Truck Performance Upgrades ?

[Ynot0323]

I just bought a 2002 Ford F-250 with the 5.4 L Triton, which is a 260 HP motor, producing 350 Feet Pounds Torque, and is supposed to get 13 / 17 MPG

I am wanting to get a little more HP, nothing CRAZY.. and get better gas mileage..

I am going to do a K&N Gen II Performance Intake, which gives about 40+ HP boost, and about 10% better MPG

I saw a "Throttle Body Spacer" at one time, which is supposed to give you better MPG also..

A friend of mine has this same truck, but in diesel, and was telling me he did a Diablo Programmer, and gets 19 / 22 and is turning 500 HP to his rear wheels, with intake, exhaust, and programmer..

My uncle who is a Diesel Mechanic, said he would not suggest the Chips or Programmers, they may cause problems, but he has never used one..

Someone please let me know your thoughts on this matter..

Thanks,
Tony

[xr100racer]

no intake will give you +40hp

a programmer works alot different on a diesel than it does a gas motor. noticable perf gains on your truck would be minimal at the most

dont waste your money on a throttle body spacer

500rwhp is hard to believe w/just intake, exhaust, and diablo. sounds like he is adding up advertised hp increasment numbers

my suggestion would be to save that money for gas. or you could spend around 1k for exhaust, intake, and programmer to see a possible 1-2 mpg increase

[Ynot0323]

I am going to eventually do exhaust, but the K&N will be soon.. I just wanted to know if the programmers or Chips are really " Any good "

Tony

[SWAMP_DONKEY]

TB spacer is a waste of $$$$$, larger MAS= more air and fuel...IE more HP and Loss of fuel econ.  Programmers require higher octane fuel to obtain the performance upgrade due to the advance. Exhaust and intake frees up the engine and improves both HP and economy. The best thing you can do to get more bang for your buck is a supercharger but the easyest is the intake and exhaust.  Don't buy anything that claims easy install two wire hookup chip....RIP OFF!!! I hope this helps some.

[bluestroker]

don't go with the K & N I know on Diesels the AFE Stage 2 is about the best. research b4 you buy. there is not Air Intake thats going to give you 40+ hp on a gasser. Also there is no way your buddy gets anywhere near 500 hp with just the exaust, intake and diablo. Did he put it on a dino machine or just figure that is what he had

[backinsaddle]

I just read a report by a reputable diesel forum...on the dodge diesel, pretty much every aftermarket intake reduced hp, none increased, at least not by any signigicant amount.  the only time an aftermarket filter was an improvement was on a modded engine.  obviously different truck than you're talking about, but i would bet the results wouldn't be much different

[backwoods boy]

w/ a programmer and exhaust n intake you can easily get 500+ hp out of a diesel a chip alone adds atleast 120hp

[Chillinthemost]

I just read a report by a reputable diesel forum...on the dodge diesel, pretty much every aftermarket intake reduced hp, none increased, at least not by any signigicant amount.  the only time an aftermarket filter was an improvement was on a modded engine.  obviously different truck than you're talking about, but i would bet the results wouldn't be much different

Very true, and any difference that there might be would be WAY up in the RPMs and not at an engine speed that you would be towing at. On a gas engine I would either do nothing or do a supercharger. Boost is the only thing that will give you more power at a usable engine speed.

[Chillinthemost]

w/ a programmer and exhaust n intake you can easily get 500+ hp out of a diesel a chip alone adds atleast 120hp

Aint happening, not at the wheels. 400hp. yes.  500hp will need $$$$turbo upgrades or nitrous along with injectors and fuel system upgrades.

[bluestroker]

w/ a programmer and exhaust n intake you can easily get 500+ hp out of a diesel a chip alone adds atleast 120hp

Aint happening, not at the wheels. 400hp. yes.  500hp will need $$$$turbo upgrades or nitrous along with injectors and fuel system upgrades.

I  was going to say the same thing it takes big money to get to 500 hp at the wheels in Diesel (at least a powerstroke I don't know a whole lot about cummins and dmax)

[backinsaddle]

w/ a programmer and exhaust n intake you can easily get 500+ hp out of a diesel a chip alone adds atleast 120hp

Aint happening, not at the wheels. 400hp. yes.  500hp will need $$$$turbo upgrades or nitrous along with injectors and fuel system upgrades.

sure it is Chillin...it's rounded math...350 advertised hp, add another 120-150 for a chip, and walla, 500hp...what most people don't realize is that 350 is probably 270 or so at the rear wheels, and very few chips actually put out what's advertised (there are exceptions), so 400 is realistic.

[backinsaddle]

and don't forget thousands for a tranny

[Smoknbanshee]

all good post.  i would recommend afe intake, way better than k&n.  the only chips/programmers putting out the HP that they advertise are usualy the custom programmers or chips that are tuned to your trucks mods and what you are doing.  If you have a ford, you need to contact Jody Tipton from DP Tuner, by far the best ford programmer in my opinion.  Very good to work with and you can check any forum, he is TOP NOTCH. 

www.dp-tuner.com
www.thedieselstop.com
www.thedieselgarage.com

Chech his name on those websites.  Oh and 500 hp out of exhaust, intake and chip is smoking crack.  Not going to happen.  For one, the stock tranny is not going to hold it.  Without turbo upgrades and injectors your not going to make it.  To make that big HP you have to have the fuel and the air (and big oil pump and cooler for it to last), and you won't get that with just intake, tuner and exhaust.

[Chuck_Norris]

I am going to eventually do exhaust, but the K&N will be soon.. I just wanted to know if the programmers or Chips are really " Any good "

Tony

I would suggest looking at the AFE air filters over the K&N's you will find that they have done their research. although similar in design they stop alot more dirt over the K&N without reducing air flow

[backinsaddle]

I am going to eventually do exhaust, but the K&N will be soon.. I just wanted to know if the programmers or Chips are really " Any good "

Tony

I would suggest looking at the AFE air filters over the K&N's you will find that they have done their research. although similar in design they stop alot more dirt over the K&N without reducing air flow

everything i read says the same thing.  I'm also hearing/reading even better things about amsoils nano-fiber filters...AMSOIL Ea Air Filters...no oiling

[eldiablo64]

has anybody ever tried the Bullydog propane injection.I saw it on trucks on the spike channel looked pretty cool.

[Chillinthemost]

keep the propane in your BBQ, there are better ways to make power.

[Mars]

5.4L: diesel info don't meen squat to the boy.

Free flow air filter and a cat back exhaust will help a little. Everything else is just show.

[Ynot0323]

I am contemplating the 7.3L turbo diesel.. the 5.4 is only getting about 10mpg, which is SH** obviously..

My dad wont believe me that the diesel gets about 14-16 mpg city stock, and with intake, exhaust and programmer, you can easily get 18-22, depending on which programmer you use..

I am taking the 5.4 back to get the FULL $$ back guarantee.. It is the biggest waste of a truck to say the least..

Tony

[fishfry]

A good place to start is Ford Truck Enthusiasts. 

http://www.ford-truck.com

Look in the forums.

They do not make the 7.3 any more.

[Ynot0323]

I plan to buy used, but not abused..

I heard the 6.0's have a lot of problems, since they are gas engines converted to diesel..

I am thinking about the 7.3 PS, but i need to get enough evidence to show my dad that diesels in general DO GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE.. He will not believe me..

The 5.4 SUX and should not of ever been put in that size truck.. The supercharged 5.4 maybe, but not the regular one..

Tony

[Chillinthemost]

I plan to buy used, but not abused..

I heard the 6.0's have a lot of problems, since they are gas engines converted to diesel..

I am thinking about the 7.3 PS, but i need to get enough evidence to show my dad that diesels in general DO GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE.. He will not believe me..

The 5.4 SUX and should not of ever been put in that size truck.. The supercharged 5.4 maybe, but not the regular one..

Tony

The 6.0 is a converted gas engine, thats the funniest thing I have ever heard.
  If you buy a diesel for the gas mileage savings alone, it will take a LONG time to even break even.  If you haul heavy stuff for long trips it is worth it for the ease of towing. Personaly I just like the way they sound, everybody gets excited by how much quieter they get every year, not me, let it RATTLE.

[SWAMP_DONKEY]

I plan to buy used, but not abused..

I heard the 6.0's have a lot of problems, since they are gas engines converted to diesel..

I am thinking about the 7.3 PS, but i need to get enough evidence to show my dad that diesels in general DO GET BETTER GAS MILEAGE.. He will not believe me..

The 5.4 SUX and should not of ever been put in that size truck.. The supercharged 5.4 maybe, but not the regular one..

Tony

 ? GAS converted to diesel??? LMAO..NOT the case bro...whoever you get your info from..STOP!! lol  6.0 has been a diesel from the day it hit the drawing board and they have been almost flawless in 05 and 06. The 7.3 is an awesome engine, you are correct there but the fuel economy sell will never work. You will spent typically 5 to 7 thousand more for a powerstroke over a Gas engine ... with  fuel and gas being close to the same price you would have to drive that truck over 500,000 miles for it to pay for itself in fuel savings alone. If you need a diesel for pulling that its worth all the $$$$ you pay for it but for a daily drive it make no sence. As far as you statement about a 5.4 in the truck being worthless, you couldnt be more wrong the 5.4 it the perfect truck engine for a full size truck that doesnt pull a heavy load all the time. Do some more research or find a more credible source before you post.

SWAMP

[Ynot0323]

I bought the 5.4 Monday night, drove it 13 miles on the highway, back to my house, and drove 130 miles over 4 days and was at 1/2 tank..About 10 MPG without pulling anything, hauling anything..NOTHING..

My 1995 Dodge ram 1500 gets better gas mileage then that..Yes i know the 1500 is a lot lighter then the F-250, and also has a tad bit smaller motor..But for what i haul, my 1500 does just fine..For towing, the 1500 is a bit "iffy" so i thought get a 3/4 ton..

FORGET THAT.. I found the same year diesel F-250 with 178,000 miles for $ 5000 LESS then i paid for the gas engine..

$ 5000 in diesel fuel can go a LONG WAY..

The 5.4 is going back , me getting my $$ back and they can sell it to someone, who wants to WORK to put gas in there truck..

Tony

[eldiablo64]

I have a 00 gmc sonoma ext.cab with the 4.3 vortec v6.I pull a 12ft.trailer w/2 quads and mine in the back of the truck no problem doin 75 on the highway loaded down and still get 12-15 mpg.but I would like to move up to an f-150 or a 1500 with a v8 in the future.