I have an F-150 Sport x-cab flareside. And I need more performance. I am looking for the most performance I can get. I would like to know who makes the best headers and superchargers. I have the K&N filtercharger and true dual flowmasters. I hoped to get more power but I don't even feel a difference. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

I wish you had defined 'performance'.

Absent that, the best way to be able to haul more is by adding gearing.

A lawn-mower engine can move a freight-car with the right transmission.

Speed is another thing, but since I'm defining 'performance' for you, I'm assuming that you want to pull that 38' Airstream with your sporty truck.

Since your engine has a (relatively) flat torque curve, you're not going to gain much torque by changing engine RPM -- but you can gain a *significant* amount of 'power' at any given speed by increasing the RPM of the engine; and the best way for that is by changing your final drive ratio (aka the 'rear-end').

65 MPH at 2,500 RPM puts you way way down in the HP curve -- however, by moving your RPM up to 3,000 RPM, you move your engine up into the top third of your available HP.

An added advantage is that each power pulse at any given RPM is smaller than for the same HP requirement at a slower RPM -- which can actually increase the life of the engine (assuming, of course that broken crank or rods or wrist pins are the ultimate determination of 'worn out' for the engine).

Since oils of today plus ring material and cylinder wall preparation have virtually eliminated 'oil-burners', there's little to gain (except for un-loaded fuel efficiency) by spinning the engine slowly.

There is a 'sweet-spot' for all engines, where they run at their most fuel-efficient and/or powerful (trade off) region -- however, I have been unsuccessful at obtaining those charts for the Triton family (Hey Ford Guys -- how about posting them) -- which are normal reference material for fleet managers or those designing gearing settups for vehicles.

Changing gears is the best way to get more 'work' out of your engine without compromising any built-in comfort zone.

Does this help?

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Y2K™

Toreador Red, Keyless XLT SC SB 5.4L E4x4 4wDisc/ABS, 3.73LS, Skid, HD 7700# Towing, LT-245's on Chrome, Tube-Steps, Captain's, 6CD, Tonneau, named: "Nick"

 

My past experience with
headers is that you'll
experience little benefit
for the time and money
unless you are building an
engine that will really benefit from increased flow. This includes, but is not limited to high perfomance heads, larger throttle body, supercharger, etc. It is more of an "icing on the cake" mod than a starting point.

I like the idea of a supercharger, however, I am not sure of the long term effects. Perhaps a search on the topic may be to your benefit.

As Y2K said, gearing will help use your engines power where you need it.

Good luck!

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97 F150 Lariat 4X4 Ext. Cab. 5.4, AT, Tow Pkg, bedliner, white/grey 2tone w/ grey leather, Fact. CD changer, Gibson Side Swept, K&N, Bosch Platinum +4's,Michelin LTX 265/70 16, S/D Triton V8 emblems, Both doors cracked, Piston slap quieted by Mobile One & Slick 50 Synthetic.

 

Y2K 7700 4x4,

Right on the money...Nice post!


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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Superchip, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55 rear, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, Heavy duty shocks, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, factory leather wrapped steering wheel, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, Mobil 1 M1-210 Oil Filter, engine build 10/4/99