cmk59
Member
As Justin Wilson used to say: "How y'all are?" In my 'where ya from' entry, I made comment on why I got my '07 Expy, and am generally very, very happy with it. I would like to know a few things though, if you'd bear with me:
* I got it used (170K on the clock), but it's running like a peach. I did develop an issue with the plugs during a recent rain...two plugs began cutting out - the computer said two coil packs gone/going bad. The warranty place ''fixed a coolant pipe leak near the plugs, removed all plugs - cleaning and regapping them before replacing''. Granted, it now seems fine, though the idle is higher (by about 200 rpm) than it was 3 weeks ago. Hmm....
* Has anyone developed a 'fix' of any sort to keep water, etc, from splashing into the engine compartment and drowning the plugs in the 5.4L? I'd certainly be highly interested in it, as what good is a big truck if it can't go through a 5-inch water puddle without crapping out?
* Also, as a former Motor Pool NCOIC, I'm huge on things to get more power and life out of my trucks for minimal $$$. For instance: I'd like to get an aftermarket (K&N, etc) filter and intake kit, but they're pricey. Besides 'just' getting the filter for the stock box, is there a way I can mod the box to increase cold-air flow (I don't care about 'noise'). Any 'homebrew' setups with parts list would be greatly appreciated; right off the top o' my head, using heat-protected heavy-gauge PVC piping ducted to near the chin spoiler or just behind the grille (with a splash guard) would be optimal and most welcome!
* Next, as the motor seems strong and in good nick (and I'd like to convert it to LPG/CNG sometime down the road), has anyone installed a remote oil filter setup on their Expys? I'd like to go so far as to use a double filter arrangement to maximize the potential of semi-syn or fully-synthetic oil, and I think that mounting them behind the grille area would also help with cooling.
* Thirdly, it's the expensive part: tuners and soforth. What's the most cost-effective programmer (a la 'Bully Dog', etc) I can look into that's easy to use? Cost vs HP/Mileage?
* Finally, recommendations on air bags/etc. to compensate for the extra weight soon to be hanging off the back of my Expy? Type/manufacturer and price would be most helpful!
Thanks in advance, and I'm looking forward to more miles in my Expy!
Cheers,
Chuck
* I got it used (170K on the clock), but it's running like a peach. I did develop an issue with the plugs during a recent rain...two plugs began cutting out - the computer said two coil packs gone/going bad. The warranty place ''fixed a coolant pipe leak near the plugs, removed all plugs - cleaning and regapping them before replacing''. Granted, it now seems fine, though the idle is higher (by about 200 rpm) than it was 3 weeks ago. Hmm....
* Has anyone developed a 'fix' of any sort to keep water, etc, from splashing into the engine compartment and drowning the plugs in the 5.4L? I'd certainly be highly interested in it, as what good is a big truck if it can't go through a 5-inch water puddle without crapping out?
* Also, as a former Motor Pool NCOIC, I'm huge on things to get more power and life out of my trucks for minimal $$$. For instance: I'd like to get an aftermarket (K&N, etc) filter and intake kit, but they're pricey. Besides 'just' getting the filter for the stock box, is there a way I can mod the box to increase cold-air flow (I don't care about 'noise'). Any 'homebrew' setups with parts list would be greatly appreciated; right off the top o' my head, using heat-protected heavy-gauge PVC piping ducted to near the chin spoiler or just behind the grille (with a splash guard) would be optimal and most welcome!
* Next, as the motor seems strong and in good nick (and I'd like to convert it to LPG/CNG sometime down the road), has anyone installed a remote oil filter setup on their Expys? I'd like to go so far as to use a double filter arrangement to maximize the potential of semi-syn or fully-synthetic oil, and I think that mounting them behind the grille area would also help with cooling.
* Thirdly, it's the expensive part: tuners and soforth. What's the most cost-effective programmer (a la 'Bully Dog', etc) I can look into that's easy to use? Cost vs HP/Mileage?
* Finally, recommendations on air bags/etc. to compensate for the extra weight soon to be hanging off the back of my Expy? Type/manufacturer and price would be most helpful!
Thanks in advance, and I'm looking forward to more miles in my Expy!
Cheers,
Chuck
