Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

Need more power!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 6, 2013 | 11:48 AM
  #1  
J ballan's Avatar
J ballan
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 1,668
Likes: 13
From: Saskatchewan
Need more power!!

Hello everyone, my father has a 1986 f150 4x4. Well 6" of lift and 35" super swampers later let's just say the mostly stock (shorty headers)302EFI is a little short on power. Now with that being said he's an old timer and won't be doing any rock climbing or mud bogging but he does like to go off road in the snow and do some hunting. My question to you is what can we do to the old girl to get some more power without screwing up the speed density computer? Should we just pull it out and find a donor truck with a 5.8lEFI? I am a licensed mechanic so we should be able to do all the work ourselves.
Ps I already told him we need to get rid of the 3.55 gears and install something along the lines of 4.56. Thanks in advance for any input and suggestions.
 
Reply
Old Apr 6, 2013 | 07:20 PM
  #2  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,949
Likes: 2,718
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
Leave the engine alone, and change the gears. I believe he will be perfectly happy after that. You are correct you can't do much to the engine without a lot of fiddling with the computer, and even a 351w is going to be a dog with those gears and those tires.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Rambo76
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
24
Nov 3, 2014 12:21 PM
99f1504x4owner
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
3
Feb 10, 2007 10:23 PM
khadma
1978 - 1996 Big Bronco
8
Jun 22, 2006 01:49 AM
olthunter
Brakes, Steering, Suspension, Tires, & Wheels
4
Feb 20, 2001 03:30 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:43 AM.

story-0
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE