cheap(ish) performance upgrades?
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 190
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From: Holland USA
cheap(ish) performance upgrades?
ok, i've finally got some money to spend on my truck and i want a little more power(i want a whole lot but can't afford that) i've got an 89 f-150 bout 200 bucks to spend on an upgrade, i was thinkin like an electric fan and underdrive pulley. maybe a K&N filter(not the FIPK thats too much money) but i want to improve my gas milage and power at the same time, thinkin about bumpin the timming up a little bit too. i already have dual exhaust, no headers, and i'm goin to hollow out my cats. thanks in advance, justin
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,414
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From: Tucson USA
cheap(ish) performance upgrades?
The FIPH is an easy build. I got the filter from the internet (4 wheel parts I think they are on the K&N page as dealers) $65 delivered. Took the snorkels and the filter to a indy mufler shop and they cut me some 3 inch tailpipe and expanded it to fit the 2 items. Went to checkers found a plastic union and bought some 5/8 inch hose. Total cost to build $88. Seems to have really helped, also have a gibson catback exhaust, hypertech chip. You will need to make a mount but I did mine out of some 1/8 stock. Go to the K&N page and look at the installation instructions and you can figure it out.
Be careful with the smaller pulleys as I have read that they limit the effectiveness of the alternator, water pump etc.
Be careful with the smaller pulleys as I have read that they limit the effectiveness of the alternator, water pump etc.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 1,019
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From: Bismarck, ND
cheap(ish) performance upgrades?
I've heard the same on the underdrive pulleys..... you can run into problems with the alternator not charging at idle, etc. due to too low of an rpm. I would consider the electric fan upgrade. This will give you additional hp (Flex-A-Lite advertised around a 15hp or so gain on a Suburban not too long ago), better fuel economy (1 or 2 MPG), longer water pump life, better cooling in the summer (use a 16"), and quicker warm-up in the winter, assuming you wire in a thermostat that doesn't turn the fan on until the engine reaches a pre-set temperature.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Durham
cheap(ish) performance upgrades?
For electric fans, I recommend getting two 14" PermaCools. That will give you the most cfm for the least amps and will give you better over all radiator coverage than 1 16".
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 321
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From: Queen Creek, AZ
cheap(ish) performance upgrades?
If you do pulleys, don't do the fan. If you do the fan, don't do pulleys. The pulleys will create a minor charging problem at idle with lights/accessories on, but if you have a fan, you'll kill batteries constantly, if not hurt something because you wouldn't be charging above 12V.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Durham
cheap(ish) performance upgrades?
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 04-Feb-02 AT 10:46 PM (EST)]Yeah, you need to do some calculations on your altenator with the pulleys and make sure that your getting enough juice to handle the load. You may need to upgrade to 100 or 140 amps...Just add up your electrical load and see if your altenator can handle it. But make sure you make allowances for the reduced rpms you would get from the pulleys.
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