460...more power!
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 40
From: Colorado Springs CO
460...more power!
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.
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.
As far as more power? Port and polish heads, intake, Banks exhaust, not much can really be done without going too extreme.
More Turbo
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 733
Likes: 20
From: Central, WI
Check out the lastest youtube vid in my sig, that's a stock 460. It might be the best option especially in high altitude.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 5,006
Likes: 72
From: Roseville, MN
"Taller gears" (or "higher") usually means lower numerically, which brings the engine RPM down. "Lower" or "deeper" means higher numerically, which will bring engine rpm up and help get things rolling better.
But with a 5 speed he'll want to think about that. If 1st gear seems OK for getting things rolling, lower axle gears will just mean he can be in a higher trans gear at any given speed, which won't really help much. And changing axle gears isn't all that cheap.
But with a 5 speed he'll want to think about that. If 1st gear seems OK for getting things rolling, lower axle gears will just mean he can be in a higher trans gear at any given speed, which won't really help much. And changing axle gears isn't all that cheap.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 23,849
Likes: 20
From: McKenzie River
Headers...........stock exhaust manifold leave something to be desired in flow-ability.
My 93 F-250 460 became a different truck after the headers, noticeably more power accelerating, pulling and passing.
My 93 F-250 460 became a different truck after the headers, noticeably more power accelerating, pulling and passing.
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Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 40
From: Colorado Springs CO
Going to a diesel really isn't an option...I want to keep this truck. My thoughts, seriously, are to rip out everything under the hood except the short block. Aftermarket heads, cam, exhaust, intake, and different injection. I really don't know if it can be done or what issues I would face....
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,868
Likes: 9
From: Rhode Island
Going to a diesel really isn't an option...I want to keep this truck. My thoughts, seriously, are to rip out everything under the hood except the short block. Aftermarket heads, cam, exhaust, intake, and different injection. I really don't know if it can be done or what issues I would face....
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.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,132
Likes: 218
From: W (BY GOD) V
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Sandusky Ohio
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.
Mountain Pass
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 210
Likes: 1
From: Sandusky Ohio
By the time you perform extensive modifications to a 460, you'll likely be over half the cost of a Cummins swap. The Banks exhaust kit is very nice, but I felt like I gave up some off-idle power to gain it at 2500+. You've already got good gearing; I've got the 3.55's and wonder why they ever offered 'em in a gas truck like this. Have you considered a stroker kit? I had my 1995 F150 taken from a speed-density 351 to a 393, and found it pretty impressive. I agree with the others though; nothing is going to beat forced induction at altitude.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 979
Likes: 40
From: Colorado Springs CO
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.
4 grand seem a lot of money...but really my other option is to spend 10 times that much (or more!) on a new truck.
To those of you suggesting a diesel...not gonna happen. I'm a parts counterman at a heavy truck dealership, and I have to listen to and smell diesels all day every day. It would be hard to overstate how much I hate diesels! If I had $70K for a brand new Powerstroke with SCR & DPF I might do it....but I digress.