2008 F-150 Upgrades
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2008 F-150 Upgrades
Hello to Everyone....
Well, winter in New England is approaching and it is time to make a list of upgrades...have to find something to keep me busy besides shoveling and plowing snow and cursing at the ice...it never listens and refuses to go away for months.
Anyway, I own a 2008 F-150 Lariat King Cab, short bed...black on black and every option Ford offers is on the truck. I purchased it new last year. It is the first new truck I have ever purchased...always did the old fixer-uppers as most of my money went to raise children, pay for college...I'm sure some people here have been in the same boat. Children are now married and on there own and my wife has finally removed the collar and leash and also allowed me to retain some of my earnings.
I would like to obtain opinions on the following upgrades:
Cold air intake, exhaust system, chip upgrade, cross drilled rotors/pads, throttle body spacer, shocks.
Cold Air Intake - dollar for dollar, which unit provides the most additional HP/Torque.
Exhaust System - I would like to go to a dual exhaust system. Not sure if I should go with a one sided system or a split system (typical dual exhaust with a pipe on both sides of the truck). I want a system that does not increase the exhaust sound (db), something a little above the stock system. I drive lots of miles and do not want to hear the constant drone of a system mile after mile.
Chip Upgrade - I just want to install a chip without doing the laptop routine...not really interested in doing a dialing in process...just a simple chip upgrade.
Cross Drilled Rotors/Pads - open to suggestions on the best setup.
Throttle Body Spacer - open to suggestions on the best setup.
Shock Absorbers - open to suggestions.
Any help with recommendations/opions on the best options/company product(s) on the above will be greatly appreciated. While $$$'s are a consideration, I want to purchase the best products available. If anyone has other suggestions that would increase MPG/power I would be interested in hearing about them.
Best regards,
Gordo
Well, winter in New England is approaching and it is time to make a list of upgrades...have to find something to keep me busy besides shoveling and plowing snow and cursing at the ice...it never listens and refuses to go away for months.
Anyway, I own a 2008 F-150 Lariat King Cab, short bed...black on black and every option Ford offers is on the truck. I purchased it new last year. It is the first new truck I have ever purchased...always did the old fixer-uppers as most of my money went to raise children, pay for college...I'm sure some people here have been in the same boat. Children are now married and on there own and my wife has finally removed the collar and leash and also allowed me to retain some of my earnings.
I would like to obtain opinions on the following upgrades:
Cold air intake, exhaust system, chip upgrade, cross drilled rotors/pads, throttle body spacer, shocks.
Cold Air Intake - dollar for dollar, which unit provides the most additional HP/Torque.
Exhaust System - I would like to go to a dual exhaust system. Not sure if I should go with a one sided system or a split system (typical dual exhaust with a pipe on both sides of the truck). I want a system that does not increase the exhaust sound (db), something a little above the stock system. I drive lots of miles and do not want to hear the constant drone of a system mile after mile.
Chip Upgrade - I just want to install a chip without doing the laptop routine...not really interested in doing a dialing in process...just a simple chip upgrade.
Cross Drilled Rotors/Pads - open to suggestions on the best setup.
Throttle Body Spacer - open to suggestions on the best setup.
Shock Absorbers - open to suggestions.
Any help with recommendations/opions on the best options/company product(s) on the above will be greatly appreciated. While $$$'s are a consideration, I want to purchase the best products available. If anyone has other suggestions that would increase MPG/power I would be interested in hearing about them.
Best regards,
Gordo
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 7,698
Likes: 4
From: Neenah, Wisconsin
As for the CAI and Throttle body spacer.....save your money and spend it else where....a throttle body will do NOTHING on a maf fuel injection unit and the CAI will waste 300 bucks and probably actually loose a bit of performance.
The cross drilled rotors and pads.....akebono pads and power stop cross drilled rotors would be my picks...
Exhaust....theres as many opinions here as you can possibly ever need.....
The cross drilled rotors and pads.....akebono pads and power stop cross drilled rotors would be my picks...
Exhaust....theres as many opinions here as you can possibly ever need.....
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,607
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
I would like to obtain opinions on the following upgrades:
Cold Air Intake - dollar for dollar, which unit provides the most additional HP/Torque.
Cold Air Intake - dollar for dollar, which unit provides the most additional HP/Torque.
by themselves, a CAI is worthless. it adds noise under the hood.
My favorite is the Volant. I ran it for 2 yrs and loved it. The underhood noise reminded me of an old 4 barrel big block. she roared.
Exhaust System - I would like to go to a dual exhaust system. Not sure if I should go with a one sided system or a split system (typical dual exhaust with a pipe on both sides of the truck). I want a system that does not increase the exhaust sound (db), something a little above the stock system. I drive lots of miles and do not want to hear the constant drone of a system mile after mile.My favorite is the Volant. I ran it for 2 yrs and loved it. The underhood noise reminded me of an old 4 barrel big block. she roared.
Magnaflow. either just a muffler & custom install, or a entire Magnaflow exhaust.
love their exhaust tones. no drone at all, and it lets you know there is a V-8 under the hood when you stomp it...but otherwise quiet putting around town
Chip Upgrade - I just want to install a chip without doing the laptop routine...not really interested in doing a dialing in process...just a simple chip upgrade.love their exhaust tones. no drone at all, and it lets you know there is a V-8 under the hood when you stomp it...but otherwise quiet putting around town
Edge Evolution. Plug in, follow the screen prompts, hit enter and now your truck has bettering tuning
Aftermarket has gone away from ECU chipping mostly. The Edge is a really popular, and user friendly unit
Throttle Body Spacer - open to suggestions on the best setup.Aftermarket has gone away from ECU chipping mostly. The Edge is a really popular, and user friendly unit
complete and utter waste of money. they work only carb'd vehicles
don't work on EFI. only good as a paper-weight
Shock Absorbers - open to suggestions.don't work on EFI. only good as a paper-weight
Bilstein is pretty much the hands down favorite. the Bilstien shocks are adjustable height. Come in a 0", 1" or 2" setting. Allows you to level out the front end (raise it higher to match rear), and get better shocks at the same time.
While $$$'s are a consideration, I want to purchase the best products available. If anyone has other suggestions that would increase MPG/power I would be interested in hearing about them.CAI + Custom Tunes + Exhaust will net you about 240-250 RWHP. for about $1,000-1,500 depending on brand and your bargaining ability
I loved my Supercharged truck. Was a real blast, and I will be doing it again.
You currently are sitting about 210-215 RWHP. The 04+ F-150 loses about 90 HP through the tranny.
Another option is the Roush Non-Intercooled Supercharger. I got mine for $2,300 and did the install myself. Instant 412 crank HP (about 300 RWHP), and you can tweak it out to about 330 RWHP for another $500...so about $3,000 all said.I loved my Supercharged truck. Was a real blast, and I will be doing it again.
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Upgrades 08 F-150
Appreciate the responses to my post looking for advice on upgrades for my 08 F-150.
Will look at the pads and rotors recommended, and Bilsteins.
Regarding the CAI and Spacer, how is it a company can make claims about power increases when based upon the experiences of others, the products are pretty much useless? In addition, you read stories in magazines like Truckin, and their tech people swear by the upgrades? I realize company adds helps pay for publication but what about honesty?
As to a supercharger, I have considerd one and after reading opinions, I may just go that way. One question I do have, why would one install a supercharger and not go with an intercooler? I've never done much with them over the years as I've always been a carb person and most of my work has been with the Buick nailhead motors...364, 401 and 425's. I thought an intercooler helped protect the bearings in a supercharger/turbo setup? Would the Roush be the better setup or?
One last question...opinions on Royal Purple synthetic products?...tranny fluid, transfer, rearend gear oil?
Appreciate the help..........
Best regards,
Gordo
Will look at the pads and rotors recommended, and Bilsteins.
Regarding the CAI and Spacer, how is it a company can make claims about power increases when based upon the experiences of others, the products are pretty much useless? In addition, you read stories in magazines like Truckin, and their tech people swear by the upgrades? I realize company adds helps pay for publication but what about honesty?
As to a supercharger, I have considerd one and after reading opinions, I may just go that way. One question I do have, why would one install a supercharger and not go with an intercooler? I've never done much with them over the years as I've always been a carb person and most of my work has been with the Buick nailhead motors...364, 401 and 425's. I thought an intercooler helped protect the bearings in a supercharger/turbo setup? Would the Roush be the better setup or?
One last question...opinions on Royal Purple synthetic products?...tranny fluid, transfer, rearend gear oil?
Appreciate the help..........
Best regards,
Gordo
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,607
Likes: 151
From: SE Georgia
Regarding the CAI and Spacer, how is it a company can make claims about power increases when based upon the experiences of others, the products are pretty much useless? In addition, you read stories in magazines like Truckin, and their tech people swear by the upgrades? I realize company adds helps pay for publication but what about honesty?
it's the same story when you read about CAI's and Exhaust kits
yeah, those components add HP...but it requires custom tuning.
if you install anything, you won't see any gains. do custom tuning though and you should see their claimed gains. it's all about the marketing ploy.
and yes, with a TBS, the companies are basically lying. On a carb'd vehicle, the TBS adds length to your intake runners which gives you more time for air & fuel to mix prior to entering the combustion chamber. that gives you a better mix ratio...and more power.
As to a supercharger, I have considerd one and after reading opinions, I may just go that way. One question I do have, why would one install a supercharger and not go with an intercooler? I've never done much with them over the years as I've always been a carb person and most of my work has been with the Buick nailhead motors...364, 401 and 425's. I thought an intercooler helped protect the bearings in a supercharger/turbo setup? Would the Roush be the better setup or?yeah, those components add HP...but it requires custom tuning.
if you install anything, you won't see any gains. do custom tuning though and you should see their claimed gains. it's all about the marketing ploy.
and yes, with a TBS, the companies are basically lying. On a carb'd vehicle, the TBS adds length to your intake runners which gives you more time for air & fuel to mix prior to entering the combustion chamber. that gives you a better mix ratio...and more power.
with a EFI setup, the air and fuel meet each other for the first time, and mix inside the combustion chamber...which is why injectors have that spray pattern.
A TBS can't do anything for EFI...but companies are more than willing to sell you that $150+ chunk of metal.
A TBS can't do anything for EFI...but companies are more than willing to sell you that $150+ chunk of metal.
The N/I Roushcharger is $2,300 + $50 shipping in the Lower 48
the Intercooled Roushcharger runs $5,000 or more, and it is exactly the same mechanically, it just has a intercooler mounted inside the intake, and has a air/water heat exchanger you mount by the radiator. the work exactly the same in all other aspects.
There is a 33 HP difference between the 2...when I bought mine, I couldn't justify the extra $2,500 for only +33 HP.
The N/I version is perfectly capable of driving the truck in all situations. It will suffer from heat loading though. By heat loading, i mean the heads and intake will get slightly hotter. This extra heat will sap some of the HP potential. The Supercharger itself won't really change temps. Heat loading will only occur if you are running in the boost all the time (ie: at the track, or road racing). And it will take a decent bit of full power runs to get heat loading significant to notice IMO
as far as bearing, all of that is internal to the blower itself which is mounted ontop of the intercooler. the intercooler only cools off the air charge intering the cylinder heads. nothing else.
With the Roush/Saleen/Whipple you are actually driving around on motor alone 90% of the time. Only when you plant your foot does the Boost Bypass close. Then you get that +100 HP/TQ gain.
Just cruising around town, you could not tell my truck was blown. Floor it though, and it was a real fire spitting, tire shredding monster....pure fun
One last question...opinions on Royal Purple synthetic products?...tranny fluid, transfer, rearend gear oil?the Intercooled Roushcharger runs $5,000 or more, and it is exactly the same mechanically, it just has a intercooler mounted inside the intake, and has a air/water heat exchanger you mount by the radiator. the work exactly the same in all other aspects.
There is a 33 HP difference between the 2...when I bought mine, I couldn't justify the extra $2,500 for only +33 HP.
The N/I version is perfectly capable of driving the truck in all situations. It will suffer from heat loading though. By heat loading, i mean the heads and intake will get slightly hotter. This extra heat will sap some of the HP potential. The Supercharger itself won't really change temps. Heat loading will only occur if you are running in the boost all the time (ie: at the track, or road racing). And it will take a decent bit of full power runs to get heat loading significant to notice IMO
as far as bearing, all of that is internal to the blower itself which is mounted ontop of the intercooler. the intercooler only cools off the air charge intering the cylinder heads. nothing else.
With the Roush/Saleen/Whipple you are actually driving around on motor alone 90% of the time. Only when you plant your foot does the Boost Bypass close. Then you get that +100 HP/TQ gain.
Just cruising around town, you could not tell my truck was blown. Floor it though, and it was a real fire spitting, tire shredding monster....pure fun
loaded question man 
I believe in using Motorcraft 5w20 Blend, and the FL820s oil filter.
others swear by the good stuff like RP and Amsoil.
I'm cheap and do frequent changes. others prefer to spend more $$$ up front and drag out the changes.
as long as you monitor it, you'll be fine IMO. I wouldn't mess with any of the other various fluids personally unless it's called for. Ford uses some good stuff from the factory...so live and let live IMO
I believe in using Motorcraft 5w20 Blend, and the FL820s oil filter.
others swear by the good stuff like RP and Amsoil.
I'm cheap and do frequent changes. others prefer to spend more $$$ up front and drag out the changes.
as long as you monitor it, you'll be fine IMO. I wouldn't mess with any of the other various fluids personally unless it's called for. Ford uses some good stuff from the factory...so live and let live IMO
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It wasn't my intention to ask a 'loaded' question. Again, some people swear by other products and claimed improvements in MPG, driveability, etc. I've rebuilt many Buick nailhead motors, trannies and rearends and switched to synthetics a number of years ago and find them to be an improvement over natural oil products...especially the setups used for drag racing. I'm partial to Mobil 1 after using a number of different synthetics...based upon tear downs after a racing season or some internal engine problem requiring a tear down. Ya talk to people at the track and of course you get differing opinions but a lot of people seem to be using the Royal Purple now. I've never used it myself and hence the question seeing as trucks are a different venue and wondered if anyone here had used the products and wanted an opinion. So as to clarify my question a little further...I have nothing to do with the company, so I'm not fishing for opinions based upon some ulterior motive. Like my other questions, I ask because I've never really done much with trucks, this is my first venture into really wanting to modify one...so the experiences of others is important to me. Ya want to talk about nailhead motors, ST 300 trannies, Muncie trannies, 10 bolt posi units, AFB carbs, Q-Jet carbs, suspension setups on 65/66 Buick Skylark GranSports...I can chat all day about these areas...but my 08 F-150 is a lot different than your basic American iron from the 60's...just want to make sure I do the truck right with no regrets down the road.
Best regards,
Gordo
Best regards,
Gordo
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