i know what torque is .so many people ask how to make more horsepower thats great. but i know well at least mine (a 4.6) has more torque than horse power.and i know torque and horsepower go kinda hand in hand. but i want more torque . i used to think hp was the way to go but now im startn to think about the way a truck is used.
heres my question how to get more torque?

as of now i have a 4.6,cai,headers(shorties although going back to manifolds cause i cant find long tube headers) catback(also gonna change to a true cause of a y pipe leak) and finally a superchips programer( that i bought at summit before i learned about troyer)
oh and im also gonna change my rearend(see i have a 02 fx4 but bought it in 01 so i got a non limited slip rearend with 3.55 gears) yep thats right i have a 4x3.
now ive never messed with the rearend so do i need to get another one for limited slip or can i make mine a limited slip?

im sorry if i combined 2 diff categories into 1 i would like to find out how to get more torque outta my engine. but then i started to babble and the rearend stuff i figured since i was here i might ask i hope that thats ok?

 

Swap out the gears for 4.10's - you'll have your torque..

 

gears and/or a supercharger.

 

Yea do both, then you'll be lookin forr a trans that will handle all that - Like a MONSTER IN THE BOX ..

 

You can keep you carrier, but you need a trac-lok diff.

Gears multiply torque (but not horsepower) so swapping to 4.10s will get you that torque, at the cost of a bit higher cruising rpm (2500rpm to 2900 rpm as an example) and lower shift speeds for the same rpm.

SCT is the best tuning on the market. Not Superchips, SCT.

Most engine upgrades move the power band higher, but long tubes, bullitt intakes, and mild cams (220s in duration) broaden the entire power band.

If you have an auto, a higher stall TC will also make the vehicle feel like it has more torque, and 4r70w trannies can take 600rwtq.

 

Actually a 4.10 gear swap can get you more ponies , economy and torque. Sure the other mods add to it . You can't beat the 4.10's swap in price comparisons - when comparing power per dollar..

It's a good all around mod for the truck.

 

thanks for the replies guys sorry if this isnt in the proper category. i think i will go with the 4.10s but first im gonna do a little research to find out how to actually install them and see how hard it is to make my rearend limited slip,or just hunt around the junkyard for a limited slip rearend and just put different gears in it.oh and about the supercharger ive looked at one would love to get one but its way outside my budget for now(and probably forever) thanks again

 

Gears do not add power. Gear multiply torque, but because the rpm at the wheel is proportionally lower to the increase in torque, power remains exactly the same. Usually you'll lose a few hp from lower gears since they aren't as efficient as taller gears.

Economy depends on driving. Shorter gears will often show better economy around town. Highway depends on cruise speed.

 

yea they dont give you more power,they will just allow more power to be put down...

 

No. Put on a truck with 3.55's on the dyno. Swap the gears for 4.10's and do it again. It's going to put down the same numbers.

It's just the same as changing the tire size on your truck. You're not going to gaing or lose hp./tq. from it.

 

How is that possible? as far as the dyno knows, your putting out more power, how is spinning the dyno faster not going to show more torque? are there any writeups or actual tests? Id like more info on this.

 

The motor makes the basic torque. Conversion of combustion pressure to rotating moment.
Changing anything in the gear train does not make the 'motor' make more torque or HP.
HP is a math derived number from engine torque and rpm.
HP = torque X rpm divided by 5252.
As the rpm goes up, the torque peaks, then begins to fall from the increasing inability to breath.
Changing gearing either increases or decreases the "mechanical" leverage multiplication only, not HP or engine torque.

The mistake made here is that mods are going to increase towing and low end power. Most do not but move the HP peak upwards where some may like it to be but not where you need it for a truck.
Exhaust changes loses low end 99% of the time.
Larger throttle bodies and air meters also tend to lose low end to some extent.
The 4.6L is only 281 cu/in and needs all the low end you can get, not lose it to mods in the belief there is a gain from them. This is engine mods not gear changes. Large tires kill the available torque without a counter change in gearing.

 

^ VERY well said.

 

X2
Another way you can look at the whole gearing affecting HP thing is your tires. You could put a smaller diameter tire and get the same effect as changing your gears. But not many people go out and put smaller tires on to make some extra power.

 

I know gears dont GIVE you more power, I just dont see how a dyno run with 3.55's will give you X amount, and 4.10's will give you the same amount... Its winding out faster, how do the dyno numbers not change?
Thats like saying you can go from 3.55's to 4.10s and not gain any time at the track...