Another 4.0 upgrade question:
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Elder User
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Buckeye Country
Another 4.0 upgrade question:
Here's the challenge:
Name an upgrade or mod following installation of intake, exhaust and programmer that you consider worthwhile. I want to keep the ability to run 87 octane and that made the Bama a no-brainer. Airflow both in and out fo the engine also seem to be the only worthy upgrades I've seen. I'm realistic about the capability of the 4.0 SOHC, and just want to maximize it's ability while doing nothing to harm the reliability of the engine. I can't really think of anything else; headers seem frivolous, I'm pretty sold on synthetic blend at dino change intervals. I dunno... anybody?
Name an upgrade or mod following installation of intake, exhaust and programmer that you consider worthwhile. I want to keep the ability to run 87 octane and that made the Bama a no-brainer. Airflow both in and out fo the engine also seem to be the only worthy upgrades I've seen. I'm realistic about the capability of the 4.0 SOHC, and just want to maximize it's ability while doing nothing to harm the reliability of the engine. I can't really think of anything else; headers seem frivolous, I'm pretty sold on synthetic blend at dino change intervals. I dunno... anybody?
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From: Fuquay Varina,NC
With todays ignition systems, there arent any mods that can be done that will increase performance, unless you are replacing a component that has already failed. Dont waste any money on ignition pieces until its time for replacing them anyway
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2005
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From: Durant, OK (SOSU)
Right on.
Anything else at this point is gonna be pretty big and pretty expensive.
If you've got high gearing (like 3.08 or even 3.55), might consider an upgrade to 4.10 or 3.73. It'd make a noticeable difference.
Cams...fairly expensive, and the gain is fairly limited if you still have to pass emissions. You have an auto or a manual? Either a Hurst shifter, since they're finally catching up on orders, or a shift kit for an auto, would be a good investment.
In addition, converting to a "real" oil pressure sender or a totally mechanical gauge wouldn't be a bad idea. Maybe a new sound system? Leather seats? There's all kinds of things you can do!
Anything else at this point is gonna be pretty big and pretty expensive.
If you've got high gearing (like 3.08 or even 3.55), might consider an upgrade to 4.10 or 3.73. It'd make a noticeable difference.
Cams...fairly expensive, and the gain is fairly limited if you still have to pass emissions. You have an auto or a manual? Either a Hurst shifter, since they're finally catching up on orders, or a shift kit for an auto, would be a good investment.
In addition, converting to a "real" oil pressure sender or a totally mechanical gauge wouldn't be a bad idea. Maybe a new sound system? Leather seats? There's all kinds of things you can do!
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Elder User
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From: Fuquay Varina,NC
Ah Zach you touched on something i completely forgot!! GEARS!! They arent cheap, but not a whole lot more than a custom tuner like the BamaChips one. Todays overdrive transmissions can handle a pretty steep gear without sacrificing decent mileage on the highway. If your truck doesnt already have 4.10 gears, i would swap to them, and if you already have them, you may as well keep them unless you get bigger tires. With tires like 33s i wouldnt be scared at all to run a 4.56 gear in a ranger.
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Elder User
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From: Buckeye Country
I have the 4.10 LS diff and the 5 sp. auto and love it! I've driven sticks all my life and am tired of rowboats (well, the 'stang is another story). I guess aside from the big three mods, I'm pretty satified with this heap. It came with all power and buckets, so the only thing I'd really like on the inside is an mp3 head unit, and the one I have plays 6 discs anyway, so I can't really complain. After I get the power stuff squared away, I'll probably just throw a line-x and tonneau at it and call it good. Still wishin' paw-paw would post up on how to get my door panel off to tighten up the pull handle; I have an exceptional propensity for screwing up easy tasks! 
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: Slatington PA
For a pre-aranged price in willing to make a turbo for the 4.0's. just a warning, it wont be cheap, but it's not a cheap design. That will be the next biggest preformance upgrade you'ld be able to get. i'm willing to make a couple of them, and i will include instructions on how to install. since you have a bama chip, i might be able to help you arrange for the guy who makes the chips to set up a program to use the full power outta the turbo. the price will be atleast 1,500 likely more. Right now the design has only been tested on the 4.0 OHV, but if you want it for a 4.0 SOHC i'll do some test, just to make sure it wont... kaboom your engine. This offer stands for any member of the forum, only. I make only a few bucks profit on it, enought to cove maybe one heat of gas for my freshly built racer.
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Elder User
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From: Buckeye Country
Alan, thanks but I want to keep the power curve tractable. I take it off-road sometimes, not a lot, but I don't want to drill for oil. 
I just want to get as much out of the 4.0 as is reasonably possible without negatively impacting the reliability. As for money pit projects, that's what the old mustang is for!
I just want to get as much out of the 4.0 as is reasonably possible without negatively impacting the reliability. As for money pit projects, that's what the old mustang is for!
Post Fiend
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The jba headers will give you alittle more topend, the underdog pulley is said to be good for 6-7 hp, I haven't dynoed, but the engine revs free, and faster with the pulley. The e-fan was a desaster, could have cost me an engine, but others have good luck I guess. I can't say it enough, BAMA CHIPS, biggest bang for the buck. You can get an 87 octane tune, then you get 2 more tunes as well, so go higher octane for those times when you get racey, and a torque tune for 4-wheeling. Will improve your shift points, makes the truck feel stronger when acccelerating. Next step would be the morana 4.5 stroker kit, so start saving your pennies hee hee ! Also AEM now has a brute force intake for your truck, a high quality product, and you don't have to oil the filter, check out thier site www.aempower.com
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From: Fuquay Varina,NC
The UnderDog Pulley is nothing more than the ASP pulley, which we sell too. On our own dyno tests, we gained about 4 hp at the wheels with it, which i dont think it worth the high cost of the 4.0 pulley.
And you are right on about BamaChips!
And you are right on about BamaChips!
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
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4 actual hp on the pulley, thats not bad, but for the 300.00 it's not really good either.
Alen, stroker kits tend to raise the torque more so than hp, thats a geaet thing for us that 4-wheel our trucks rather than drag race. Allthough the increased torque will be an asset off the line for you. Turbo's are good for making torque, more so than a super charger, so you should be making torque up the ying yang !
Alen, stroker kits tend to raise the torque more so than hp, thats a geaet thing for us that 4-wheel our trucks rather than drag race. Allthough the increased torque will be an asset off the line for you. Turbo's are good for making torque, more so than a super charger, so you should be making torque up the ying yang !