Modifying my 98' 4.0 Sohc

[Lazzman]

I have owned my truck for some time about 4 years and am very happy with it. I have the 5 speed auto, bigger 255/70R16 tires, K&N filter, Tornado insert, Mobil 1 Oil. I think it has 3.73 rear not sure because she came used but it runs about 2500rpm at 65mph in 5th. At times this thing really takes off like a rocket, second gear is awesome shifting back and holding the rpm between 5 - 6k...... Till it rockets into third.

Anyway I want to invest a few bucks in making this a bit quicker and of course was wondering what are the single most cost effective methods. I have considered a K&N Fipk induction, larger throttle body, performance computer tuner and cat back flowmaster, along with some ignition stuff like a jacobs amplifier- trouble is no one sells much for the 4.0 Sohc. Been looking for a while for a performance thermostat with no luck.

I want simple bolt on's nothing that is going to mess up the truck- and something I can do myself. Any suggestions from those who have been down this road are truly appreciated. Be brand specific as I know owners of different makes prefer certain manufacturers, like when I owned my toyota Turbo Toyota speed freaks prefered parts by Apexi and Greddy. It seems here that Mac intake and Flowmaser cat back and others are prefered ...

Thanks-

 

[ExplorerDMB]

Talk to Aldive -- He has good performance and great gas mileage out of his SOHC. I know he has a lot of stuff on his, but I'm sure he'll be able to tell you exactly what worked for him and what you would like as well.

-Drew

 

[Brian_B]

Number one thing: Get in touch with doug at bamma chips and get a tuner. I am very happy with mine.

 

[Katmandu]

Number one thing: Get in touch with doug at bamma chips and get a tuner. I am very happy with mine.

How did it affect your MPGs ??

What do they cost ??

 

[jimbo74]

mpgs will go down if you drive hard, if you are conservative you will have better mpg...... www.bamachips.com price depends o nwhat you end up actually getting

 

[Katmandu]

mpgs will go down if you drive hard, if you are conservative you will have better mpg......

Ok, how about this...... For someone looking to Increase their Ex's fuel mileage, how MUCH (ballpark range) will a CHIP/TUNER help out ???

 

[aldive]

Ok, how about this...... For someone looking to Increase their Ex's fuel mileage, how MUCH (ballpark range) will a CHIP/TUNER help out ???

Read this thread http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44372&highlight=quest

Contact Doug Studdard at http://www.bamachips.com/ and discuss your specific goals; he then can advise you as to which computer tunes you need.

Good luck ..........

 

[aldive]

Anyway I want to invest a few bucks in making this a bit quicker and of course was wondering what are the single most cost effective methods. I have considered a K&N Fipk induction, larger throttle body, performance computer tuner and cat back flowmaster, along with some ignition stuff like a jacobs amplifier- trouble is no one sells much for the 4.0 Sohc. Been looking for a while for a performance thermostat with no luck.

If I were you, I would procede in the following manner:

change all fluids to synthetic
intake ( Mac or K & N )
custom cat back exhaust with muffler of your choice
make sure plugs and wires are in excellent condition
computer tune ( http://www.bamachips.com/ )

Your ignition is fine, it doesn't need any additions,
There is no reason to change your thermostat; stick with stock.
We have dyno proved the Tornado will not boost performance ( see dyno chart below )

Good luck

 

[Brian_B]

In the case of a normal american male the gas mileage will go down. When you have more hp on tap you will use it. Plain and simple.

 

[aldive]

In the case of a normal american male the gas mileage will go down. When you have more hp on tap you will use it. Plain and simple.

Really?

 

[Silver X]

I admit it, I fit into Brian's stereotype.

I rage on my truck pretty hard most of the time...BUT...on my first tankful with just the Volant air intake, Gibson cat-back, and Doug's Xcal2 87 octane tune, I got an extra 40 miles without changing my driving habits in any way. My first time with 93 octane in the tank and the 93 octane "torque" tune, I had a little too much fun and used half a tank in only 50 miles and another 100 miles finished the rest. On my current tankful with the same tune, I'm already 20 miles over my usual, and I still have over 1/4 tank left. I also drove it pretty hard today with several 0-60mph runs, 1/4 mile runs, and 0-100+ runs in 94* heat...in addition to the normal playing around. I probably could've made it 100 miles over my norm, but my friend wanted to me to dust off my old GTech to test his WRX wagon (auto) running full exhaust mods and 18psi (1.25bar) and I had to show him how it worked in my truck first .

We ran in our empty parking lot at work and up and down the industrial complex service drive. I wasn't all that impressed with my numbers due to the heat and extra weight in the truck, but when we were leaving work, I raced him to the end of the lot and beat him (over 70mph). I even let him take the jump off the line because I didn't want him to use that as an excuse, LOL. He had major turbo lag though, and I know he'd kill me in cooler weather. I also beat a coworker's Lincoln LS V8 by about 5 cars to 80mph. I wasted 1/4 tank of gas, but it was fun.

Anyway,
Mods + lead foot = much worse than stock mileage;
Mods + moderate throttle = better than stock mileage;
Mods + granny style driving = don't know, never tried it.

 

[Brian_B]

Ok, almost everyone (Al is excluded permananetly from this group).

I bought mine so that I could easily pass the old people around here in our very short passing zones. Our 4500 pound V6 explorers do not pass well in these hills and curves. I do have a very heavy foot on local roads.

As far as mileage is concerned, driving normally (cruise control on for most of trips) on the interstate my mileage did go down with the 93 tunes (performance and torque). I have tried it all three ways (both 93 tunes and stock) on the same road trips.

 

[Afboy143]

I admit it, I fit into Brian's stereotype.

I rage on my truck pretty hard most of the time...BUT...on my first tankful with just the Volant air intake, Gibson cat-back, and Doug's Xcal2 87 octane tune, I got an extra 40 miles without changing my driving habits in any way. My first time with 93 octane in the tank and the 93 octane "torque" tune, I had a little too much fun and used half a tank in only 50 miles and another 100 miles finished the rest. On my current tankful with the same tune, I'm already 20 miles over my usual, and I still have over 1/4 tank left. I also drove it pretty hard today with several 0-60mph runs, 1/4 mile runs, and 0-100+ runs in 94* heat...in addition to the normal playing around. I probably could've made it 100 miles over my norm, but my friend wanted to me to dust off my old GTech to test his WRX wagon (auto) running full exhaust mods and 18psi (1.25bar) and I had to show him how it worked in my truck first .

We ran in our empty parking lot at work and up and down the industrial complex service drive. I wasn't all that impressed with my numbers due to the heat and extra weight in the truck, but when we were leaving work, I raced him to the end of the lot and beat him (over 70mph). I even let him take the jump off the line because I didn't want him to use that as an excuse, LOL. He had major turbo lag though, and I know he'd kill me in cooler weather. I also beat a coworker's Lincoln LS V8 by about 5 cars to 80mph. I wasted 1/4 tank of gas, but it was fun.

Anyway,
Mods + lead foot = much worse than stock mileage;
Mods + moderate throttle = better than stock mileage;
Mods + granny style driving = don't know, never tried it.

Damn, what all mods do you have besides the chip?!

 

[Silver X]

Just the cold air intake, exhaust, and programmer. The hot air was really bad for turbo cars, so I took the opportunity. He was only seeing about 7 or 8psi max on his boost gauge. The next morning was much cooler and he was getting full boost and running much faster. I declined a rematch. I did beat an '05 V6 Mustang this morning though. He came up along side me at the light in the lane that ends, trying to go around traffic. He was about 2 cars back by 60. I'm pretty careful about which cars to pick on though.