Hey guys, I'm trying to get the most power out of my single cab 2003 f150 xlt. I've been searching the site for exhaust advise but can't seem to figure out what will give me the most over all power. I have done a CAI but I'm trying to decide on what exhaust to put on, I don't care about what the sound is as much as I want to achieve the most power.... Please help!!!!!!!!

 

Exhaust does nothing for power unless you do headers. The CAI does very little unless you have a tune for it. The best power producer for the money is a custom tune, unless you supercharge it.

 

What can I do to get a custom tune? I haven't been able to figure that out and feel dumb for having to ask

 

Check out the sticky thread at the top of the Tuner forum. I would get an SCT from 5 Star Tuners, but there are other good options.

 

a tuner with custom tunes will be helpful....but what are you going to do with this truck?

1) general truck use, maybe throw a few things in the bed to haul..a bit of off road, rarely tow much of anything?

or;
2)general truck use like above, only more off road and tow pretty regularly?

if #2... then you probably will be happier with better gear set in the axles for towing, like 4:10 or 4:56 ratio and then get the tunner You'll get a better seat of the pants feel and your tranny will be a lot happier for it too.

You'll have to know what you gears you already have...the door tag/sticker will help you there.

Considering that you are in Alaska....you'll most likely be happiest with #2 option with a locker in the rear and limited slip in the front (presuming you have a 4x4)..... unless that you really fit #1 better?

#2 does not come cheap, so be warned, expect additional 2-3k , maybe more in your neck of the woods, for the gear swap unless you're already skilled in that area

 

Enriched is spot on with his suggestions. Depending on your budget e-fans, gears, and a tuner (mainly for trannny tweaks) would make the truck feel and drive allot better imho. I am 2wd w/ a 4.6 and these changes along with my LTs made a huge difference. MPG hasnt changed fwiw 16 last tank.

 

It's more of a general truck that I like to have fun with, I'm slowly turning it into a prerunner with a long travel suspension. Thank you for all the tips you've given, any other tips would be extremely appreciated

 

so with the "prerunner" direction...hints that you're going off road more likely than not...which...probably includes larger tires. Which most of us in the lower 48 perceive Alaska as "mostly off road" anyway.

The re-gear the differentials suggestion still stands. With the larger tires...or at the very least, a more aggressive tire tread on the tires means that you will be adding more stress on the drive train. With the lower gears, (higher numerically), will give you that extra grunt and throttle response that you are looking for.

Combine that gear change with a tuner and like what ParnAZ suggested the LT headers and E fan and your truck will come alive & you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner. Provided that your current state of engine and tranny is very healthy to begin with.