Best Mods for the money

Intel486 · 06-18-02, 07:31

Ok Plan to start working on moddin' my truck.

Looking for performance improvements right now.

My truck is a 2000 F-150 XLT Extended Cab, 4.6L engine, automatic, 3.08 rear end,

Mods I wanna do soon
Change rear end to a 3.73
Superchip (performance computer chip)
Airforce One Air intake
Power Pulley

Eventually do dual electric fans and exhaust w/ headers

What other mods can be done that will show a performance improvement and not cost a lot of money?

PathfinderGuy · 06-18-02, 07:42

While we're talking about Mods, can anyone suggest ANYTHING that can be done to a 1996 Nissan pathfinder SE?

One of my first mods that i wil be doing is getting an HKS Cat-Back exhaust,which will run me about $700.. Are there any other mods anyone can recommend for my Pathfinder? No necessarily performance, just mods in general.

Anyone know where i can get some nice looking pedals? I dont want those glow type pedals, i want some non-slip, type pedals.. like those found in BMW M's.

Thanks in advance.

Redcar GUY · 06-18-02, 07:42

I would start with the cold air intake and exhaust

jrh382 · 06-18-02, 07:56

Cold Air Intake first, then tint. If you don't have rims, get them next. Subwoofers with amp. Then you can work on headers and exhaust.

Intel....For you, I would try to get a dual exhaust. That would be sweet!

Adamah · 06-18-02, 08:00

Well I'd definitely look into a computer reprogrammer if I were you. I have a Hypertech Power Programmer for my 5.7L Vortec powered GMC and it made a big difference in acceleration just by altering shift points and shift firmness. I'm still playing with the power tuning features of the programmer so I'm unsure of increases there but I've heard really good things about it in reviews. I also added a Flowmaster cat back exhaust and gained a little over 1 mpg. Not sure of any power increase because I didnt dyno test before and after but it sure sounds bad@zz.

Electric fans are a good idea but I'd shy away from power pulleys if I were you. Especially if you're running any kind of stereo system in your truck. Nothing more annoying than dimming headlights while idling. A well designed cold air intake will help alot but make sure you get a good one not one of those from a company that spent all its money on chrome plating instead of R & D. You might want to try building a ram air for your stock air box, sometimes those are just as good.

Not to offend you or anything but I test drove an '02 5.4L Ford and it was the most anemic truck...salesman said computer tuning really wakes the Fords up. Hope your it does the same for your 4.6.

PathfinderGuy · 06-18-02, 08:11

Can you give me any websites? Because i have a very hard time finding sites that carry products for my Pathfinder.

Intel486 · 06-20-02, 03:52

I'm not doing exhaust and headers because it'll kill my low end torque. The only thing I might do is replace the muffler to get some sound but that is all.

I'm going to be doing underdrive pulleys as I have heard they really help on F-150s. I'm still on stock speakers in my truck and only thing I've done is replaced the head unit so it has a CD player. Only thing i'll do with sound is put maybe two small 8" subs in it. I'm not really a sound man. I'll have to ask people w/ sound systems and underdrive pulleys if it affects that.

I drove both the 5.4L and the 4.6L. I couldn't tell a big difference but you could tell the 5.4L kicked in at lower RPMs. The lightning runs a 5.4L and stock for stock it can blow away any truck.

I'm not going to be doing too much to my truck. I just want some basic performance stuff on it. I'll get something else in the future to hotrod. Maybe even *gulp* a ricer!

Adamah · 06-20-02, 04:05

You will not lose torque with a well designed set of headers and a good exhaust.

I didnt mean to offend you by saying the 5.4's were underpowered. Its just that all the 5.4's that I test drove were extremely unimpressive especially after test driving Tundras and 5.3L Chevys.

The F-150 Lightning is supercharged...totally different animal...apples and oranges.

Intel486 · 06-20-02, 05:01

Quote:

Originally posted by Adamah
You will not lose torque with a well designed set of headers and a good exhaust.

I think JBA makes some headers that do not affect low end torque but they are $800! I can't afford that right now.

Edit: ohhh and about the 5.4L thing. I'm just use to defending engines. I usually get knocked on all the time b/c I got the 4.6L instead of the 5.4L. When people hear my peak torque is at 3000rpms they are like "Ohh isn't that a wonderfull engine you have. You should have spent the extra $800 and gotten the 5.4L!" I usually reply with "yhea, and I really wanted the 5.4L because I love engine ping after 30k miles!"

JustinTRW · 06-20-02, 05:34

The best mod is always driving school, stays with you from car to car too!

Intel486 · 06-20-02, 09:34

Quote:

Originally posted by JustinTRW
The best mod is always driving school, stays with you from car to car too!

I don't need driving school for driving fast in a straight line. Sure I can have a blow out, lose control and die but... ermmm... right...

v85097 · 06-26-02, 08:37

You can get you one of these to bolt up but if you get it looking like this then you might want to let it idle through lunch.