3.0 Aerostar performance
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
3.0 Aerostar performance
What can I do to up the performance of my wife's 3.0 1992 Aerostar with automatic trans and 3.73 rear? I am pulling a trailer within weight limits, but with too big frontal area for the van. We found it limited on the freeway, probably due to wind resistance. Would an ignition chip be good and I saw where the crossover pipe on exhaust was not so good. Any exhaust mods that help? Someone else on this site got 2 mpg from a Tarus electric fan and shroud. If I do all three of these, will the tranny handle it? Seems the tranny ran hot at freeway speeds as there was a oily/rubbery smell (it already has tranny cooler). Finally, is the engine good for many more miles when it already has 76,000?
If I don't pull this off she wants me to sell my F150 (horrors!!!) because it is worth twice as much as the Aerostar and buy a bigger van (she dosen't like the F150, says it's not comfortable). I'd compromise an take the Aerostar if, and only if, it had a manual tranny. Willing to try nearly anything to save my beloved F150.
Paul
If I don't pull this off she wants me to sell my F150 (horrors!!!) because it is worth twice as much as the Aerostar and buy a bigger van (she dosen't like the F150, says it's not comfortable). I'd compromise an take the Aerostar if, and only if, it had a manual tranny. Willing to try nearly anything to save my beloved F150.
Paul
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Joined: Feb 2000
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3.0 Aerostar performance
There really isn't any performance equipement available for the 3.0 or 4.0 Aerostar engine beyond the K&N air filter element and maybe a cat back exhaust neither of which will significantly help in the power department. The Aerostar is just not the sort of market the speed parts people go after. If I were you, and you need more towing power, a 4.0 will be better then the 3.0 but a real tow vehicle like a F150 properly equipped would be the way I'd go. Maybe a E150 if you need a van. 5.4L power will do much better then the 3.0L. Just my opinion.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
3.0 Aerostar performance
I kind of thought I would get such a response. It all boils down to the old adage, "There's no replacement for displacement." I got the F150 (4.9 liter I-6) for that purpose and it towed very well through the Rocky Mountains last month, but the wife thinks the bench seat is uncomfortable (maybe I should get buckets?). She loves the aerostar. I could buy a 4.0 Aerostar for her as I believe that motor will do the job, though I would love to get her a full sized van with a 351 V8. I will lay the options out to her--minus the selling of the F150, as that is not an option for me.
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Florida
3.0 Aerostar performance
Actually, in 1994, the optimal tow rating was put on regular length Aerostar Vans with the 4.10 rear end ratio, topping out at a tow rating of 4900 lbs.
From the owner's manual tables, the highest weight of a 4.0L with a 3.55 rear was 4800 lbs.
From the owner's manual tables, the highest weight of a 4.0L with a 3.55 rear was 4800 lbs.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
3.0 Aerostar performance
My '95 owner's manual says with the 3.73 I can tow 2000 lbs with no more frontal area than the van has, but the trailer has about 48 sq.ft. frontal area. They do list a higher GVWR for the '95 that will tow up to 50 sq ft frontal area, but I believe my wife's Aerostar is the lower GVWR. Still that would only relate to the springs, right? So why can't this pig easily tow the light weight trailer at highway speed?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Northern California
3.0 Aerostar performance
Bottom line, I think the culprit is the weight of the van, itself, even with a 4.0 V6. This is a heavy vehicle, which should of had some type of Ford V-8 power available. Just my opinion. On another note, the October 24, 2000 issue of AUTO WORLD WEEKLY, page 8, has an informative article titled "FORD SEES A NEW GENERATION OF VAN FANS" in which it touts the advantages of the new, improved, RWD Econoline van, over regular mini-vans and SUV's. Check it out if you see it on the newstand, or are a subscriber like me. Ed...
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
3.0 Aerostar performance
Seems the only hope for the 3.0 is a supercharger, but even if one were made (say for the Ranger) it would never fit in the Aerostar. Definitely the Aero should have had a V8, possibly that new 4.6 if only Ford would have continued making the van. I'll have to get the Oct 24 Auto World Weekly as I hate front wheel drives. I only wish Ford's big van were a few inches lower to fit into a regular garage door. I have heard of people having to switch to a roll up garage door to gain a couple inches clearance to fit these vans in.
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Joined: Jan 2003
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From: Decatur USA
3.0 Aerostar performance
I have a 1987 Aerostar and have gotten about an extra 100 HP out of it without tearing into it. It's a lot of simple stuff that adds up. You can supercharge it but it has to be custom made. You have to turn the supercharget around and put it where the intake box is now. If you want to know anyhting else let me know.
Aaron
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,860
Likes: 4
From: Metro Detroit (Redford)
3.0 Aerostar performance
I solved the Aerostar 3.0 trailer towing performance issue. Sold the trailer and got an E350 motorhome with 460 V8. No more performance issues! But is sure created one big fuel usage issue 
on a good day I might get 8 mph.
on a good day I might get 8 mph.
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