Hey guys, i have a 1994 F-150 i6. I'm really interested in a performance chip for my truck for the obvious reasons of horse power, torque, and fuel economy and i was looking at the PCD chips for it because they're somewhat affordable. I've read a lot of good and bad reviews on chips for this engine but I'm not sure what to make of it. Some people say they work great, and others say that the truck's too old for it to work so i don't know, any insight appreciated

 

Save your money, they are are not worth a tinker's darn on these trucks. Advance the base timing a few degrees. It accomplishes the same thing without spending money on a worthless chip.

 

Ditto. Chips are junk.

 

Haha will do, Thanks

 

x3 chips are junk... advance timing is the cheapest option.

I have been doing some research on more power and there is a compatible Crane cam with the 4.9L 300. I have been reading about guys that have put the Crane cam in and put 302/351w injectors on. But when you put bigger injectors on you have to cut the fuel flow by putting on a fuel pressure regulator... I haven't seen numbers from one of these builds yet but have been told the gains are significant.

 

Good info ... What else can be done that works well and doesn't totally kill mileage?

 

there isn't any one thing to do but just for informational purposes...

87-91 300 I6's has more HP and TQ in stock form than any other 300 I6 years.

Older carb 300's can put a a Offey DP manifold, 4 bbl carb, and a really hot cam in to make more power. Also replacing the old log exhaust with EFI manifolds helps on increased exhaust flow...

As for the EFI's (87+) 300's you have to be a little more crafty. The long tube headers are the only way to get more flow out of the exhaust but you won't gain much power considering how much cash you'll dump on the LT header and new exhaust work. Any 4.9L will be helped considerably by a nice port and polish job. The EFI heads have thinner jacket walls so you have to be careful not to grind into the water jacket. Of course a good 3 angle valve job is a must if you are P&Ping your head. The lack of aluminum (or any) aftermarket head, kinda kills the potential gains we could get from a really good flowing head...

Back to exhaust quickly... The EFI manifolds flow pretty good but the stock cat and small stock exhaust pipe restrict the flow... Thumper (see sig) is running true duals off each manifold with no cats and 24in (i think that's the right length) glass packs. this is a little extreme for most 300's and the reason I run this is b/c the PO already had it that way. A good flowing y-pipe into a high flow cat (if you need one) and into 2.5in exhaust usually opens the exhaust pretty decently. After expensive head work to flow the fuel and air in, you might as well be able to get it out the back end. be careful not to open the exhaust to much though b/c you do need some back pressure.

You can get rid of some engine drag by upgrading your alternator to a 3G (if you don't have one already) and putting in an electric fan. This will remove the old mechanical clutch fan that puts extra drag on the engine. This can be done with junk yard parts pretty easy and cheap. The gains aren't that great... Maybe a couple HP and +0.2mpgs... But it adds up over time. Plus the 3G is just a good upgrade to have (run more toys like winches, radios, KC lights, trailer breaks, etc).

Switching to a real time OP gauge is a must for the $20 it cost you. No HP or MPG gain but way better option than the old 7psi switch.

After all this depending on your drive train you may consider doing gear swaps if you are way to high or low for the 300 to run decently on... 4.10 rear gears are way to tall and will kill mpgs. Conversely 2.73's are way to short and will get you better mpgs but terrible on power to pull or accelerate. 300's aren't quick off the line to begin with but putting 2.73's in the rear axle will absolutely kill any power the 300 had to begin with. Myself and others will agree that 3.55's are about the perfect gear for these trucks giving them a great balance between power and mpgs.

If you need more after all that Firecracker... Well i'm sure I can come up with more...

In fact I just did... forgot to add after all the exhaust and head work a good K&N filter to help suck in more air will help... but only AFTER everything else is done will a big cone filter actually help! If you put it on before the exhaust and head work you'll be wasting money. The engine won't have the ability to draw more air through a bigger filter without the mods I previously mentioned... Oh and the injector and cam work that I mentioned first...

PS: after that mouth full someone better give me a rep! LOL!