I have an 82' F-150 I-6 That my dad just got from one of the guys at work (works at a big dealer... anything but GM) with 80,000 miles on it. It was running great cept for a bad amperage regulator and thermostat, got those fixed. Now I'm looking for performance stuff. What do you guys recomend? I live in Cali so I gotta watch out for the smog *****. Exhaust, Headers, Cam, Carb/Intake or what first? Kinda limited on the budject too. Only 15 but got about 1500 still left over from my summer job lifeguarding . Where should I go first?

 

I don't know of anyone that makes smog legal parts for the 300. You can add an exhaust system behind the catalytic converter and stay legal. Do you have to pass a visual inspection, or just a sniffer? If it's just a sniffer you can do about anything as long as the engine is in good tune. If it's visual you have to be more sneaky and stick with mods that aren't visible. You could port the head, add a small cam and roller rockers with nobody knowing. Or port and use the head from a 240 or EFI 300 to up the compression.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Dec-02 AT 08:02 AM (EST)]First start with a GOOD tune-up($125.00) With ALL Fuel and Air Filters, Crankase filter and PVC valve, Oil and filter Change too!! Just so you know when it was ALL last done and you can keep track of it yourself. This will help the truck last YOU a very, very long time. Your only 15 and with a little maintainance you should have it when your 30. (It'll have 280,000 or 300,000 miles on it by then)

The next thing I would suggest that is not too $$$ is Synthetic lubes in the rear axle and the transmission..($100.00 TOPS) You'll gain MPG and it'll "roll" better with this and that saves $$$ every time you go to the pumps!! At 80,000 miles they need to be changed anyway, so be sure to change them even if you do not use the synthetic oils.
I have not yet personally tried Synthetics in the motor, I just change it regularly and use DINO (Castrol)oil But many say it is well worth it also..


Is the truck a MANUAL trans??
If so first thing to do is the EGR Restrictor plate($15.00), This should NOT affect the emision test ..
Then what Silver Streak said, The Exhaust Sytem, You'll need a HIGH FLOW Catalytic Converter($100.00) (The stock converter is CRAP Along with a good muffler, I like the Flowmaster Delta Flow 40 series($85.00+Install estimated at $100.00), AWSOME sound, not TOO loud and it and a HIGH FLOW Cat helped my I6 tremenduosly..Passed sniffer AND visual tests.



I hope this helps...


Porting and polishing the head are an excellent option too.

Are you Changing Wheels/Tires??

ftwfred

 

A smog inspector would have a stroke if he looked at my truck. Good thing we don't have smog inspections here.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 14-Dec-02 AT 05:53 PM (EST)]Thats too funny Silver Streak. He can stay legal and still improve his trucks performance!!!!! A high flow cat is a must when upgrading the exhaust system..

You truck (And most vehicles in GOOD running order) would probably pass the sniffer test with a fresh tune up and new plugs.

DomLog05.... don't forget Plugs, Wires, Cap and rotor as part of your tune-up..

Also, A MSD 6A ignition control($150.00), MSD Blaster TFI High output coil($50), MSD Wiring harness ($18.00) Are EXCELLENT additions for Your project...



Heck, We have only spent $800.00 or so...
Save the rest for a rainy day....

ftwfred







>A smog inspector would have a stroke if he looked at my
>truck. Good thing we don't have smog inspections here.

 

It's funny, we don't even have emissions here right now. But I think California has armed guards waiting at the AZ border for me, I have no cats, no egr, Offey intake, EFI dual exhaust manifolds, and a ported and polished 240 head. Also pushing about 9.2:1 compression. When there was emissions testing here, it passed with flying colors, and I was glad they forgot the visual. I forgot my hollowed-out cats.
What would be nice was if somebody were to make the intake for these things with Ford ovals on it, so with a Motorcraft carb it would look stock. For now though, try internal mods. If you rebuild the engine, go with the suggestions, and up the compression. That little 1BBL only flows 110cfm, so until somebody comes out with a stock looking larger carb and intake, that will be your bottleneck. Or, just keep the old parts, and change them back in every time it needs to be tested.

Jared

 

There is no way my truck would pass the sniffer. The exhaust is eye watering at idle because of the 19lb injectors. And I also have no catalytic converter, no EGR, no AIR, etc. When I get the programming done so it runs right it might pass, but right now there ain't no way.