I guess for you people with the auto (most of you) there are firmer shifts.
I installed a supercharger in my truck a short time ago. A chip cannot compare (it can enhance the performance of the supercharger!). A Superchip can deliver respectable, knowticable gains for a fraction of the cost of a supercharger, or just about any other mod out there. It's worth the money!
Chip, intake and exhaust seem to be the best place to start. For aroun a grand you can make a great truck even better. When you ready to move up, you can come here to find more info!

Good luck!
Tom

 

my first setup was with a K&N filter and intake....ez as cake.....A jet chip, which i do not recommend...superchip much better....and I opted for the Flowmaster Force 2 Catback system( simple replacement using stock brackets)...there are others catback systems depending on your wallet. All very ez mods...Those 3 mods alone increased stock hp 27 and 56 torque(dynoed)...these were baseline numbers before I jumped up to KB supercharger and other changes. My setup now is totally modified and still going to change.

The Beast Of The East...My Gallery

 

Hi schlappi,

Welcome to F-150 Online!

You've come to the right place to learn how to make that F-150 of yours perform.

The top few best bang for the buck modifications for these F-150's are:

1.) Optimize the powertrain programming with the Superchip - this gets you about a 10%-12% power gain, better shifting in the automatics, removal of the top speed limiter, etc. In the 4.6 F-150, the maximum potential power gain is 26 HP & 40 lbs./ft. of torque.

2.) Reduce the restriction in the air intake tract, using the Air Force One intake kit - this gets you 15 HP in the 4.6 F-150, compared to about 4-5 hp for a drop-in K&N air filter.

3.) Reduce the restriction in the exhaust - here you have to be very careful, as most aftermarket cat-back exhaust systems will deliver gains in horsepower at higher rpms, but actually *lose* torque below 2800-3000 rpm, the last thing you want in a heavy truck. We recommend the Magnaflow cat-back system, gains run 17-19 HP on the 4.6 F-150's, and 25+ lbs./ft. of torque.

4.) Reduce engine power losses turning the accessories, using an underdrive pulley set. A 2-piece underdrive pulley set will net you about 14-15 horsepower.

And there are plenty of other things you can do to raise power even further, from headers to electric fans to superchargers to you name it. These are just the first few modifications in the order of best bang for the buck to help get you started.

If you'd like to go over this in more detail, or perhaps get a quote for pricing, or ask us exactly which steps you should take next based on the modifications you already have done and how far you want to take it, we can help you no matter what your goals are or your situation is. Our contact info is just below, give us a shout when you get a chance & we'll be happy to help you map out a plan to get your performance where you want it for the least possible cost.

 

Mike,
I.m in a similar situation to schlappi...i.e. 1997 F-150 Extended cab 4x4 wtih 4.6 L and auto trans. I'm thinking of doing the chip first , and later adding the other mods. My two questions are: Is the Magnaflow cat -back system much louder than stock?? I don't want to lose any low-end torque with a new exhaust (if this is possible at low rpm's) and I do NOT want a loud exhaust (a little rumble is o.k. , but I don't want any highway drone to drive me nuts) Will the Magnaflow fill these requirements? (keep or add low end torque, and remain civilized with noise levels??) or is there another cat-back system, or muffler replacement alone that would better fill my needs??..............Also, for FIPK kits, which one for maximum h.p. gains should I go with???? i.e. K&N, Air Force One, Volant, or another system????........Thanks for any info

 

Hi Don25,

The Magnaflow cat-back system for these F-150's is not loud unless you really put your foot into the throttle. It has a sound that is muscular, but only slightly louder at idle and cruise; when you nail the throttle, it does make it's presence known. For me, I don't like a LOUD exhaust, I want to carry on a conversation in the cabin in normal tones when I'm cruising, etc., but I also want to hear that motor when I nail the loud pedal. The Magnaflow system does that very well.

Not losing low-end and part-throttle torque is a very important issue with these heavy vehicles, you're absolutely right. With the Magnaflow, we do not see a decrease in torque like that, it's the only cat-back system we've seen that goes positive torque at virtually any throttle position or rpm, in addition to making the largest peak HP gains of any 3" single system, a clear demonstration of superior flow engineering. (I sound like a commercial, I've said that so many times.)

With regard to the various airbox elimination kits, we like the Air Force One best, as it's showing better HP numbers, 17.9 on the 5.4 motor, and 15 more hp in the 4.6 engines. It's also made of the highest quality materials, T-304 stainless steel that is mirror polished by hand.

The K&N FIPK kit and the Airaid make roughly 14 hp on the 5.4 and 12 hp on the 4.6, just to give you a comparison. The Volant replaces one airbox with another, and doesn't make the gains of the AF1, though it certainly does work to gain power.

If you would like to be able to talk to someone to go over all of this thoroughly, maybe get a good feel for the best bang for the buck route to get your performance where you want it for your vehicle so you can give it some thought etc., please feel free to give us a call, we'll be happy to help any way we can. We carry all of those parts, of course.

Your basic plan of doing the chip first and then the intake is fine, that's actually the order of best bang for the buck, you're certainly on the right path so far!

Your 4.6 uses spark plug wires and a pair of coil packs for it's basic ignition setup, and they should also be looked at somewhere along the line. The factory plug wires should be replaced at about 40K miles or 3 years. The best bang for the buck for your ignition would be the Accel setup, the plug wires and coil packs. If yours are in good shape, meaning they aren't the original plug wires & coil packs, then you don't need to replace them right now. When it comes time to do that, you'll want to go with the Accel pieces, as they're better than factory and cheaper, too. Just FYI..........

Have fun & good luck with your truck!

 

Hi, will these chips work on a 1990 F150 4.9L 6cylinder?

I fried my stock chip and am looking to replace the stock or try something better if I can.

 

Mike do you sell the Airforce One intake? I am planning to get a chip tonight and was planning on getting an intake soon anyways so I will probably get an intake at the same time if you sell them.

Also do you know if true dual exhaust with no muffler will result in a loss of power and will I need a special program on the chip?

Thanks,
mozy

 

Hi janoss,

If you actually "fried your stock chip," then you will need to replace your ECU (powertrain computer), as the EPROM chip they use is surface mounted, and cannot be repaired or replaced in those 1995 & earlier EEC-IV computers, which is what you have.

Once you get a new ECU, yes, we can usually make a Superchip for the "Big 6" as we call it. We'll need to know the computer code of your ECU to tell you for certain, but we do generally make Superchips for the inline six 4.9 motor.

Give us a call when you get a chance & we can go over all the details with you, and let you know if we can make the Superchip for your particular vehicle's computer code (software revision in the ECU).

Power gains on the Big 6 run roughly 15 horsepower and 31 lbs./ft. of torque from the Superchip, just to give you an idea. In round numbers, think of it as a 10% power gainer.

I hope yo uhaven't actually fried the ECU, & feel free to call us if you'd like to ask questions about that as well.

Good luck!