I recently ran into this website and I'm glad I did for all the honest response people post. I have a 1999 F-150 4x2 Supercab 4.2 V6 engine with 5-spd manual O/D transmission. The axle ratio is 3.08. Long story short I bought the truck because it was cheap and I needed gas mileage because I'm putting on average 80 miles/day, sometimes more. My question is what can I do to improve/enhance my engine performance. I've done research but it seems that there are not a whole lot of products for the V6 4.2 manual transmission. Please advice on FIPK, exhaust, chips, etc. (websites/names/company phones would be helpful) I'm not planning on getting rid of this truck in a while so anything than can help passing the guys ahead will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Too slow to pass

 

Hi anna02,

First, welcome to F-150 Online! It's a great site packed with tons of useful information and lots of friendly people. We hope you'll hang out with us here when you have spare time.

The top 3 bang-for-the-buck mods you basically already mentioned for the most part, I'll list them in order of "bang-for-the-buck":

1.) Optimize the powertrain programming with the Superchip. This will get you about a 10%-12% increase in peak power, and will help the 4.2 V-6's weakness below 2500 rpm very noticeably, as well as remove the top speed limiter. Overall driveability is noticeably improved as well, as there will be more power at any throttle position. This product is available from us, please just give us a shout by phone or email for details, our contact info is just below.

2.) Reduce restriction in the air intake tract, using an airbox elimination kit. This will get you about 10 more hp on the 4.2 V-6, and they are available right here in the F-150 Online Store, which you can access by clicking on the link on the left side of your screen that says "Online Store". There are several brands of these types of kits available for the V-8's, and any of them will be just fine, for your 4.2 V-6 Airaid makes a kit for it, I don't know who else might be making an airbox kit for the V-6, as in the past only Airaid did the V-6 kits, but that may have changed by now. I'd go with the Airaid kit myself.

3.) Reduce restriction on the exhaust side by using an aftermarket cat-back exhaust system. This will give you another 8-10 hp, and they too are available in the F-150 Online Store.

There are other mods too, those are just the top 3 in order of bang for the buck, so that should help you get started. You can do these mods in any order you like, so you have flexibility there.

What we generally suggest is to do one modification at a time, and wait (if you have the patience) at least a few weeks before doing the next modification, just so you get a good feel for what each mod actually did for your performance. You may find after doing 1 or 2 mods that you have enough performance, or you may still desire more, only time will tell. Or if you prefer, you can do them all at once, that won't hurt anything, you just won't know what each individual part did for you is all; for some that's important, for others it isn't.

If you'd like to just be able to call someone and go over how you're using the vehicle and what your situation is to see what you might need to accomplish what you want, we'd be happy to go over all that with you and give you some advice to think about before deciding on anything, we're always happy to help. We only sell the chips, but we can advise you in these other areas as well, if that might be of help to you.

Best of luck whatever you decide,

------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
Performance Products F150Online Superchip ordering system: F150Online Superchip Ordering System
First National F-150 Online Rally Event Organizer

 

Get a superchip and then replace the stock muffler with a Ravin Z55 or a Flowmaster 40 whichever one they're both good! I did'nt wanna get all wrapped up in changing the pipe size and duals, it's just an added expense so I kept it simple.

that worked great for me!!

I should be getting my FIPK in the mail any day now so I'll post those results when i get em..

Also, I just got a message back from Suv truckspecialties and they are in the final stages of thier Airforce 1 FIPK kit for the 4.2 which is constructed a little better than the Airaid (just bought the airaid so too late for me) but I would go for that when it's done..

here's they're email addy to be added to thier list, they will let you know when it's done

Suvsp@aol.com

that's about the best ya can do for now until the headers and supercharger are finished!

hope this helps
Pat


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Green & Tan
97 F150 XLT
V6 4.2L auto 4X4
MODS :
K&n air filter
Superchip
Ravin Z55 exhaust
GOODIES:
12 disk cd changer,
jvc 4ch 560watt poweramp (waitin on the speakers)
Tinted Windows
What's next?still thinkin):
FIPK(already ordered),Tornneu cover,
headers?, Jacobs ignition system?

 

buhahaha, I knew Mike would jump on that post..
I had'nt even finshed typing and his post was done

 

One more power-booster for the V6/5-sp setup that doesn't cost anything: shift later. The little 6 really wakes up when you get past a certain RPM (I don't know what RPM, I don't have a tach). I don't know if the effect is better only after I made my mods, but it is very noticeable now. And I don't mean you have to run it up to redline at WOT, just shift a couple thousand RPM later at maybe 3/4 throttle when you need to pass (or just want to get going faster).

------------------
Danny
'98 F-150 Std., RC, SB, 4x2, 4.2L, 5-sp, 3.08, AC, speed control, rear slider.
Mods: Mobil 1 engine oil, Red Line D4-ATF trans fluid, Edelbrock IAS shocks, 50 Series Flowmaster, K&N with airbox mod, Perma-Cool electric radiator fan, Superchip, ASP underdrive pulley

 

Chip it Chip it Chip it

------------------
SpliT



2000 Work Series
Deep Wedgewood Blue
Standard Cab 5-Spd
4.2L V6 3.08 Gears
Mean Streak Cat-Back Exhaust(Anyone else have one, I hate mine)
Weld Super Single Wheels
Pioneer Deck DEH-P7200
Tinted Windows
Clear Corners
Superchip
AutoMeter Tach(Not Installed Yet)

Future Mods: FIPK, Bedliner, Billet Grille w/ Painted Grille Surround, Color-Keyed Bumpers, 6.5" Fabtech Ultimate Suspension Lift!!!

Email Me at: F150v6@Aol.com

 

The Superchip will give you the biggest bang for your money so i would go with that first!I agree with Mike you should do your mods one at a time so you can feel the gains you are getting. But try the chip i think you will be impressed.

 

I didnt read the previous posts so sorry if anything was already posted. Here is what I know of for the 4.2L

-Power Aid throttle body spacer
-FIPK
-ASP crank underdrive pulley
-Exhaust (of course)
-Superchip
-Electric fans

Coming out within the year...
-JBA headers
-Supercharger

Anything I forget?

Gears would really help a sc 4.2. 3.08's are dogs


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98 XL, 4.2L, 5-speed, Pendaliner bedliner, SlimTop flushmount tonneau, ASP crank underdrive pulley, Gibson split duals,Gibson engraved tips, Clarion CD player, Belltech 2/2 drop.(Springs, shocks,and shackles Not installed yet.)

Future
-Vortech Supercharger
-Autometer boost and tach guages.


[This message has been edited by Andrew Fseries (edited 02-01-2001).]

 

1 more thing available:
Granetelli 80mm mass air meter

 

See the following post on the mass air meter.

https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/001819.html



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99 4.2 XLT Red Flareside Sport, Homemade open air box with a K&N Filter, Black Nerf bars, catback exhaust,Superchip, Rear 2 inch drop, clear front corners, Helix Throttle Body Spacer, Enkei RT6 wheels.
Future mods include a Belltech 2/4 lowering kit and a Snuglid.

 

There is also thread in the engines forum from a few days ago> I guess someone actually has one installed on his 4.2 here
it is https://www.f150online.com/f150board...ML/003244.html

[This message has been edited by lightningcrashz (edited 02-02-2001).]

 

99xlt - how do you like those Enkei rt6's? Are those 18s?

 

I think my sig says enough for performance

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99 F-150 4.2L
True duals W/Magnaflows
Jacobs Ignition
K&N filtercharger
Custom programed chip
throttle body spacer
ported&polished throttle body
ported mass air flow sensor
Black Magic electric fan
Belltech rear sway bar
belltech 3/4 drop
Centerline Scorpion 17x9.5
Nitto 275/50/17 extreme 450

 

I'm new here myself and I absolutely love this place. I can speak for the AIRAID kit because I just put it on my '98. Highway speeds and passing have improved as well as off the line performance. Unless you have done a couple of these expect to sacrifice about two hours of your time. Intake and exhaust are definites whenever you want better performance and when it comes to just an overall "pick me up" the chip is a must! I have used them in the past on cars and will be getting one for my truck and if my truck performs half as well as the cars have then you'll forget all about the fact that your missing two cylinders!

[This message has been edited by ArcAngel (edited 02-02-2001).]

 

Mike, I was just looking at the website you list for the chips. I thought that they were a lot more expensive?? I didn't exactly see the classification for ordering the V-6 chip, or does it just fall under the gasoline engine heading. I've ordered things before and everyone just assumes that your'e talking about the V-8's. Are they readily available? I'd love to pick one up!!

[This message has been edited by ArcAngel (edited 02-02-2001).]