More Power
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
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More Power
I have a 1996 Ford F-150, 300 inline 6, 2wd, 5spd manual, and I feel like it could use a wakeup call, I want this to have more power with better fuel economy and still pass California smog, how can I do this (without differential swapping it)?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,547
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Get a different truck, or put higher octane fuel in it.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 31,930
Likes: 1,499
From: Ottawa, Ontario
A cyntrifugal supercharger could be smog compliant as it can be setup to work with the factory EFI system. The PROBLEM with the I6 is the cylinder head... it's just brutally restrictive, so the only way to see gains that go beyond polishing the turd while maintaining smog compliance is with forced induction.
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
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A cyntrifugal supercharger could be smog compliant as it can be setup to work with the factory EFI system. The PROBLEM with the I6 is the cylinder head... it's just brutally restrictive, so the only way to see gains that go beyond polishing the turd while maintaining smog compliance is with forced induction.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 10,268
Likes: 2,563
From: Near Salt Lake City
Not much you can do in California with CARB
I would cut down the EGR flow with a washer they couldn't see
300-6 is no powerhouse, save money for a new EcoBoost or Coyote if you want *****
anything earlier than 2015 is a slug compared to the new ones but 80-100k is nuts
You could always move from CA and turbo the truck or otherwise modify it, still you will have a 4.9 litre low compression, low revving motor
I loved mine and think you should keep yours absolutely stock (with the exception of cutting down the EGR flow)
That EVP on the EGR valve will still move like it should, and pass I/M, with a different washer / slug with a smaller hole in it
* Ford sent new EGR valves with 3 washers in the box (those CARB bogarts will not know which washer is what most likely, and the washer goes in the little hole inside the valve
Those 4.9's come "alive" with NO EGR flow but you need 'some" to pass I/M
I would cut down the EGR flow with a washer they couldn't see
300-6 is no powerhouse, save money for a new EcoBoost or Coyote if you want *****
anything earlier than 2015 is a slug compared to the new ones but 80-100k is nuts
You could always move from CA and turbo the truck or otherwise modify it, still you will have a 4.9 litre low compression, low revving motor
I loved mine and think you should keep yours absolutely stock (with the exception of cutting down the EGR flow)
That EVP on the EGR valve will still move like it should, and pass I/M, with a different washer / slug with a smaller hole in it
* Ford sent new EGR valves with 3 washers in the box (those CARB bogarts will not know which washer is what most likely, and the washer goes in the little hole inside the valve
Those 4.9's come "alive" with NO EGR flow but you need 'some" to pass I/M
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Fleet Owner
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Kentucky
Nick's Crazy Superturbocharged 300 Inline 6
Thread Starter
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4th Gear
Joined: Oct 2025
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Not much you can do in California with CARB
I would cut down the EGR flow with a washer they couldn't see
300-6 is no powerhouse, save money for a new EcoBoost or Coyote if you want *****
anything earlier than 2015 is a slug compared to the new ones but 80-100k is nuts
You could always move from CA and turbo the truck or otherwise modify it, still you will have a 4.9 litre low compression, low revving motor
I loved mine and think you should keep yours absolutely stock (with the exception of cutting down the EGR flow)
That EVP on the EGR valve will still move like it should, and pass I/M, with a different washer / slug with a smaller hole in it
* Ford sent new EGR valves with 3 washers in the box (those CARB bogarts will not know which washer is what most likely, and the washer goes in the little hole inside the valve
Those 4.9's come "alive" with NO EGR flow but you need 'some" to pass I/M
I would cut down the EGR flow with a washer they couldn't see
300-6 is no powerhouse, save money for a new EcoBoost or Coyote if you want *****
anything earlier than 2015 is a slug compared to the new ones but 80-100k is nuts
You could always move from CA and turbo the truck or otherwise modify it, still you will have a 4.9 litre low compression, low revving motor
I loved mine and think you should keep yours absolutely stock (with the exception of cutting down the EGR flow)
That EVP on the EGR valve will still move like it should, and pass I/M, with a different washer / slug with a smaller hole in it
* Ford sent new EGR valves with 3 washers in the box (those CARB bogarts will not know which washer is what most likely, and the washer goes in the little hole inside the valve
Those 4.9's come "alive" with NO EGR flow but you need 'some" to pass I/M
Tuned
Joined: May 2024
Posts: 298
Likes: 147
There is a cam grind available that is computer friendly that widens the power window by about 1000 RPM, but doesn't increase peak power. You could do that and toss a set of Scorpion roller rockets at it that have a higher ratio to increase lift a tad. Don't expect much though. With the limitations you face you're essentially cut off at the knees in an *** kicking contest. You really should just get another truck, or if it's CARB compliant then V8 swap to something that was a factory option.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,627
Likes: 957
From: Near Yosemite CA
What size tires are you running and what's your axle gearing? If anything over stock size the 300's suffer, along with manic's recommendation (which sounds good) if you want a little more pep, I would def look at a gear swap, if your stock is 3.55, bumping up to 4.10's would be a noticeable improvement.
And yes, the insanely stupid CARB/Smog-**** laws pretty much negate doing anything to them.
And yes, the insanely stupid CARB/Smog-**** laws pretty much negate doing anything to them.