460...more power!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
The only thing that makes an EFI 460 an EFI 460 are the heads and lower intake. Aftermarket 460 heads all use the carb pattern, so you have to buy a carb style intake that has injector bosses cast and machined into it.
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 2
So, the truck in question is my 96 F250.
460, 4x4, 5 speed, 4.10 gears
I bought a fairly heavy trailer, and the truck just isn't up to pulling it.
Keep in mind that I live at 6200 ft elevation and usually travel up from here so I'm already giving up a bunch of horsepower due to the thin air.
I've previously done the basic mods-free flowing intake and exhaust, bumped the timing etc.
What's the best options to get a serious HP bump from this truck?
I'm not afraid to throw some $$ at it because it's either do this or get a different truck.
460, 4x4, 5 speed, 4.10 gears
I bought a fairly heavy trailer, and the truck just isn't up to pulling it.
Keep in mind that I live at 6200 ft elevation and usually travel up from here so I'm already giving up a bunch of horsepower due to the thin air.
I've previously done the basic mods-free flowing intake and exhaust, bumped the timing etc.
What's the best options to get a serious HP bump from this truck?
I'm not afraid to throw some $$ at it because it's either do this or get a different truck.
You don't pull a heavy trailer through mountain passes enough to justify what you are thinking and it wouldn't make enough difference to justify it either.
If you can justify it then buy an old unmolested dodge cummins and leave it alone. Just drive it.
I lived in Cheyenne with the same truck I have now. It pulled heavy stuff over mountain passes so I'm not just making this up.
The turbo is the answer to altitude. Next best is get with this guy and let him work up a plan for you.
http://r-h-p.biz/
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 2
It can be done, but it's going to cost a ton of money - and the shortblock will need to be removed from the truck. I also believe you need to pass emissions in Colorado.
So a quick parts run down:
Aftermarket aluminum heads: $1400
Cam: $150
Intake Manifold to Work with those heads: $500
Throttle Body to go with that manifold: $400
High Compression Forged Pistons: $300
Fuel Injectors: $300
Headers: $300
Miscellaneous gaskets, machine work, bolts, etc..: $400
Tuning stock computer: $500
That's $4,250 to make this a very strong naturally aspirated engine. You could potentially save money by keeping the stock heads, but you'd need to send the intake and heads off to a professional porting shop that knows what they're doing. The heads will require significant port work and larger valves installed. The lower intake will also require a ton of work. The other option is going turbo/supercharged, but by the time you're done with that, you'll be in just as deep as you would for the naturally aspirated build.
IMO, either buy a diesel, or just stick with basic bolt-on mods (headers, mild cam, etc..). If you had an older carb'd 460, it'd be one thing. But since Ford designed to change the lower intake for the EFI heads, it really limits the available performance parts without spending tons of money.
So a quick parts run down:
Aftermarket aluminum heads: $1400
Cam: $150
Intake Manifold to Work with those heads: $500
Throttle Body to go with that manifold: $400
High Compression Forged Pistons: $300
Fuel Injectors: $300
Headers: $300
Miscellaneous gaskets, machine work, bolts, etc..: $400
Tuning stock computer: $500
That's $4,250 to make this a very strong naturally aspirated engine. You could potentially save money by keeping the stock heads, but you'd need to send the intake and heads off to a professional porting shop that knows what they're doing. The heads will require significant port work and larger valves installed. The lower intake will also require a ton of work. The other option is going turbo/supercharged, but by the time you're done with that, you'll be in just as deep as you would for the naturally aspirated build.
IMO, either buy a diesel, or just stick with basic bolt-on mods (headers, mild cam, etc..). If you had an older carb'd 460, it'd be one thing. But since Ford designed to change the lower intake for the EFI heads, it really limits the available performance parts without spending tons of money.
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 2
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 40
From: Colorado Springs CO
My issue is a trailer that weighs almost 9,000 pounds loaded, and a 7% grade just west of my house. Right now I'm in second gear at 20mph going up this hill. I'm not looking for miracles here but I think a big block pickup with 4.10 gears should be able to do better. The truck is in excellent condition and has a lot of life left in it, I'm just disappointed with the towing performance.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
My issue is a trailer that weighs almost 9,000 pounds loaded, and a 7% grade just west of my house. Right now I'm in second gear at 20mph going up this hill. I'm not looking for miracles here but I think a big block pickup with 4.10 gears should be able to do better. The truck is in excellent condition and has a lot of life left in it, I'm just disappointed with the towing performance.
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 40
From: Colorado Springs CO
Hell even little economy sedans have 300 horsepower these days LOL
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 3
From: Menifee, CA
So, the truck in question is my 96 F250.
460, 4x4, 5 speed, 4.10 gears
I bought a fairly heavy trailer, and the truck just isn't up to pulling it.
Keep in mind that I live at 6200 ft elevation and usually travel up from here so I'm already giving up a bunch of horsepower due to the thin air.
I've previously done the basic mods-free flowing intake and exhaust, bumped the timing etc.
What's the best options to get a serious HP bump from this truck?
I'm not afraid to throw some $$ at it because it's either do this or get a different truck.
460, 4x4, 5 speed, 4.10 gears
I bought a fairly heavy trailer, and the truck just isn't up to pulling it.
Keep in mind that I live at 6200 ft elevation and usually travel up from here so I'm already giving up a bunch of horsepower due to the thin air.
I've previously done the basic mods-free flowing intake and exhaust, bumped the timing etc.
What's the best options to get a serious HP bump from this truck?
I'm not afraid to throw some $$ at it because it's either do this or get a different truck.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Sandusky Ohio
Right; but nothing that will bolt right on without fairly significant modifications.
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Maybe............but they don't make enough torque to tighten your lug-nuts.
Temporarily Deactivated
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,859
Likes: 2
I became a guru in the last few days. I don't feel any different.