I have a 1997 f150 w/ 4.2l auto. I have already installed a k&n replacement filter and bosch plugs w/ two electrodes. Now comes my questions.... I know that a "cold air" system will give me more power.... What about taking the front of the air filter canister off and making the stock system a poor man's "cold air"? And for the exhaust.... I really hate the "tuner import" sound I don't want my truck to sound like I'm hauling a barrel full of bees. For performance AND sound... should I go w/ a 3" single exhaust, or run a dual exhaust?

 

Save your money and put some racing decals on the windows;you'll get more hp that way then wasting it on the 4.2!

 

very true, i hate to say it.

 

Welcome to the forum John

If you can figure out some way to only draw cold air into the intake after you modify it you may notice a difference in power.
Chances are pretty good that you really wont like the way your truck sounds with dual exhaust. In my opinion a V6 with duals sounds terrible. Others may disagree
Mind you I don't really like the way a V6 sounds with a louder muffler either so maybe it's just me.
One of the best "bang for the buck" modifications is lower rear end gears, depending on what gears you have now. They can really wake up a truck.
Also check with some our site sponsors (the list is at the top of the page) to see if they have tuners available for the V6. The tuner basically reprograms the truck's computer so the engine will make more power. It's a quick, simple improvement.