Recently bought my 1st full size f-150, looking to add an airforce one intake, electric fan, and possibly get a superchips micro tuner, i put on magnaflow sido exhaust and a k@n air filter.

1. Will any of these upgrades hurt engine life, not looking to race or hot rod around, but i would like to see hp and gasmileage improvements, i tow a trailer with total weight around 1500lbs.

2. what is everybody using for oil, i changed at 3000, and 8000 with 5w20 motorcraft semi synthetic.

Thanx in advance

 

No. Only concern I would have is sometimes with chips they require you to use the good gas, so knocking (detonation) doesn't occur, (it probably won't be an issue) otherwise you should be fine. Have fun

 

i have modified every vehicle i have ever in one way or another and never have had any, well few, problems. the few i did have were my fault.

 

Superchargers definitely have the potential for causing long term engine damage if they are not done correctly. Personally, i avoid them because i want extra assurance i wont cause engine damage.

But if you run K&N filters (i have for 15 years), free flowing exhaust, and esp a 160 stat and bigger radiator (as i do) along with the electric fan- the combination will actually help your engine to last much longer- not shorten its life. my 2 cents. J.D., KCK

 

the only real concern is retuning with the superchip microtuner cause i really dont understand how it affects the internal componets, will it work them to hard or not?

The elect fans and uncorking the exhaust and intake i agree should be easier on the engine which should extend the life w/proper maint. Thanks

 

I went to the diablo website and read their FAQ. It says right there that you need to use at least 91 octane fuel and i have burned 87 octane for years and dont want to switch. I am just a tightwad; i like stuff that permanently increases performance (ie K&N FIPK, 160 stat, big radiator, flex a lite fan) but i dont want to use the more expensive fuel unless i have to- which i dont.

It says right in there FAQ that if you do not use at least 91 octane that you will not notice much of a difference with their tuning. So no wonder that my jet chip doesnt increase performance much either- i run 87 octane so shouldnt expect that much. But the chip does keep my check engine light off- so i like that, but then the check engine light doesnt come on with my 1998 Jeep Wrangler 2.5, and i did not yet get a chip for it- but i am running the 160 stat.

The primary thing that superchips, diablo and hypertech and etc., does, is advance your timing but the idea is to advance the timing but not to the point that you cause pinging. Pinging is a distinctive rattling noise that you might hear going up hills or towing a trailer, when the water temp is high. If you run a 160 stat and big radiator- you will very likely never hear pinging. I never have, that includes towing 5,000 lb trailers in the summer too.

The chips also do other stuff, such as if you have an auto tranny firm up shift points- but then i dont run auto trannys. All of the chips claim they are the best- i guess it is just up to folks like us to buy them and post how they are doing for us. They also have many other claims they do- so go their websites for their claims. Hypertech, diablo (seems popular on this website) and jetchips are the most common ones i have heard of.

So, the short answer- the chips will not hurt the internal components of your engine UNLESS the engine is pinging. Any engine that is pinging needs immediate attention or the result is permanent engine damage. Get some high test in there; then try to figure out the cause; lowering the water temp is the likely remedy. Unless you wish to run 91 or 93 octane- the benefit of a chip is dubious at best- it may serve to keep your check engine light off, that is about it. Personally- i am not sure they are worth it for the money you spend, unless you dont mind running 93 octane. The other mods are well worth it, imho. J.D., KCK

 

Thanks for the good info JD.

I'll check out some more of the chip site and research the chip a little more but I think the fans and intake will help some.

 

cool, you are welcome, J.D., KCK

 

with a 2003, i would stay away from chips. they tend to fry the PCM. and they void the warranty. between that and the fact that most chips just cause the computer to run open loop all the time. there are better ways of getting five more HP out of the engine IMHO.

 

Running a cooler thermostat will shorten the life of you engine. The friction is much less at 200 degrees.

 

Well, we have two very different opinions here, between myself and Ratsmoker.

I grew up on a farm with John Deere tractors - the Model Bs- ours was a 1948, i now have a restored 1937- these tractors run 140 or 150 degrees water temp, and they will run wide open while sitting stationery in the sun and run that temp. These tractors built up an extreme reputation for reliability running that low of water temp. I always thought the water temp was one of the factors in their reliability but i am also aware of others- such as WOT in the B was 1200 rpm. Many will say this engine is so different that it doesnt apply, but the principles are the same.

Anyway- now fast forward to 1992. I purchase a 1985 GMC S-15 pickup. 2.8 V-6, 5 speed. I get it cheap because it is pinging and detonating so badly it wont even pull 5 th gear on the highway at all. I buy it, only after checking the compression. These vehicles were quite famous for burned valves, and blown head gaskets, results of running the temp too hot for too long. Compression was good- so i buy it and set about modifying it. First thing was a 4.3 radiator and 160 stat, flex a lite electric fan. Many other mods, but the point is- the truck never detonated again and i even advanced the timing and got more power, 4 mpg better mileage. At 130,000 miles i finally sold it ten years later on ebay- and i told the potential buyers that i guaranteed good compression- that if they bid on and buy my truck- i will check the compression right in front of them- and if it doesnt meet factory standards- that they didnt have to buy it. The truck brought $1200.00 and met the same exact compression as the day i bought it with 50,000 miles on it.

Now the first EFI truck, 96 Ranger and it is detonating and backfiring too! Even tried a 180 stat and it helped a little, not much. The 160 stat and 5.0 V-8 radiator cured it all, again. Now, so much for shortening the life of your motor running a 160 stat! Actually, lengthen its life, by far. No question. J.D., KCK