I just bought a 2003 F150 4x4 w/ 5.4L that's completely stock. If wanting a performance gain while not losing mpg, where do I start?

Also, need to watch budget and to be able to do projects in steps as I'm a family man and "papa" don't have much extra scratch after the wife and kid gets done with me(kinda like Al Bundy, hehe). And yes, bad english was meant to be there


Thanks in advace for your help/info!!!!

 

A cold air intake might do ya good. I got my k&n off ebay for $220. It might up your mpg a hair.

 

Time machine that goes to the future when someone figures out how to do that one, cuz ya can't do that now.



Don't worry, we'll help you spend your money faster than you thought you could!

Adrianspeeder

 

Well, that was helpful,

 

Well, it's because you can't get performance without sacrificing your MPG.

It's either one or the other, or a happy medium.

 

sure you can. start cutting extra weight off.

 

Yeah, cause everybody loves riding in a swiss cheese tin can!

 

start with the engine, cut that thing loose! thats like what... 700 pounds or so off? Then, cut a big square off the bottom of your truck.. thats what, another 100 pounds or so of lost metal?

then sit in ur drivers seat, with a good pair of running shoes, and put ur legs through the hole in the bottom of your truck, and start running! Not only will it go faster, but you will save a bunch of money on ur gas bill!

 

So you're saying that if I go to an aftermarket intake system or aftermarket exhaust that it'll hurt my mpg? I've always heard the opposite as long as you stay within reason because it'll let the vehicle breath better and be more efficient.

 

very very minimal gains on a stock engine. its a start though.

the money you save in fuel, if any will never total the amount you spent on buying the items though.

 

E-fans

 

Sorry if you missunderstood, things are a little light and tounge and cheek down here in GD.

Basicly you have a heavy truck + auto tranny + V8 + aero of a brick = your current milage. Short of swapping in a stickshift and driving easy the milage isn't gonna get much better than the window sticker. So that being said, might as well go hammer down and get some performance mods to make the driving fun!

Adrianspeeder

 

Problem is I can only afford one vehicle and I drive approx 80 miles round trip per day just to work

 

Your mods will not pay for themselves in gas savings. The best way to save gas is to drive less. Having said that, there are other reasons for mods. Exhaust because it sounds good, efan for a little more cooling and atad more power, a tuner for more pep and fun. There is just no way to justify them on gas economy alone.