Performance Help for a 96 4.9L I6
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Freshman User
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From: Kentucky
Performance Help for a 96 4.9L I6
My 96 F150 has 130K, hooked to a 5 spd and 2.73 gear. I drive 120 miles interstate daily, and I read about getting more gas mileage with increased air flow. I switched to a K&N filter, and my check engine light now stays on and I've lost about 2-3 mpg. Do I need to reprogram to allow for the increased air? I already run custom exhaust through a Flowmaster, and I need my mileage back, plus some if I can manage it. Any suggestions?
Junior User
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: ohio
k&n filter
the filter needs very little oil
if you can feel it wayyyy to much oil .
the hot wire in the [maf] is dirty
remove the [maf] & clean the small
air bypass with carb cleaner
[mass airflow meter]
if you can feel it wayyyy to much oil .
the hot wire in the [maf] is dirty
remove the [maf] & clean the small
air bypass with carb cleaner
[mass airflow meter]
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,978
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From: Alvin, Texas.
Change your gearing.
2.73 are not anywhere near the best gears for keep the engine in the most efficient portions of the powerband.
3.55s, 3.73s....anything but what you've got now.
The computer will easily adjust to in airflow, but don't cheat and get the code erased the right way after you get it checked and it comes up as the MAF being gooed up.
2.73 are not anywhere near the best gears for keep the engine in the most efficient portions of the powerband.
3.55s, 3.73s....anything but what you've got now.
The computer will easily adjust to in airflow, but don't cheat and get the code erased the right way after you get it checked and it comes up as the MAF being gooed up.
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Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Indiana
My 96 F150 has 130K, hooked to a 5 spd and 2.73 gear. I drive 120 miles interstate daily,
We are talking about a 4.9L six, and not a 5.0 or 5.8 V8 here.
As far as better mileage goes, I would keep the tire pressure about 5 lbs over what the door sticker calls for, and look for aerodynamic improvements.
Get a net so you can run without a taigate, some kind of air dam under the front bumper, or even lowering the truck a little.
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: philly pa
Originally posted by KYHossF150
Oh yeah. I took the tailgate off long ago. The 2.73 works great for me, because I very rarely tow anything.
Oh yeah. I took the tailgate off long ago. The 2.73 works great for me, because I very rarely tow anything.
the 2.73's are horrable for all around driving, but great for highway. i have the same gears. if your going 55 it pays to keep it in forth. its nice to be able to go 75 and be right in the powerband. if your all highway then keep the 2.73's.
Last edited by jessfactor; Mar 19, 2004 at 09:08 PM.
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[QUOTE]Originally posted by steell
[B]And this is usually about 75 mph, at what, 2200 rpm or so? If you are running 2000-2200 rpm at the speed at which you usually drive, then I would certainly not suggest changing gearing.
We are talking about a 4.9L six, and not a 5.0 or 5.8 V8 here.
I have a 93 with 3.05 gears in the rearend and at 80 I only pull 2000 rpm's.I am thinking about putting 3.73 gears in mine.
[B]And this is usually about 75 mph, at what, 2200 rpm or so? If you are running 2000-2200 rpm at the speed at which you usually drive, then I would certainly not suggest changing gearing.
We are talking about a 4.9L six, and not a 5.0 or 5.8 V8 here.
I have a 93 with 3.05 gears in the rearend and at 80 I only pull 2000 rpm's.I am thinking about putting 3.73 gears in mine.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Indiana
[QUOTE]Originally posted by 1 bad 300
[B]
Wow! What size tires you have on there?
I had an 85 Mustang Gt with the stock 225/65/15 (I think) tires, 5 speed, and 3.73 gears, and it was turning close to 3000 rpm at 80.
Jessfacter, I would appreciate it if you could post or PM me those links, there is an awful lot of air smacking that tailgate after it comes off the roof.
[B]
Originally posted by steell
And this is usually about 75 mph, at what, 2200 rpm or so? If you are running 2000-2200 rpm at the speed at which you usually drive, then I would certainly not suggest changing gearing.
We are talking about a 4.9L six, and not a 5.0 or 5.8 V8 here.
I have a 93 with 3.05 gears in the rearend and at 80 I only pull 2000 rpm's.I am thinking about putting 3.73 gears in mine.
And this is usually about 75 mph, at what, 2200 rpm or so? If you are running 2000-2200 rpm at the speed at which you usually drive, then I would certainly not suggest changing gearing.
We are talking about a 4.9L six, and not a 5.0 or 5.8 V8 here.
I have a 93 with 3.05 gears in the rearend and at 80 I only pull 2000 rpm's.I am thinking about putting 3.73 gears in mine.
I had an 85 Mustang Gt with the stock 225/65/15 (I think) tires, 5 speed, and 3.73 gears, and it was turning close to 3000 rpm at 80.
Jessfacter, I would appreciate it if you could post or PM me those links, there is an awful lot of air smacking that tailgate after it comes off the roof.
Last edited by steell; Mar 20, 2004 at 01:04 AM.
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From: Indiana
Originally posted by 1 bad 300
I have 235/75/15s
I have 235/75/15s
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: philly pa
Originally posted by steell
Jessfacter, I would appreciate it if you could post or PM me those links, there is an awful lot of air smacking that tailgate after it comes off the roof.
Jessfacter, I would appreciate it if you could post or PM me those links, there is an awful lot of air smacking that tailgate after it comes off the roof.
http://www.cartalk.com/content/colum...ctober/05.html
http://truck-bed-covers.com/Tonneau_..._save_fuel.htm
its #13 on the list on this site
fueleconomy.php
here's a good one and it has a graph
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/um.gm.truck/no_tailgate
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From: Kentucky
Guys, you can say what you want, but I got 2 mpg better after I took it off. I think probably the airflow was disrupted by the toolbox I installed. In a 6 3/4 bed, there's now only about 4' of room. This really made the air smack that gate.