I've been searching the forums on the proper upgrades for a Speed Density 5.8l and it seems the limitations come from the ECU on these rigs. My question is if I went with something like the Pimpx batch controller chip would that open up the amount of power I could make? From the comments I've gotten without a chip I'm limited to 275-300hp. Would the Pimpx support 350-375hp? I know the cam, heads, and exhuast would need an upgrade but how about the intake and injectors. I've also looked into the Holley fuel injection systems and they look fairly easy to install.

 

In simple terms, the fuel/ignition systems will need to be changed if you plan on swapping the cam/heads/exhaust. I think you will be very disappointed if all you did was to install PiMPx. I don't think Ford left that much power on the table with the stock parts.

The more air that the engine can ingest, the more power you can expect. Is the stock intake limiting? Yeah. So, if you do all the modifications your dreaming about, the stock intake will hinder your outcome.

 

Its all about budget and learning curve.
You are not limited with a tuner, regardless. If you are limited by a tuner, then that is the wrong tuner.
You'd be replacing the stock Speed Density(SD) with a pimpx which is also Speed Density(SD).

I'm a fan of Moates QuarterHorse. Price wise it is the least expensive way to go if you are tuning yourself.

 

You won't be limited on horsepower running the PiMPx ECU. Keep in mind that when they say plug and play, they are saying that you will be able to start your vehicle and run it, but it won't be tuned. You are the tuner. If you want to run something like the E4OD, they have the PiMPxshift so you don't need a different transmission controller. If you want to run sequential injection, they have the PiMPxs, but you will have to rewire some injectors. It's a good system, but you will have a lot to learn.

 

I disagree. I’m still using the OEM TFI ignition as well as the OEM fuel pumps on my ‘89. I did change to an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and 36# injectors but that was probably too much since 30# injectors would have been enough.

I have a 10.0:1 compression 408 with a custom cam and AFR 185 Renegade 58cc heads. I bought a PiMPxs computer but am running it in batch fire. Here is the rear wheel horsepower


The run was from 2,200 - 4,800 rpm because I asked the tuner for driveability vs all out top end power.

I am also using long tube Pacesetter headers with true dual exhaust.

 

Looking at crate engines like ATK a 385hp 351 says it will not work with a Speed Density F250. Their 300hp 351 on the other hand doesn't say it won't work with a Speed Density F250. So this is were my questioning comes in. I'm just trying to learn about the system. The Pimpx is what I see the most online, but I do see the Quarterhorse some and it gets good reviews. It's been along time since I've studied any of this stuff. Truck has a ZF5 manual so I'm not to worried about trans control but am a little worried about too much power smoking the clutch.

 

The pimp will support what ever it needs to support in SD given the correct injectors & can use the stock HEI

I did a MAF/sequential swap with junkyard parts & later went with the pimpxshift.

I ditched the MAF & run it in sequential SD no problem, in fact they will strongly suggest you use the simpler SD

The pimp is massively adaptable

 

The Stinger Pimpx is a complete replacemet PCM not just a chip, this is a Megasquirt EFI system packaged in a Ford PCM case allowing direct no fuss connection with the factory wiring harness.
The stock 19lb/hr injectors can only support about 275hp naturally aspirated so any engine combo that requires bigger injectors requires tuning.
The original Ford PCM was programmed based on the strong/stable vacuum signal produced by the factory cams, so any cam that produces less vacuum requires tuning.
The Moates Quarterhorse and Tweecer tuning systems utilize a service port on the factory PCM to override the on-board memory, it's a cool hack but using one of these is very tech heavy.. you really have to know computers, have some electronics background, and be willing to study up on the techical aspects of the Ford efi systems to understand what needs to be changed to tune a motor.

 

When they are saying that it will not run on a speed density F series, they are talking about the factory computer.

 

Yes. The Stinger PiMP computer is also speed density.

 

Remember, the OP asked about only swapping the stock EFI with PiMPx, not modifications.

If the goal was to get a highly modified 351w [which is what you got] to work better, then I would not have written what I did.

I have a stock MAF 351W fuel system and it is pretty much stock. It ran well with my Kenne-Bell supercharger. Since I am preparing to install a 408W, I purchased a Tweecer to handle my fuel/ignition system. It has been a learning curve. Certainly not for everyone. To date, I have increased my fuel consumption by about 1.5mpg towing, increased the power, and allowed me to get my heavily modified transmission to shift how hard and when I want it. I can't wait till I get my 408w installed.

I don't have and never have dealt with SD on a Ford.

 

The OP does in fact mention making modifications to the engine in his first post. I believe his concern is whether or not speed density can handle the horsepower. The simple answer is that top fuel dragster did and probably still do run the speed density fueling strategy. That's at least 11,000 horsepower. Speed density isn't necessarily inferior to MAF. They both have their pros and cons.

 

No. The OP asked…

so modifications are planned. You said…

which is not true. I still have the stock fuel and ignition systems.

 

I am certain I am not using words that will work in every situation possible, I am not a lawyer. What I am reading, you say you have stock fuel and ignition systems but you are running PiMPx. Seems like you have the same writing skills I have, but then again, maybe my reading skills are not up too par. What system do you run currently. I am not saying it's impossible, but there can't be many people that can get a stock SD system to run your parts efficiently. Could you make a tune to work the stock parts? I suspect you could.

To be clear, my understanding is that the OP wanted to know if by swapping the stock fuel system to a PiMPx that it will add a bunch more power. I will admit, maybe how I read it was not what was implied. My answer is not really. Sure, it could add more power, but additional items will be needed to allow more air to pass through the engine. If you have SD, my understanding, it is limited [in stock form] to compliment the additional add-ons you choose. Could you use a Quarterhorse/Tweecer to make it work? Sure. Could you use PiMPx to make it work, sure.

As for MAF or SD being better? They are different and each have their issues. I agree 100% with that. I have MAF only because that is what the truck had when it came from the factory. I am not implying that mine is better.

 

He did mention that he changed the injectors and the FPR to an adjustable one. That should be enough, I would think. I opted to go with Walbro fuel pumps, a Kirban adjustable FPR, and the Siemens 60s that Stinger sells. I ended up getting the wrong injectors from him, so I just gave him the extra $20 and kept the 80s that were sent. I have also went back with a stock FPR since the adjustable is unnecessary in my case. Every once in a while it crosses my mind that I could easily support forced induction, but I don't want to find out how much power it takes to destroy the hypereutectic pistons that I put in there. As they say, "There are a million ways to skin a cat".