I am submitting this post to give thanks to this web site which has helped to contrubute to a successful engine build.

My truck is a 97 F-250HD, 4x4, long bed, extended cab, w/E40D automatic trans, with 167,000 trouble free miles, other than a leaking rear main oil seal.

Like many of you I was looking for more power out of my 460, so I decided to do a major rebuild and install some aftermarket components to provide additional power, while utilizing the stock EFI system so I can pass our lovely California smog test.

I an delighted to say that this build met my expectations. The following is a list of the aftermarket components that were installed during the engine build process.

a. Comp Cams #34-255-5 EFI performance cam, with new valves, springs and lifters.
b. Pocket port cylinder heads.
c. Doug Thorley "Try-Y" headers, #THY-214Y-F16-C
d. 3" Bullett performance mufflet and exhaust pipe.
e. BBK Twin Throttle Body, Summit #BBK-3502
f. BBK Adjustable Fuel Pressure Regulator (set @ 41 PSI), Summit #BBK- 1707.
g. BBK Fuel Regulator Gauge, Summit # BBK-1617
h. new 4-row (all metal) radiator, Summit #PLI-436009
i. Heavy duty torque converter from Midwest Converters, #F59-1BRY
j. Banks Trans Command, electronic transmission control module.
k. Timing advanced to 12 degrees BTDC

In addition to the above aftermarket parts, I also installed new pistons, 0.030 over.

Although I do not have any documented Dyno results to share with you, I can truthfully say that the increased power is a noticable improvement, especially at 1/2 throttle. I can now haul heavy loads and tow my Jeep over steep mountian passess in 3rd gear without the need to go to 2nd gear, full throttle. My milage under normal, unloaded conditions has risen from the previous 10 MPG to now 12 MPG.

If you want a dependable engine, utilizing the stock EFI system, this build should be just the thing for you.

 

Thanks for posting your combo, I'm working on a similar build for my 92. I'll be using a custom cam thats a bit smaller than yours, Hedman headers, ported and milled F3TE heads and the stock bottom end. Couple of questions; what is your compression ratio, and have you had it smog checked yet? What octane gas are you running? Any driveability issues?

 

1. My compression ratio was unchanged and is the stock compression ratio.

2. Fuel grade: I use 89 Octane under normal unloaded conditions and I usae 91 Octane when towing, with no problems in either condition.

3. Drivability: I have absolutely no drivability issues, no pinging when under load, no overheating when towing in the summer heat. I did try to advance my timimg to 14 degrees BTDC and I noticed my "check engine" light would come on during low speeds conditions.

4. Smog: I have not yet had a smog test, but i feel that it will pass with no problems, as long as I can adjust the fuel pressure down to the stock setting.

My next investment is to go to a qualified Dyno shop and have them adjust the air-fuel ratio.

Good luck with your build!

 

I am very curious to see what your dyno results are going to be. I am getting ready to do the BBK pressure regulator swap myself on my 460 . I recently added Troyer Performance underdrive pulleys which are good for 15HP which I could feel. Once I do the pressure regulator install, I might consider an adjustable AFR.

Rich

 

EXCELLENT! Thank you for posting your results. Please let us know how the dyno day goes and what fuel pressure and timing you end up with.

Thanks
Eric

 

Great writeup.
Can you tell where you have your heads from?
I just gone thru a waterjacket myself when porting...
In need for a new set of heads now...
thanks.

 

Perhaps you should have found a guideline to follow as to how far you can go before water??
If you're really from the netherlands then you may have trouble sourcing this stuff out for a reasonable price i guess....
Which heads were they for the record?

In certain areas you cant port very far before water.

 

It were E7TE heads...
When i interchange them, i might as well go for F3TE's directly.
In the netherlands is not possible anyhow, so i have to source them in the U.S. somewhere.
First time porting, and not that much info about them to find. However, i just took too much from nr.3 port at once, instead of little bits.

 

My heads are the stock heads and I had a "pocket port" head job, which is a slight porting job that smoothes out the ridge on the passageway.

 

lesoster, is your truck MAF or Speed Density?

 

My truck is "MAF"

 

I am about to get the bbk 1707 for my 1997 460. I also want to get the 1617 gauge. Do you have any pics of the install? How did you do it, I am unfamiliar with how to do the fuel pressure regulator. Any tips on how you hooked up the regulator and gauge, and especially pics, would be most appreciated. You can send them to my email brycethomas@hotmail.com as well. Appreciate the help!

 

Unfortunately I do not have any photo's of my regulator install, but the BBK adjustable fuel regulator is an exact replacement for the stock fuel regulator. Simply remove the fuel line nuts from the stock regulator, remove the stock regulator and reverse the steps to install your new BBK adjustable rfuel regulator. The fuel pressure guage can be installed by removing a small brass plug on the body of the BBK regulator and installing the BBK fuel guage into the threaded port. It's Very simple.

In doing research I've found that the the 460 EFI performs best with the fuel pressure set @ 41 to 42 PSI, please refer to the magazine article in my original post.

Ler us know how the install works out.

 

Thanks. I got it on last weekend. Took about 20 minutes and was a piece of cake. Only thing I had to do was borrow an o ring off the original regulator. I also put on the bbk gauge and have it set at ~41 pounds. Since I was taking off the air tubes anyway, I went ahead and cut out those goofy factory air horns. Yeah. Should have done hat 2 years ago if I would have known They were in there!! Complete woke up truck. I have WAY more gear in all 5 speeds as it's able to breathe. Happy with it all in all.

Lots of helpful info on this site. I appreciate everyone's input. Thinking about doing the rhp intake next!!

 

We need a dyno graph!