Ok, here's the scoop. I have (actually it's my wifes) an 89 e150 van with the 4.9 I6 fuel injected motor. This van has all the power god gave a tractor! Don't get me wrong. It runs fantastic, is very dependable, and hasn't given us a bit of trouble. But it's just so gutless!!! Is there a lowbuck (that says "nobuck") way to get a little more power out of it? I don't have a bunch of money to throw at it, so i can't afford things like headers and things like that. I just want to give it a little more pep, and maybe help the fuel econamy, too. Any ideas?

 

Hmmm, maybe what you mean is "accellration"? If the engine is running perfectly, timed correctly and all that, and if the transmission is automatic, I'd have that looked at by a reputable transmission shop. My little '89 F150 4WD SWB 5-Spd has all the "power" you could ask for and it never gets over 2g-RPM before a shift even when I am in a tad of a hurry which isn't often.
These engines develop their peak torque at much lower rpm's than v-8's do, and the curve stays relatively flat through the reasonable rpm range. Maybe the tranny isn't adjusted properly, or it should shift and accellerate faster than my manual 5-spd does, which is quite adequate for family use. ;-)

 

Thanks for the reply. The transmission is fine, no slippage or anything like that. It's just that this thing is a dog. It's slow and bulky, like driving a sherman tank. Only I think a tank might move faster. I guess I'm comparing apples to oranges and wnating the same results, even though I know I won't get it. My 318 powered Dodge D100 is much faster than the van. I know, V8 vs I6 is not a fair fight. My daughters V6 Olds (and my sons I4 Olds) is faster than the van. Again, comparing a light weight car to a full size van is not a fair fight. The van does all right for a family van, it serves it's purpose and my wife loves it. I just wish it had a little more b*lls.

 

One thing that will help with throttle response is the EGR valve. If it's like the trucks, the EGR ports, the area between the EGR & the manifold where they bolt up,take a piece of aluminum or stainless and make a restriction plate. Reduce the holes to about 3/8" and that will typically give the throttle response a good kick, with regards to emmissions, it won't affect the 2500 rpm check but it does tend to raise the idle levels up to just below the max, so you will want to remove it when you go for a smog check. Also the initial timing (distributor) at the OEM settings are typically low. You can typicially advance the distributor at least 2-3 degrees with no concern for detonation. Between the 2, you should get 1 - 2 more MPG and you will notice a better throttle response.

 

If you don't have an electric fan, change to it. It helped mine a bit with quicker revs and power.

 

My 79 F-150 is named Sherman. I think it would outpull my 96 Chevrolet K2500 pickup

 

The electric fan idea has some merit. Getting rid of that clutch fan can free up some horsepower. Beechkid, I don't quite follow you on the egr thing, I'm not sure what you are trying to explain. I don't really have a throttle response issue, or hesitation. I just have a van that does 0-60 in 2 1/2 days. That is what I'm trying to improve upon.

 

thats weird, because the guy down the street from me has a 79 named "The Shermanator"

 

Tall redheaded kid, hangs out with Stiffler?

 

Well, if the engine has a greater response to the throttle, while you are not gaining any HP or Tq, it will have a snappier feel to it and in turn will accel a little faster.

 

Are you talking about blocking the egr altogether or opening up the passages?

 

I would think a pickup would be insulted by that... If there is such a thing.


Some days I think they do have feelings.

 

Neither. The EGR ports are about 1/2" diameter each (there are 2 side by side). Inserting a restriction plate, by drilling holes to what my previous thread stated will very, very slightly reduce cylinder temp, just enough to create a slight richer mixture effect, the engine will respond faster during the initial throttle opening, especially at low rpm. Just try it and you'll see. I would not recommend blocking off the EGR port becsuae the effects of the burn characteristics is so great, plug fouling is a possibility and depending on the ECM, damage to the cat converter may even occur over an extended duration.

 

Cut off about 2,000 lbs of bodywork. It'll be way faster.