Where to begin?
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Where to begin?
Great site! It's just what I needed...
Just bought a '99 F-250 SD Lariatt ... 90K miles and it seems to be a very strong runner. It's bascially stock, except the kid I bought it from had added a set of Flowmasters (which sounds like crap most of the time!).
Anyway, I love this truck (it's the style I've always wanted) and I want to help it get in touch with its inner beast. (Is there a high-performance truck in there trying to get out?)
I've got $1,500 to get me going.
So, where should I start?
Any and all info will be most appreciated!
Just bought a '99 F-250 SD Lariatt ... 90K miles and it seems to be a very strong runner. It's bascially stock, except the kid I bought it from had added a set of Flowmasters (which sounds like crap most of the time!).
Anyway, I love this truck (it's the style I've always wanted) and I want to help it get in touch with its inner beast. (Is there a high-performance truck in there trying to get out?)
I've got $1,500 to get me going.
So, where should I start?
Any and all info will be most appreciated!
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As a suggestion, you might look around for a supercharger off one of the lightnings, not uncommon to find them for sale used, just make sure everything is there. Is it a 4X4? If so, and you plan on getting taller tires, a gear swap might be a thought, unless mpg is a concern. What goals do you have, what is the intended purpose of the vehicle?
Last edited by jwtaylor; Dec 10, 2003 at 02:23 PM.
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Sorry about not fully describing the truck in the first post... It's a '99 250 SD 5.4 liter 4X4 Off Road Lariat, 93K miles. Everything is stock except for the Flowmasters. It also has a new set of BFG Rugged Trail ATs (265's with about 6k on them). To me, the tires seem small in the wheel well, but that's what came on the truck.
I bought it as a second vehicle...part toy (fun) and part work (we're building a new house...). But I've enjoyed driving it so much that I don't drive the other car (2001 Lexus) accept when I'm hauling clients around. Seriously, the truck rides that well. (And, frankly, the Lexus is boring.)
So, armed with $1,500... my goal is to boost overall performance, i.e., make it quicker, make it faster, make it ride better. If I can improve MPG, fine...but it's not a big concern. Of course, I need it to sound as good as it looks!
It sits plenty high for what I need and where I go, so I'm not inclined to lift it. Other than that, anything goes.
Thanks again for any suggestions...
I bought it as a second vehicle...part toy (fun) and part work (we're building a new house...). But I've enjoyed driving it so much that I don't drive the other car (2001 Lexus) accept when I'm hauling clients around. Seriously, the truck rides that well. (And, frankly, the Lexus is boring.)
So, armed with $1,500... my goal is to boost overall performance, i.e., make it quicker, make it faster, make it ride better. If I can improve MPG, fine...but it's not a big concern. Of course, I need it to sound as good as it looks!
It sits plenty high for what I need and where I go, so I'm not inclined to lift it. Other than that, anything goes.
Thanks again for any suggestions...
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Well as far as I can tell, the 5.4 is a strong motor that likes to take deep breaths, so the heads aren't necessarily something holding you back such as your usual small block. So IMO, small bolt ons would be a waste of your time. Then again, I am no modular engine expert. Back to the likes to breathe comment, that is why it responds to the blower so well, so again you might look for a used blower off a lightning or save and invest in another forced induction unit. I would do a compression check first just to be sure that the engine is somewhat healthy and ready for some mild boost. You shouldn't lose much in the way of mpg you may even gain a bit on the highway, depends on the tune etc.. Good luck with your truck
here is a link to a few examples:
http://search-desc.ebay.com/search2/...y&BasicSearch=
here is a link to a few examples:
http://search-desc.ebay.com/search2/...y&BasicSearch=
Last edited by jwtaylor; Dec 11, 2003 at 03:04 PM.
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I really appreciate the direction. I would not have thought to explore the Lightning options.
Likewise, I had only considered the compression check, but now I'll get it done.
Would you also try one of the "chip" doctors? One of the kids in the neighborhood swears by what it did for his Chevy.
Finally, any point at looking into one of the K&N air setups?
'preciate it!
Likewise, I had only considered the compression check, but now I'll get it done.
Would you also try one of the "chip" doctors? One of the kids in the neighborhood swears by what it did for his Chevy.
Finally, any point at looking into one of the K&N air setups?
'preciate it!
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Really depends on you whether or not you want to go the chip or filter route. Personally, I would wait until I modified the motor in some way internally or forced induction, that way you can fully gain benefit of a custom chip change. I have found this to be the case, when you do a little thing like chip or filter or plugs or whatever, you may feel a difference but by the weeks end you will have forgot what it was you gained, and you have to ask, will I really gain that much in the way of mpg to have it pay for itself? Thats my opinion and shouldn't be the basis of your purchase or not. Call the manufactuer of a chip and see what they claim, and see if its for you. Good luck with whatever you decide
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rft3 remember your friend might tell you how it di wonderers on his chevy, think chevys need all they can get for power LOL. if i was you i would start with some headders i know there is ways around the cats if ur o2 censor is not in ur cat. if it is in ur cat well you can still have headers ut wont help as much. i would also open the exaust about 1/2 in or so for beter flow aslo try high pressure injectors and up ur fuel pussure a couple of lbs. that always seems to help with EFI