Not enough power...
#16
09-23-1999 | 05:49 PM
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 460
Likes: 0
From: Central California
Go with the bigger engine. I have the 5.4 and love it. Don't bother with less engine, GO BIG!!!
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'99 F150 SC, 4x2, Oxford white, flareside, 5.4, 3.55 rearend,
bodyside mouldings, Snugtop hard tonneau, K&N dropin and airbox mod.
Pending installation (on order)Nascar Penda bedliner.
Future mods: 2/4 lowering, bra and some Roush stuff. Also want Gibson Supertruck
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'99 F150 SC, 4x2, Oxford white, flareside, 5.4, 3.55 rearend,
bodyside mouldings, Snugtop hard tonneau, K&N dropin and airbox mod.
Pending installation (on order)Nascar Penda bedliner.
Future mods: 2/4 lowering, bra and some Roush stuff. Also want Gibson Supertruck
#17
09-23-1999 | 05:55 PM
Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Toronto
The 5.4 is the best truck engine around and if you can afford the extra gas go for it. The 4.6 is also an excellent engine that has good power, is durable and gets great mileage (for a truck).
I have a 4.6 and tow under 3000lbs occaionally and I love every minute I'm driving it. But if you tow lots or like to race lots then go for the 5.4
I have a 4.6 and tow under 3000lbs occaionally and I love every minute I'm driving it. But if you tow lots or like to race lots then go for the 5.4
#18
09-23-1999 | 09:41 PM
Former Sponsor
Joined: Mar 1998
Posts: 13,385
Likes: 4
From: Virginia
Dear Corey,
One thing that has not been mentioned (or if it was, I missed it) is the fact that there can be *tremendous* weight differences between these F-150s. The differences in weight between wheelbase, cab size, bed size, 4X2, 4X4, etc., can be quite a spread, and it's certainly enough to explain why some F-150's with V-6's will smoke their tires, and some 5.4's won't utter a peep coming off the line.
You've got a beautiful new truck, and there are *plenty* of things that can be done to improve it's performance *and* it's gas mileage. Crazy C made the same basic suggestions that I would normally make, so I won't reiterate what he's said. Each of his suggestions will also tend to help your gas mileage as well, via increased volumentric efficiency of the engine. One thing you might want to give some thought to is the improvement in gas mileage that most people see with the Superchip. For some of us, it's enough to not only pay for the Superchip, but to have it pay you to use it. For others, those towing heavy loads, leadfooted driving, etc., they don't see any improvement in gas mileage. It will all depend on how you operate the vehicle, and your local fuel quality. The improvement in gas mileage comes primarily when cruising, and is merely a by-product of the optimized spark advance curves used on part-throttle. A very nice by-product, to be sure, but a by-product nonetheless. The range of improvement varies of course, running anywhere from about 1.5 to as much as 3.5 more mpg. Again, vehicle weight plays a role in this too, just like it does without the Superchip.
However, if the Superchip just won't work for you, there are other things you can still do; they won't get as big a power or performance gain, but they are certainly worthwhile! The Airaid kit that is available right here in the F150online store at a great price works very well, and adds a good 10-12 hp. A cat-back exhaust system is also a good choice, and there's always headers, ignition upgrades, etc. Also, you can switch to all synthetic fluids to help gas mileage a bit as well, and I mean tranny fluid, differential fluids, just about everything!
We only handle programming products, I.E., Superchips products, but feel free to give me a call if you'd like more advice, ideas, etc. on how to improve your gas mileage.
Good luck with your truck!
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 09-23-1999).]
One thing that has not been mentioned (or if it was, I missed it) is the fact that there can be *tremendous* weight differences between these F-150s. The differences in weight between wheelbase, cab size, bed size, 4X2, 4X4, etc., can be quite a spread, and it's certainly enough to explain why some F-150's with V-6's will smoke their tires, and some 5.4's won't utter a peep coming off the line.
You've got a beautiful new truck, and there are *plenty* of things that can be done to improve it's performance *and* it's gas mileage. Crazy C made the same basic suggestions that I would normally make, so I won't reiterate what he's said. Each of his suggestions will also tend to help your gas mileage as well, via increased volumentric efficiency of the engine. One thing you might want to give some thought to is the improvement in gas mileage that most people see with the Superchip. For some of us, it's enough to not only pay for the Superchip, but to have it pay you to use it. For others, those towing heavy loads, leadfooted driving, etc., they don't see any improvement in gas mileage. It will all depend on how you operate the vehicle, and your local fuel quality. The improvement in gas mileage comes primarily when cruising, and is merely a by-product of the optimized spark advance curves used on part-throttle. A very nice by-product, to be sure, but a by-product nonetheless. The range of improvement varies of course, running anywhere from about 1.5 to as much as 3.5 more mpg. Again, vehicle weight plays a role in this too, just like it does without the Superchip.
However, if the Superchip just won't work for you, there are other things you can still do; they won't get as big a power or performance gain, but they are certainly worthwhile! The Airaid kit that is available right here in the F150online store at a great price works very well, and adds a good 10-12 hp. A cat-back exhaust system is also a good choice, and there's always headers, ignition upgrades, etc. Also, you can switch to all synthetic fluids to help gas mileage a bit as well, and I mean tranny fluid, differential fluids, just about everything!
We only handle programming products, I.E., Superchips products, but feel free to give me a call if you'd like more advice, ideas, etc. on how to improve your gas mileage.
Good luck with your truck!
------------------
Mike Troyer
Performance Products, Inc.
National Distributor of Superchips
(540) 862-9515
Email: mtroyer@compuserve.com
[This message has been edited by Superchips_Distributor (edited 09-23-1999).]
#19
09-23-1999 | 11:02 PM
Thread Starter
|
Member
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
I'll most likely chip my truck, but maybe not until the spring. I definately want to put a catback system on with a flowmaster 40 series. My thing is that when I filled up with gas tonight, I payed 64.9 cents per liter for regular fuel. The premium fuel is about 78 cents per liter. Although I do cruise quite a way to work and back, I also have a fairly heavy foot and occasionally I do tow a large load. For instance, I was pulling a 2500 pound trailer with an old tempo on top of that last weekend and I pull my boat around all the time.
I'm hoping that the catback system and an airbox mod will be enough, but I have this sneaking suspicion that I'll be needing the chip as well. The other thing I'm considering at the moment is getting the intakes ported & polished, maybe upgraded plugs as well...
We'll have to see what happens in the next few weeks...
Corey
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Silver 99 F150 XLT Sport with Flare Sides...
Mods: K&N Air Filter, Tinted Side Windows, Reese Class 3, Pioneer Deck, Zapco Amp, JL Audio ('nuff said.)
Coming soon: Herculiner Bed Liner, Solid Tonneau Cover
I'm hoping that the catback system and an airbox mod will be enough, but I have this sneaking suspicion that I'll be needing the chip as well. The other thing I'm considering at the moment is getting the intakes ported & polished, maybe upgraded plugs as well...
We'll have to see what happens in the next few weeks...
Corey
------------------
Silver 99 F150 XLT Sport with Flare Sides...
Mods: K&N Air Filter, Tinted Side Windows, Reese Class 3, Pioneer Deck, Zapco Amp, JL Audio ('nuff said.)
Coming soon: Herculiner Bed Liner, Solid Tonneau Cover