i'm looking at an 83 f100 with a 300i6. what i'm wondering is what kinda mileage it'll get, and what i could expect to get if i threw 1-200 bucks at it, or 3-400, or 5-600, like... what upgrades could i do in each range, carb/dizzy/exhaust/plugs/wires/etc... other things?

this is just a truck i saw today at a lot, and they had lost the key, but will have another one wednesday, which is also when they get new vehicles in, so who knows, they may have something else to spark my interest then... the body and everything seemed to be solid, interior had the tell tell seat cover on it, but i looked under and upholestery looked really nice, must have had the seat cover most of it's life or somethin i guess..

anyway what kinda mileage/performance can i expect, and upgrade in the stated price ranges?

thanks in advance everyone!

--Drew

 

if its running right, expect 12-20, depending on 4wd or not, and your driving habits. there are a ton of upgrades, 1-200 would get you a good set of headers, 3-400 would add in an intake, 5-600 would add in a good carb and tuing. expect 3-400 alone for a new dizzy and ignition setup. plugs and wires are relatively cheap, in my opinion, a good set of platinums will do a good job with plenty of spark. it will run forever. i'd say go for it. everyone needs a six

 

Navy hit the gas mileage just right, the cheapest mod you can do that WILL add power and gas mileage and make it sound really sweet if you like the sound of a roaring engine is cut the exhaust off right in front of the catilytic converter, behind the O2 sensor, thats how i run mine, i made some turndowns to put on both the pipes to make sure i dont warp or melt any of the transmission pan gaskets, like i said, if you like loud noises, go for it, the key with these motors is get the air moving,

 

You can get a noticeable boost in driveability if you do nothing more than add a MSD or Mallory HyFire 6a box, MSD Blaster II or equivalent coil, 8mm spark plug wires and open the plug gap to 50-55. And that was when it was smog legal before I had it rebuilt.

 

Have mine cut off at the resonator. Not quite as offensive but still loud as hell. Also still legal.