stock program is very mild on them. and after the first 10,000 miles once the motor breaks in it will feel like it has alot more power. keep in mind the PCM is still learning driving habbits. so it knows how to set the fuel curves and fuel demand throtte responce all that. theyve been like this since 97 when they chips were first introduced into the keys with the trucks.

 

Tell me more about this, the truck is learning my driving habits? and there is an automatic retune built in the truck after a certain mileage is reached?

 

yeh its stored in the KAM or keep alive memory which stores the fuel tables n such. to reset them unplug the positive terminal on the battery and touch it to ground. which drains every capacitor on the truck. that will reset the KAM.

 

My last truck was an 2002 F-150 Reg cab 4.6L and that was coming from a mustang so I was very disappointed. Like other have said I would start with the xcal2 tuned by Troyer with an AF1 intake. I would do exhaust last (Magnaflow) unless you have the money to do all 3 at the same time. These are the mods I have done to my truck and while I still wish it was faster off the line I won't be doing anything else to it. Going to ride this out for another 2 or 3 years and then see what else is out on the market...

-Brian

 

He is referring to adaptive strategy, and there is no 'retune' built in or anything like that. Don't expect to feel a difference from the seat of your pants as adaptive strategy does it's thing. The same people that think they feel a difference from this are the same ones that throw in a K&N paper filter element in the stock intake housing and say they can now break the tires lose...

-Brian

 

Hi Brian.

What rearend do you have? I have the same truck & have no complaints off the line at all. And I still have my 'stang lol!

Do you hear a very brief ping or two when you punch it?

Cheers
bubba

 

3.73 rear in my 06. For a big truck it runs pretty good. I shouldn't be so hard on it. I just really miss my old fox body mustang. I'm really waiting for either an F-150 with a bigger engine and 6spd auto or something like the old harley screw with the supercharger. I did hear that there is a new package for the HD screw with a saleen charger.

EDIT: Almost forgot your other question. No I do not hear any detonation when going WOT. I only run Shell gas here in Houston. I believe that is my best bet as far as consistent high energy content here. You need to get your gallery setup and post some pics man!

-Brian

 

Maybe it's because my 4.6 has a stick shift trans behind it, but it definitely hauls ***. It's much peppier than any of the 5.4 trucks I've driven at work. When I get in a 4.6 truck with an automatic I can definitely feel a difference, but like I said, with my truck it's a whole other story.

 

Thanks for the reply Brian.

Interesting about the pinging. Regardless of whether I run 92 corp gas or 94 Sunoco, at times when I really nail it from a stop or even a very slow roll, I get a couple of pings.

At first I thought WTF? I called TP and MT said it's normal and indicates the tuning is right at the ragged edge for the octane & the knock sensors are doing their job feeding back to the tune, squeezing every last erg of energy out of the fuel. He's posted info to that effect as well.

It seems to work, because the launches are great . I have datalogged, however, so I'm wondering if you could benefit some from that?

Cheers
bubba

 

I'm sure if I launched from a light with an identical truck I would see the improvement over stock, but surprisingly I haven't have anyone next to me that I thought wanted to run em'. I can really tell a difference over stock from midrange and on, but I still have that hesitation when I initially go WOT, maybe that it why I am disappointed with the initial take off from a dead stop. I had read how the tunning corrected this, but to be honest it hasn't as far as I can tell with my tunning. All this being said it is a great truck, I am just that guy that is never satisfied...

Also it is very possible that I might have a couple of pings that go away and I am just not hearing them? The AF1 intake was put on at the same time the tunes were installed and it can be a little loud.

Alright, time to go get me a coffee and wake up...

-Brian

 

Hi. I'd talk to MT about that hesitation because it's not normal. I have none of that. Traction is my problem

Cheers
bubba

 

Unfortunately, you've got a heavy truck with a very good engine. Just not a great application. Better bet as mentioned before is the 5.4L. Not withstanding all the costs involved with getting another truck, I suppose tuning might help. Still, you're trying to move a big truck with a small V8. I had the 4.6 in my '97 XLT which was ok. To have the 4.6 in one of the '04+ trucks would be quite the dog, even with the better numbers of the newer engine. Ford brochures show the 5.4 only getting 1mpg less than the 4.6.

 

Cutters, I have an '05 Screw with the 4.6, and while I love the truck I was also a bit disappointed with the performance (understanding that it's a 5500 lb vehicle)..
1st mod was a Borla cat-back, no hp gain I'm sure, but sweet sounds and 1.8mpg gain on the highway..
2nd mod, AF1 intake.. wow!.. if you want to be able to merge / pass better than you thought your truck was capable of, try the AF1.. short of custom tunes (and I'm saving my spare change for an Xcal2) that intake really does make a difference you can feel, plus some very nice sounds.

 

Thanks for all the input. I appreciate the sincere advice. Definately going to buy the AF1 intake and add some type of exhaust if for no other reason than I have tried to start the truck several times when it was already running, its too damned quiet.