5.0 tuning Q?

[302Xplorer]

I have been searching here for a bit and cannot find an answer to this:

What are my options when it comes to a pcm/tune upgrade for my 2nd gen 5.0 v8?

Which ones are "the ones" and which ones to avoid.

Thanks in advance,
302X

 

[410Fortune]

Torque Monster Headers #1

The factory 5.0L manifolds are a JOKE
they are choking the power you can make RIGHT NOW

There are a TON of mods to do to the 5.0L explorer, I would start with the most important one, removing the factory restrictions...

 

[aldive]

For PCM tunes, look no further than SCT hardeware and a tuner of your choice.

Good luck....

http://www.sctflash.com/

 

[302Xplorer]

For PCM tunes, look no further than SCT hardeware and a tuner of your choice.

Good luck....

http://www.sctflash.com/

At the moment would prefer a cheaper option. The wife and myself just welcomed our 1st child into the world. Is there a 1 tune chip or something for those balling on a budget?

Thanks again, playa,
302X

 

[aldive]

Chips are old school, however, they may still exist for your application.

Contact a SCT dealer for details.

Congrat of the new arrival.

 

[410Fortune]

budget mods:
CAI
Cat back exhaust
intake spacer
trans shift kit

but you are only ever as good as your smallest bottleneck, currently that bottleneck is your factory exhaust manifolds... seriously they are choking your engine

my best bang for buck mods:
TM headers
camshaft
ditch AWD in favor of 4x4 manual t case

AWD robs power in the 5.0L

 

[Dan Whitaker]

I've been talking to James (jah81592) about a tune for my '97 Cougar. Chips were brought up and he said that Explorers seem to have interference problems using a chip.

He said he had a chip in his Exolorer at one time and had nothing but problems due to interference.

 

[aldive]

Dan, unless its a 5.0 problem, I had no issues with chips in mine ( SOHC ) back years ago. I had one of Brian Herron's first ( Apten ).

Programmers are definately the way to go these days.

 

[V8BOOST]

SCT works fine on 5.0

 

[V8BOOST]

I just remember here is another thread of a happy SCT customer
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=220759

 

[302Xplorer]

(dead links)

The factory 5.0L manifolds are a JOKE
they are choking the power you can make RIGHT NOW

There are a TON of mods to do to the 5.0L explorer, I would start with the most important one, removing the factory restrictions...[/QUOTE]

Thanks to everyone who replied.

Torque Monster Headers would be #1 on my list, it doesn't really matter how much air is getting in if it isn't getting out.
I did the math and it is much more expensive to go with the Torque Monsters and have to retain a Divorce attorney, then to deprive myself of the perfection and explore my other options.
My other option, the one I am leaning towards is, "the swiss cheese factory headers".
For now I have ditched my factory air-filter, box and have gone w/ a cheap paper high flow one.

The cheap one is just until I figure out which "good" one I want to use. I am really looking in the direction of the Amsoil filter but am not sure which one to choose.

 

[Turdle]

Hmm, this is a tough call. Being on a budget-I'd say the xcal is the best bang for buck-
It will get you some performance, help with economy, and, can be used as a code reader-

James will help you-he's also a site vendor.

(dead links)

 

[302Xplorer]

Well, Spank My Jank!!!!
I found my "budget" mod and it only cost me 2 zip ties.
using this Sticky:
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=166562&highlight=throttle+cable
After a little investigation I found that my throttle plate was only 2/3 open w/ my gas pedal pressed to the floor. After performing this mod the plate was all the way open and I went for a spin around the block.
Wow.
It's a completely different vehicle.
It is awesome, she's now a beast!

 

[CDW6212R]

That's free horsepower, good find.

I agree about the flasher, and for a low budget I'd hunt a good deal on a used flasher. They must be unlocked, and you have to trust the seller, they can lie to you and you find out later that it was locked. Be very wary about buying a used flasher.

James can sell you a used flasher often, and you can trust him. Congrats on the new little one.