I did a little bit of racing last saturday and got spanked by my buddies V8 T-Bird & a Turbo Eclipse, what can I do to at least hang with these? I know the 4.2 can do it... but I'm all stock at the moment as far as the engine goes.
-Eric

 

As a fellow V6er.. I can honestly tell you that the first things I would do are to buy a chip from Mike Troyer..look him up here under chips.. second, Id loose that 80 pound factory muffler and replace it with a high flow muffler... look under exhaust for some good suggestions.. and lastly.. but not as needed in my opinion... do some thing about your intake.. even if its the poor mans upgrade or the full blown Airforce model... the extra flow will let your engine run better....

all in all the biggest change you will notice is from the chip.. and yes its worth the $$$ ...

All of this can be found under the v6 section.. or to make it easier.. just use the serach feature to find specific items.....

Just so you know.. I have the following addons and I can take a 4.6 f150 and have even left one of those v8 birds... (not the new one..) this should solve your problems.

01 F150
Super chip
Custom Free Flow off road exhaust
Custom Made Filter system Wix Filter installed
5 speed, with 3:55 gears....

 

You better do more than I have if you have an auto. You might have a chance with a 5-speed if you have at least the above mods. mentioned, but even then I doubt you'll hang.

5-speed 4.2L runs about a 16.8 1/4 mile
Auto. 4.2L runs a 17.5 1/4 mile

I think those 2 u mentioned (T-bird & eclipse) are good for mid 15's. Is that turbo eclipse a 4 banger? I assume it is...How much power are they both putting out? I can't remember the #s right off hand.

 

Hey Falcon.
I have no idea what kinda ponies an eclipse had stock, but I think the birds came with the 302 and about 200 or 210 and had really bad gears..
Im not a big racer but I do know that the bird my neighbor owns cant keep up and that the eclipses have also been left.. but then again.. im cant attest for the other drivers abiltiy to drive ..
If you have your mods, you should be able to take a 4.6 and leave him looking at his triton badge wondering how you did that.

I personally think that is too funny....

take it easy.

 

I have an Automatic by the way...

A few more questions:

1)Would I have to get the superchip reprogramed if I bought exhaust and intake?

2)I can't buy gears for an auto can I?

3)Are there any turbos out there for an F150? The 4.2 supercharger is way too expensive.

As far as those cars go... My friend has a V8 T-Bird with dual straight pipe. The other guy was just someone I pulled up to a stop light beside and he started revving it up. He probably thought I was in a Lightning because I have Reg Cab, Flareside. Most people that don't own F150's can't tell the difference. Anyways, the light turned green and we both punched it, side by side for a second, then I heard it spooling up and he was gone.

 

Hey falcon, is that Volant intake cold air? I saw that Volant makes them but I wasnt sure if they make them that fit a 4.2L. If so, where do I get one?

 

araid intake, flowmaster exhaust, superchip from mike, tb spacer (helix or poweraid), fans, pulleys and then you will be able to keep up, start with the intake, exhaust and chip and go from there.

 

eposey: Yes it is, you can get it from Truckperformance.com. Shop around though, I'm sure there are many other dealers that carry Volant for the 4.2. In my opinion it is one of the best systems out for the 4.2, just wait till you see the size of the tubing compared to most systems. Also, the tubing is made out of plastic, which doesnt heat up like the metal tubing other systems use.

As for your other questions:
1) No, you wouldnt have to get your chip reburned if you got intake & exhaust. You only need a reburn if your planning for a full exhaust system-including headers. Or if you have some major mods. done such as: nitrous, s/c, turbo, etc.

2) Yes you can buy gears for an automatic. I think most autos are 3.08, so 3.55 and 4.10 are two good ones that could be done.

3) I've heard of turbos for the 4.2 and I'm sure a custom kit could be done for it. I cant remember right off hand who, where, and how it was done, but it is possible. Turbo will cost just as much if not more than the s/c out for the 4.2.

 

Red 01sport: I never said I couldnt take a 4.6 F-150. I've beatin them plenty of times-stock automatics of course.

Take it easy? Take it easy about what?


eposey: What year is that T-bird? Does it have a 302 (5.0) or a 4.6?

 

hey man... take it easy = have a good day......

no harm no foul.....

 

Haha sorry Red, misunderstanding....

Take it easy.

 

Anyone else race something lately? Its fun to find out what the 4.2 can actually beat.

 

hey falcon... my favorite thing will be when i get my new 410 gears and locker neat week and then watch most of em spin their tire as I just drive away...

btw.. Im not 100% sure but I dont think the 4.6 was put in the old birds... I think only the new ones have it... I know my neighbors late 90 model has the 302 and its way underpowered... and geared like a 70's oldsmobile... not street fast but highway fast....

 

The Bird is a 94 with a 4.6L V8 and dual straight pipes.

What difference would I see between the 3.55 gears and 4.10 gears. I don't know anything in this area. Also approximately how much would new gears run and also how easy would they be to install?

Other cars I've beaten (nothing special):

Taurus with 3.8L
Avenger with intake and straight pipe
Eclipse (not turbo)
Civics, Accords, all those crap cars that think they're fast

Cars I've attempted to race, but lost:

Turbo Eclipse
V8 T-Bird


One other thing: Does anyone else have a flareside and Reg. Cab? If so, do people always ask you if its a Lightning? I always try to give a smartass answer like: Yeah, but I took off the body kit, wheels, and supercharger.

 

Not to be a smart a$$ but the difference is just like moving from 308 to 355.... its in the numbers.. it will make your truck accelerate a lot faster, but with the stock sized tires... it will kill your RPM's on the highway....

I have been told that going to 410 will basically make my gearing of my fifth gear just like fourth... so I will turn 3 grand at 70 instead of 2400....

but hey... if you add the LS at the same time.. its alot less painful in the wallet