so, everybody is in a panic for mass air. i wonder exactly what performance gain would be realized on a basically stock engine. say an 88 5.0 or 5.8. would the reward be worth the bucks spent? i realize with any major engine mod it's the way to go. any actual performance gain numbers available for 100% stock motors?

 

Without mass Air I would suggest to only do the following:

1. K&N filter
2. MSD Ignition
3. Cat-back exhaust

I began to relize some performace loss when I decided to install headers along with the above items. The rig ran real rich and I acutally did not gain any fuel mileage. (granted I had dual freeflowing exhaust with no cats)

If you stick with the above items you will experience some performace gain without mass air.

 

I doubt you'd notice even a minor gain by doing the swap. I myself, wouldn't do it unless it was absolutely neccessary. Engine builder's tell me that Speed Density systems are more effiecient and put more power on a stock motor than mass air does.

'93 F-150 loaded and modified!
Check my Gallery

 

i personally have been trying to get the info you are looking for. i have been told if you dont plan to change to a more aggresive cam dont bother with the mass air. i am instead putting on a k+n FIPK,and underdrive pulleys. waiting to get the money up for a super chip. they say with the pulleys i am getting i will gain about 11hp ( i got the performance/amp set from march * 90.99 from jegs * ) and with the k+n FIPK they say i will gain 19hp *163.99 from jegs* and they figure 10 -15% hp gain with a performance chip. that is pleanty for my working rig and my low funds. i already have a good exhaust ( single into glass pack and splits to 2 2 1/2" the rest of the way back)

 

Where are you getting your info on chip gains

I have read several places chips are not worth it on pre 97 models

 

i was told by a local dealer that i could see that much of an increase they also said that my shift quality would increase with my e4od.

 

well, from all the reading i have done on mass air lately, i am simply sold on it, and am set on doing the conversion... i could buy a FIPK first, and see if i like what improvement it gives me enough to to not want to spend the money on a mass air conversion, but if i dont like it (enough to not want to go to mass air), then i would be wasting my money because i will need a different air intake system after going to mass air (the FIPK that would work for me now - with speed density - wont work with mass air)...
kindof like the RV cam i have... had i went to mass air first, i could have gone to a better RV cam... so now, i figure i go to mass air (#1), then a good air intake setup (#2), then maybe a bigger cam (#3)...

everything is so darn integrated, it's frustrating for a guy who's just trying to learn it all at the same time...

example:
if i later decide to go with a bigger cam, i will probably want to go with bigger injectors, in which case i may as well change my injectors now so i can get the mass air meter calibrated for them right off the bat (if i buy mass air conversion with the meter calibrated for 19lb injectors, then switch to 24 or 30lb injectors, i will have to get the meter recalibrated or buy a new meter)...

another example:
i wonder, can i use GT-40 intake manifolds on my 351 5.8L? - i think i should be able to seeing as how that is what the lightning uses and it's a 351 (right?)... if i do that i need a whole different mass air kit!! frustrated? yes, very much so!!

this is why i ask so many questions, hopefully someone will be able to tell me exactly what i need to know, thus saving me time, money and frustration!

if anyone feels they can help me, by all means, please do!

96 F250 4X4 HD w/ 3:55 rear<-(i think) 351 5.8L (just had bored .020)
ZF 5 speed manual tranny (just rebuilt)
crane cams RV cam (not sure of the exact model, will find out tomorrow tho)
crane cams roller rockers
flowtech headers

sorry for the short story novel i just wrote!

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Feb-02 AT 09:30&nbsp;PM (EST)]best thing i can tell you is that you need to sit down and decide just what you need/ want. really think about it. what do you use it for?? just to drive around town? do you tow with it? then decide on a setup to fit. once you decide on the set up then ask ?? pertaining to that set up. cause right now you seem like you are jumping around alot. i know how hard it is being new to the hop up game. i am just starting into it my self. i had to sit down and decide if i really wanted to tear the engine open again just to put a new cam and then spend the 300-400 dollars for mass-air. i use my 302 to the max towing and plowing snow. i am going to be working on the suspension next and i will have to beat through that too. learning is part of the fun ya know. (now who is writing the novel)


p.s. look at the diablo chip site on the first page as you log on to FTE (next to readers ride) that is another place that i got my chip info.

 

yup, i hear ya...
i dont use my truck for hauling or towing at all... i used my last truck for that (exact same truck)... i just want to turn this truck into a muscle truck! (i'd buy a muscle car, but i like going into the bush, 4x4ing, etc).. basically, i just want power... i would have bought a turbo deisel, but they cost too much to repair, and i like the classic roar of a gas powered engine... my truck goes pretty good right now, but i know i can get more from it... i guess i just like learning, and i learn the most when i get an idea and move forward in accomplishing my idea (most of the time i dont accomplish it because i cant make up my mind!)

i'm also lifting my truck before anything else, but that is another forum

thanks for the input, muchly appreciated

 

not a problem hehe kinda nice knowing someone else is having the same problems i do good luck with your search.

 

That is because you guys limit yourselves to factory setups.
Neither is that great but it is true that mass air will acomidate mods that increase air flow better since speed density has no way to measure and accomidate such changes.

However a good adjustable system is better.
For example the nissan mid 80s mass air flow system will tollerate increasing boost to make up to 300 hp from a stock 200 hp turbo engine but the trick setup is to dump the stock mass air flow and go to a simple digital system (speed density)that is completely user adjustable.

This is a much better route then trying to cobble together a factory mass air system as it is much more user controlable.
Much better then just a chip in a factory setup.
Why limit yourself.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 06-Feb-02 AT 11:30&nbsp;PM (EST)]>Where are you getting your info on chip gains
>
>I have read several places chips are not worth it on pre 97
>models

i double checked with my source here and on the web superchip dyno on web says it gains 20hp and 30 ftlb source here says he has seen gains of 40hp.

and to respond to fal i am limited by resources and not really wanting to get too wild i need the truck to WORK not play. food for thought. some ppl just want to give a little more umph to their trucks.

 

There are many Supra Turbo and 3000GT VR4 guys who rip their MAF system out and replace it with HKS SD system with the adjustable controller and they can handle insane amount of power with that SD system. I wonder if it's possible to do the same with the Ford SD system.

 

FYI!!!

Dont buy the K&N FIPK if you are going to do a mass air conversion. You will end up throwing it away!

 

speed density can do anything
try this link
http://www.wmsracing.com/wmsweb/sdsfly.html