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1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks 1987 - 1996 Ford F-150, F-250, F-350 and larger pickups - including the 1997 heavy-duty F250/F350+ trucks

Towing Performance

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Old Aug 4, 2015 | 06:03 AM
  #1  
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Towing Performance

Morning guys, curious as to everyone's opinions on what engine/intake/exhaust modifications you would suggest to maximum towing performance for a 1990 F250/351 windsor. It only has 185k kms on it, so plenty of life left, doesn't burn any oil or anything, great runner but could use a little more oomph in the towing department. Its a 4x4 with 3.55 gears, sitting on 33" Kelly Fierce rubber...

Thanks guys!!!
 
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Old Aug 4, 2015 | 07:22 AM
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You could do the sixlitre tuneup if you're needing a tuneup anyway. Bump the timing a couple degrees or wherever your engine is happy at.

Next thing would be to replace the factory exhaust starting with a set of headers. The next choke point in this engine is the heads, then cam, not sure if you want to get into that. The intake is not restrictive til you get the heads breathing right.

A new set of gears would really wake her up and would be cheaper than doing engine work, but of course you'll need two sets due to having a 4x4.
 
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Old Aug 4, 2015 | 11:20 AM
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towing performance.....you need lower gears as in 4.10 to start with.
 
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Old Aug 5, 2015 | 12:23 AM
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No issues here, it was around 195k km 9k road trip and back.
Pretty reliable aswell
 
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Old Aug 5, 2015 | 05:59 AM
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Thanks for the replies guys. A tune up is in order for sure, plugs, fuel filter, check the air filter, etc. I agree on the gear swap. I did one on my '96 mustang when I had it, went from 3.08 to 3.73, wow. Seat of the pants was amazing. Is the front the same as the rear? I couldn't see anywhere that said different.

Truck has dual exhaust on it now, though I would like to do headers and a single 3" exhaust. It has an exhaust leak right now, which doesn't help anything.

I wouldn't mind doing heads and a cam over time. I need the truck to be reliable and fun. It's not really a daily driver for now, more of a farm truck, hunting truck, going to get wood truck.
 
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Old Aug 5, 2015 | 05:59 AM
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Sweet truck there Puddy.
 
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Old Aug 5, 2015 | 07:32 AM
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Headers full exhaust, six liter tune up, e-fan and them 3.55s are def holding u back put sum 4.10s and it will be like night and day difference good luck
 
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Old Aug 6, 2015 | 06:17 AM
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Typical tune up being plugs, wires, filters, etc, is this what you guys are referring to as the 6 liter tune-up?
 
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Old Aug 6, 2015 | 07:48 AM
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Originally Posted by westcoasting
towing performance.....you need lower gears as in 4.10 to start with.
Agreed. It would not of been too bad with the stock tires and 3.55 but 33s and 3.55 are killing you
 
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Old Aug 6, 2015 | 02:18 PM
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In this order..

4.10 gears
Longtube headers
1.7 roller rockers
 
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