Topic: Cost effective economy and power improvements
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Many of you know I have a 2001 F-150 SuperCab 4x4 with the 4.6L/5 spd manual drivetrain (aka "The Silver Buckboard"). The truck is closing in on 90,000 miles (I bought it used with 36,000 miles on the odometer) and I like it alot. It is generally used for commuting, light hauling of items for our small hobby farm, and occasionally hauling one of "The Toys" on an open trailer.
With fuel costs rising I'd like to improve the MPG the truck currently gets. I know that generally when increasing horsepower that reduces economy so while a performance bump would be nice to have increased fuel economy has to rule at the moment. I'm an average D-I-Y driveway mechanic who doesn't know a lot about newer electronic systems, but not afraid to tackle new things when I have good instructions to follow.
1) What kind of inexpensive modifications could I make to increase the fuel economy?
2) What kind of inexpensive modifications could I make to increase the power, preferably without sacrificing the fuel economy?
Thanks.
With fuel costs rising I'd like to improve the MPG the truck currently gets. I know that generally when increasing horsepower that reduces economy so while a performance bump would be nice to have increased fuel economy has to rule at the moment. I'm an average D-I-Y driveway mechanic who doesn't know a lot about newer electronic systems, but not afraid to tackle new things when I have good instructions to follow.
1) What kind of inexpensive modifications could I make to increase the fuel economy?
2) What kind of inexpensive modifications could I make to increase the power, preferably without sacrificing the fuel economy?
Thanks.
Jim Olson 
"The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave! 
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Hi Jim,
I have an 01 Supercrew with the 5.4. I have read that the exhaust Y where the left and right banks are brought together is some what restrictive. Changing it is suppose to give a bit of a performance improvement. Don't know about fuel economy though. Check www.f150online.com , they might have something on it.
Jim, I don't know what your definition of inexpensive is. But any mods to these newer vehicle isn't cheap in my book.
I would get a decent cold air induction kit, (K&N FIPK) then a catback exhaust, then go down to the local dyno shop and have them do a "tune" to it. You will see a upgrade in power and possibly in fuel economy.
Here is an example of a car I've tinkered with:
'96 Impala SS. My 68 yr old fathers car.
We did a catback exhaust system, cold air induction kit, 1.6 roller rockers.
Untuned on the dyno- 236 rwhp vs. 217 bone stock rwhp
After tuning - 263 rwhp/ 298 ft.lbs rw
Which would equate to around 325 hp (gross) 375 ft.lbs. (gross)
GM rated these cars at 260hp/280 ft.lbs. which was off the flywheel with all accesories on.
I don't think that this was a bad increase at all!
Funny thing was we had to lean the fuel out a few times to get it right on.
We also change the transmissions shift points a little to for more performance. It would shift a little to quick at WOT. And we changed the overdrive speed to 55mph. I would "hunt" between 3rd and OD at 45mph.
Fuel economy seems to have improve. We will know more this spring when it goes back on the road and can get some city and highway miles racked up.
Oh, the cost so far for everything is about $2000. That's including the $450 Granitelli Mass air flow sensor that we threw out. Stock MAF made more power!?!? The Granatelli unit failed dyno 3 pulls in a row at 4800 rpms. No reading!!! Now we call them "Grani toilets"
Good luck!
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Thanks guys.
My definition of inexpensive is something that would pay for itself in 9-12 months.
Glen - I'm waiting to the original exhaust system to rot away and then I'll look at replacing it with a true duel system (maybe with an X or H pipe). Don't know yet if I'll go with headers or not. Either way I know that will be a bit spendy but can justify most of it as replacement expense.
Sarge - the mods you made to your Dad's SS make will it a blast to drive! A friend of mine had one of those (stock) and it scared him.
I looked at a cold air induction system and don't know if $300 is worth the investment. I'd need more info on what it would do. Reprogramming the computer with a different chip would be for the engine only because of the manual tranny. I'm not to inclined to crack the engine open and do anything internally. Mostly because it is a daily driver and it can't be laid up for long.
But that's why I'm asking. Information is knowledge.
Jim Olson "The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!
Easiest thing you could do for good fuel economy is just making sure your truck is maintained (tires, filters, plugs, etc.) according to schedule and wear.
Either a cold air kit or exhaust would make some extra HP. Factory pieces tend to be somewhat restrictive. Computer tuning takes advantage of these modifications by adjusting A/F tables, etc. I know those programs are available for LT1/LS1 engines, but I'm not familiar with anything for a Ford truck engine.
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You wouldn't be replacing the chip in the 'puter...you would be "flashing" a new program. You can buy reprogrammers, but they are a bit pricey, and they only work for the one vehicle, so it's not something you could share with someone, to defray the cost. There are others that will program more than just your vehicle, but...$$$$$$$$$.
Other than a good tune, with good plugs, clean air filter, tires aired and aimed properly, you're gonna wind up spending some cash. Also, if your twuck has a MAF(mass air flow) meter, be sure to keep the hot-wire inside clean...you can use brake cleaner, or spray throttle body cleaner on it. Just a little dirt/oil/lint will effect the air/fuel ratio.
Once the exhaust falls off, headers and a good sized(for the engine) system will pay for itself, but, don't know about in 9-12 mo. Then again, fuel is getting really ridiculous...
Other than a good tune, with good plugs, clean air filter, tires aired and aimed properly, you're gonna wind up spending some cash. Also, if your twuck has a MAF(mass air flow) meter, be sure to keep the hot-wire inside clean...you can use brake cleaner, or spray throttle body cleaner on it. Just a little dirt/oil/lint will effect the air/fuel ratio.
Once the exhaust falls off, headers and a good sized(for the engine) system will pay for itself, but, don't know about in 9-12 mo. Then again, fuel is getting really ridiculous...
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I just looked at K&N's site for a FIPK that is applicable.
Norsky 2007-12-04 21:03:15
This one claims a 13+ HP increase on a 1999 5.4L 4x2 truck at an RPM number I've never gone to (4,562). No mention of effect on fuel mileage.
This one claims a 9+ HP increase on a 1997 4.6L A/T truck also at an RPM number I don't think I've gone to before (4,198). Also no mention of effect on fuel mileage.
And this one also claims a 9+ HP increase on a 2001 5.4L truck at an RPM number I've probably reached a time or two (4,093). Again no mention of effect on fuel mileage.
NAPA has the first one listed on their website for $300. If the fuel mileage is increased by a couple of MPG that would be worth it I guess.
Getting the engine "tuned" would wait until after the exhaust system was replaced so would putting the cold air kit on before that make a noticeable difference in either mileage or horsepower?
Where/how does one find a properly sized exhaust system? And is an X or H pipe a good way to go versus conventional pipes?
Jim Olson "The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!
With gas prices going higher every day, I'm sure all the aftermarket manufacturers are advertising better fuel economy as a benefit. But more air coming in needs more fuel to maintain a proper A/F ratio. Most performance modifications are generally not done with better fuel economy in mind.
I think the major factor in deciding between using an X- or H-pipe would be easiest fitment under the car, not performance differences.
Summit Racing has a larger selection of cold air kits than NAPA with prices starting around $80. I suppose this is a case of you get what you pay for.
Jim Olson "The Toys"...!!! Save the Wave!
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