mwpierson....You have to ask yourself how much extra power do I want and how much am I willing to pay to get that power. I am speaking from experience when I say this because I am one of those people who like power. I have a 2001 F250 CC SB and have wasted more money and time on some of the different mods that are mentioned above than I care to mention. I am not saying that the different mods above don't give an increase in power, I am saying that it wasn't enough for me. On of the most disappointing mods was the Banks Power Pack system. When ordering the system straight from Banks I was told that I would notice a "seat-of-the-pants" difference, didn't happen. After going through the Banks system, BBK throttle body, Granatelli MAF sensor and K&N FIPK I was left with one conclusion, it wasn't worth the money too ME for all the more increase I noticed. After all these mods and being left with disappointment I was left with only one other option, supercharger. I ended up getting a Kenne Bell supercharger. All of the mods I had previously installed had to be taken off because the KB kit is designed to be used with all of the stock components (air intake, MAF sensor). I could talk about this all day, but to make a long story short, all I can say is awesome. Again, you have to ask yourself, how much power do I want. Superchargers are not for everyone mainly due in fact to the cost. I wasn't thrilled about forking out almost $4,000 but too me it was worth it. Finally, with the installation of the supercharger, which was easy by the way, I have got the "seat-of-the-pants" kick and then some , I was looking for. Again, I'm not knocking any mods or opinions above, they just weren't delivering the power I was looking for. Some people might say I'm nuts for installing a supercharger or that it is a waste of money, but the desire for power is in the eye of the beholder. If you were to drive a supercharged V10 I guarantee you would love it.

 

cburgess, I didn't have any problem with manifold bolts, most of the studs stayed right where they were, but a couple had to come out to get the headers in. The headers made the biggest difference of all the mods I did. I have a Flowmaster 40, with a tailpipe of about 5 inches. It's really loud, but I like it that way. I had to install a custom (read: redneck) exhaust deflector because the exhaust was melting my shock boot and parking brake cable. I would say a supercharger is going to make the biggest difference of everything discussed here. KenneB, can you use headers with a supercharger? A bigger throttle body? Did you have to install larger injectors? How about the computer, any modifications needed to the fuel/spark program?

 

camo4stealth....Originally, I still had the headers from the Banks kit on when I installed the supercharger. After taking it to get a dyno run done I wasn't getting the numbers Kenne Bell claimed I should. Gave them a call and as soon as I told them I had headers on it they suggested I take them off. They couldn't give me a definitive answer but they did say that they never saw a set of headers that didn't hurt the performance of the motor (at least on the V10). I figure these guys design the kits so they should know what they are talking about so I took them off and put the stock manifolds back on. I'm anxious to get it back to the dyno too see if they were right. As far as a larger throttle body goes, again, the kit is designed to use stock components. The KB kit comes complete with everything you need right down to the hose clamps and precut hose. Included in the kit are larger injectors and a switch chip that recalibrates shift points, fuel and timing curves. I am very happy with the performance and the installation was a piece of cake. I am currently working on some other mods then back to the dyno. I'll post the numbers when I get it done.

 

I have read posts on this forum and others that agree -- with the Kenne Bell supercharger, just leave the engine stock.

(However, an electric or perf. fan would still be a possible mod....)

It seems like you can go two routes: a bunch of individual mods to the intake, TB, cat forward/back, etc. Or just stick a supercharger on. Right now I am on the individual mod route. I think with my next F250 (that is years away), I will just go with the supercharger.

kenneBF250V10: Please do post the dyno results.

 

Thanks to you all for the great information... as always.

I'm going to get the superchips programmer for sure. I like that it's both reader and a programmer. And Motorhaven has got a great price too.

I was considering the Banks kit too but I'm a bit concerned with KeeneB's report. I don't want to spend the money and time to install if there isn't that much improvement. The supercharger sounds like a great deal. I bet it's cheaper in the long run since all the individual mods would be equal to (or more then) $4000.

Thanks again and Merry Christmas to you all.

Mike

 

cburgess....Already put a Flex-a-lite (mod #209) on it when I did the supercharger install, works great. Other mods I have include a "true dual" exhaust with dual hi-flow cats and dual Flowmaster 30 Series mufflers. I am in the process of installing a water/methanol injection kit as well. Main reason I am putting the injection kit on is because I changed the pulley on the supercharger to run more boost, don't want to take any chances with detonation. The KB kit comes equipped with a 6 lb pulley but I'm always on a quest for more horsepower so I called KB and asked if I could safely run more boost and was told running 1 to 1 1/2 more lbs of boost would be fine. They sent me a new pulley free of charge. Also, I had trans problems before the supercharger install and they progressively got worse after the install. A couple of weeks ago I ended up having to replace the trans (big $'s). I didn't go with a factory replacement though, I went high performance. Heard about Factory Tech out of Ohio from a buddy of mine who owned a Lightning. Did some research and decided this was the trans I wanted. It's called the "Monster Box" which was designed by Greg Evans who used to work for Ford's trans dept, so I was told. The trans is distributed by Jasper and is warranted for 2 years/unlimited mileage. This thing is awesome, it's designed to handle anything you throw at it. Shifting points are very firm. When I accelerate hard from a dead stop the tires actually chirp when shifting from 1st to 2nd. All that power the engine is now putting out is definitely making it to the rear wheels, I love it.

 

Man-o-man, you are making me drool with all those mods!You are right, exhaust would be another obvious mod with a supercharger.

 

Yeah, it's been a long expensive ride, but in my opinion it's worth it. If anyone is looking for big gains, a supercharger is the way to go. If I ever have to do it over again on another truck, no more small upgrades, I'm going straight for a blower. Dyno numbers to follow after the holidays.

 

Not everyone here has lost low end hp/torque with a new muffler, so do some research. Obviously more air in, and more air out will let you squirt in more fuel for more hp/torque. A bigger air inlet tube will let in more air, but it has to be in such a way that the engine's ECM can use it, so just hogging out the air intake doesn't always help. Same with exhaust, a certain amount of back pressure, ie; 1-2 lbs PSI is needed or you lose all your low end torque until the engine becomes efficient at higher rpm's. It seems like guys with the FlowMaster have been happiest, with sound and with power. There have been some problems with the K&N systems oiling up the MAF sensors, so be careful. A larger MAF, and a larger TB could help, but only if the rest of the intake is of sufficient size to accomodate those bigger units. And finally, some chips require premium fuel, some advertise they don't. But bottom line is if you increase timing, regular fuel may not have the anti-knock capabilities required, then your ECM will crank back your timing to compensate, so what do you gain ? You can't just willynilly (I've always wanted to say that, but til now never have had the circumstance) add parts. The manufacturers spend billions to get everything to work compatibily, you must do somewhat the same, or suffer drivability issues. You are in the right place to find what works and what doesn't. Take your time, the cheapest part may not always been the most cost effective, Ken

 

Not always, although I disagree partially with Kenne Bell, he is anti-header, and he says he has the stats to prove it. I know with cams, the difference in overlap is huge with different sized header tubes. Bigger tubes actually loose hp/torque, then with the extra cam timing an engine can fall on it's face unless there is sufficient scavenging out the exhaust port. I think on a stock engine, correctly sized headers can improve seat of the pants feel. But it's easy to go to "if bigger is better, biggest must be best" and start to go backwards. I know guys who have put he Banks powerpack on their trucks and been very disappointed, and they are $2500. Do your research, Ken

 

Mwpierson,

I will give you my recent first hand observations on this subject.
I have the 1714 Superchips Max Microtuner on my 2004 V10 and love the performance results when towing or unloaded. It has changed the shift points perfectly and this new version lets you imput the tire size and gear ratio, also eliminates the rev limiter and speed limiter. The 87 tow option is great, but the 91 performance setting is wild.
I have replaced the OEM muffler with a Magnaflow 3.5" and have a MAC cold air system. I have 315's and a leveling kit. Even with the stock 3.73 gears, you need to hold on from a dead stop or at any speed.
The MAC is louder than stock at higher speeds and the Magnaflow exhaust is nice at all rpms. Louder than stock, but not so loud as to scare the deer when driving through the woods.
Fuel consumption is directly related to your right foot! I can get 14+ MPG unloaded all day long if I lay off of the pedal. BUT....with these simple mods, I find it hard not to get into it any chance I can.
I do not know how much (if any) HP/Torque gains I have made with these mods, but it sure is fun to put your right foot down and have the scenery and other cars in your rear view!
I got the Superchips 1714 right here from Ken and it is well worth the price.
Good luck.

Waha