Performance upgrades
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
Performance upgrades
This will start something, I'm sure...
What's the best "bang for the buck" in upgrades for a 400? At this time I DO NOT want to open the motor up and do cam/pistons etc. as it is a work truck that I use every week day. Intake/carb change, ignition, what? Just want better fuel economy and whatever extra power for trailer towing comes along with it. Cost effectiveness is a primary concern.
What's the best "bang for the buck" in upgrades for a 400? At this time I DO NOT want to open the motor up and do cam/pistons etc. as it is a work truck that I use every week day. Intake/carb change, ignition, what? Just want better fuel economy and whatever extra power for trailer towing comes along with it. Cost effectiveness is a primary concern.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 3
From: Berkeley
the usual:
- straight-up timing chain (undoes factory cam timing retard),
- intake (edelbrock 3771 if you must keep EGR)
- 4-bbl carb (if emissions will alow)
- headers
- high-flow air filter
- the factory ignition (Duraspark II ?) is a good one, no need to replace unless broken.
- straight-up timing chain (undoes factory cam timing retard),
- intake (edelbrock 3771 if you must keep EGR)
- 4-bbl carb (if emissions will alow)
- headers
- high-flow air filter
- the factory ignition (Duraspark II ?) is a good one, no need to replace unless broken.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 2
From: Tri-Cities, TN
Don't need emisions equipment here, and it is all disconnected anyway. Can the timing chain be done without too much trouble? I have not had to do one before. I'm sure headers would help, but have read that the stock ones on the 400 aren't too bad. I will have 1 day to complete any work as that is all my schedule will allow, start to finish.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,702
Likes: 1,027
From: Near Yosemite CA
I have the same question for my 351M, I do have to have the EGR, and a CA CARB legal 4bbl, I don't want to do anything other than the timing chain, the truck only has 89k original, but I do want the extra bit from a 4 bbl. Headers?? yes no? are they worth it, how much? 77 F-150, 4x, 4sp, SB
Thanks
Joe
Thanks
Joe
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 3
From: Berkeley
have you had it smogged with that 4bbl on there? Just cuz the carb has CARB OE number doesn't mean it's legal on your vehicle. Pretty sure it's not legal in Cali, as the 351m/400 never came with any 4bbl from the factory. I would love to put on a 4bbl, but i'm afraid it wouldn't pass visual and i'd have to swap it out every couple years to pass smog...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,702
Likes: 1,027
From: Near Yosemite CA
Actually I went to the smog shop here in town, and spoke with the tech, and as long as it has the EGR, and is CARB (Cali Air Resource Board) Legal, he said it is perfectly fine, and he said it will run cleaner, with a much greater chance of never being a gross polluter (my 79 F-350 4x I had was a GROSS Polluter) what a pain to get smogged. It dosen't have to have come from the factory with a 4 bbl, it only has to be EGR, & CARB legal.
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