Ok I have a 86 F-150 Lariat XLT with a 5.0 EFI. I just got the truck from my grandfather and I want to fix it up. What can I do that will improve the horse power the most but is practical. Would putting on a new; intake manafold, cams, and EFI be woth the money? I've Heard that 86 F-150 has 185 HP stock, but I've also heard hat it has 210 HP. Which of these is true? Also would a torque converter be worth the money too? What are some good susperion brand names? I'm sorry if I sound novice but I've always been a classic Mustang guy and I'm not to sure about the specifications of the 86 trucks. I would appreciate any help! Thanks.

Joe

 

before you dump any money into the truck, drive it for a while. see how it performs in various driving scenarios such as off-road, highway, city.
you have to remember a truck is not a mustang unless it's a lightning. if that is what you are looking for, sell this and save a lot of time and experimenting and buy a lightning!
if you decide to work this truck, the first thing i would do is check the axle ratio, and if it is a 3.08, or 2.73, i would change to a 3.55 or 4.11. this will give you an immediate kick in the pants increase. also, do the air cleaner and possibly exhaust.

 

I've driven this truck many times. The truck only has 26,000 miles on it. No I want a truck but since I sold the mustang I have a little bit of money to spend. But not too much say around two or three thousand. I have a pretty godd knowlege of mechincs so putting parts in won't be a problem. I just need to know if improving the exaust and fuel system will be worth the money on this truck. How about an adjustable fuel regulator, and do Bosch plugs work well with Fords? Thanks

 

Hi, If it was mine I would do headers and high flow cat and duals from cat back put a K&N filter in it and thats about it.
John

 

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 25-Feb-01 AT 00:26 AM (EST)[/font][p]From what I've heard Bosch plugs don't like Fords. Stick with either the Motorcraft or Autolite plugs. That's the only thing I use in mine, after I had a bad experience with a set of the better champions. Changed out the plugs and went back to motorcrafts, runs like a beast!

Also, if this truck is an 86, I wouldn't go messing with the fuel system. These trucks up to I think 93 were all speed density. Which means they don't like upgrades like that, and your engine will not run like it should.

My advice, don't mess with the cam. Until you do a mass air conversion on it. Then you can do the cam, intake, and injectors. But I don't think they make a mass air conversion kit for 86's. If I'm wrong here guys please let me know.

But the exhaust mods if done right will give you a little better kick.


1988 F-150, SWB, 5.0 EFI (formerly 4.9 EFI), M5OD 5 speed, 3.08 gears, Summit shorty truck headers, Custom built Flowmaster exhaust system. Force 4 LP6000 lightbar, Federal signal PA-300 100 watt siren, Icom IC-V100 50 watt mobile radio.
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1965 F-100 (just purchased 1/18/01), SWB, 390, C-6 auto. Dual exhaust, Not much else to do to it.

Can see both below.

[link:www.geocities.com/hotrodford_88/|Hotrodford_88's Webpage]

 

name is chris
have a 88 f150 witha 302 bored and stroked to 357 and i can recomend a K&N air filter assembley, 4:11 gears, and a good tune up from a cirtified machanic