Ok fellas, here we go. I have a 96 F150 (190,000 miles) sporting a 302 EFI Internal Combustion American (no Ingines in my truck). Not sure about the Tranny, but the gears are stock (32 inch tires). Upgrades include: K&N Cold Air Intake, New Plugs, New MSD Wires, New MSD Coil, Almost all new Cooling Hoses and Accel Rotor Cap. This truck was left to me by my recently passed Father-In-Law so I am very uncertian of the maintenence prior to a year ago. Since I have had her, all the regular and beyond maintenece has be dead nuts. She runs and idels very well with no leaks, misses or knocks. However the exhaust is pretty rusted out (She's been sittin on the farm for some time).

My questin is this. How is my money best spint when looking for more power. As is she is a bit of a dog at low RPM. I have a pretty decent buget, but she is and always will be a daily driver. I don't need outstanding MPG, but something around 16 to 12 MPG would be nice.

Can I modify my 302 enough (ie: Headers, Cat Back Dual Exhaust, Performance Cam, Chips, etc.) or should I start looking at a bigger Motor. (Any suggestons) I have recently found out that my truck has 2 Cats in the plumbing system and I have kicked around the Idea of removing one or both, but would this kill my back pressure. Please keep in mind that she will be seeing at least a 6 inch lift and 35 inch tires in the future so new gears are already in the buget.

Please help with any and all ideas. Anything you have ever wanted to try. I have been saving for a build up like this for years, but I don't really want to waste money on experimenting I if can be avoided. I will dig up any additional information if need.

Thanks....

 

your not going to get any more low end power out of that 302 to amount to anything unless you stroke it...


run a nice single exhaust with no cat and a free flow muffler if you can do so

i wouldnt bother with anything else unless you want to stroke it or do a motor swap

 

How much are you expecting from that 190,000 mile 5.0 litre?
Should have a larger displacement engine in that budget. That would be money well spent.

 

a set of long tube headers and single 3" would surely help the power... if you want a lot more low rpm torque, get a roller 351 ('94 and up), build it up a bit and when ready, drop it in and get a custom tune for the computer and a different flywheel/flexplate... check in the small block/windsor or engine swap forums for more info.