Hey guys, I own a few super dutys with 5.4s. I love them but we all know they can be a lil underpowered at times. I know i could always go the v10 route but my trucks were picked up at great prices and the v8 has treated me great. I just need to know if i could get a solid 30 more horses out of these motors without any major bolt on or any power adders. (chip, k&n, exuast?) thanks alot guys!!!

 

I think a programmer would get you closest to 30hp for the money... Intake and exhaust seem to leave everyone with marginal impressions of a gain in hp. I have exhaust on my 5.4 but I didn't notice any power difference, I only did it for the sound/looks.
I know it isn't a lot to go on, but I hope this helps

 

I would suggest a chip. I don't know a lot about newer engines, but 30-40 hp is quite a bit for not wanting to actually do anything to the engine. I agree that intake and exhaust help, but it won't be enough for you to actually notice.

 

i agree with you, programmer it is......i was leaning towards that anyway since there is not many options

 

I used a super chip tuner for my 04 5.4. It will probably net you 30hp using one of the premium fuel settings. Its worth it just to get the throttle response working like it was connected with a cable insead of the fly by wire. If your truck is an 04 the super chip unit I have is for sale. 200.00 shipped to lower 48. It has 3 programs in it. Regular fuel performance, premium fuel trailer tow & premium fuel performance.

 

Ive got a '99 250SD 5.4, put on a k&n intake kit and installed a flowmaster muffler. She does breath a bit easier and is noticeably quicker off the line. It builds rpm's quicker and gets me about 2 mpg more around town. I live in Colorado and drive at some pretty tall elevations, 5,000-11,000 ft., so these add ons do work. I would like to do a tunner someday, it only takes money! I think the real noticable ponies can only come from internal upgrades, and then there is always a supercharger. Like I said, it only takes money

Good luck

 

Keep in mind. You'll need a tuner for EACH truck. They are VIN locked after you program your truck and can only be used on one at a time.

That means $300 - 400 PER truck.

 

underdrive pulley $200

exhaust $200---or just weld in muffler $30-$80

k&n intake and filter $200--- or get the replacement k&n $50
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------my plans included these 3 items which i have 2 of so far/

i believe the weld in place muffler (summit racing $24.99 muffler) and the replacement filter have helped both power and fuel economy since i have 33" tires with 3.73 gears and still get 13-14 mpg around town and 16-17 on freeway since doing the mods.

next step ... underdrive pulley!

 

Bigblack, what speeds do you run on the highway? I'm getting 14 avg since the cold weather came, but in the summer I was averaging 15 no matter where I drove... 70-75 on the highway and normal speeds around town.
Thanks,
Tom

 

cuda how are you getting 13-16 mpg? i only get 12 all around. i have 13,000 miles and check my sig for mods..........i wish i got 13 plus mpg!!!!

 

i agree with gixxer1. I'm gettin 10 right now cause of the weather, let it warm up a bit before goin. In the summer i average about 13. 16-17 on the highway would be a dream... ;> Bigblack is the Intake worth the money? Is it a Functional cold air intake, or the regular K & N ? What did you put the underdrive pulley on?

 

So far I've done exhaust and a K&N(with a slightly modified air box). It seems a LITTLE better, but not much.

I just ordered a Ram Air hood with the ram air box that feeds cold air to the intake. Pretty nice setup - I'll post pictures when I get them.

I'm averaging 14-15MPG since buying my '01 F250 5.4 4 months ago, I guess I can't complain.

 

I went from a V10 to the 5.4. This really makes the 5.4 seem like a dog, but my mileage is quite a bit better. 14-15 instead of 10 to 12. I want to put achip, exhaust and cold air intake. Just waiting for the warrany to run out.

 

gixxer1 -- As of right now the only mod I have is the magnaflow single in dual 2.5" out the corners. The single biggest thing I've found to gain mpg is to, whenever safe, not come to a complete stop... I downshift (5 spd manual) at red lights and come to a stop nice and slow, hoping the light will turn green before I have to stop for traffic in front of me. Even if you're goin 2mph at that stop sign or light, it's that much more momentum to get you goin again. Getting a 3 ton truck going from a dead stop takes a toll on the gas milage. But like I said, you can only do that when you know it's safe to do so. I really just trained myself to not put my foot in it all the time, which was hard, but after a few hours driving around town, it's almost second nature. However, with this fresh powder we just got tonight, and all the empty parking lots cus of new years... I wasn't gettin 15mpg
In the end, just drive smart and you really see the mpg come up. I should note that I was getting 13 when I first got the truck with my old habits. So I picked up 2 - 3 mpg by changing habits (and muffler)
Hope this helps... Sorry to be so long winded.
Tom

EDIT: just as an aside, I checked our your mods. A lot of times, these types of mods tend to decrease mpg as a trade off for power. I know some people swear they pick up mpg and others say they lose it -- It's one of those "What weight oil should I run" discussions... everyone has an opinion about it. you have better throttle response and are quicker out of the hole... as a result, you maybe lose a mpg or two. You also may pick up a mpg as the engine gets a few more miles on it.

 

i was all stock tilll about 10,000 miles and my mileage was about 12 mpg.it stayed pretty much the same after mods. i'm just hopeing i'll get better mpg as my miles increase. i've read that higher mileage 5.4's are doing better. how many miles do you have?it does make allot of sense what your saying about coming to complete stops though. i just can't wait to start riding my 35 mpg hayabusa again!!!anyways thanks for the input.