I have a 97 ext cab lariat, 4.6 rebuilt 4R70W tranny and t-case.It has 3.55 gears. Stock engine. Single 3 chamber Flowmaster cat back with dual side exit exhaust. Expedition ft seats and console. are my only changes to the truck so far. Looking for good mileage (16+city) and all around performance. What do you all suggest I do?

Thanks,
Mike

Lets see what ya'll got!

 

Looking to see what are the best mods before I spend the hard earned cash!

Thanks,
Mike

 

mike,


the cheapest mod for your money IMO is a cold air intake (also known as CAI's aroudn here). Popular brands are K&N (w00t, pw3nage!!) you can check my gallery to see their popular chrome one, AFK, i dont know much about them, Air Force One, which i hear is the most power-adder of all, and some others. they typically run around $250-$400 but i found my for $211.02 (inc. shipping) with about 4 hours on google

Edit: expect to add about 5 HP (at the most, regualrly add around 2-4 hp) plus they REALLY add some throttle response. I took mine on the open road about 5 minutes after me and my dad installed it and i tell you what, nothing made me smile bigger than to hear that little V6 pull me p to 85 in the time it did compared to the time it took w/ a stock filter. when cruising at 65 mph, im averaging about 18.6-19.2 MPG compared to the old 16.5 i used to get.

Heres' the vid i made after i put it on:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbVZt4YlFcc

Other mods include tuners (about $300-600), turbos or superchagers ($4,000-6,000) or nitrous kits ($ ? - ?).

Other things such as grilles and tonneau covers add aerodynamic simplicity and may add a few MPH's to your top speed while also saving you some gas.