I have a 1994 F250 with a 460 and a 5 speed. I've done an in-box K&N filter, JET chip and a 3" Magnaflow exhaust. Gears are 4.10. Also, I run on BFG 33-12.5 tires. What tricks do you guys know of that would help derive more power from my truck. It's primary use is to pull a camp trailer. Thanks in advance.

Brad

 

You mean short of buying a Super Duty with a Power Stroke diesel?

 

Running with that tires are taking lot of power of your engine. If you run with thinner tires I´d help. I have same tires and look pretty nice but lot of power is consumed inefficient.

 

The diesel is not necessary. There have been plenty of factory engines produced for even cars in the past, which have fewer cubic inches than the 460, that produce more HP and torque than the powerstroke. The power is possible.

 

Have you considered or are willing to pay for a supercharger or turbo? You will gain more power as the result of more effecient combustion, about a 30% increase on average. I think there are kits out there for the later 460s, but adaptation is always a cheap and viable (and fun) alternative. Find a used belt driven marine supercharger from a mercruiser or something - or even better - bolt two on!

You can approach the problem of getting more power from your engine in so many ways it will make your head spin. Good luck!

 

Thanks,
Yes, I've thought about a turbo, but I haven't been able to find one for my application. I thought for sure Banks would have one. If anyone knows of a manufacturer, please let me know. Thanks again.

 

Hi Brad,

There are supercharger kits available - I ran across one made by Vortech a while back. I think that a complete Vortech kit was in the neighborhood of $3500. They claim gains of 81hp and 65lb-ft. A quick Google search on "Ford 460 supercharger" yielded quite a few hits so there may be other options as well. Hope this helps.

By the way, what sort of gains did you get from the mods you have already done?

Take care,
Mike Burdick
Durham NC
'93 F250 4WD, w/460

 

Mike,
Thanks for the information. To answer your question, I'm not sure how much HP or Torque I've added with the mods I've done. I use my truck primarily to pull a camp trailer and to carry ATV's, etc. I have noticed a difference in pulling power, so I know what I've done has been effective. The inbox K & N made a very noticable difference and so did the exhaust work. I'm not impressed with the JET chip at all and wouldn't recommend it. I personally think it was a waste of my money. (I felt no improvement or difference) None of the mods have changed my MPG up or down. I think 9-11 MPG is typical for the 460 regardless of whether your pulling something or not. Thanks again for your inputs. Keep me advised of new knowledge you obtain.

 

 

Forced induction in ANY towing application is a very bad idea. It puts alot of stress on internals. The boost is what adds the HP and the boost is what kills your engine when used for excessive periods of time like towing. That is why all vehicles that come factory with a super or turbo have a 0 tow rating. You will burn up your engine quite quickly. Find a different way rather than spending 3500 on a blower to just turn around and spend the same on a new engine.

 

How much more power do you really want? For a little more, adding an exhaust/intake and a good chip should do very well for you. If you want to pull a 18000# trailer up steep hills in the left lane then go with a different powerplant/tranny setup. I would recomend a commercial diesel and split ratio tranny. But you might as well buy a different truck if you go that road.
There's just something wonderful about pushing the pedal down, hearing the turbo spin up, and leaving a cloud of thick black smoke and everyone else behind ;-)

 

>I have a 1994 F250 with a 460 and a 5 speed. I've done an
>in-box K&N filter, JET chip and a 3" Magnaflow exhaust.
>Gears are 4.10. Also, I run on BFG 33-12.5 tires. What
>tricks do you guys know of that would help derive more power
>from my truck. It's primary use is to pull a camp trailer.
>Thanks in advance.
>
>Brad

Brad, we own a '96 F-250 460 that we use for towing horse trailers and flatbeds with loads of up to 8,000 pounds. The single biggest -single- improvement I made was installing a set of L&L 4 into 1 headers. I highly recommend a good set of quality headers like the Thorleys, L&L or if you've got deep pockets, the Banks stainless ones. That should be your next step. They'll give you a real seat of the pants torque improvement that no other bolt-on modification will.

While it's always a hot discussion subject, I'd also highly recommend the use of low-friction synthetics in your crankcase, transmission and axles. 3% HP gain here, 2% there, it all adds up.

I live in Colorado where we take at least a 25% hit in HP due to the thin air. Just this past Friday I made a 200 mile trip with the 1,500# double-axle 6x12 flatbed loaded with 3 tons of hay, A/C on, 95 degree day, while I occasionally had the pedal to the metal, I didn't have a problem maintaining the 75 MPH limit even going up some good hills on the interstates, even passing some new PSDs towing campers up hill.
I can pretty much go as fast as I want, which is pretty dangerous, actually.



I don't know if your trailer weighs more than what I tow or is higher than my 9' stock trailer, but except for the 7 to 8 MPG I get when lead-foot towing, I'm pretty much satisfied.

-Bill
Two Easters Ranch

--------------------------
1996 S/Cab F-250 4x2 Long bed 460
E4OD auto, 10.25" 4.10 posi, Air-Lift suspension, homebrew cold-air intake w/K&N filter, modified ignition advance, Edelbrock 2x61 mm throttle body, Bosch Platinum +2 plugs, Champion truck plug wires, L&L 4 into 1 headers, .060 milled heads, 3" exhaust system, cat & Flowmaster 70, modified MAF meter, Michelin LTX 265/75/16E on Alcoa wheels, Mobil 1 10W-30, Red Line D4 ATF, Red Line 80W-90 in axle, Red Line Water Wetter in coolant. Reese class III hitch.
10 to 12.8 MPG empty, 5,700 lbs.
{E\...F}

 

I like the Kenne Bell twin screw, 100hp for a 302. It's a good blower for towing.

 

Thanks everyone for your inputs. You've given me a lot to think about. Your inputs are exemplary of why this site is so great...just a bunch of people enjoying themselves and helping each other out. Thanks again.