1997 F250HD
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1997 F250HD
Hi I have a 97 F250 with the 5.8 backed by the zf-5. I just wondered if anyone had any ideas on how I can make more horsepower and get better acceleration for relatively cheap. Truck is all stock as of now.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,893
Likes: 12
From: Ohio
Welcome to the forums.
You can bump the timing a few degrees, that would be the easiest upgrade. Just have to watch detonation and maybe run something better then 87 fuel in it.
Does it have the twin air horn intake hoses? My '96 460 truck did. There is a connector in the middle of the hose. Remove it and you'll see an air horn shaped restrictor on the one side. Cut that back, leave enough to secure hose clamp. That will let more air in.
Beyond that, can't say there is much more for cheap mods to do. I know it helped my 460 truck immensely.
You can bump the timing a few degrees, that would be the easiest upgrade. Just have to watch detonation and maybe run something better then 87 fuel in it.
Does it have the twin air horn intake hoses? My '96 460 truck did. There is a connector in the middle of the hose. Remove it and you'll see an air horn shaped restrictor on the one side. Cut that back, leave enough to secure hose clamp. That will let more air in.
Beyond that, can't say there is much more for cheap mods to do. I know it helped my 460 truck immensely.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 4,197
Likes: 558
From: Central Wisconsin
Get a set of headers and put a better flowing exhaust on it. Night and day difference with the 351w. Long tube headers will yield better gains than short tubes, but either one will be an improvement.
Get the intake snorkel from a 460 or I6 powered truck. Yours sucks air from behind the hood, those other motors get air from in the grill.
Your truck should be set at 10 degrees BTDC, bump it up to 12 degrees or so for a little better performance for FREE (that's better than cheap right?) Don't bother bumping it so far that you have to run higher than 87 octane.
Check either the tag on the differential, or the door jamb for your axle code (and do a google search to find out with the code means). 3.55 or 4.10s were the options. 4.10s will let you get up to speed a little faster, as well as improving torque. If you have a 4x4 you need to swap both axles front and rear so they match.
Get the intake snorkel from a 460 or I6 powered truck. Yours sucks air from behind the hood, those other motors get air from in the grill.
Your truck should be set at 10 degrees BTDC, bump it up to 12 degrees or so for a little better performance for FREE (that's better than cheap right?) Don't bother bumping it so far that you have to run higher than 87 octane.
Check either the tag on the differential, or the door jamb for your axle code (and do a google search to find out with the code means). 3.55 or 4.10s were the options. 4.10s will let you get up to speed a little faster, as well as improving torque. If you have a 4x4 you need to swap both axles front and rear so they match.
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