351 needs a little umpf!
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351 needs a little umpf!
Ok here goes- '95 F350 long bed crew cab. 108k mi. I tow a 37' camper and need a little more horse power to get up the hill to Watkins Glen. The exhaust system is ready to retire. I'm considering headers, dual cats and 2.5" duels to the back. Any suggestions or additions.
Thanks!
Thanks!
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From: (near) Denver USA
351 needs a little umpf!
You probably have a 351 Windsor engine, and not a 351 Cleveland or 351M.
You could get more knowledgeable help if you post in this forum:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...?s=&forumid=55
You could get more knowledgeable help if you post in this forum:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/f...?s=&forumid=55
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351 needs a little umpf!
Thanks for moving it to the right forum! Yes it's the original engine. gearing seems rather low now. 10-12MPG normally 6-7 towing. I purchased this truck in Buffalo NY used in 1998. The truck came from Calif. and towed a 5th wheel most of the time. My camper has a GVW of 8000 lbs. I'm not sure about it being a Windsor, have to take your word for it. If the recommendation is a chip and exhaust than that is the way I'll go. I would like to keep it at some reasonable budget though.
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Posting Guru
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From: Still under the hood in O
351 needs a little umpf!
You shouldn't need a chip with that MAF.
Long tube headers will help the low end torque a great deal. Buy a set like THESE . I believe you will need to run a stock type Y-Pipe and at least stock cat converter. You should be able to use a high flow cat. The reason you need the cat is you need to retain the O2 sensor that is located after the cat (you have two).
This would be the best bang for the buck because you need to focas on torque instead of HP. With your MAF (Manifold Air Flow) system you can make more changes before needing a new chip. Although a chip can be burnt for your truck that alters the shift points since your tranny (if it is an auto) is electronically controlled.
Yes that is a 351W. The 351C was never avail in trucks and the 351M/400 hasn't been avail since the early '80's.
There is more you can do but that's the best thing to start with.
Long tube headers will help the low end torque a great deal. Buy a set like THESE . I believe you will need to run a stock type Y-Pipe and at least stock cat converter. You should be able to use a high flow cat. The reason you need the cat is you need to retain the O2 sensor that is located after the cat (you have two).
This would be the best bang for the buck because you need to focas on torque instead of HP. With your MAF (Manifold Air Flow) system you can make more changes before needing a new chip. Although a chip can be burnt for your truck that alters the shift points since your tranny (if it is an auto) is electronically controlled.
Yes that is a 351W. The 351C was never avail in trucks and the 351M/400 hasn't been avail since the early '80's.
There is more you can do but that's the best thing to start with.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: SC
351 needs a little umpf!
Fond as I am of 351W's, they're not well suited to pulling a 1 ton truck and a big trailer. (Not that that's ever stopped me
) The 351W has never been known as a "torque" motor.
The best bang for your buck is likely headers and dual exhaust. The difference was quite noticeable in my truck. I assume you also have dual fuel tanks. You might have to hunt around a bit to find someone to run dual exhaust. I finally convinced my local exhaust guy to do it and he ran both pipes down the passenger side and then each goes out behind each rear wheel. This was not cheap, but I was VERY pleased with the results.
You also might consider a "towing" cam. The difference may not be huge, but every bit helps. The most power will be achieved a good combination of performance parts. Always keep an eye towards torque, ignore any claimed horsepower gains. Torque is what you're after. A nice side benefit of seeking torque power is you often will gain a few miles per gallon along the way.
) The 351W has never been known as a "torque" motor.The best bang for your buck is likely headers and dual exhaust. The difference was quite noticeable in my truck. I assume you also have dual fuel tanks. You might have to hunt around a bit to find someone to run dual exhaust. I finally convinced my local exhaust guy to do it and he ran both pipes down the passenger side and then each goes out behind each rear wheel. This was not cheap, but I was VERY pleased with the results.
You also might consider a "towing" cam. The difference may not be huge, but every bit helps. The most power will be achieved a good combination of performance parts. Always keep an eye towards torque, ignore any claimed horsepower gains. Torque is what you're after. A nice side benefit of seeking torque power is you often will gain a few miles per gallon along the way.
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From: Independence, MO
351 needs a little umpf!
IF you dont mind going in the motor a very mild cam and header an good exhaust would realy wake it up, give you lots more lowend tork which is what you need here, and would increase your fuel milledge enough to almost pay for the upgrade in years time. DW
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351 needs a little umpf!
Whale, Post your VIN code in here or you could look under the hood and tell us what engine you actually have. i'm wondering if you have the 7.4L in your f350.
5.8L = 351w
7.4L = 460 cid.
Did the 1 ton trucks come with a 351w? I thought only diesels and 460's came in a 1 ton. (37' trailer? a HD 1 ton maybe?) Thats alot of trailer for a 351w. Gas mileage sound more 460'ish any way.
5.8L = 351w
7.4L = 460 cid.
Did the 1 ton trucks come with a 351w? I thought only diesels and 460's came in a 1 ton. (37' trailer? a HD 1 ton maybe?) Thats alot of trailer for a 351w. Gas mileage sound more 460'ish any way.
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351 needs a little umpf!
Definatly a 5.8. Thanks to every one who responded. I'll be taking the truck off the road soon for our beautiful Buffalo winters, and salt infested roads. Cam and exhaust sounds like the way to go. With all the effort in the headers and all, shouldn't I go to dual cats? or wouldn't the gain be enough to warrent the extra bucks?