1981 F-150 Custom
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New User
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: Colorado Springs
1981 F-150 Custom
hello. i was wanting some advise on how to make my inline 6 300 4.9L automatic truck faster, we just put in a new crank shaft and pistion rings and had the pistons re-conditioned at a machine show tho bahh its so slow =_= so can anyone give me advise i don't wanna be screaming demon fast tho faster acceleration and highway speeds lol i already did 85 and it was slow =/? It also has 2WD LOL LOL!!
Last edited by ZombieTruck; Feb 21, 2013 at 12:13 PM. Reason: forgot to add the X-wheel drive.
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 105
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From: Los Molinos, CA
For starters, whats your rear axle ratio,and what transmission do you have?. You said automatic, but i'm jot sure which options were available in 81. I believe you have a c6. I could be wrong. A c6 doesn't have overdrive like an AOD, so if you're wanting that, which will help top speed slightly,I'd start there.
Now for the rear end ratios. A numerically higher rear end ratio will let you take off faster, but reduces top speed. A lower ratio gives you more top speed with less seat of the pants acceleration as I understand it.
Now for the rear end ratios. A numerically higher rear end ratio will let you take off faster, but reduces top speed. A lower ratio gives you more top speed with less seat of the pants acceleration as I understand it.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,916
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The 300 responds to the same things the V8's do.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 1,271
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From: Franklin, IN
Point is, if your serious about performance then you should consider swapping in a SBF.
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Posting Guru
Joined: May 2012
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From: Franklin, IN
Look up the axle code on the door sticker and someone on here can tell you what ratio you have.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2009
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From: Mexia, TX
There are lots of things you can do.
Install a 4bbl intake and carb
Upgrade the exhaust system (factory manifolds from a 90s trucks, or split headers)
Upgrade the ignition system (I suggest MSD)
But at the same time remember that it's not a ricer. It's a truck motor that makes its power down low, it ain't gonna like redlining. lol
Install a 4bbl intake and carb
Upgrade the exhaust system (factory manifolds from a 90s trucks, or split headers)
Upgrade the ignition system (I suggest MSD)
But at the same time remember that it's not a ricer. It's a truck motor that makes its power down low, it ain't gonna like redlining. lol
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 331
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From: Redneck Paradise
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...splay.php?f=52
This is the link to the Ford Inline 6 forums here on this website. They specialize in the 300 (same great motor I run) and can also help you. But like with all the other threads here, proper grammar is important if you want a speedy response. To be quite honest, it makes it easier to read and understand what you are trying to convey.
Goodluck and welcome to FTE.
-Siloketh
This is the link to the Ford Inline 6 forums here on this website. They specialize in the 300 (same great motor I run) and can also help you. But like with all the other threads here, proper grammar is important if you want a speedy response. To be quite honest, it makes it easier to read and understand what you are trying to convey.
Goodluck and welcome to FTE.
-Siloketh
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
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From: Northern California
The 300 in this year range will start running out of breath at 3000rpm.
You cannot run and drive the stock 300 like a V8 engine and wind it up and expect any performance at all from it. It's counterproductive.
With a T-18 four speed and 2.75 rear end ratio, My truck will bottom the speedometer at 3000rpm, about 85/90mph, and if I had a 5th gear to drop those RPMs down it would do over a 100, but I do not care to go faster than 70 on the freeway.
New User
Joined: Feb 2013
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Heres some common mods that I've seen on 300's
- 4 barrel carb and intake
- Headers or HD exhaust manifold (I dont really like the sound of headers on a 300, so I would recommend a HD manifold, they flow just as well as some headers)
- Some people even slap a turbo on the 300. Just go on youtube and search "ford 300 turbo" or "ford 4.9 turbo". You'll like the results
- Bigger cam
- Port and polish or milled head
- And other valvetrain mods..
- Ignition system
- Bore it out
And thats all I can think of off the top of my head
- 4 barrel carb and intake
- Headers or HD exhaust manifold (I dont really like the sound of headers on a 300, so I would recommend a HD manifold, they flow just as well as some headers)
- Some people even slap a turbo on the 300. Just go on youtube and search "ford 300 turbo" or "ford 4.9 turbo". You'll like the results
- Bigger cam
- Port and polish or milled head
- And other valvetrain mods..
- Ignition system
- Bore it out
And thats all I can think of off the top of my head
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2013
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These motors like air 4 barrel Holley new lifters (I think from a 250 because they have longer valve lash) you already have new pistons and blah blah so maybe do some head work port and polish add some long tube headers and straight pipe no muffler cats or anything then get an MSD Ignition and gap your plugs to an enormous amount and get a big air cleaner. Hopefully your super confident in your engine work because it can push some higher RPM's then change the rear gearing. You'll have the power to push some steeper gears in the rear.
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