Oops. Sorry, I posted this in the wrong Aftermarket forum.

Just purchased a 2002 F150 with the 5.4 Triton. Has 3.55 gears, 255 tires, and ~11K ticks on the odometer. I want to build more low-end and mid-range punch since I bought this truck to tow my boat / hunting Jeep.

I am thinking about the following modifications in this specific order and would like to know if I am on the right track.

1) Hypertech or Superchip programmer: I'm still researching the Superchip features / gains for the 5.4 compared to the PPIII. [This seems like the best mod to do first.]

2) FIPK / cold air intake: The Airforce One looks good under the hood but the K&N puts up decent HP numbers and is the Industry standard. Comments from folks with the Airforce One unit?

3) Catback exhaust: I had good luck with the Gibson side-swept unit on another truck. Expensive but a really good fit. I am considering swapping the muffler-only, since my past experiences suggest that the muffler is the main restrictor in the exhaust.

4) Other suggestions welcome.


Thanks in advance for your help.

JPTEX

 

From what I have seen here, the AirForceOne gets pretty good numbers along side the K&N setup.

There was a thread with a link to a review that compared the K&N with several other aftermarket filters. I'll see if I can dig it up.

Found it:
http://ftw.truckmoxie.com/tenarticle.asp?sid=2&aid=38

It has the K&N, the Volont, and Airaid kits, but now AirForceOne. I think you cant go wrong with the K&N or the AirForceOne...whichever one you can find cheaper/easier or you think looks better.

 

It's kind of expensive (3500+) but will give you the power when and where you want it. A roots type supercharger. Don't think it impossible. I don't tow with my truck but installing a supercharger sure did broaden the powerband. I installed it with the help of a couple friends on a Saturday. That was more than 20k ago and the truck still runs great.

It's really something to consider.

 

If you are going to tow with this truck, I would highly suggest going with a different set of gears, and if it isn't already l/s, I would suggest doing that while you are in there. It will give you much better traction on those slippery boat ramps, especially if it is 2wd. And if it is 4wd it needs l/s anyway
The total cost should be in the neighborhood of 350-900 $$$, double that for 4wd (2 sets of gears, athough I would leave the front axle open i.e. non l/s for streetability)
The catback setup will sound cool, but I wouldn't expect any low end power gains from it. If it has any effect on your power, it will be a low end power loss due to exhaust's increased airflow causing less backpressure at all rpms. This will lower your compression at low rpms, causing less gas/air mixture to be compressed, causing a smaller explosion upon ignition, causing less energy generated= less power. But it will sound cool.
The chip is a great idea, but it might cause some warranty problems (if you adjust shift points and you have a transmission problem after the change for example).
The intake is a good idea in principle (more airflow), however, warm air (i.e. engine compartment air) is less dense than cold (intake duct/stock airbox air) air. This less dense air has less molecules (oxygen for combustion), therefore, once again the original equipment will offer a better option in most circumstances.
So once again, for seat of the pants power gains, get the gears.

PS I have all of the above listed components on my truck, even the ones I said were useless.
Go figure

 

supercharger

 

Thanks Weezell. Everything you stated lines-up with my past experiences with other brands of full-size pick-ups.

I do have the limited slip diff, but wish I had the 3.73 gears. We'll see how the 5.4 handles pulling our military to the hunting camp next weekend. I suspect it will have to "grunt" to get there.

I'll probably spring for the cold air intake and then after I hit 36k get a programmer.

Would love to have the supercharger, but $3500 is out-of-reach.

Thanks for the feedback.

JPTEX

 

AF1 and K&N are both good systems with similar gains, similar high quality. The higher temps of the IAT vs. the increased flow are a tricky design issue. Both of these systems provide increased power at speeds greater than 30mph when there is sufficient air flow into the engine compartment to keep IAT reasonable. I would not dimiss this modification.

A properly designed high flowing cat-back can improve performance across the typical engine operating speeds over the stock system. Furthermore, the stock y-pipe is a serious restriction. A better design along with a single 3" high flowing exhaust mate very well to the 5.4L.

There are warnings left an right abot towing with aftermarket chips. Firmer shifts to a point can help, but the spark timing adjustments can cause serious engine damage. Choose carefully if you decide a chip is worth investing in.

I would not invest in 3.73 gears. There is not much gain further cost. 3.55 to 4.10 would be more noticeable and may be worth the cost.

Before any mods, I would first get soem expereicne driving the truck with the load you expect. You may be surpised how it does. 255/70R16 tires with 3.55 is not too far off my stock combo of 3.73 and 265/70R17.

 

Thanks for the feedback APT.

Do you have a source for a Y-pipe?

 

The Flowmaster Y-pipe is a good design as is Magnaflow. I am sure there are others too. Summit Racing has the Flowmaster and BigExhaust.com has the Magnaflow as does Troyer Performance, a sponsor of this site.