I towed for the first time this weekend. I have a trailer that goes about 3000 lbs.
Got there ok (about 100 miles) then developed a serious miss. Went thru everything and came up with three possible problems.
1. Had routed the Jacobs wires close to the block. The boots are not angled like the OEM so it put pressure on the boot and may have caused them to back off a little. FIX: Re-routed them a little further away.
2. Found more then one plug with burnt non-conducting lube at the tip. Probably combined with problem 1 to cause the miss. FIX: Check inside the wires before you install. Remove any excess lube.
3. Pulled out the duel platnum plugs and put in copper core plugs like Jacobs recommends. Set the gap carefully to .60.
CONCLUSION: the ignition is pulling even better then before. Luv it, Wouldn't trade it...
DOORSLAMMER69, how you doing with yours??

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Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Jocobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust (my own, nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 4 yrs old and still turns heads...

 

Have you seen substaintial gains in both hp and mpg or just one?
I've considered the jacobs system as one of my add-ons. Just got my 5.4 and I'm trying to decide what to get first.

BTW how did you do your own catback exhaust?

 

I'm confused. How is it possible to squeeze that much more HP and MPG outa the 5.4 when it already has one of the most efficient burns and highest tech ignition system in the world???

I spoke to Jacobs a year ago and they said exactly that, however, they where coming out with one for the 5.4 anyway....

Can you say - MONEY GIMMICK?

I installed a Jacobs on a Tahoe last year. SHould have helped that truck right? Its only got a 70% burn (or something like that)... WAS A WASTE-O-TIME&MONEY!!!!!

I honestly do not believe Jacobs will work effectively with the Ford 5.4... If it aint broke why fix it?

It probably works great on Escorts and such!

my .015

 

Powerlifter, both. Got a noticeable increase but have to admit I needed a tune up. That aside, my 4.6L has never had this much get up and go. Most noticible is full throttle and towing.
About the exhaust, I have a 97 F-150 with the exhaust in front of the rear wheel. It came with mandrell bends so all I had to do was replace the muffler (used a Dynomax strait thru) and weld on a stainless tip. That kept the backpressure where it was suppose to be and gave me a little on the top end by eliminating the restriction in the factory muffler. Also sounds nice.
RAND, You say you only got a 70% burn on your Tahoe and that was AFTER your Jacobs install. I say to you that if any auto company sold a vehicle with only a 70% burn from the factory, they would be out of business SOON. You wouldn't be FIBBING to us would you? Do you really know what you are talking about??
Don't comment if you dont know!!!!!

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Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Jocobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust (my own, nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 4 yrs old and still turns heads...


[This message has been edited by WLF (edited 05-31-2000).]

 

WLF: Still evaluating Jacobs DIS. Did your mileage DROP when you first installed it? Find Accel on the web & look at p/n 140018. Please contact me at doorslammer69@email.msn.com or sundayniagara@hotmail.com..Thanks Mark

 

Doorslammer
Actually I initially broke even but that was only because I was really getting into the throttle. Did you put a copper type plug in?
Hope you get the results I have. I will check out the Accell site and get back to you.

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Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Jocobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust (my own, nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 4 yrs old and still turns heads...

 

WLF: Most evening you can find me in the chat room--how bout meeting me there.

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WLF,
Where did you get your Jacobs system and how much $$$$.
Summit said they don't have a listing for the 00 5.4L.
They said they have 98 #'s but not the 00.
Are you running any sort of chip?

I wonder if you could run "regular" fuel on the chip w/ the J-DIS and still get good #;s and mpg.

How much was your Dynomax? Summit is asking $89 superturbo and $109 ultraflow mufflers.



[This message has been edited by powerlifter405 (edited 06-01-2000).]

 

Methinks Jacobs DIS will work on 5.4. Check with Jacobs, then order from Summit $290.69+. Part # is 331711. WLF did you look at Accel # 140018?


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Doorslammer, yes it seems to me it should work just fine with the Jacobs DIS since it is a direct plug-in replacement. My next upgrade will be a superchip. Then........?

Powerlifter, which muffler you use depends on how loud you want your truck to be. The Ultraflow is louder then the superturbo. I have the superturbo and it has a nice sound under throttle but is quiet in normal operation. I have been told by people who have been next to me on the highway that it sounds nice at highway speeds but I can't hear it in the cab. I may switch to the superturbo...

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Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Jocobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust (my own, nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 4 yrs old and still turns heads...

 

For all those doubters out there, let me quote from an article in the January issue of TRUCKIN' Magazine, article on page 192, quote from page 194:

Tested individually , the Jacobs system made a large difference in power throughout the entire rpm range. The biggest difference, by far, was the low-to mid-range, neck-snapping torque...

then later in the article:

Tested together, the ignition brought back all the low-rpm power we had lost by improving our high-end breathing. It also amplified all the performance increases with the exhaust and intake...

They tested using a Dynojet chassis dyno.
Read the article.
NUFF SAID!!!



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Black 1997 F-150 Supercab Flairside. 4.6L with Jocobs DIS, K&N Generation II, Cat back Exhaust (my own, nice rumble). 17" Off Road wheel pkg. Lots of body mods. 4 yrs old and still turns heads...

 

WLF:
It seems that i'll try to go w/ the ultra-flo. I saw that a-1 performance has them for about 75 dineros.
Since i have to get several things from summit i'm hoping they;ll match the price.
Thanks for the input.

 

WLF: Yesterday morning (Thursday,) I went outside & started my truck. As I was walking away to leave the morning paper with my landlady, it stalled. I said to mysely, "that's weird", and went back to re-start it. "NO GO." Called dealer a short distance away from home & had it towed in. Bottom line: Jacobs DIS failed. I had the stock ignition set-up re-connected. Called Summit & Malone said to return it. When I got home this evening I re-read the installation instructions & was reminded of the fuse. Will check fuse in AM & see if it's blown. If it is, I'll install a new one & see what happens. Keep watching this space for the next chapter. By the way, my truck has NEVER stalled like that before. Will updated in the morning...Mark

 

WLF: It's now Saturday morning & I had fuse checked at 2 different auto parts stores. Both say it's good. Will pull unit out tomorrow (Sunday) and ship via 2nd day air back to Summit. I've already asked for a replacement & will advise when re-installed.

 

I have a 1997 Ford F150 with 109150 miles the only problem I have had is rough running when the truck is in need of a tune up. My gas milage did drop when I put over size tires on went form 17.5 to 14. MPG I know my odometer is off by .1 and that set my speed meter off by 5 MPH on the low side if IM showing 65 MPH I doing 70 MPH outher then that the truck run fine.I have not had any of the problems I have been reading about. My truck is equiped with the 4.2L V6 Auto trans Color Bright red / black Ext. cab I did add a K & N filter dont know if it helped or not yet I have run only tank of fuel throught it. Gray Wolf.

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