How do I increase performance?
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Joined: Dec 2004
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How do I increase performance?
I have a 1995 F150 XLT Extended Cab 4X4 with the 5.0L V8 with 5 spd manual transmission. I am looking for some ideas of add ons that will give me the most bang for the buck w/ regard to increased performance.
The truck is bone stock. Where do I begin?
-James
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The truck is bone stock. Where do I begin?
-James
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Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: nevada
The very first two things I did to my old 390 was dual exhaust and and an upgraded air filter. I did notice a diff when pulling my boat uphill, couldnt have hurt the mileage either. Just one bolt on item isnt a huge impact, but they all add up. Fuel/air/ignition/exhaust.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,547
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From: Calhoun GA
Exhaust, headers, adjustable fuel pressure reg, and bump the timing up 2-3 degrees. Ignition upgrades on a stock EEC-IV wont make that much of a difference unless you're running boost or spray.
Taller gears, e-fans and underdrive pulleys will make a difference as well.
Taller gears, e-fans and underdrive pulleys will make a difference as well.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 544
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From: Ocala, Florida
What heads do you have? Comp Cams camshaft part number 31-255-5 cam grind number XE250H-14 (www.compcams.com) and headers (preferably long tube). You might be able to find used GT-40 heads cheap. Invest in roller rockers. Jacobs Ignition system's are great.
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 627
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long tube headers will give the biggest bang but are difficult to install on a 4X4, shorties help some and a big 21/2 or preferably 3in. exhaust with a performance muffler.I have a F150 4X4 with a 302 . I have world prod. heads, a 206-206 comp cam,shorty headers 3in. exhaust,mallory ign. on durasparkII dist.. the heads with the large(2.02 int.1.60exh.) killed the low end but once the rpm gets up it hauls. with a standard trans that shouldn't be as big a problem.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: phoenix az.
302 dont breath anything you can do to help that will make it run better set your timing up(dont forget to pull the spout out to set it then put it back in after you set timing) cut a 3 inch hole into the bottom of the air box and take a 3 inch street 90 abs
plumbing fitting stick it in to the hole so it sticks down by the wheel you can leave it or you can run a hose to down by bumper to force air in. only thing is when it rains you dont want water up the hose i just stick a piece of insulation (foam) in the end to stop when it rains. i did a lot of head work on mine but till i opened the air box up it made no differance,after it really made a lot of differance. i when one step more and i have 3 lines feeding air box, but dual exhaust is a big plus too needs to breath.
moondogg
plumbing fitting stick it in to the hole so it sticks down by the wheel you can leave it or you can run a hose to down by bumper to force air in. only thing is when it rains you dont want water up the hose i just stick a piece of insulation (foam) in the end to stop when it rains. i did a lot of head work on mine but till i opened the air box up it made no differance,after it really made a lot of differance. i when one step more and i have 3 lines feeding air box, but dual exhaust is a big plus too needs to breath.
moondogg
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Northern California
An easy way to do your intake is to use the 460 intake tube to your air box and a drop in K&N, this has been done by alot of folks on this site and the research/gains are listed on the projectmpg site. I also have pics of it in my gallery. Doing this upgrade along with exhaust upgrades and an electric fan conversion is a few good first improvements to make, that will make a feelable difference in power. 
Last edited by 94F150-408; Jan 4, 2005 at 02:09 AM.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Troy, MI
very first thing to do is exhaust, get some shorties, offroad hpipe(in no emmissions states), dual flows or other mufflers that you prefer. then get or make a cold air kit with a cone air filter. also gears make a big difference if you dont have them already. a new shifter will help with quicker smoother shifts, makes a big difference, miss a gear and all that power went to waste. electric fan will free up some power. once all that is done you need to decide on what you want out of the truck. you can either go with a budget heads cam system, like gt40 heads, intake, ford cam. or spend a lot on some aluminum heads, big cam, or even just throw a supercharger kit on there(can be found cheap for like $1500). it depends on your budget and what u plan to do with the truck, if you just want speed or towing power.
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Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: pennsylvania
since you asked...
I'll share my upgrades and what I thought of each
1.-Hedman long tube elite headers = EXCELLENT! OOO-AHH!($300)
2.- Summit shorty headers = why did I bother ($100)
3.-custom 2 1/2" duals w/ flowmasters and 2 cats= EXCELLENT!($360)
4-BBK underdriven pulleys= best bang for the buck!($100)
5.-B&M shift kit = great neck snapping shifts at full throttle($60)
6.-K&N air filter= stoopid($45)
7.- K&N cold air intake= AHH MUCH BETTAH ($180)
8.-Electric fan = gains yes, worth $319, no
9.-MSD O.R.6 box= nice while it lasted! FRAGILE($220)
10.- 4.1:1 GEARS= MUST HAVE ($650)
Now I'm lookin' into a Trick flow intake ($400), BBK 70mm T-body($300),and am considering some monkeying with my smog pump to create a cheapo super charger. Should be done by 3/31/05( hey , I'm on a budget, too)
1.-Hedman long tube elite headers = EXCELLENT! OOO-AHH!($300)
2.- Summit shorty headers = why did I bother ($100)
3.-custom 2 1/2" duals w/ flowmasters and 2 cats= EXCELLENT!($360)
4-BBK underdriven pulleys= best bang for the buck!($100)
5.-B&M shift kit = great neck snapping shifts at full throttle($60)
6.-K&N air filter= stoopid($45)
7.- K&N cold air intake= AHH MUCH BETTAH ($180)
8.-Electric fan = gains yes, worth $319, no
9.-MSD O.R.6 box= nice while it lasted! FRAGILE($220)
10.- 4.1:1 GEARS= MUST HAVE ($650)
Now I'm lookin' into a Trick flow intake ($400), BBK 70mm T-body($300),and am considering some monkeying with my smog pump to create a cheapo super charger. Should be done by 3/31/05( hey , I'm on a budget, too)
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: shepherd
"21/2 or preferably 3in. exhaust with a performance muffler"
the 3 inch should NOT be prefered since that would only hurt your low end on a stock 302. especially since it's a heavy truck, you need all the torque you can get. everything already said are all good mods.
the 3 inch should NOT be prefered since that would only hurt your low end on a stock 302. especially since it's a heavy truck, you need all the torque you can get. everything already said are all good mods.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,483
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From: Northern California
cmon, smog pumps are what all the major mfgs use...lol
Theres a post about underdrive pullies, they will free up a small amount of HP, but you do have much less cooling at low rpm/idle and almost no alternator output at idle, some dont have any problems, but those that crawl in the heat and have a high elec draw, the underdrive pullies can be a real problem.
Also, mention of the MSD offroad being fragile? Humm...I have had them in several vehilces and you could hook them to a chain and drag them behind the truck and they still work, never any problems with them. You cant really expect any gains in performance on a nearly stock engine from an aftermarket ignition though.
Last, a single 2 1/2" mandrel bent free flowing pipe/cat/muffler will maintain more torque at lower rpm for a mostly stock 302 than a true dual set-up or 3" like f100 said.
Hey Mako, how are the quality of the Jacobs since they were bought out? I'm going to need a box when I put on the juice and I havent decided which one yet.
Theres a post about underdrive pullies, they will free up a small amount of HP, but you do have much less cooling at low rpm/idle and almost no alternator output at idle, some dont have any problems, but those that crawl in the heat and have a high elec draw, the underdrive pullies can be a real problem.
Also, mention of the MSD offroad being fragile? Humm...I have had them in several vehilces and you could hook them to a chain and drag them behind the truck and they still work, never any problems with them. You cant really expect any gains in performance on a nearly stock engine from an aftermarket ignition though.
Last, a single 2 1/2" mandrel bent free flowing pipe/cat/muffler will maintain more torque at lower rpm for a mostly stock 302 than a true dual set-up or 3" like f100 said.
Hey Mako, how are the quality of the Jacobs since they were bought out? I'm going to need a box when I put on the juice and I havent decided which one yet.
Last edited by 94F150-408; Jan 5, 2005 at 04:52 PM.
Moderator
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 3,547
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From: Calhoun GA
Originally Posted by jamiesan
I'll share my upgrades and what I thought of each
1.-Hedman long tube elite headers = EXCELLENT! OOO-AHH!($300)
2.- Summit shorty headers = why did I bother ($100)
3.-custom 2 1/2" duals w/ flowmasters and 2 cats= EXCELLENT!($360)
4-BBK underdriven pulleys= best bang for the buck!($100)
5.-B&M shift kit = great neck snapping shifts at full throttle($60)
6.-K&N air filter= stoopid($45)
7.- K&N cold air intake= AHH MUCH BETTAH ($180)
8.-Electric fan = gains yes, worth $319, no
9.-MSD O.R.6 box= nice while it lasted! FRAGILE($220)
10.- 4.1:1 GEARS= MUST HAVE ($650)
Now I'm lookin' into a Trick flow intake ($400), BBK 70mm T-body($300),and am considering some monkeying with my smog pump to create a cheapo super charger. Should be done by 3/31/05( hey , I'm on a budget, too)
1.-Hedman long tube elite headers = EXCELLENT! OOO-AHH!($300)
2.- Summit shorty headers = why did I bother ($100)
3.-custom 2 1/2" duals w/ flowmasters and 2 cats= EXCELLENT!($360)
4-BBK underdriven pulleys= best bang for the buck!($100)
5.-B&M shift kit = great neck snapping shifts at full throttle($60)
6.-K&N air filter= stoopid($45)
7.- K&N cold air intake= AHH MUCH BETTAH ($180)
8.-Electric fan = gains yes, worth $319, no
9.-MSD O.R.6 box= nice while it lasted! FRAGILE($220)
10.- 4.1:1 GEARS= MUST HAVE ($650)
Now I'm lookin' into a Trick flow intake ($400), BBK 70mm T-body($300),and am considering some monkeying with my smog pump to create a cheapo super charger. Should be done by 3/31/05( hey , I'm on a budget, too)
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 439
Likes: 0
hum..i was lookin into an msd box for milage, not just perfomance. but what ive done to my 302 so far is just, dual 2-1/2 with packs and a big k&n and it helpd my milage alot, also helps at highway speeds. but with jsut those 2 u should notice a bit of a diff. also depending on what u want, u can port the stock heads and get a decent improve ment with a cam and headers, the stockers will give u decent tq low aslong as u port match everything