any tips for high altitude operation?

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Old Aug 23, 2000 | 08:44 PM
  #1  
98SCREAMER's Avatar
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From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
Unhappy any tips for high altitude operation?

My poor truck is running like it has a rag
stuffed in the throttle body, can anyone help me,or am I in dogsville til I leave
Albuquerque? fyi it's 5000 ft. elevation here and my truck does not like it AT ALL!
How are they tuned differently to run well
up here,I don't see how someone could
put up with this if they bought their's new
in this area. any tips? I already reset the
computer.

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips
color matched snuglid
B&M Shiftplus
Westin nerfsblk powdercoat
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/RS speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam,
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.etc.etc....etc......
 
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Old Aug 23, 2000 | 09:45 PM
  #2  
dirt bike dave's Avatar
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From: Bakersfield, CA, USA
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I don't think there is much you can do. The truck is running too rich and there is a lot less oxegyn, and I don't think there is anyway to lean the mixture out.

A dirty air filter can make the mixture run richer, so make sure your air filter is clean and not overoiled if a K&N.
 
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Old Aug 23, 2000 | 11:06 PM
  #3  
98SCREAMER's Avatar
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From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
Unhappy

I was afraid of that,,I was hoping there was a quick fix. They are probably tuned
differently in the computer. There are late
model trucks around here running extremely well!! screaming tires bellowing
engines....I guess they have super chargers or something going for them.

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips
color matched snuglid
B&M Shiftplus
Westin nerfsblk powdercoat
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/RS speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam,
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.etc.etc....etc......
 
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Old Aug 24, 2000 | 01:32 AM
  #4  
dirt bike dave's Avatar
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From: Bakersfield, CA, USA
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Changing gear ratios would help. Maybe a set of 4.10's.
 
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Old Aug 24, 2000 | 09:59 AM
  #5  
sigalph's Avatar
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From: Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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When I bought my 2000 in SLC, UT (4,500 ish ft) it came with the high altitude package. I think this package is mostly a diffrent computer program. Talk to a local dealer to find out more.

BTW My truck runs great, even with bigger tires. But the superchips, exhaust, and FIPK don't hurt?

------------------
2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Extended Cab
  • Deep Wedgewood Blue
  • 4.6L Manual Trans
  • Ford Tonneau Cover
  • Magnum Bug Deflector
  • Panther 16x8 wheels with 285/75 R16 BFG All Terrain T/A
  • 'Superchips' Performance Chip
  • K&N FIPK (With custom mod)
  • Westin Side Bars (Black)
  • 3" Jardine Cat-Back Exhaust with Crome Tip
  • Clear Corners
  • Tinted Font Side Windows

 
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Old Aug 24, 2000 | 11:46 AM
  #6  
98SCREAMER's Avatar
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From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
Smile

I'll only be here for fourweeks,so I guess
I'll have to live with it,,,,,thanks guys,,,98

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips
color matched snuglid
B&M Shiftplus
Westin nerfsblk powdercoat
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/RS speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam,
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.etc.etc....etc......
 
Reply
Old Aug 24, 2000 | 11:50 AM
  #7  
98SCREAMER's Avatar
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From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
Smile

I'll only be here for fourweeks,so I guess
I'll have to live with it,,,,,thanks guys,,,98

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips
color matched snuglid
B&M Shiftplus
Westin nerfsblk powdercoat
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/RS speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam,
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.etc.etc....etc......
 
Reply

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Old Aug 24, 2000 | 03:54 PM
  #8  
Willy's Avatar
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From: Penn Yan, NY
Cool

Supercharger would fix it!

------------------
2000 XLT supercab, 4x4 7700lb. package, 5.4L, 3.73 LS,skids,CD changer,MagnaCharger, Flowmaster,Superchip, Airaid, Gibson Headers, Island Blue


 
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Old Aug 24, 2000 | 05:05 PM
  #9  
98SCREAMER's Avatar
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From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
Thumbs up

I'll bet it would,,,this city is worth it though
It leaves Milwaukee in the dust,,,hehe

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips
color matched snuglid
B&M Shiftplus
Westin nerfsblk powdercoat
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/RS speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam,
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.etc.etc....etc......
 
Reply
Old Sep 8, 2000 | 10:16 AM
  #10  
HappyCamper's Avatar
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From: Colorado
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I live at 7000' elevation. My 4.6l has a noticeable loss of power, but is still more than adequate.

I'm sure the computer is leaning it out because I consistently get 21mpg hwy and 19.5mpg mixed hwy/city here. Gas mileage ALWAYS drops to 18mpg highway when I drop down to low elevation (i.e 2000 - 3000 feet).

------------------
98 F150 XLT SC 4x4 4.6L 5spd 3.55 Lt Denim Blue
 
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Old Sep 8, 2000 | 01:18 PM
  #11  
98SCREAMER's Avatar
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From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
Talking

I can't wait to get back to sea level,it's a
power monster in Houston. And a superchip is in the mail,,hehehe :-)

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips
color matched snuglid
B&M Shiftplus
Westin nerfsblk powdercoat
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/RS speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam,
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.etc.etc....etc......
 
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2000 | 02:12 PM
  #12  
98SCREAMER's Avatar
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From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
Cool

I'm outta here in a week!!woo hoo! Thanks for all the help guys,a computer
reset did help quite a bit. A word of advice for anyone who may steam clean
the engine,,do not I mean,,,do not forget
to unwrap the filter before you start the engine. The suction power is unbelieveable! The filter twisted into a spiral! Oh stupid me!

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam, etc..etc.......
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.Billet grilles on order
Hoping for deliverance from door crack hell.

 
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Old Sep 11, 2000 | 12:03 AM
  #13  
black f150 offroad's Avatar
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From: Canada
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The pcm can componsate for higher alittude the maf sensor works as a baro sensor ( there is still a baro pid, just infered ) the computer keeps this information in kam and it only adjust with a pcm reset or when driven at higher throttle openings, there is a tsb 98-23-10 which states how a contaminated maf can cause incorrect fuel trims and that the baro will be inaccurate, clean you maf sensor and if you have access to a scan tool monitor the maf pid and fuel trims, maf should not be higher than 1.0 v at idle, also by the way in cooler climates the k&n filters can freeze up wich also causes driveability problems
 
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Old Sep 11, 2000 | 12:48 AM
  #14  
Bent6's Avatar
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From: Great Lakes
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You will loose approx. 3% of your engines power for every 1000' of elevation increase. You are down roughly 15% on power. Your truck is not running rich. There is not enough air density at that altitude to run sea level fuel curves. The computer will adjust for the lack of air density by leaning/narrowing the injector pulse width. I believe that the High Altitude Package features a timing table with slightly advanced ignition curves at low barrometer to raise the cylinder pressure in an effort to regain some of the cylinder pressure lost due to low air density at altitude. At high altitude your engine will have lower octane requirements. I lived at 5000' for a while and 89 was the higest pump octane in town.

------------------
97 XLT S/C Long Bed 2wd, 4.6 Romeo, 4R70W Trans., 3.55 LS, 195,000 miles


 
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Old Sep 15, 2000 | 07:04 PM
  #15  
98SCREAMER's Avatar
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From: Houston, by way of every major city in America.
Cool

2000 pounds,I think you are dangerously
close to super duty territory, Probably save enough money on gas and suspension repairs to offset the initial cost. Just my opinion,but the 150 would be maxed out with just the camper.,,,,,98

------------------
98 F-150 4.6 Litre XLT2wd Ext. cab
prarie tan/tan int.
K/N gen.II fipk
custom dual exh/gibson rectangle tips/rear exiting.
color matched snuglid
Superchip!!!
Westin nerfs blk .powdercoat
Clear front corners
Cobra 75WXST cb w/weather alert
Kenwood cd w/Radio Shack speakers,don't laugh it sounds pretty good
On the way/wheels,tires,air dam, etc..etc.......
doin the monochromatic boogie
on the front end.Billet grilles on order
Hoping for deliverance from door crack hell.

 
Reply



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