Performance Increases

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jbitzer

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I was asked to post what sort of work I have done on my truck (2000 4.6L XLT) and what gains I have seen.

Now don't expect to see I have rebuilt the engine or added a supercharger or anything crazy, what I did was some very basic and long overdue maintenance. I found this info on another forum (F150 I believe) and figure it was worth a try. Below is a list of items and some of my comments:

• Transmission flush
• Coolant system flush
• front & rear diff fluid change
• New fuel filter
• Motorcraft plugs & wires
• New PCV valve
• Check air filter
• New O2 sensors

I took this laundry list to my mechanic (as anything I can pay someone to do that I don't have the time to do is a plus for me!).

He suggested I skip the front & rear diff fluid change unless I do a lot of off road driving and also the New O2 sensors because of the cost involved. I went ahead and did everything else on the list. I had a small leak in the radiator so the coolant flush was a given anyway. On my expy I don't have plug wires, I have coil packs. When all was said and done it was around $600 or so to do this list of items.

To give everyone some background info I got my truck pre-owned and I have never felt it has enough power to do anything. I use it to run to work and a family trip to Florida once a year.

I can get it moving on local roads and on the highway but when it comes to acceleration this is where the truck falls short. Going up a hill or small incline it feels like its struggling. When out on the highway or local roads I very rarely step on it to pass. I just don’t see that kind of power out of it.

When I first took ownership I have been averaging 11.5 MPG. After the list above was done I have been getting 15-16 MPG consistently. Now I know I don't drive this thing for fuel economy but with $4/gal gas we have to be squeezing a little more out of these things.

Ok now for a few of the issues. I had the transmission flush done and I don't know if this lack of power is caused by a transmission issue or not but here what I can tell you when I drive it. Flowing with traffic everything is fine. When I accelerate I feel some vibration under my feet. The best I can describe it is when you are driving the area you rest you heel when pressing down on the accelerator as well as your left foot seems to vibrate or rumble a little more than it does when flowing in traffic. The truck has about 90K on it and maybe its time than more than a flush on this vehicle. Maybe the trans needs a little TLC. Question is, (since this is in the performance discussion) when I have my transmission guy look at it, are there any transmission upgrades I can ask for, or are the only things available simply off the shelf parts?

For the next round for this truck, I was planning a CAI and maybe cat back for some increased airflow and then tuning. I am looking for some MPG and power increases. 16 is pretty good...25 is better. Paying $100 to fill a 30 gal tank and get 400 miles seems to falls a bit short.

Any other suggestions I can have my mechanic look at for both power and MPG would be appreciated. I truly believe this truck has much more potential!

Thanks for listening!
 

djljr

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Originally posted by jbitzer


For the next round for this truck, I was planning a CAI and maybe cat back for some increased airflow and then tuning. I am looking for some MPG and power increases. 16 is pretty good...25 is better. Paying $100 to fill a 30 gal tank and get 400 miles seems to falls a bit short.

Any other suggestions I can have my mechanic look at for both power and MPG would be appreciated. I truly believe this truck has much more potential!

Thanks for listening! [/B]

You will never see 25mpg; 18 maybe. Unless you never exceed 40mph. Not to discourage you from the mods but your expectations for the results should be realistic.
 
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jbitzer

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Yeah I know that....actually my 25 MPG comment was only a joke! I realize I will never see 25...20 maybe with a lot of mods but 16 isn't bad compared to what I was getting before.

Heck it's a gain! Celebrate the small victories!
 
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jbitzer

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Anyone have any comments on the origin of the vibration that I feel under my feet while driving? I'm not someone who normally disassembles the vehicle so wouldn't know this. Just need to know what direction to take this as far as getting it serviced.

In other words if this may be transmission related then I will take it to a transmission specialist, if its something else I will get my regular mechanic to investigate. If its transmission related this would explain the loss of power when accelerating. Thanks in advance.
 

joethefordguy

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once upon a time, a friend had a 1968 Mustang Mach I with a 302 with the worlds biggest 4 barrel on it. somebody put a high ratio (2.73 or thereabouts) rear in it before he bought it. we were driving from Padre Island to San Antonio. At about 1500 or 1800 rpm and 105-110 mph, we were getting 22 mpg.
or we're really bad at math. it was high school.
 
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