Hey everyone,

I just registered and am pretty new here. I think I have an easy question for those more experienced than me. I just bought a stock '98 STX F-150 XLT and wondered if anyone could give me a couple suggestions on some easy and possibly cheap ways to coax some extra ponies out of my engine.

So far I thought throwing on a new intake and new bolt-on exhaust would be a good starting point. Any suggestions on brands to use and websites to check would be greatly appreciated.

 

nothing like a complete tune up to start off with...filters, fluids, plug wires, plugs, etc...there is no sense in modifying a truck that wont run at its peak when stock. Thats just my petty opinion. Most guys around here seem to swear by the intakes...but other guys here know what brands works best there...I have done no mods to my current truck, other than a KandN replacement filter which did very little for me. Good luck

Oh yeah...specify "cheap." you'll find we all have different opinions on that term. My girl friend is a perfect example of that...50 bucks into the truck is outrageous...but 50 bucks into her wardrobe is nothing.

 

After you get it serviced and tuned up, I would start out with the basics of intake, exhaust and chip. My personal favorites are Airforce One or Mac intakes, Flowmaster exhaust, and Diablo Chips. All are available right here on this site. Click on the "Parts Shop" button at the top of the screen.

 

Hey i have a 99 4.2 and i got a 40 series flowmaster exhast and i was amazed at the diffrence. The horsepower improved a bunch and it sounds great. The muffler was $47 shipped on ebay from performancepeddler (powerseller) and $45 to install.

 

My mods are as follows:

-2 Stage Diablo Chip
-MAC Intake
-40 Series Flowmaster turned down

Mods to come:

Port, polished, & half shafted TB...maybe

I would suggest exactly what the above guys said.

 

The 40 series exhaust seems to be the most popular.