Hello All,

Short time lurker, first time question. I have a 1991 F250 Supercab 4x4 with a 5.8, ZF transmission, 4.10 gears with stock size tires. The engine is very tired. I have been planning an engine rebuild(my first) for a few months. I picked up a 95 block to rebuild so the truck wasn't down too long and for the roller block(based in recommendations from this forum).

Here is where my confusion starts. I had decided on getting the block work done, putting a cam in it(Comp Cams 35-349-8), Performer intake, Edlebrock aluminum heads and Pacesetter long tube headers.
After reading some more threads, I was down to block work, cam(Comp 35-512-8), Stock intake, AFR 165 heads and the Pacesetters. Then after more reading to double check my thoughts, I was to block work, stock roller cam, 1.7 roller rockers, stock intake, stock E7 heads and the Pacesetters.

This truck is third or fourth in the fleet and will be used for around the house truck duties, occasionally towing a car trailer with a Jeep(8500# ish) and maybe a small travel trailer if it is reliable enough. I don't mind spending money if it is worth it but don't want to spend it just to have shiny parts under the hood.

Taking the block to the machine shop this week so looking for some direction from the gurus on which direction to take.

Thank you in advance for the advice.

 

Options 1 and 2 will make power worthy of the displacement but will require PCM and fuel system upgrades, do you have a budget for that?
Option 3 will produce healthy stock like performance which will run fine on the stock PCM but will not be very impressive when towing your jeep.

 

Conanski, I was hoping you would chime in. I have gotten most of my information from your replies to other posts.

What kind of upgrades are you talking about to the fuel system and PCM? Are we talking injectors, throttle body or fuel pumps? Injectors and fuel pumps are going to be replaced anyway. For the PCM, getting a new chip burned or changing to MAF? Cost isn't really a factor, within reason, it will just take longer.

I have towed Jeeps with a 96 Ford Power Stroke, 2001 Dodge Cummins and a 1991 Chevy 3/4 ton 4x4 suburban with a 350. I know this Ford won't match the diesels but I hope it will be better than the Suburban.

Thanks again

 

Yes it would be a higher volume fuel pump and injectors plus a tunable PCM like the Stinger PimpX or a custom chip... if you can find someone that still makes them. MAF is extra cost that doesn't really help now that products like the Pimpx are available, this is a direct swap PCM with no wiring changes that is fully tunable.. justy connect a laptop and dial it in.
This truck with a stock motor won't tow any better than your old Suburban, but with option 1 under the hood it would give those old diesels some competition.

 

I am kinda in the same dilemma as you as what I want to do to my truck. Aluminium heads, intake, headers, cam, bigger injectors, bigger fuel pump, etc, etc. That all equals the use of the Pimpx. With the E4OD that means the more expensive PimpXshift. I also considered a 460 efi. Great torque for pulling but you will be lucky to get 10mpg empty. Lastly I thought about something different. Build a 351w stroker into a 408w, GT40 III bar heads, headers, small cam or 1.7 Rockers. Hybrid 5.0/5.8 intake, Adjustable FPR and use a 460 PCM if needed with 24# injectors. My thinking is the longer stroke will produce more torque for towing and everyday driving and should not give up the mpg's as a 460 would. You can't change injector size with a stock PCM. So that leaves aftermarket stuff or a 460 PCM. I have done a lot of searching try to figure out the best bang for the buck if you are after torque and right now I am thinking a 408w with cast parts would fit the bill for me.

 

If you have the time and knowledge, port your E7s yourself, go with option 1 or 2, and get a tuner that fits your budget and knowledge of tuning.
I am on a limited budget, and heads were the last of my performance upgrades.
My engine build purpose was street daily, weekend hauler and 1/8th mile fun.

If you are doing towing, don't go overboard on heads. You want to keep the torque up in lower RPM. Bigger ports will allow for higher revving engine.
While on the street empty, lots of torque down low will be fun.