Hello guys, I just got a 2005 F-150 with the 5.4 and I have been like a kid on Christmas morning for the last week. I was wondering if there are any cheap, low budget performance mods you guys would recommend? I would like to boost hp numbers but I am more concerned with mpg's. Any info would be appreciated.

 

The Gott's mod is one most of the guys around here have done. It simply replaces the stock air intake snorkel which is only like 1.5in wide with a 3in wide piece of PVC. It's really simple and cheap (about $10). However, MPG and HP gains will be minimal. You may see some, you may not. Most of us (at least I) notice a little but more quicker acceleration. There isn't really a whole lot of other mods you can do for cheap. The next big step if you want some noticeable response is to get a SCT X3 or Edge tuner with custom tunes. It will really wake your truck up. However, you are talking a couple hundred bucks for one of those.

 

Just to clarify, Edge does not offer custom tunes. You'll need to purchase a re-badged Edge (Gryphon) from Power Hungry Performance if you want custom tunes.

 

I have the K&N air filter which I really like. I dont really know if it is much of a performance mod without headers but it does make a little more noise when you mash the throttle. I like the idea of having a very clean filter all the time and it doesnt take much to clean and re-charge them. They are about $50.00 on e-bay.

 

You're right; it's not a performance modification.

Oh, I can buy three MC filters (90,000 miles) for the same $50.

 

True, but mine came on the truck for free plus I like the extra noise it makes. With headers or dual exhaust the combination will improve your performance and gas mileage. I did that to a previous 99 Corvette I had and it dropped the quarter mile time by almost .50 or half a second which is a considerable gain. The problem here is he wants cheap mods and there really are not a lot of options unless you want to get out the big bucks.

 

Headers and properly sized true dual exhaust system - yes, you will probably see a performance improvement (but only if you get custom tunes).

MPG improvements? Probably not.

The least expensive performance modification is a used SCT XCAL3 and custom tunes. Total cost should be around $300.

 

So let me get this straight, the rebadged edge tuners are the gryphon ones. And they can have custom tunes put on them?

 

Only PHP can write custom tunes for the Edge platform (CS, CTS, Evo). PHP has named these "Gryphon".

Thus I have an Gryphon CTS. It is the exact same HW as the Edge CTS, but it has custom tunes and IT IS NOT CARB certified.

The old Edge Evos are a different story. Those units have to be sent to PHP to be 'unlocked' to accept custom tunes.

Make sense? If not, I suggest you browse PHP's website and forums for more detailed information.

 

Charlie's advice is good, but I just realized something...


...you're in South Carolina right? You should call up and look into 5 Star Tuning. You're likely within a few hours of Mike Butler. He can custom tune your truck on a chasis dyno for not much more coin than the SCT X3 with tunes he's built. I'd seriously look into that one if you truely want a custom experience.

 

cheapest mod for gas mileage is to put an egg under the gas pedal and drive w/o breaking the egg....

 

Underdrive pulley for the crackshaft pulley. Usually cheap if they are made for you truck. A good tune up can make a good difference also! High flow muffler to replace the stock restrictive muffler also! also the stock muffler are very heavy!

 

What is 5 star's website/info? I used to take my diesel to DP Tuner in Georgia when I had it.

Love me some custom tunes, they make a world of difference. I just didn't realize that there was a shop that could do it that close to me.

EDIT: Found their information.

 

Clint, all the V10 Excursion guys swear by 5 Star.

Stewart

 

They are 3 hours and 55 minutes away from me. Unless I plan a trip to the beach soon, then I will be simply ordering from them or edge. I would love to have this truck customed tuned, but I would rather not drive 8 hours round trip to have it done. It wasn't that bad when I had my diesel as I could be DP in about 1 hour 45 min.

five star does have some pretty competitive pricing so I will be weight my odds between them and edge.

The only thing I don't like is that the edge evo and the SCT are very close in price with the edge being a little cheaper. The plus with the edge is that it comse with dash pod and the digital controller. The SCT tunes are just a flash pack. I would like to have the controller so I can know what the truck is doing at all times.