Sounds like a good plan. The exhaust and FIPK is a good place to start. The Superchip is the most HP for the $. It really cuts out the shift lag. That's the "Big 3". Good luck.

------------------
2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
Class III tow/Payload #3/Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.

 

I was just wondering what the best overall modification was. I've been reading a lot on throttle bodies, FIPK's and other airbox modifications, MAFS, superchips and exhaust. Basically what I want is the best bang for the buck. I'm not looking for a hot rod and I want to retain my low-end torque since I will be towing. I was thinking of going with a single in-dual out Flowmaster 40 Delta Flow first, then an Airaid FIPK and maybe some other things later (when the cash flow increases). Any suggestions?

 

wemjr,

I know I'll probably catch some flack for saying this. But the mods you're thinking of doing will most likely lose you some bottom end. Especially the exhaust. Very strictly speaking, the best bang for the buck, and I mean horsepower returns for dollars invested is without a doubt the Superchip. Of course, if I'm not mistaken you're getting about a 26 peak hp increase. Which is a little tough to feel in a 6000lb truck. But that in conjunction with the improved transmission shifting characteristics makes for a noticeable difference. There are very few modifications you can do that will give you increased horsepower over the whole rpm range. That happens to be one of them that will. Another modification that won't necessarily increase your horspower but will increase *felt* power is a gear change. At present I have a 3.55 to 1 ratio in my truck. I just received my new 4.10 to 1's. I haven't had them installed yet. But they should make a major difference. That, along with the Magnacharger should make for a pretty quick 4X4. On the other hand by the time that gets done I'll have well over $5K tied up in just mods! I liken it to a crack addict. Once you do that first mod, your hooked. It's nearly impossible to stop! Someone help me please! Is there one of those self help groups for this kind of thing? Anyway, think about where you want your power. There are a number of things you can do to increase your *peak* horsepower. But relatively few that give appreciable gains in the lower rpm range. That's what's so cool about the Magnacharger. By virtue of the bypass valve, you can drive with a light foot and never effect milage. Or, you can open it up and right from idle your getting boost. It's great! To sum it up, do your homework, ask a lot of questions, then make your choices. It's ALWAYS less expensive to learn from other people's mistakes and experiences!

------------------
98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto. Magnacharger supercharger. Superchip, Gibson sing. cat-back, 80/100w German head lamps. Warn HS9500i winch with semi hidden mount. Wrangler dual battery kit with red & yellow top Optima batteries. Torsion bars cranked up 2 turns. Needs one more door.




[This message has been edited by 98fword (edited 07-15-2000).]

 

I agree..you can't go wrong with the superchip. I have enjoyed the new found power and shifting improvements from my superchip. If you want to do the other modifications..you can wait and get a custom programmed superchip (from Mike Troyer in the computer chips section) which will really tie all of your mods together.

------------------
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, engine build 10/4/99

 

The Best Mod is a Vanity lisence plate -- to ensure that you will get proper recognition for owning one of the best vehicles at any price!

------------------
Y2K™ Jim Gorka

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"

 

I agree with the above

------------------
99 F150 xlt s/c orp auto, 2,000 5.4 replacement soft tonneau, rubber maid bed mat,mud from the dirt bike(YZ250)

 

I would have got a superchip but with the price of premium gas these days is it still the best bang for the $ ?

 

Depends also on what truck you have. Is it a 4WD? A gear really helps the off the line acceleration, especially when towing. Do at least a 4.10 or 4.30 , but if its a 4WD it gets really costly to put 2 gears in. The chip is a good choice also, probably the most bang for the buck, if you get a good one. Different exhaust can kill low end and actually make the truck feel "lazy" when putting around, even though it sounds faster.

 

Is there really a noticeable amount of low end loss just from replacing the muffler? I was and am still concerned with the whole exhaust thing. I figured just replacing the muffler with a dual exit one would not make that much difference. What about the FIPK? Will I lose low end with that too? What if I did these two mods first, then did the superchip, would I still retain the torque like it was stock? The more and more I hear the more skeptical I become and the more I think I will keep it stock all the way around. Does anyone have any solutions?

 

"wemjr"
When researching exhuast systems for my Y2K 5.4 4X4 the folks at http://www.truckperformance.com recommended the Gibson single pipe cat back, designed specifically for towing and heavy off roading, over the dual system. I took their recommendation and have not noticed any loss of low end torque, in fact seems to have more. Some folks don't like it because it is not much louder than the stock system, just a little throatier, I have noticed since I have
over 5,000 miles on it that it has gotten a little louder, but not much. I did get a little mileage increase too. The best overall bank for the buck is the Superchip, (which is next on my list) my price differential between 87 and premium is 10cents/gallon, so that's not too bad. Good Luck.

 

wemjr- I loss no low-end torque with my cat-back loaded/unloaded/towing. I trust a well engineered dyno tuned cat-back over a hand made unit. There are alot of great exhaust builders, but there are alot of goobers too.

------------------
2000 F-150 XL,RC,LB,5.4,4R70W,3.55LS,
Class III tow/Payload #3/Convenience pkgs.,
4-wheel disc/ABS,Chestnut/Parchment 40/60,
Ford bedliner & gas/wheel/spare locks,
3" cold air box modification,Superchip,
Dynomax ultra-flow welded 3" cat-back.