$1000 to spend on mods (5.0)

[foamerdave]

OK I have a 97 EB 5.0 AWD. First off I will say this is my daily ride. I would like a bit of a kick in the the pants but also improve mpg. The first thing I did (tonight) was order a k&n cold air kit (130 shipped) The next thing I would like to do is the F150 transfer swap ( I cant think of any thing that would help out both power and mpg more) I am guessing around 600 for this. So 230left to put into exhaust. Have read a ton of the post here and all the more undecided.
I will say this I could hit the lottery and still would NEVER spend 700 bucks on a set of headers unless they where made of gold or had twin turbos attached to them. So what would you put on your truck for exhaust that you could do for about 200 bucks.
My first option is there is a used cat back ( flow master)for sale off a V-6 very close to me. Mod to fit job but would leave a good chunk of change after ward for something else.
Or am i barking up the wrong tree altogether.
As a final note I will leave it at this, If you had a grand and a stock truck to drive your family around in every day what would you do???!!!!
Thanks Dave

 

[IZwack]

The next thing I would like to do is the F150 transfer swap ( I cant think of any thing that would help out both power and mpg more) I am guessing around 600 for this

I hate to be the one to rain down on your parade of planned moficiations but the transfer case swap will not really net your vehicle much better mileage/gallon, if any at all. Nor will it free up some power. Its main attraction is that its a selectable 4wd.

 

[1996explorerxlt]

Getting rid of all the parasidic drag from running AWD all the time will definately free up horsepower and driveability will change too with no power going to the front wheels while cornering and such.

 

[kert0307]

....but the front axle will still be spinning, so he won't see any MPG differences, and that is his goal. It would be nice to gain low range though.

 

[jah81592]

OK I have a 97 EB 5.0 AWD. First off I will say this is my daily ride. I would like a bit of a kick in the the pants but also improve mpg. The first thing I did (tonight) was order a k&n cold air kit (130 shipped) The next thing I would like to do is the F150 transfer swap ( I cant think of any thing that would help out both power and mpg more) I am guessing around 600 for this. So 230left to put into exhaust. Have read a ton of the post here and all the more undecided.
I will say this I could hit the lottery and still would NEVER spend 700 bucks on a set of headers unless they where made of gold or had twin turbos attached to them. So what would you put on your truck for exhaust that you could do for about 200 bucks.
My first option is there is a used cat back ( flow master)for sale off a V-6 very close to me. Mod to fit job but would leave a good chunk of change after ward for something else.
Or am i barking up the wrong tree altogether.
As a final note I will leave it at this, If you had a grand and a stock truck to drive your family around in every day what would you do???!!!!
Thanks Dave

The v-6 catback is different than the v-8. I offer Gibson and MAC catabacks for your application. PM or email if interested.

 

[kert0307]

I'd look for torque monster headers, not sure on their price though

 

[chriswells78]

Most people who have done the swap report mileage gains and a reduction in tire wear. Even if the front axel is spinning, the TC is not using 35% of the engine's output power to push it.

If mileage and or power is what you want, cat back will really do nothing noticable for you. The FRPP phonelic intake spacer is about $50 and almost every one who has done it has noticed power gains, especially in torque.

Another you should consider for power and mileage is an electric fan swap. There are several ways and fashions of doing it, search around the forum a bit and you'll see them.

All of these should be within your budget.

I'd look for torque monster headers, not sure on their price though

He's swearing those off in the first post. The part about not paying $700 for headers.

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I can't beleive how people cry over the cost of a good set of headers.

Try $850 for a set for a '92 Cougar 3.8 V6.

 

[brianjwilson]

Ask jah81592 about an xcal2.
I wouldn't go spending money to increase gas mileage though. Spending $130 on an intake for maybe a .5 mpg gain doesn't make sense unless you're just doing it to save the environment. It will take a LONG time of .5mpg gain to get $130 in savings.
As for the transfer case swap, I wouldn't bother unless your goal is to have selectable 4x4. I actually really like the AWD with the 5.0L as a daily driver, not the best offroad. I wouldn't imagine seeing much mpg increase since, like already mentioned, the front axle is spinning all the time.
I would probably add a good catback and a tuner. Use the rest of the money to flush the axles and gearboxes with new synthetic oil or something.

 

[JMan689]

If you looked hard enough and found the deals personally i'd do headers, cam, electric fan.

 

[scruff]

You were right in your post, you asked if you were barking up the wrong tree... and you almost certainly are.
I know you feel like spending 700 on headers is crazy, but you want more power and better MPG and Torque monsters will give you the biggest improvement in both for the money spent.
Just have a look at how many people on here with V8's run them...
I think you'd be throwing money away doing anything else first.

Just my 2c

 

[justin146]

Progressive wet nitrous kit with a standalone fuel system full of E85- It wont help your mileage though

 

[techieman33]

Headers are the way to go, I know they're expensive, but you can't make any serious gains without them there to support it. Keep an eye on the for sale section, a pair will show up on occasion in the $500 range.

 

[foamerdave]

well form what I can see I guess Ill drop the transfer case swap for now.
The mods I am looking at are for power, with the benefit of an mpg gain ( cold air intake= 10hp + 1 to 2 mpg from what I have read) The electric fan sounds like a real good one will be looking at this one more. I wish like all heck that the lower pulley was not part of the balancer so an under drive set up could be had.
As for the headers when I find a pair used for around 300 I will get them. I have a pair of long tube headers on my 5.0 that cost less then this new. As for the cat back don't care what the gains are so much as I have a V-8 and want it to sound the part.
Thanks for the input so far keep it coming Dave

 

[scruff]

Worse case I will buy a pair of TM headers to use as a template to weld up my own then return them.

Wow, what a sh!tty attitude. The guy that makes the TM's isn't a big business and developed them for a very small clientelle, you should thank him, not talk about ripping off his work.

 

[Turdle]

Worse case I will buy a pair of TM headers to use as a template to weld up my own then return them.

Nope, you won't.

 

[foamerdave]

OUCH sorry did not mean to offend anyone.
1 I did not know this was a small time company, thought they where just a brand name of one of the big guy's out there.
2 this helps explain the coast of them to me to the point where the coast IS justifiable.
3 I truly believe in subporting a ture back yard USA company going out of there way to make a product that has such a small market. Was not awear of this and would never "rip off" a home grone bis. as this is the way I pay my bills too.
Just let me say that I am SORRY one more time SORRY SORRY SORRY
that line has removed from that post.

 

[foamerdave]

Did i say I was sorry yet? SORRY SORRY SORRY

 

[MountaineerGreen]

The T-case swap can net you MPG gains. Sending 100% of the power to the rear wheels only saves a ton of drag on the drivetrain. Sure the front driveshaft is spinning, but like stated before, the engine is not using power to turn the front wheels. I noticed a dramatic difference in acceleration, and especially towing. I'ts hard for me to say about what it would gain MPG wise because at the time of my swap my truck was so modified. I did however get 19.6 MPG driving 70 MPH on 33's on the way back from Moab with a ton of junk in my Mounty. That was multiple tanks of fuel, not just one or two. That is pretty impressive for a 5.0, 5,000 lb, lifted SUV on 33's, loaded with stuff, IMO.

The headers- yes they are expensive, but when you hold them in your hands and experience the quality of the welds, flanges and collectors, its obvious to see that there was a whole lot of design and engineering put into them. Then, when you get the level of customer service that Bob provides, they seem inexpensive. Many of the things I have bought for my mounty, I have had moments of buyers remorse, but never even for an instant with the headers.

Headers with a 1" spacer is one of the best mods you can do for power and MPG's. Couple that with a 4406, I'd bet that you could get some impressive mileage.

ANY exhaust mods other than headers on the 5.0's net next to nothing other than more noise. I've been there and done that, nobody seems to believe me, but I've been on both sides of the fence and experienced it first hand.

 

[chriswells78]

^^^ Evan knows his stuff.