Order of upgrades?

[Widgeon]

So after reading threads and posts on here for the last 5 years, I've finally decided to become a member! I've got a 2003 XLT, that I've got running and working PERFECT! ...it was a long and mildly expensive process, but she drives like new again. Now that I've got a perfect platform, I'm wondering what upgrades, and in which order to do. I've recently done the K&N cold air intake and a Gibbson CATback single exhaust... any suggestions on where to go from here? I'm thinking "chip" and have been looking at superchips.
Feedback/ideas?

 

[Black Dynomite]

Skip the chip and get a tune instead. Most here favor the SCT tuner and James at Henson Performance is the man when it comes to tuning these trucks. Do you have a 4.6?

Edit* I see you must have a 4.0 as looks like superchips dont support 4.6 Explorers.

 

[Widgeon]

You are correct, I've got the 4.0. Where would I go to get a tune?

 

[Black Dynomite]

Check the link in my sig, or better yet, ask James himself.. he is a Vendor on these forums. Username is jah81592.

 

[Widgeon]

Check the link in my sig, or better yet, ask James himself.. he is a Vendor on these forums. Username is jah81592.

Much appreciated! I'll have to check it out.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

... any suggestions on where to go from here?

Electric fan and under-drive pulleys, then the tuner.
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294228

 

[Black Dynomite]

Josh, I am going to finally do UDP's and Electric fan (finally got all the parts) in the coming weeks, so I am surprised to see you mention to tune after. I had assumed the tune would only make a real difference if the mod was related to combustion (intake or exhaust) as UDP and eFan are only freeing up HP lost to parasitic drag rather than creating 'new' HP and/or affecting a/f ratios. So now I am unsure, should I tune after? If yes, why?

 

[Ronin8002]

Tuner can come before or after the e-fan/udp mods, you are not changing the airflow or fuel ratio of the motor in any way.

I am about to sell my complete UDP setup (Crank, water pump, and overdrive alt) soon, PM me if you are interested.

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

Josh, I am going to finally do UDP's and Electric fan (finally got all the parts) in the coming weeks, so I am surprised to see you mention to tune after. I had assumed the tune would only make a real difference if the mod was related to combustion (intake or exhaust) as UDP and eFan are only freeing up HP lost to parasitic drag rather than creating 'new' HP and/or affecting a/f ratios. So now I am unsure, should I tune after? If yes, why?

Like Ronin said, it is not a big deal to do it either way. I just suggest to do all of the mechanical changes first, leaving the tune for last; it is a good habit to have. Doing pulleys and fan will free up some horsepower, and should allow for an extra degree or two of timing if tuned properly. You can always do that with the tuner yourself afterward to help "fine tune" things.

 

[jah81592]

Ronin is right, anything which alters airflow into or out of the engine will require a different tune. The factory tune is designed to operate within the amount of air the stock engine will move.

 

[Black Dynomite]

Thanks Ronin, Josh, and James...started to doubt myself for a second there. I made the mistake early on when I tuned between the fipk and doing the exhaust, and had to retune after the exhaust mod. Widgeon, apologies for the partial thread jack but since its related to your question, I hope you find this info useful too.

While I hopefully still have your attention guys, what about aftermarket coils? Any noticeable affect on a/f ratios?

 

[Widgeon]

Like Ronin said, it is not a big deal to do it either way. I just suggest to do all of the mechanical changes first, leaving the tune for last; it is a good habit to have. Doing pulleys and fan will free up some horsepower, and should allow for an extra degree or two of timing if tuned properly. You can always do that with the tuner yourself afterward to help "fine tune" things.

I'm going to have to look into this Pully and fan mod. Gonna start looking through the modified forums for further instructions haha.
Thanks guys!

 

[JoshMcMadMac]

While I hopefully still have your attention guys, what about aftermarket coils? Any noticeable affect on a/f ratios?

Waste of money assuming the ones you have are in good condition.