K & N

[old tired rebel]

I have a 98 Expedition with a 5.4
Is the K&N FIPK Kit worth getting for better mileage and to pick up a little extra HP?

 

[Grasshopper]

It's not gonna pick up a lot of HP. It might sound a little different and you might subjectively have a seat-of-the-pants gain, but they work better if you have forced induction and headers/exhaust.

 

[old tired rebel]

Originally posted by tbird9768
It's not gonna pick up a lot of HP. It might sound a little different and you might subjectively have a seat-of-the-pants gain, but they work better if you have forced induction and headers/exhaust.

By forced induction are you talking about a supercharger?

 

[green03]

IMO just get the replacement filter element and keep the stock airbox assembly. You should replace the piece that goes from the airbox to the fender with something like a black gear lube bottle half... you'll see why if you pull it out!

Then a good tune and maybe replacing the muffler would be the next things I would do....

Big gains with a supercharger though.... but you need to cough up some dough.

Your 98 engine also has restictive heads and intake, so if you ever have to replace it go with a 2000 and up spec'ed engine. The 2000 and up 5.4 starts with 260 horsepower.

Matt R

 

[thereason21]

I got the K&N 77 series .... close to the FIPK ... little noticeable fuel gains little different sound ... lil more oomphf off the line ... i like it when passing ....

 

[AvroAero]

Same for my 4.6L. Pretty good amount of off the line pep.

BTW the 5.4 gets 260 horse in 1999 not 2000.

To get any noticeable amount of power you'd have to drop a fair bit into that engine. Your better off selling and buying a 4valve which will start you out at 300horse. Plus you'll get better milage. And if you have the money get a 05+ which has the 3 valve for better efficiency.

 

[old tired rebel]

I plan on saving to get a new engine at a later date my Expedition has a little over 168,000 on it and would like to do a Lightning style engine.

 

[AvroAero]

I'd just get a new engine and do your own supercharger. That way you can get an high performance aftermarket one.

 

[old tired rebel]

Originally posted by AvroAero
I'd just get a new engine and do your own supercharger. That way you can get an high performance aftermarket one.

What would be a a good supercharger?

 

[AvroAero]

Allen from what I've heard. Green03 has a supercharged 03 I'm pretty sure. He might know.

 

[Grasshopper]

Look at my sig....

I run an Allen supercharger on my Thunderbird and they make them for the trucks.

I think Green runs a centrifugal blower. Vortech???

 

[old tired rebel]

I'll check them out

 

[AvroAero]

By the way K&N filter are crappy. For a regular engine it could pass but once your turbo or super charged I'd go AFE or something instead.

 

[Grasshopper]

Not necessarily true...

I've been running a K&N in my Thunderbird (supercharged) for about 8 years and in our Expedition for about 4 years. I've properly oiled them and cleaned the MAF's when needed.

In fact, I'd hesitate to use some other brands of filters due to bad construction. K&N makes a good product. I have no experience with AFE, so I have nothing (good or bad) to say about it.

 

[green03]

I am running a modified powerdyne but I had to build my own brackets and machine my harmonic balancer to accept the extra pulley. nobody makes kits for the 03 other than Allen Engine Development. also it looks like most companies don't offer kits for the 2-valve anymore since sales have dropped off.

I am contemplating a twin turbo setup once I get some other projects out of the way.....

Matt R

 

[Grasshopper]

Sounds like fun!

Good luck.