Mods

[gdgiordano]

Hello,
I have a stock 1997 Explorer XLT Limited Edition With the AWD control trac.
It has the 4L SOHC. Is there any mods I can do for HP/Gas Mileage/torque for cheap? Like $200 or less? By the way I don't have a shop or a ton of tools just enough for what would be needed for repairs. I'd prefer no jackstands either haha.

 

[h0und10]

for 200? if there were stuff to do for 200 to increase hp and mileage dont you thing ford engineers would have done it? with that budget your best off just keeping it well maintained. new plugs, plug wires, synthetic fluids all around, "brown wire mod"
get low rolling resistance tires, and your biggest influence on mpg will be your right foot. get a scan gauge or ultra gauge so you can track real time data and your instantaneous mpgs...

 

[gdgiordano]

I mean I can fluctuate. Just nothing crazy. http://www.amazon.com/57-2528-FIPK-Performance-Intake-System/dp/B000AP57N0/ref=sr_1_8?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1393031815&sr=1-8&ymm=1997%3Aford%3Aexplorer&keywords=air+intake+1997+ford+explorer#productDetails is that worth it? It already has synthetics. I also replaced the plugs, wires 3k miles ago.

 

[DjDom]

Cold Air Intakes don't exactly help with power or mpg..
Overrated for what they are.

 

[gdgiordano]

hmm I see. Well thanks anyway.

 

[h0und10]

that might make your engine "sound" faster.. but in reality it shouldn't do much. you can talk to James. He owns Henson performance and might be able to hook you up with a tune. if you get a programmer he can load you custom tunes to lower shift points and what not adjust air to fuel ratios to help with mpgs and power.. but that will be over your budget.

 

[2000StreetRod]

K&n 57-2529-1 fipk

I agree with the other posts, the K&N 57-2529-1 FIPK will not significantly improve either power or fuel economy. You'll get the equivalent at much less cost with a high flow/high filtration drop in filter element.

Do you have synthetics in both axles?

I spent about $1,000 on my high flow, low restriction intake system (Lightning 90 mm MAF sensor, 75 mm ported & polished racing throttle body, custom tune) and gained about 10 rwhp.

I spent a little over $1,000 on my high flow, low restriction exhaust system (replaced everything from the manifold outlets to the tail pipe tip) and gained about 10 rwhp.

I now use $100 per rwhp as a rule of thumb ($3,000 for an M90 supercharger installation to hopefully gain at least 30 rwhp).

The only really inexpensive mod I'm aware of that improves performance is eliminating the slack in the throttle cable. I actually gained 15 rwhp on the dynamometer.

An inexpensive mod to gain fuel economy is to defeat the A/C compressor from activating in defrost mode.

Edit: one inexpensive "mod" that increases performance and potentially fuel economy is to fill the tank with higher grade fuel.

 

[gdgiordano]

Ok, Yes both axles have it. Is there a guide or something on the throttle cable and defeating the A/C compressor from the defrosting system? I appreciate the help! On the exhaust system did you have somebody else do it or did you so it?

 

[2000StreetRod]

throttle cable mod

50 Horsepower For 5 Cents It is just a matter of reducing slack in the cable so the throttle plate is fully open when the accelerator is floored.

The A/C compressor defeat is my own idea which I'll be implementing in the next week or so. I'll post a description of it.

I designed my exhaust system, purchased the components (except for the pipes) and then took everything to a local shop to install. Click on the link in my signature to read about its "evolution". I'm pleased with its performance. I have increased rwhp at high engine speed and increased rwtq at low engine speed. I credit the Dynomax VT muffler with maintaining low engine speed torque. Even with the noise suppression turn down its still a little louder than I wanted for normal driving. I'm fairly conservative and don't like to attract atttention.

 

[gdgiordano]

Ok! Sweet! I'm sure there might be a cheaper way to go on the exhaust? I mean I was looking around at the parts store yesterday I figure without the mounting stuff and main pipes I could get most the stuff for $250-300 at the most. I am not looking to go super crazy just something that isn't stock. This is my first and only car. I don't want mine to be crazy loud either haha. I would also have more low end strength than high end power as I have the towing ratios. Some get up and go. I just checked my slack it has none. makes me feel good at 170k miles.

 

[TheJokersGT]

Cold Air Intakes don't exactly help with power or mpg..
Overrated for what they are.

you're drunk...go home

 

[TheJokersGT]

so an engine is an air pump. air likes to not change direction. air also doesn't like anything in its path. so you can logically ***** that any reduction in restriction will increase flow potential. the more air you can get in the combustion chamber faster the more power you will make. the more air you can get out of the combustion chamber faster the more efficiently you will make that power. IE: opening up the intake path and exhaust path. headers, hi-flow cats or "cat delete" larger exhaust pipe, less restrictive muffler are simple and effective ways to increase power and fuel mileage...also a hotter spark event will gain you a more complete combustion proess resulting in more power and better mpgs. synthetic fluid will have ZERO effect on performance.... however a light weight oil will reduce frictional loss but will not evacuate heat as well as a thicker fluid. opening up the gap on your plug will help with a more complete combustion process but you must be careful as to not have too much gap as too much will be "blown out" and not ignite the fuel air charge at all. obviously high flowing air filters will help but you will want to be choosy as k&s require a special oil and will need to be washed at specific intervals, no biggie to some...hassle to others...higher octane fuels actually burn slower than lower rating fuels this is need for controlling the burn rate in high performance engines and will not have any effect on a stock motor, it is need for when you would advance the timing and need to strafe off detonation. the age old adage that premium increases mpgs is illogical. it will be the same. however on a hot day pulling a load it is a good insurance policy to run premium. there are companies that make performance orientated cam shafts few only a couple hundred bucks and that is in my opinion the BEST bang for your BUCK. it is more intensive of an installation but well worth the tie it takes to learn how to do it and effort put in and he money spent. but with an "upgraded" cam you WILL need an ECU TUNE , or custom chip burnt. but its way worth is the cam is the heart beat of an engine and will dramatically [if chosen correctly] increase the output of any engine.

 

[gdgiordano]

hmmm I see joker I appreciate this! I will sleep on it for sure! So you think that intake is a good idea?

 

[2000StreetRod]

Not SOHC V6 appropriate

Some of your comments may be correct for your Mustang and your OHV V6 but they are not appropriate for the SOHC V6.

. . . IE: opening up the intake path and exhaust path. headers, hi-flow cats or "cat delete" larger exhaust pipe, less restrictive muffler are simple and effective ways to increase power and fuel mileage. . .

Reducing exhaust flow restrictions will increase max horsepower potential but may decrease low and mid range torque reducing fuel economy.

synthetic fluid will have ZERO effect on performance.

Unless you park your vehicles for your cold Montana winters switching to synthetic engine oil will decrease friction when the ECT is below normal and increase fuel economy and performance. Using a light weight oil will accomplish the same thing but reduce bearing surface protection when normal ECT is achieved. Synthetic axle lubricant will also reduce friction when cold increasing fuel economy.

. . . higher octane fuels actually burn slower than lower rating fuels this is need for controlling the burn rate in high performance engines and will not have any effect on a stock motor, it is need for when you would advance the timing and need to strafe off detonation. the age old adage that premium increases mpgs is illogical. it will be the same. however on a hot day pulling a load it is a good insurance policy to run premium.

The SOHC V6 has a 9.7:1 compression ratio and a knock sensor that allows the PCM to retard ignition timing when detonation is detected. Consequently, the ignition timing is more advanced and can take advantage of higher octane fuels to achieve higher performance and fuel economy.

there are companies that make performance orientated cam shafts few only a couple hundred bucks and that is in my opinion the BEST bang for your BUCK. it is more intensive of an installation but well worth the tie it takes to learn how to do it and effort put in and he money spent. but with an "upgraded" cam you WILL need an ECU TUNE , or custom chip burnt. but its way worth is the cam is the heart beat of an engine and will dramatically [if chosen correctly] increase the output of any engine.

There are only a few companies that offer custom camshafts for the SOHC V6. They are not inexpensive and two are required. Super Six Motorsports sells a set for $675 with an additional, refundable $125 core charge.

 

[DjDom]

you're drunk...go home

Yes, I'm totally drunk.

Here you go, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCi2yo4UqPI

A cold air intake on most engines is a hot air intake, sucking air from around the engine, unless you actually get it outside of the hood.

 

[2TimingTom]

The best mod to increase the mpg of an explorer is a 4 cylinder.

Car that is.

Buy a small commuter car.

Any small things you throw at your Explorer expecting any gains are just drops in the bucket. "Gains" will be lost in statistical noise.

 

[colintrax]

Some of your comments may be correct for your Mustang and your OHV V6 but they are not appropriate for the SOHC V6.



Reducing exhaust flow restrictions will increase max horsepower potential but may decrease low and mid range torque reducing fuel economy.




Unless you park your vehicles for your cold Montana winters switching to synthetic engine oil will decrease friction when the ECT is below normal and increase fuel economy and performance. Using a light weight oil will accomplish the same thing but reduce bearing surface protection when normal ECT is achieved. Synthetic axle lubricant will also reduce friction when cold increasing fuel economy.



The SOHC V6 has a 9.7:1 compression ratio and a knock sensor that allows the PCM to retard ignition timing when detonation is detected. Consequently, the ignition timing is more advanced and can take advantage of higher octane fuels to achieve higher performance and fuel economy.



There are only a few companies that offer custom camshafts for the SOHC V6. They are not inexpensive and two are required. Super Six Motorsports sells a set for $675 with an additional, refundable $125 core charge.

Just as an FYI 9.7 is not high at all. Running premium is a waste