Performance and MPG
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2011
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From: Lake Butler Fl
Performance and MPG
Hey guys I got a question, what can I do to my truck to give it some more hp tq and mpg? I got a 89 f150 with the 5.0 and AOD trans. 31" desert terrain tires and straight pipe side exhaust. I dont want to do nothing crazy right now like putting a cam in it or bore it or gears. Just some bolt on stuff, Thanks
Oh and where can I find a leveling kit for my truck its a super cab, and everywhere i look they only sell them for single cabs. Thanks
Oh and where can I find a leveling kit for my truck its a super cab, and everywhere i look they only sell them for single cabs. Thanks
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,357
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From: Alston, MI
K&N filter (even the K&N stock replacement is way better than OEM). open up the exhaust a little more. synthetic gear oil in the rear diff. the 31"s aren't really helping mpg or performance. transmission flush. shift kit. that's all that's really coming to mind right now. (oh, headers too)
as for the levelling kit, i believe you just need to get springs that are 2" taller for the front. maybe some spacers for the brackets for the beams and shocks. also spacers for the radius arm brackets. you're almost better off getting a 4" lift or bigger because then you get all new brackets.
as for the levelling kit, i believe you just need to get springs that are 2" taller for the front. maybe some spacers for the brackets for the beams and shocks. also spacers for the radius arm brackets. you're almost better off getting a 4" lift or bigger because then you get all new brackets.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2011
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From: Hartland, WI
HP & Tq or MPG, pick one. You can't have both, as they are directly proportional. Aside from headers, cam, or heads there are no "bolt on" miracles. Start with a solid tune up, advance the timing a few degrees and see where that lands you.
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 239
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From: Shawnee, OK
With these older vehicles, I don't think it's even worth going through the trouble of getting an aftermarket programmer. Like stated before, go with Headers and a Cam. If possible, convert it to MAF and your options for more TQ and HP will open doors these trucks won't see while on the SD system.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 820
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Programmers and chips, for gas motors a least, are snake oil for most stock engines. You're better off with opening your intake and exhaust tracks like suggested before (intake, headers, and a good exhaust). Your EFI 302 already has a decent intake manifold. Your heads are also adequate for a low revving truck motor.
The problem you have is the 302 isn't a very good as a low revving truck motor. It needs to spin hard to make power. The best "bolt in" solution is a 351 swap. The longer stroke will greatly increase your torque output at every RPM range. This is more economical than you would think. The engine harness should work; you just need to swap out the ECU. Exhaust would be different but if you're going to buy headers anyway just get them for the 5.8. Trans, motor mounts, radiator (though an upgrade would be suggested), etc should all work. The best way to do this would be to find a similar year donor truck and just swap the parts. An 89 shouldn't be too hard to find and to find very cheap.
The problem you have is the 302 isn't a very good as a low revving truck motor. It needs to spin hard to make power. The best "bolt in" solution is a 351 swap. The longer stroke will greatly increase your torque output at every RPM range. This is more economical than you would think. The engine harness should work; you just need to swap out the ECU. Exhaust would be different but if you're going to buy headers anyway just get them for the 5.8. Trans, motor mounts, radiator (though an upgrade would be suggested), etc should all work. The best way to do this would be to find a similar year donor truck and just swap the parts. An 89 shouldn't be too hard to find and to find very cheap.
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Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
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Long tube headers with a good exhaust is your best bet , bump the timing up a few deg , from 10 btdc to around 14 , your 89 truck really needs a cam to make some good power , and the 302 will do that , gearing is the next thing....
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
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From: Alston, MI
one of the best things (from my research) is a port and polish. that, and a stroker kit. the castings for the heads leave sand pitting which causes air flow resistance, and a good port and polish will do the heads a HUGE favor.
also, if you wanna build a hot motor, ditch the stock exhaust manifolds and get headers. longtubes will help a lot but even shorties will be worlds better than stock manifolds.
also, contrary to popular believe, exhaust backpressure won't net you more torque. you need exhaust velocity, which a smaller pipe accomplishes for low end torque. issue is that when you put a smaller pipe on, sure, you gain more torque, but you lose top end, and when you go to a large pipe, you increase top end air flow, but kill your torque. what you need is to find a pipe that suits your truck's typical rpm range. if you flog it, big pipes. if you grandpa it, small pipes. it all depends on if your going to be cruising down the highway or ripping stumps outta the ground.
so, find the happy medium. enough exhaust flow where you can pull what you want without choking it on the highway and not being able to pass a corolla.
also, if you wanna build a hot motor, ditch the stock exhaust manifolds and get headers. longtubes will help a lot but even shorties will be worlds better than stock manifolds.
also, contrary to popular believe, exhaust backpressure won't net you more torque. you need exhaust velocity, which a smaller pipe accomplishes for low end torque. issue is that when you put a smaller pipe on, sure, you gain more torque, but you lose top end, and when you go to a large pipe, you increase top end air flow, but kill your torque. what you need is to find a pipe that suits your truck's typical rpm range. if you flog it, big pipes. if you grandpa it, small pipes. it all depends on if your going to be cruising down the highway or ripping stumps outta the ground.
so, find the happy medium. enough exhaust flow where you can pull what you want without choking it on the highway and not being able to pass a corolla.
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