I bought a Ford F-150 4X4 with the 4.6 V8. I bought the truck to haul a 21ft boat. I'm looking to try to increase the horsepower for those up hill trips. I'd also like a little around town power. Will an exaust system and maybe a K&N air filter be a good place to start? I don't want to void the warranty and don't want to spend a bunch of money either. Please help this non-automotive inclined person. Thanks all opinions appreciated. Rich
Would a performance chip be worth the money?

 

YES!!! the Superchip is worth the money. Check out the computer chip section here and READ!!!! Lots of info. Now, on to your question. The 3 best things you can do to add HP (and I did these on my last truck too) is a non restrictive air filter, a cat-back muffler and the superchip. I added just the K&N air filter, a flowmaster cat-back and the chip (in that order) You can do this in any order you like though. I had a 4x4 SC 4.6 and the chip made the biggest "seat of the pants" difference. Non of these will void your warrenty (ck, chips section here for legal reasons why) Also do a few searches on mufflers, there are a lot of different choices. I added one that was LOUD and loved it that way!! I've now got a new truck and I've already added the superchip!! Good luck on your choices!!

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2000 F250 Crew Cab 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty, Woodland Green
Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs, ARE tonneau top, mud flaps
Trailer tow Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window, running boards
rear privacy glass, 265/75/16 AS OWL tires, am/fm/cassette/cd
Clarion APA 5240 amp, Memphis speakers:Components front, 5x7 rear, 10"sub
SuperChip

 

Richgonfishn
The superchip will give you the most power increase of all the mods you can do.
Don't do the exaust for power, do it for the sound.Since you are going to be towing and you do put a exhaust on don't go any bigger than 2 1/2 inch pipes.

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1999 F150 4x4 4.6V8 regcab/shortbed
Oxford White with Wedgewood Blue two tone, with Blue Captains chairs
Bassani Cat Back, Superchip,Modified intake with modified K&N filter.

 

I would stick to the K&N and exhaust. What many people do not realize is that you MUST use 91 or better octane gas when using a chip. To me, it isn't worth the fuel expense.

If you are using high octane fuel anyway, you've got nothing to loose, but be prepared to spend more money at the pump if you're not already using it.

Just something to consider before you make a purchase.

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97 F150 Lariat 4X4 Ext. Cab. 5.4, AT, Tow Pkg, bedliner, white/grey 2tone w/ grey leather, Fact. CD changer, Gibson Side Swept, K&N, Bosch Platinum +4's,Michelin LTX 265/70 16, S/D Triton V8 emblems, Both doors cracked, Piston slap quieted by Mobile One & Slick 50 Synthetic.

 

Go with the Superchip. The Chip pays for itself, because you'll see a 2-4 mpg increase.

 

The octane issue is the reason I don't own a superchip.
Any MPG increase is debatable.
The WMS volocity tube seems to be the big thing now.

 

The chip will help...but notice how fuel prices have slowly been rising since last year. They are the highest (or higher)than at anytime since the Gulf War.

The K&N filter and dual exhaust will give you additional HP and allow you to continue to burn cheaper fuel.



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2000 F-150 XLT, 4x2, 5.4L Supercab, Styleside, Black with silver two-tone, 3.55, class III towing package with heavy duty cooling package, 4 wheel disk ABS, overhead console, sliding rear window, keyless entry, dark graphite interior, in dash CD, Pendaliner bedliner, K&N air filter, rubberized undercoating, cabin filtration system, Bugflector II, 5W-30 Mobil 1, engine build 10/4/99

 

I would disagree that the chip pays for itself because of the MPG increase..
An example:
100 miles traveled
w/o chip = 14 mpg which took 7.1 gallons.
7.1 gallons x 1.22( 87 octane) = $8.66

w/ chip = 16 mpg which took 6.25 gallons
6.25 gallons x 1.44 (93 octane) = $9

So your not saving any $$ with the superchip.
However, you are getting more power and enjoyment from your engine. This is the reason you should purchase a chip.

 

is it manditory to run higher octane with the superchip? wouldn't you still see some improvements (ei shift points, no speed limiter etc etc) without shifting to the more costlry fuel?

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The Midnight Flyer
'99 XLT SC SB 4x4 5.4 auto 3.55 ls
Green and Gold.....100% ford....cracked doors and all.
I'm not driving fast.........I'm Flyin Low.

 

Yep, the prices are high. Most have said that the chip pays for itself. Now me, I dont own a chip, so I wouldnt know, I just post what others say.

54,

That WMS Tube seems pretty sweet.

 

jj1:
If all you want is improved shifts, then it's cheaper to buy a "shift kit". I think the B&M kit is around $40.

 

Jj1,
Yes, it is manditory that you run a higher octane fuel with a chip. The chip tells the computer to advance the timing and will cause detonation (pinging) if used with regular octane fuel. I have used the B&M Shift improver, and found it well worth the $40. I am not knocking chips. Just wanted to make people aware of the added cost of fuel.

 

Fast46, you don't have a chip, yet you proclaim a 2 to 4 mpg increase per gallon.Are you a PR person for Superchip co ??
Please explain your findings.




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fordyfour

2000 4X2 Oxford White/Harvest Gold Flareside Lariat S/C
5.4L,3.55 Ls
Tow Package
True duals(Dynomax Turbos), K&N Filter, with a 71¢,3" PVC fresh air tube
Super White Headlamps
JL 10" Wo sub (enclosed)
ALL amps and speakers Kenwood

 

I read alot about the chip on this site to. I don't think it would be worth it for me the only thing I would use it for is to go past the speed limiter. My driving style makes me use alot of gas so with the chip and extra power and the higher price for higher octane gas ain't worth it. And my mileage probable would go down if I had the chip because my right foot would be to the floor every time.

 

Out of the modifications I've done to my truck, the chip was definately the most noticeable. Still not enough though. I don't want a hot rod. I do want to be able to pull my boat up a hill at 60 mph with out kicking into passing gear. As soon as I can get my coins together I think I'm going to buy a Allen super charger kit (distributed by Magnuson.) Still need to do more research. I don't quite feel warm and fuzzy enough about sticking a blower on top of my motor. I've got some info. on the way from Magnuson that's supposed to answer all my questions. If anyone is interested I'll be glad to share that info. when it arrives.

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98 F-150 XLT 4X4 ORP Super Cab Short Bed, 4.6, Auto. Superchip, Gibson sing. cat-back, Airaid, 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 and a lot more power. I think I need to talk to Mr. Whipple.