Exhaust will make it more enjoyable to listen to.
Power Upgrades?
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 0
Power Upgrades?
I just recieved a 1996 ford F150 from a family member with a 4.9L engine. It has 160000 miles. Everything is in good order, engine was properly maintained.
So, what are some good cheap ways to get more power?
So, what are some good cheap ways to get more power?
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
most common are new exhaust and some sort of intake, whether home made or something like a k&n. Also when you say power, are you meaning power as horsepower, or "power" as in pulling a trailer or mudding? Maybe gearing if your looking for power to pull a trailer..
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 5
If by cheap you mean under $100, there is only one I can think of off the top of my head. That would be to convert your rockers to adjustable and throw on some GM 1.7 rockers. You could modify your exhaust for that amount. In either case, it not gonna make your truck appreciably more enjoyable to drive.
Think long term. Start saving, reading old posts, get a handle on whats needed to make some real power. Then when you have enough money saved, you'll be able to build a nice I-6 or go ahead and do a v8 swap.
Think long term. Start saving, reading old posts, get a handle on whats needed to make some real power. Then when you have enough money saved, you'll be able to build a nice I-6 or go ahead and do a v8 swap.
Last edited by Motorhead351; Mar 19, 2007 at 09:53 AM.
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,241
Likes: 3
From: Broken Arrow, OK
$100 won't do anything of any significance other than the exhaust. Don't waste your money on a K&N or any other intake system. The rocker conversion will not even be close to $100, and makes very little difference at all. I got 2 hp at peak and maybe 5-6 hp a few hundred rpm beyond peak.
Do a good tune up with quality parts, set the timing ahead 2-4 degrees, and put a 2.5" exhaust with a quality muffler on it and see what it does for you. Beyond that your checkbook will begin feeling unconfortable.
Do a good tune up with quality parts, set the timing ahead 2-4 degrees, and put a 2.5" exhaust with a quality muffler on it and see what it does for you. Beyond that your checkbook will begin feeling unconfortable.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 5
Originally Posted by Silver Streak
rocker conversion will not even be close to $100,
Sure it can.
The crane screw in to stud kit, along with stock GM 250 rockers, comes out to right around that amount. I didnt say roller rockers.
In any case. Just an observation not much of a point, as its a worthless upgrade.
Junior User
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 5
Oh boy...thats a whole other bag of worms. 
Last edited by Motorhead351; Mar 20, 2007 at 07:45 AM.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
Postmaster
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 3,241
Likes: 3
From: Broken Arrow, OK
Originally Posted by Motorhead351
The crane screw in to stud kit, along with stock GM 250 rockers, comes out to right around that amount. I didnt say roller rockers.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 290
Likes: 1
If I were in your shoes I would live with what you have untill you know more about the I6 300 and what you want out of it. More power for what? It's not a sports car, it's a dang good truck. Look at what you "recieved" from family member, who knows the history of this truck. Every thing in good order. Engine was properly maintained. 160,000 miles.
I don't think you have a clue how well off you have it. My honest free opinon is get use to it the way it is now. KISS. Keep it stock stupid. You might ask the doner about modify their old truck if you are in thier last will.
I don't think you have a clue how well off you have it. My honest free opinon is get use to it the way it is now. KISS. Keep it stock stupid. You might ask the doner about modify their old truck if you are in thier last will.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 784
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 300I6VAN85
If I were in your shoes ..............
I have toyed with camming it, but it runs so good now (135,000 kms) that I have a hard time spending the $ on that. I will do it in a bit for sure once I redo the timing gears.
The way I look at it is that Ford took this truck off the road after our year, so they realised that they could not beat their own best
Enjoy the truck.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 164
Likes: 0
From: ontario
switched my rockers to chevy for $32 us but mine is a 1980 motor and it made a noticable difference at low end torque off road and it is now almost imposible to stall out, cant say its a big difference on the street though, I ordered rocker arm kit for a 76 chevy 250 and got new lock nuts (the one in the kit were wrong size) so guy at the store swaped them for me