First time poster, but I have proweled ford forums for a while.

I have a 97 EB Expy, with a lot of 2000 cosmetic upgrades. She has been mine for 2 years, and it's pretty much the best vehicle I have ever owned. I'm in a goofy situation. I just had some issues with her and what I think is the COP issue. I have some on order. My truck has about 215k on it, but a new engine about 30 ago. This made me start thinking about a new daily, and to just leave the truck for traveling up north in MN or for hauling tools etc. The wife and I were going to buy a new car(Benz E55) part birthday present for me. We test drove it loved it, but it didn't work out, and a new car just will not make it home for some time.

Now I really find myself looking into what I can do to my truck, to make it much more fun. I'm working on sound dampening the whole truck, and then building some custom molded set upts for audio. But what I really want is more power, and a bit more off road ready. I will be getting some OR lights soon, and stripping down the grill guard to repaint it etc. But what can I do to massage more power from my 5.4. I'm almost 100% sure it's the 2v, but I will have to double check somehow, as the replacement engine went in right before I purchased it

I would really like some more grunt when hauling heavy tools in the back or going over steep inclines, especialy when moving me and my buddies and gear for camping or fishing etc. Where should I look to get more power? I am really looking into a SC. Are there any Screw units out there anymore? Would it be in my interest to maybe make some other changes first. I really need a push in the right direction guys. Thanks for any and all help!

 

you have a 2 valve, is the intake manifold metal or plastic (composite)

do you know if the "new" motor was a PI or NPI?

what mods are done to the truck? and have you considered a lightning supercharger install on your truck???

 

I haven't really decided on what to do to the truck yet. Wouldn't the lightning install require a whole new motor?

The plastic was all removed. The previous owner put in a nice big cone air filter in there. It certainly does sound nice, but I'm not too sure about performance. I know that it also has a higher flow exhaust. It's extremely deep, and still quiet. I am not looking to make it super loud, but I beleive that the upgraded air filter, and exhaust are the only mods done so far. It may have a bit of a lift however. I never run into anyone with a 97 in my area but it sure as heck seams an inch or a few taller than other Expy's running down the road.

This truck really is my baby, and since I'm not moving into a new car I have some extra cash every month I can play with to get some upgrades.

 

no, several people have done the lightning swap onto a "regular" 5.4, low boost and a good tune is what it takes, I've got almost 15# of boost on my non lightning 5.4 motor and it's holding up fine...

can you post up a pic of your intake manifold for me

 

I will try as soon as I get home from work.

It's SOO hard trying to find information about SC's for my truck because so many seam to only be geared towards the 3v or 4v. with 15#'s you didn't need to reinforce anything?? I read somewhere that the drivetrain/engine didn't like anything over 6-7 pounds of boost with stock parts!!

Thank you a ton for the help so far. I think this will be a great project.... not that I don't have enough going on right now anyway.

 

I'm running a good tune and it only hits that high occasianly, plus it's from a centrufigal so it's not coming on all at once like a postive displacement would


look at torque tech they are offering a cobra eaton M112 onto a 4.6 with the interchangable runners to fit the 2 valve 5.4 and another for the 3 valve 5.4 motors

what is your axle code? (it's on the tag on your drivers door jamb)
is your truck a 4X4?
what sized tires do you have?
would you consider a gear swap?
have you considered custom tuning?


look on eaby at the OBX headers, they are a good bang for the buck long tube and several people use them with good results
Exhaust sizing will be critical to your low end performance while N/A

 

I have switchable 4X4 and it's set up to have a bag system in the back, but it's not operational at the moment.

I'll check on the rest when I get home tonight. What would gear swap really get me, usualy isn't it just for more low end umph? I do take it on longer trips....

 

lower gears may improve your mileage expecially while towing heavy loads

my Expy has 3.73 gears and gets better mileage than my neighbors with 3.55 gears

 

My Expy has 3.31s.

 

now I can't get the pics off the camera!!

LOL

sad. I hope my COPS come today. I think I will clean the engine bay in the time passing as best as I can here in cold *** MN. May get *up* to 44 today. woo hoo.

 

im really looking into tuners... but i dont know what the best one to chose is.

i have been thinking about a tuner for a long time. pretty much nesicary if i go forced air correct

 

From what I have skimmed through, you just might want to call up TROYER or POWER HUNGRY PERFORMANCE. They will let you know what they can do with a tune to best suit your situation.

I think you are pretty much just looking for a tune for your EXPY, that will get a few more ponies out of it. After such an upgrade, one would then go into e-fans and underdrive pullies, but, a TUNE will get you more of what your looking for. The pullies and the fans will gain you some more ponies, and also help in the MPG suckage our Expys take.

From your explanation of the "cone type" filter, I am assuming you have a CAI (cold air intake). If so, you need a tune to compensate for it to see any gains.

For a member here, a TROYER tune is the cheapest route. I just ordered mine for 3 custom tunes at 410$, hardware and all. But, both likns above are VERY trusted tuners for our Fords. Can't go wrong with either one.

 

I will check again, but as I said I think I have a new exhaust. I'm not sure how forward it goes. I specificaly didn't call it a CAI because really it's just a cone filter in the engine bay. Nothing to make it cold air. I'm sorry I know I completely sounded like a foolish noob, which I am.



It's hard to see, but Efan was done too. Here are more photos in the link


http://www.flickr.com/photos/36087543@N02/


a friend of mine really recomended the Edge style tuners, but maybe only because he knew the name.

I have a question when looking at blowers. The screw type really seam to get more possible power, but the centrifugal ones seam to be self contained, get pretty decent performance, and more "reliable". Not to mention easier to work with. I'm no pro, but I fancy myslef a pretty decent shade tree type mechanic, and have access to a great shop for free. If I do get a blower, I think number one for me will be reliability, not max power. I live in MN and it gets pretty damn cold. When I go up north it's nice to have more power going over snow on dirt roads, especialy if I have a ton of gear or people. I'm not looking to drag really, just 90% drive to work and back, and then have the power to climb inclines when I need it. It seams that even the "weaker" systems can get guys mid to high 300s for HP! I would also like to maybe get some more clearance with suspension, and tires. If I do go that rout I would definately want more power on hand for sure.

 

Axle code is 4h, and tires read p265/70r17 113 m+s

 

I cannot find what gearing you have... the 4H comes back as an interior leaher bucket seats but I may be wrong since so many sites are blocked from Europe...

you are the perfect candidate for: https://www.f150online.com/forums/li...hlight=bmwbig6 and https://www.f150online.com/forums/ex...ht=heat+shield


custom tunes are better than "canned" so an Xcal2, Xcal3, gryphon or diablo would be a good choice

PHP, Troyer, VMP are three supporting vendors on this site and people love the tunes from all three

look at my trucks in my albums, I happen to have two supercharged trucks, one with a positive displacement and one with a centrufigal, while majority of people prefer the positive displacement I really enjoy the centrufigal (but it's upgraded from the basic kit and outperforms the stock kit with just a couple minor upgrades)

what would your budget be for forced induction? several people have done the lightning swap for between $1500-$5000 depending on the deals they shopped/waited for

the torque tech kit is around $4500 with the needed upgrades (and adapter plates)

another thing to consider is a turbo, STS is getting great reviews and they are offer a "universal kit" that needs some upgrades to get it to work right, spyder turbos offered one for around $5000 installed with the needed upgrades and tuned (they need a F-150/Expedition so they can make the down pipes and innercooler piping so they can mail 'em out)

I bought my procharger kit used and added some upgrades and I achieved great results, klitch, bigtruck311, built54 did lightning swaps on thier 4X4 trucks, f150xlt and boss 1984 are in the middle of lightning swaps on thier trucks right now.

onelowf, colin mason, just james and myself are all running centrufigal supercharger kit that have been upgraded

JMC and blownF-150 are running centrufigal superchargers on thier 4X4 trucks

there are many others on here that have added superchargers with great results; a few guys have even started with one then switched to another

if you have the basic knowledge about vehicles you should be able to install a supercharger with a couple days of work if needed. Do some research and see which type of supercharger would benefit you and your future plans for your truck the best