Hi I live in colorado springs colo, 6000 ft above sea level. I recently bought a used 97' f150 4x4 w/ 4.6L auto. I found out it was origanally sold in Calif. When I first got the truck it seemed alittle on the gutless side as for power. I ordered the super chip from Mike, It didn't really do much for the performance. I then got a catback exhuast sys.( Flowmaster 40) I think that mod hurt my low end. Next I got an airraid sys. Still was powerless, and I get 8 mpg city 12mpg highway.( sucks)
I drove to Calif last week on vacation. OH MY GOD.... This truck at sealevel is a fire breathing monster. I nearly sh@t my pants, couldn't beleive how much better, faster it ran( 100% better) It was keeping up with my buddys F350 2x4 with a v10. And the gas mileage was up to 15mpg city

Well.... Im back in Colo now and the truck feels like im towing a boat. CAN THIS BE FIXED/TUNED to run like it does in Calif??????????

THANKS IN ADVANCED
Darren


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97' F150 Lariat S/C long bed 4x4 3:55LS 4.6L auto...SuperChip, 40 series Flowmaster cat back.
Colorado Springs, CO



[This message has been edited by Darren Dude (edited 12-25-1999).]

 

Unfortunately, sparse air is sparse air. The only way to make your motor act like the air is more dense than it really is is to add a supercharger or nitrous. Both of these options artificially increase the atmospheric pressure outside your engine, which is the same idea as when you are closer to sea level. Obviously I'd recommend the supercharger over nitrous because it's on all the time, but the downside is it will probably cost you upwards of 4 bills by the time it's all said and done.




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-cm

 

Look at a high altitude package for your truck.

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99' F-150 XLT SC 4X4 ORP LS 4.6L K&N Air Filter Air Box Mod (3" intake from fender & silencer removed), Superchip, A.R.E. Cover, Duraliner bed liner, Rapidflow 3" single CatBack exhaust.

 

I think that is why you see so many PSD's up in the High Country. They don't seem to be affected by the altitude, because of the Turbo charger.

I guess if you want the power up there you need to get a super charger, or turbo installed.

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Want the First and Best Synthetics Available?
Lube-Direct

 

How do similar trucks to yours run in Colorado, if they are the same then you may be getting the best performance you can expect, Ford used to have carbs.jetted for high alt. and also most vehicles sold here had low geared differentials. I live in WV and I know for sure this was the case as the alt. is high here, it might be that your computer just needs reprogramed

[This message has been edited by Bubbadewsky (edited 12-25-1999).]

 

Ford sells some trucks with High Alt package on it. Not sure what this package includes.
The notion that you need to buy a super charger to get performance is silly. I live at 4200 ft and drive to 6000 all the time. And my truck rocks (stock).

 

Forgot sig

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2000 F150 SC XLT
5.4
4-sp auto
255/70r-16
3.55 LS
Heavy Duty electric
Heavy Duty cooling
Trailer Towing Group
Keyless Entry
Soft Cover
Captains Chairs
wedg blue& silver two tone
Fog Lights
Bed Liner
Fender Flairs
Cab Steps
10 disc CD changer

(Just 892 more payments and that sucker is all mine)

 

Darren,I'm sorry but nothing short of forced induction will compensate for your altitude. The principle high altitude option available from Ford "no cost option at purchase" will help to improve your milage at altitude by leaning the fuel mixture out, at 6000 feet with your current California emisions system your air fuel mixture is a little rich. However your performance at sea level will be deminished with the high altitude package installed. I too live in Colorado Springs for a time and I'm aware of your problem. How well does your truck run when in Woodland Park or Cripple Creek? All of your options will be compromises when dealing with extreme altitude changes. Your most cost effective option, but still not cheap, would be to install Fords high altitude option and change your ring and pinion to somtheing on the order of 4.10's. Your truck will be more responsive and have improved milage while in Colorado, and the gearing will keep the truck feeling strong at sea level. If you stay at sea level just switch back to the standard altitude system and then you'll really notice the new gears. I'm not sure, but I think the high altitude option is just a recalibrated MAS. Superchips may also be able to adjust your fuel air mixture for high altitude operation. I hope this helps

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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.

 

Darren Dude:

I too live in Colorado and experience the power loss from living in the high plains, but your case seems to be a bit severe. I take my truck down to sea level at least once a year (visiting relatives) and definitely can notice the performance gains but my truck is not a "dog" at altitude. Oh, by the way, I have a 97 4.6 liter.

 

BIG RED,
What is the high alt package? Will it make it run like i am at sea level. The truck was just so damn awsome at sealevel.I feel like im driving a rice burner. And no, i won't move to calif.

Thanks
D

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97' F150 Lariat S/C long bed 4x4 3:55LS 4.6L auto...SuperChip, 40 series Flowmaster cat back.
Colorado Springs, CO

 

Darren,
Talk your your dealer about a high altitude recalibration of your PCM. Most "high Altitude" use packages are just different calibrations to get the most out of the sensors and all. At 6000 ft ASL you are at an air pressure of about 25.4 inHg vs sea level of 29.9 inHg. This translates to about a 15% power loss. Yours is more severe so I would have it checked head to toe.

birdman

 

thanks birdman,

In calif last week, at a stop sign i could nail the pedal and the tires would just smoke and its a 4x4 (big truck),, for the first time i could feel the $800 in mods i bought!! If it ran that well in calif....it must just be the alt. I could hardly spin the tires here even in the snow.It drives exactly like im pulling a ski boat. I stomp on it while on the freeway, goes into passing gear and the rpms just stay at around 3300 they won't climb.

If I have the dealer recal my computor, My superchip will probably be un-usable.

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97' F150 Lariat S/C long bed 4x4 3:55LS 4.6L auto...SuperChip, 40 series Flowmaster cat back.
Colorado Springs, CO

 

Darren Dude, Get in contact with a good dealer in the Springs and I think you will find that they will have you come in so they can reprogram your computer. I had a friend that moved up from Texas and it made a noticable difference in the way his truck performed. I have the 4.6 and it performs very well here in Denver.

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Mike Boardman '99 F150XLT 4X4 RC,FS,4.6,5spd,3.55LS,ORP,
Towing pkg,K&N GenII FIPK,FLowMaster,SUPERCHIP!,SnugLid,Luverne Nerf bars,
bug shield, DK Toreador Red.
When everything's coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

 

Thanks Boardman,

Thanks to all who have responded. This is a great board.

Darren

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97' F150 Lariat S/C long bed 4x4 3:55LS 4.6L auto...SuperChip, 40 series Flowmaster cat back.
Colorado Springs, CO

 

You know, maybe there is something there. The Superchip substitutes its values for the EEC values. Maybe the Superchip is not responding to the air density correctly, maybe they have a High Altitude Primary use calibration for their chip. Also, it is possible that the Dealer recalibration, if available, would still be of benefit. Especially if the things the Superchip affect are not the things the recal might change. I would call Superchips and talk to them, they could shed some light maybe.

Just a few thoughts,
birdman