Ruling out a supercharger or nitrous at this time, purely because of their price. Like many others I'm running low on cash this time of year. I still want MORE POWER and performance from my engine. Does anyone have any ideas for the next cheap power trick, $250 dollars max? Current mods are listed in my signature block. Thanks.

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Bob P.
99 F-150 XLT 120" w/b
5.4L w/ASP underdrive pulleys, Custom Superchip, Airaid system,Poweraid TB spacer,Borla Turbo muffler, and 2" Drop shackles.

 

Nitrous is a no go with these engines. Piston don't respond well, they tend to have melt down problem. I think this was cover on the board a while back.

 

ps398, if I go the Nitrous route it would be a WET injection system. This is supposed to be the safer way to go, i.e. injecting the nitrous and the required suplimental fuel through the same nozzle at the same time. Do you have any feedback on this type of system? But for now any nitrous system is still out of my self imposed $250 dollar price range. I'm begining to think that replacing the engine's clutch fan with electric units may be my only option within in this price range. But i'm still looking for feedback concerning any other promising modifications that I may be overlooking.

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Bob P.
99 F-150 XLT 120" w/b
5.4L w/ASP underdrive pulleys, Custom Superchip, Airaid system,Poweraid TB spacer,Borla Turbo muffler, and 2" Drop shackles.

[This message has been edited by bob.pellegrino (edited 12-19-1999).]

 

bob.P - not to belittle you efforts - but you have the "Cheap" mod's - something like me!!! Wish I could find the "magic lantern" for $250. I don't even have the muffler, or chip!!!
If you find it - let me know.
Heard of something called C250 SoPhTec Physical fluid device - a ceramic bolt on in the fuel system available out of Elk Grove - Calif. Ph # 916-689-5524 dont no what it does, but it's supposed to give you a "kick in the gas"
Might be worth a Phone call???

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98 F150 S/C 4.6 2wd Vermillion/Silver,HD Tow Pkg, Boards, Vents, Bug Chaser, DIY "breezer" Tailgate, 5th whl hitch, Tool box, 16" OEM Mag's,
Mobil1 /Wix Oil filter/ K&N / air box mod.
In looks & go - Chevy - like a rock.

 

Bob, It has to do with the type of pistons we have in our engines. Hyperectic (sp) pistons are not recommended for use with nitrous. From what I understand they stand a very good chance of melt down. I'm not sure about the nitrous/fuel type system. Try and contact NOS and get some info or maybe somone like Scott Shafiroff. He builds some killer nitrous engines and would know.

[This message has been edited by ps398 (edited 12-20-1999).]

[This message has been edited by ps398 (edited 12-20-1999).]

 

Roadrunner, You've hit the nail on the head with the cheap mods. I've done a lot of them already. The problem I'm having now is that very large price gap exists between the mods I've already done, and any remaining street legal options. A supercharger is just not financially feasible any time soon. I'm not looking for a silver bullet, and frankly I don't beleive one exists. Most of the low dollar mods, like what I've incorporated provide a VERY small hoursepower gain per investment dollar. If you add the price of all my mods together it would equal less than 30 percent of the cost of a decent supercharger. Did I receive a gain aproximately equal to 30% of what a supercharger alone would have given me? Probably not, closer to about 20-25% I would guess "cross my fingers". So dollar for dollar the supercharger is a better deal, just out of my reach. To make a long story short I'm just looking for another small peice of the power puzzle. So if you know of another little engine mod trinket let me know. Sorry for the long post.

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Bob P.
99 F-150 XLT 120" w/b
5.4L w/ASP underdrive pulleys, Custom Superchip, Airaid system,Poweraid TB spacer,Borla Turbo muffler, and 2" Drop shackles.

[This message has been edited by bob.pellegrino (edited 12-20-1999).]

 

How about an adjustable timing sensor from Steeda? It lets you adjust your timing from the factory setting of about 10 deg. all the way up to i believe 26 deg. Very helpful now and in the future if you want to put in a supercharger or nitrous.

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97 f150 XL, white, with plain jane look, (going for the street sleeper look)
full airbox mods, K&N
sway bar and 2/4 drop next

 

The next thing on your list should be a new Mass Air Flow sensor. Go to ProM, they offer the best ones as far as accurate calibration. http://www.pro-flow.com
Look at their 77mm or larger. The October '99 Super Ford tested a 77mm and K&N on a 5.4 F250 and got 15 hp and 18 lb-ft of torque.
Also, look at a shift kit for your trans. This will help keep power to the ground. Make sure to put a decent tranny oil cooler on too to prolong the life of the unit.

Birdman

[This message has been edited by birdman (edited 12-21-1999).]

 

Bob:
Have you tried headers yet? I don't know what the stock exhaust manifolds look like, but headers can make a difference.

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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 MTL trans fluid, Edelbrock IAS shocks,
50 Series Flowmaster, K&N with airbox mod, electric radiator fan, Superchip

[This message has been edited by gaudenti (edited 12-21-1999).]

 

Dear Bob,

Headers are an excellent suggestion, though they are going to be a bit over your budget. Take a look at the online store here on F150online, they are selling the JBA headers (an excellent product!)at a great price. I would make sure and get them Jet-Hot coated, it's well worth the additional price in the reduction of heat given off by the headers, it's all the difference in the world.

Since you have the 5.4, aftermarket plug wires aren't an option, but there are other things you can do. If you haven't already, I recommend installing a set of Bosch Platinum+4 spark plugs, we're running them and we love 'em! Also, MSD came out with a new DIS-4 ignition unit that you might want to take a look at.

Feel free to give me a call of you like, and I'll be happy to go over some options with you.

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Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com

[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 12-21-1999).]

 

Thanks for the replies folks, I've been looking over them and I've got a couple of questions to throw out. 1)Buckettruck, I've only seen this timing unit for 4.6L engines it looks like an adjustable crank trigger bracket. I know from installing the ASP harmonic balancer on my engine that there is not a trigger at the front of the crank, is this unit also available for the 5.4L engine? 2)Birdman the MAS looks like an intresting option,I'll have to look into this one a bit more. 3) Franks&beans the ring and pinion mod is always on my mind, but I'd need to install a new carrier too. I have an open diff and that pushes this mod up into the 4 diget area, some day. 4) Gaudenti the headers are real nice and definitely a consideration when some extra cash becomes available but for now their double my budget. Hello Mike T. I've looked into the MSD DIS-4 unit, but it says that its for a 3 or 4 coil setup. Will a 4 channel unit work with 8 coils? Or would I need to figure out a wiring plan to run a pair of 4 channel units? If you know of a way to make a single 4 channel unit correctly with 8 coils please let me know. I'd be very intrested in this modification if a single unit would work, but if two units are required I'll have to pass. Thanks a lot for your feedback, I've now got a couple more ideas to kick around. Mike think about the MSD question, and let me know. I've used MSD units on many of my past engines, but then again I've never had 8 coils before. I've not yet seen an 8 channel ignition box. Thanks again.

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Bob P.
99 F-150 XLT 120" w/b
5.4L w/ASP underdrive pulleys, Custom Superchip, Airaid system,Poweraid TB spacer,Borla Turbo muffler, and 2" Drop shackles.

[This message has been edited by bob.pellegrino (edited 12-21-1999).]

 

bob.pellegrino,

I have 5 words for you that will improve your power. "New ring and pinion gears"
It will run you a bit more than your $250.00 budget. It cost me around $600.00 for the gears, new bearing, and installtion.

F&B's

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98 F-150,4.2L auto, 4.10 gears w/ LS, Tow Pkg. BFG AT 265/75/16, K&N air filter, Dynomax muffler, Edlelbrock shocks, Hellwig sway bar, 3" body lift