Neal,

Several members have recommended you as the expert in creating non-nos, non-supercharger hp/tq. gains.

I have a 99' F-150, XLT supercab flareside with a 4.6L, auto.trans./overdrive, with a 3.55 gear ratio rearend. The used truck came with 265/75/16's. It now has about 49,000 miles.

I need to be much faster "off the line" at stoplights and burn a little tire whitesmoke . I need to be able to pass vehicles with the feeling of confidence that I am not going to have a head on collision before I get around the vehicle infront of me. I would like to be able to outrun a 95 Chevy v6 vortech that has only had a k&N airfilter, Jet chip and flowmaster exhaust (this thing can spin the tires at will). I can not afford a latemodel supercharger kit. With NOS I would either blow up my stock motor and or empty way too many expensive bottles. I do not wish to do an entire engine swap since the engine is relatively new.

Can you provide a "recipe of hp/tq/ increase mods." with the brand of item, the order of installment and the approximate real world gain? Any and all comments would be greatly appreciated.

 

Iron Horse,

I'm not the HP Freak, but with a chip, filter and exhaust I don't think you would have any problem out running a Vortech V6 Chevy. I used to have an extended cab Chevy with the Vortech 305 that wasn't any faster than my regular cab 4.6... I don't think you'd have all that hard of a time ending up in front!

 

STX/98,

Thanks for your comment. Are you sure? The 95 Chevy in question is my brother-inlaw's. I know from a weight issue, his would be faster since it is a chevy single cab flareside. His tires are "shorter and wider than mine as well.

The only thing he did was the K&N filter, not system and the flowmaster exhaust with a Jet "Off-Road" chip. In Oklahoma, about a year ago they passed a law not requiring inspection stickers anymore, so no emission testing (although in our rural area they didn't anyway)!

His v6 vortech beats late model F-150's off the line (stoplight) all the time. When I drove it, I could not believe how easy it was to continue to spin the tires. What is even more odd is that he can use low grade gas with the Jet chip. He is not suppose to, but he does and the truck runs fine. He said it is faster with the higher grade gas. He must not be telling me the whole truth about the mods. he has done?

 

However a wise man (MIKE T) once told me that the important things to remember are to let the engine breathe well..for example, a K&N FIPK and an exhaust are going to help the engine take in more air and exhaust more fumes...then you could go to a BBK throttle body 75mm or so....this will help as well..you can then buy a superchip....however if you dont want to spend the money to have the program on the superchip reburned after every mod...then do like I did and finish the motor work then get a chip....some agree with this and others are not looking for as much speed, it is your choice, all I know is that Chevys and Dodges and those damn RICE CARS, well they are all in my rearview, even the TURBO RICE....Torque eats Rice....lol
Well this is my .02 cents, hope it will help Iron Horse..and you can see my sig for the mods....

5.4

 

5.4lariat,

Thanks alot. I thought it would be better to wait until I have done the non-computer mods. before I get a chip. Some say it does not matter which sequence/chronilogical order of installing the mods. a person takes. Some say that as long as you re-set the computer after every mod. it will readjust for it. But, if when you order the chip, you must describe all the mods. on your truck, it makes sense that, if you want the most gain out of that little chip it would be better to wait until the other mods. are installed?

 

Iron Horse, they do not need to do any custom programming for exhaust or intakes. Only major mods or computer related mods like a larger MAF or a Blower, and/or if you do something like change tire size or gear ratio (to fix your speedo they need to custom burn the chip since you have a '99)...

 

HI!... IRON HORSE : E-MAIL me!

 

Get rid of those 4x4 tires and go with a smaller tire to get some lower end back...your final gear ratio is killing you...

Its had to beat gears...

 

To Neal,

I will email you very soon, thanks.

To Mach 1,

I just found out from MitchF150, that I have tall skinny car tires.
I didn't think to look that close at the tires, when I bought the used truck from the Ford Dealership several months ago. I was too busy looking for engine leaks before I bought it.

But, I checked closely, and I have P265/75R16's with the writing of, "Standard Load" and max. 35 psi. The 35 psi should have woke me up but it didn't. Instead, I just spent 309 bucks for front and rear hellwig anti swaybars. I wanted those anyway, but it appears my priority should have been LT rated tires with stronger sidewalls for a less wobblely ride.

What size tire is good for street performance, better control, stiffer ride and more sensitive steering? Thanks.

 

iron horse,

Let's see here - your 'nemesis' has a lighter truck with short, wide tires, a chip, exhaust, and a K&N. You have a heavier truck with tall, skinny tires and no mods (that you mentioned). Also, the displacement advantage that you have is only 0.3L which is not that much when you consider weight and gearing! If you really want your truck to pull off the line, change your gears to 4.10's or (worse option), buy small, wide tires to accomplish the same (but will look funny in such a large wheelwell). Downside is poorer highway fuel economy. A performance chip would go a long way to speed up gearchanges and even help a bit on the horsepower end of things.

If all else fails, tell your in-law to hook up a trailer to match your weight (even fight considering his mods) and have another go at it!

Dave

'98 Expy EB 4x4 Black/Tan

 

Iron Horse, Where at in Oklahoma are you from. I have a 4.6 and have installed the FIPK and Flowmasters. With these two, I feel as thought the trottle response is better.

 

I NOTICED A BIG INCREASE WHEN I PUT ON THE AIRAID " HELIX TROTTLE SPACER" ON TO MY BROTHERS 2001 F-150 WITH THE 4.6.
NOW HE CAN SPEEN THOSE TIRES TELL THEY START SMOKING

 

PhillipSVT,

Hello fellow okie. My throttle response feels like the throttle cable has stretched. With my soft and mushey car type P265/75/16's courtesy of BobHoward Downtown Ford (formerly Fred Jones Ford-across from the Myriad) I can actually spin the tires from a complete stop if and only if I slam my foot in the gas. But only for a second.

How much of an increase did you see?

 

Eric SVT,

Thanks for the info. I got a few questions if you don't mind.

Your brother's truck spins the tires faster and longer with the Helix throttle spacer?

Did your brother's truck have the same tires before and after the throttle spacer was added? If so, what size tires does he have?

I almost forgot to ask, what is the rearend rear ratio? 3.55 or something eles?

I need to get rid of my tires. I will be trying to get some used ones this weekend, your comments could help me. Thanks.

 

There's no need for the 265's, unless your truck is a 4x4 I have the "Sport" wheels 17x7.5 with 275/60's mounted on them. I have no trouble breaking the tires loose. ("the" tire actually, since I have the wonderful open differential) If your truck is a 4x2 it probably came with 235/70's, or at most 255/70's. Lose the tall tires, and your power level should com back up a little.,.,,,98