Explorer mods list (which?)

[CephasGT]

So I'm getting really sick of getting 16 mpg out of my '00 Sport, and would like some more power for towing and such. I've spent the better part of the past two days at work ( ) looking through this forum at different brands, but I have a few questions. Here's what I have planned:

Intake:
Should I go with MAC or Volant? I live in Ohio, and the truck is a year-round driver (especially in the winter), so I was thinking the Volant, with the box, might be a better call. But is there any kind of power loss over the open-design MAC?

Exhaust:
It would appear that Gibson is the only company making a cat back for the 4WD 2-door SOHC. However, I have found precious little in the way of product reviews for Gibson on this site, or elsewhere. I've also noticed that this board is heavily tilted in favor of Flowmaster mufflers, and custom exhaust work. However, I don't have the time to have a custom system done, and would like to go with the Gibson system, unless somebody has something bad to say about it.

MAF:
After seeing that several people have had serious trouble with their Pro-M parts, I would like to go with a C&L, however I have not been able to locate the 73mm housing on their site or a part number on here. Any tips?

Throttle Body:
Ford Racing 4.6L 70mm... Does this really just bolt right up? Amazing...

Electric Cooling Fan:
Black Magic Extreme 180. I understand that this is something of a universal-type kit, but does it come with everything you need as far as hardware? Does this replace the stock fan, or is it in addition to? Should my thermostat be changed as well?

Underdrive Pulleys:
Looks like Underdog Performance makes a full kit, with crank, water pump and alternator pulleys. One thing I'm a bit mixed up about though, I want the OVERdrive pulley for the alternator, to make up for lost revs and volts, right?

I'm also hearing great things about getting a Bamachips tuner. About how much do these cost? Am I going to require a custom tune, or will the ones he sells on his site work?


Sorry for the long post, any information/additions would be appreciated.

 

[MadMike6786]

K&N is also another great brand for air intakes. i have one and i love it. also the throttle body bolts right up which is dam good. performance wise its not huge but def noticeable and noticeable to be one of my favorite mods that i have done so far. also my friend bought a gibbson exhuast for his 99 X and he def wasted his money. the exhuast sounded stock i asked him being a smart ass... Did u even buy a new exhuast? lol then i started my truck for him since he came over to show me... i have a custom flowmaster SUV 50 series exhuast. he was amazed at it. id say go flowmaster and get a custom job. u cnat beat a flowmaster rumble. even though i have a V6 it sounds like a 8

 

[tnmk]

Just got my truck and just went through the first tank of gas at 16.8 mpg. I have the 8.

I have a lot of the same plans as you, so I'm curious to see the answers.

For the Air box, I modified the one on my PT Cruiser for a substantial increase in flow. Noticed a big difference and I did it for under $10.00. Ill try the same with the truck first just cause it's cheap and easy to do. If i don't like it I'll get something else.

For Exhaust, I agree w/ the last post. Go to a custom shop and tell them what you want. They should be able to fix you up for no more than you would spend otherwise. That's my plan.

As for the MAF and Throttle body, I honestly didn't know that they were good for the economy side of the equation. I suppose if you keep your foot out of it then..........................

One thing to keep in mind, if your looking for better mpg (as I am) all of the stuff you mentioned will take some time to make up the extra cash you'll save at the pump.

Another thing I'm deffinately going to do is start using synthetic oil and get a full change of fluid in the tranny w/ synthetic. and probably the transfer case and axles. This will free up some HP and resistance as well.

Last night I read a post from sometime in 2002 from "ALDIVE". He has an XLT that he claims he is getting over 30mpg highway at 70 mph. Do a search and check it out.

Good luck and I'll be paying close attention

 

[CephasGT]

Yeah, I spent most of the day yesterday reading all of Aldive's stuff, and it seems like he's got it together pretty well. 30 MPG would be a god-send at this point.

As for the exhaust, I care less about the sound, and more about the performance (HP/TQ and MPG). If I want sound, I'll start up my bike (2004 Yamaha R6). The truck's a utility vehicle first and foremost, but I'd like to start getting more out of it. I'm also concerned about the cost of having a custom system done with good Stainless steel. Anybody know anything about the Gibson exhaust from a performance standpoint?

 

[tnmk]

If you go to the Gibson website they claime it is "optimized" for maximum performance

Even if you care less about the sound ( I'm the same way, performance first) a custom shop should know what is best for performance and economy.

On many vehicles people go to big and lose needed back pressure which makes it sound good, but you actually lose performance. That's where the forums, complete "tuned" systems and custom shops will help.

 

[IAmTodd]

I wouldn't focus much on mods at this point. Its going to take a lot to recover the amount you spend. Seriously focus on driving style. By adjusting myself I gained 2MPG out of my V8. Next tank I plan on going for a lot more.

BTW- I got 17mpg with pretty much sub-highway speeds. I also have heavier wheels than stock.

Something that will help is synthetic fluids. Which aren't much more than regular.

 

[zhanx]

Electric Cooling Fan:
Black Magic Extreme 180. I understand that this is something of a universal-type kit, but does it come with everything you need as far as hardware? Does this replace the stock fan, or is it in addition to? Should my thermostat be changed as well?

my kit had evereything i got the one with the harness not the fan only i dont think you would want to try and run the stock fan with this. might hit it and be a PITA to install. I have a 195??? degree after market thermostat.. overheated once reversed my wires on the fan and it has been good ever since. (till i clogg it with mud due to no wheel wells)

 

[CephasGT]

I wouldn't focus much on mods at this point. Its going to take a lot to recover the amount you spend. Seriously focus on driving style. By adjusting myself I gained 2MPG out of my V8. Next tank I plan on going for a lot more.

BTW- I got 17mpg with pretty much sub-highway speeds. I also have heavier wheels than stock.

Something that will help is synthetic fluids. Which aren't much more than regular.

Synthetic fluids are in the works. I was hesitant about switching to a full synthetic with a vehicle that has 91,x.. miles on it, but after talking to some tech buddies of mine, and since the engine has NO leaks whatsoever, I'm going to try it with my next oil change/fluid flushes.

Driving style... been there, tried that. At most, I noticed a very marginal improvement in gas mileage, about 1.5 mpg. I don't beat the hell out of the truck as it is (again, I have the bike for that), so I wasn't expecting much from Granny driving. Anyway, the kind of gains I'm looking for (to make the truck a livable proposition again) will need to be drastic to impress me. And Aldive's 30+ mpg sounds awefully attractive!

At any rate, I'm not necessarily looking to recoup what I spend on mods right away. Modding vehicles is half the fun in owning them, to me, and most of the things I'm planning are one-time expenses, so they'll pay for themselves eventually.

Thanks for the input everybody, keep it coming! Learning a lot.

 

[tnmk]

I put synthetic in the minivan that I traded in on the truck and that was at 85000 miles for the 1st time.. No problems at all.

I used the new Mobil one extended life (15000 miles) That's about once a year for me. With the added fuel economy and cutting changes by 1/5 the oil more than pays for itself.