Exhaust or Chip???
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Exhaust or Chip???
I have a 2000 F150 4X4 with a 4.6L auto, 3:55 rears. We just purchased a 4400 lb dry weight TT and I am wondering where I should spend my extra cash first - chip or exhaust mods? Where would you place your money first to get the best result????
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 654
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
EXAUST:
Chips are great, but you gassers have to burn premium all the time. And on a side note your engine will run cooler with an easier flowing exaust
I think you will be happier with an exaust.
Jim
Chips are great, but you gassers have to burn premium all the time. And on a side note your engine will run cooler with an easier flowing exaust
I think you will be happier with an exaust.
Jim
New User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I have the Gibson Swep side on my 02 crew and love it. When I first installed it is was just as quiet as stock , but after a few hundred miles on it the grown was a bit louder. I am going to hate to say this but it kind of sounds like a exhaust on a chevy. The sound is just different to the point where you know it is not stock on a Ford. I also feel gas mileage improved. Going down RT 81 from NY to Virginia through the Hills of PA I got 18 miles to the gallon with the 5.4. I first wanted duals but with off road package you need to remove the spare tire. After Talking to Gibson I was informed that the Singel 3 inch system has more torque and puts out more umph then the duals, which is good for a guy like me who only drives the truck to tow, for the most part.
Chris
Chris
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: priddis
exhaust or chip ?
Good luck pulling 4400 lbs with a 4.6 motor. I hope you live where things are flat. In the mountains and even small hills around here, the 5.4 motor would be the MINIMUM to consider for towing over 4000 lbs. Take the manufacturer's maximum tow rating and divide it by 2 to get an idea of what you can really tow comfortably.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 36
Likes: 0
How is your 4.6 pulling the Travel trailer?
I was looking at old messages and saw you have a 4.6 and was going to pull a TT that weighed 4,400lbs. How did it pull for you? and what type of area have you pulled it in? Hilly, flat or mountains? Did you add anything to your truck to make it pull better?
Thanks for the input. I was looking to pull a 3,500lb dry TT and Fully maxed at 4,300lbs with my supercrew F150, 3.55, 4.6.
Thanks for the input. I was looking to pull a 3,500lb dry TT and Fully maxed at 4,300lbs with my supercrew F150, 3.55, 4.6.
New User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
From: priddis
My 4.6 is maxxed out to barely pull a 2,000 lb travel trailer- loaded weight 2500 lbs. Won't climb hills at a reasonable speed, and a headwind means turn back. My truck is hampered by the 5 speed manual and 4.33 gears- great for gas mileage but miserable for towing. Adding the K&N FIPK air intake helped a lot- it frees up the breathing so I can really use the higher RPM's on hills in a lower gear than before. Also added a Gibson exhaust- only a minor difference. Will sell the trailer and get a small TT.
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 3,959
Likes: 9
From: USA
Gaboze, I think you have a typo on the 4.33 gears...
I'll be different than everyone else and vote for a gear change in leiu of (or in addition to, if you have the $$) either the exhaust or chip. A change to 4.10 gears will do more for towing power than just about any other mod you could do aside from swapping to a bigger engine.
It really makes the most sense to trade the truck for one with a bigger engine, maybe an F250 with a 5.4 and 4.10's if you plan on doing much towing.
I'll be different than everyone else and vote for a gear change in leiu of (or in addition to, if you have the $$) either the exhaust or chip. A change to 4.10 gears will do more for towing power than just about any other mod you could do aside from swapping to a bigger engine.
It really makes the most sense to trade the truck for one with a bigger engine, maybe an F250 with a 5.4 and 4.10's if you plan on doing much towing.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
I have no problem towing my 6500# loaded TT with my f150 supercrew 5.4L, even going up steep grades 40-50mph 3200rpms, I'm not in a race to get up the hill. The only mods I have is 3" cat back with flowmaster single, K&N air filter and 4.10 gears. Installing a lower gear ratio will get you back in your power band.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
conan8 I had a drivetrain shop install and set up my gears cause I don't have the proper tools to set up these rear ends. I went from 3.55s to 4.10s with 33" tires. My actual ratio is 3.76, so my mpg did not change much if any, it actually got a little better on in town driving, remember I am running 33" tires. Towing is very well. Running 3.55s and 33" tires lowered my power band, changing to 4.10s brought my rpms back up. What size tire are you running? If you are running stock tires your rpms will be even more higher but not much and the 4.10s will help on your towwing, in my opinion that 4.6L it's a great engine, but is lacking a little when it comes to towing. I think you will be fine as long as you stay with your 4300# loaded TT. Rich