Performance
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
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Performance
I want to get a little more out of my 2009 f250 with the 5.4. Maybe programer air intake and exhaust. Looking for someone with experience with these mods to help in my decision. Going to a v-10 or a diesel is not a option. Thanks in advance.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,714
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From: Canton, IL
Welcome to FTE. You've asked a very common question that has a very simple answer.
GEARS. GEARS, GEARS....
Did i mention gears? 4.30's seem to be the most recommended ratio for the 5.4. If you have 3.73's now, you'll like 4.30's , If you have 4.10's, You'll like 4.56's
Definitely the biggest bang for the buck. Next would be a programmer. Lost of people like the EDGE tuner for the 5.4, but not sure on availability for the 2009's. Is this a automatic truck, or a 6spd?
GEARS. GEARS, GEARS....
Did i mention gears? 4.30's seem to be the most recommended ratio for the 5.4. If you have 3.73's now, you'll like 4.30's , If you have 4.10's, You'll like 4.56's
Definitely the biggest bang for the buck. Next would be a programmer. Lost of people like the EDGE tuner for the 5.4, but not sure on availability for the 2009's. Is this a automatic truck, or a 6spd?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
For a tuner, the most recommended is 5 Star tuning. Have them write you a custom tune to make your truck do exactly what you want.
Otherwise, gearing is about the only way you are going to step up the 3V 5.4L truck. Air filters, exhaust and a generic tuner won't give you enough. Surprisingly, most users report a minimal loss of fuel mileage (or even none) when they regear.
The other recommendation (especially when towing) is don't be afraid to let your engine rev to make power. It isn't a diesel or a 460. Let it wind out to make power.
Otherwise, gearing is about the only way you are going to step up the 3V 5.4L truck. Air filters, exhaust and a generic tuner won't give you enough. Surprisingly, most users report a minimal loss of fuel mileage (or even none) when they regear.
The other recommendation (especially when towing) is don't be afraid to let your engine rev to make power. It isn't a diesel or a 460. Let it wind out to make power.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: at the truck pulls
Yep a lot of guys say gears but not me. I wanted performance, not improved towing ability and kill my mpg's.
Best bang for my buck was a programmer. However, my Bro has an 04 F150 with the 5.4 and the programmer didn't help much.
That said you need to free up the intake and exhaust to see the full potential. K&N filter and flowmaster/Cherry Bomb/etc muffler.
It really depends on what your meaning of performance is, where and how you'll use the performance.
Best bang for my buck was a programmer. However, my Bro has an 04 F150 with the 5.4 and the programmer didn't help much.
That said you need to free up the intake and exhaust to see the full potential. K&N filter and flowmaster/Cherry Bomb/etc muffler.
It really depends on what your meaning of performance is, where and how you'll use the performance.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: at the truck pulls
Also, it's no surprise you loose mileage, it's pure mechanics. You cause the wheels to turn less rpm for the same amount of engine speed and you're loosing mpg's. If you're looking for improved performance because you put on bigger tires then choosing the right gear set will put you back where you were or a bit more power (ie less fuel economy).
Another thing to keep in mind, if you go with a plug in program module you're stuck with it (except 5 Star would probably re-program it for you but you still have one FIXED tune). If you get a programmer you can choose how you want it to act. If you want to go cruising and race some other trucks run it in performance (and 93 octane) when you're daily driving change it back to performace/economy.
You really need to think it through.
Another thing to keep in mind, if you go with a plug in program module you're stuck with it (except 5 Star would probably re-program it for you but you still have one FIXED tune). If you get a programmer you can choose how you want it to act. If you want to go cruising and race some other trucks run it in performance (and 93 octane) when you're daily driving change it back to performace/economy.
You really need to think it through.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Canton, IL
You won't loose that much mileage regearing. You'll loose more giving yourself smiles from ear to ear stepping harder into the skinny pedal.
Redford is correct, 5-star is the most recommended for the 5.4. The EDGE, though, lets you control a few more parameters in real time, and has a nice gauge display.
Many of the tuners reprogram the trans, and thats what you feel the most. From everything i've read on the 5.4, there isn't much left to squeeze from it. Your not gonna see 50hp gains from a tuner, airfilter and exhaust combo on a 5.4. 25-30hp and maybe 50ft/lbs gain is about it.....
Redford is correct, 5-star is the most recommended for the 5.4. The EDGE, though, lets you control a few more parameters in real time, and has a nice gauge display.
Many of the tuners reprogram the trans, and thats what you feel the most. From everything i've read on the 5.4, there isn't much left to squeeze from it. Your not gonna see 50hp gains from a tuner, airfilter and exhaust combo on a 5.4. 25-30hp and maybe 50ft/lbs gain is about it.....
New User
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From: Laureldale
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FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: Stephensville WI
You'll lose more mileage with a free flow muffler and a tuner than you will be regearing your differential.
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Hotshot
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,591
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From: Pflugerville, tx
I had an 06 150 4.6L.. and put an Edge Evolution programmer on it, WHAT a difference.. made it fun for the 3 yrs I drove it. (tow mode)..
still have it here sitting on the shelf, after I traded the 150 in on a dually.
sam
still have it here sitting on the shelf, after I traded the 150 in on a dually.
sam
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Canton, IL
Would you be implying that a tuner and straight pipe exhaust are more fun than new gears?
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6th Gear
Joined: Jun 2006
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The truck has an automatic trans. Tires are stock, I do pull a travel trailer with it some but most of it's miles are unloaded or with a dirt bike trailer that is less than 1500 pounds bikes and all. I'm thinking a tuner with multiple mode may suit me best. I'm not doing any drag racing or pulling more than 10,000lbs just thought the truck might have more potential, especially for fuel economy when unloaded.
Has any one found comparisons on the available tuners/programers?
Has any one found comparisons on the available tuners/programers?
Former Vendor
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,627
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From: South Carolina
Hi bfree01
We can help out from the tuning side. Biggest thing a tune will remap on your truck is its Drive by Wire system. Factory form is very slow and non reactive. Also in stock form the computer nanny doesn't allow full throttle blade opening until 5000 rpms from what i have seen on 05+ Sd with 5.4L. Something else that is corrected is the non tow/haul mode shift strategy at light throttle positions truck actually starts off in 2nd gear some times. Just something to think about.
If we can help let us know
Mike
We can help out from the tuning side. Biggest thing a tune will remap on your truck is its Drive by Wire system. Factory form is very slow and non reactive. Also in stock form the computer nanny doesn't allow full throttle blade opening until 5000 rpms from what i have seen on 05+ Sd with 5.4L. Something else that is corrected is the non tow/haul mode shift strategy at light throttle positions truck actually starts off in 2nd gear some times. Just something to think about.
If we can help let us know
Mike
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
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From: Stephensville WI
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 879
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From: at the truck pulls
The truck has an automatic trans. Tires are stock, I do pull a travel trailer with it some but most of it's miles are unloaded or with a dirt bike trailer that is less than 1500 pounds bikes and all. I'm thinking a tuner with multiple mode may suit me best. I'm not doing any drag racing or pulling more than 10,000lbs just thought the truck might have more potential, especially for fuel economy when unloaded.
Has any one found comparisons on the available tuners/programers?
Has any one found comparisons on the available tuners/programers?
Autoanything is one sponsor here
also performance combos