SportTrac is too slow

[ptiiqv]

Looking for suggestions on how to fix my 2002 SportTrac. It is way too slow. (sorry had a lightning before it). Gas mileage sucks. What are the recommend mods?

Thank you,

Uneducated Owner

 

[Alec]

Welcome!

I would say wait for the Explorer Express s/c that's coming out soon, but you're already compaining about mileage.

intake, exhaust, apten chip (www.apten-us.com)

 

[Majisto]

Gas mileage sucks and you are coming from a Lightning? Well what did you expect? I think mine is pretty quick, but it's no Lightning. Then again, I want to see a Lightning get 25 MPG.

 

[JOHN V.]

The upcoming X-Charger will be the most performance gain that you will find and still offer good drivabilty/ efficiency. This supercharger is installed on a Sport Trac.

 

[JOHN V.]

Brian from Apten worked his magic on the dyno with this supercharged Sport Trac. He managed over 20 (rwhp) from tuning alone! He will be supplying the chip for the supercharger kit. Here is the dyno chart.

 

[ipozestu]

Now if Brian can get those numbers for me. We'll all be happy.

 

[ptiiqv]

Guys thanks for all your input. I knew going to the sport trac from a lightning would be rough, just never thought the 4.0 would be this big of a pooch. My wife has a 4-door explorer (Same year, 4.0) and it smokes my sport trac. For what its worth, i had a choice, divorce, or get rid of the lightning (she drove it once)
I understand the chip is a good way to go, what about exhaust.

Thanks!!

 

[Alec]

I usually recommend a custom Magnaflow 2.5" catback, maybe with a resonator if you're worried about sound.

The difference between your 2 4.0s could be gearing.

 

[ptiiqv]

I know my sport trac is geared lower than my wifes explorer, but hers, pulls better, gets much better gas mileage and is quite a bit quicker, even off of the line. I hoping by putting a chip in it, some exhaust, and air intake, that i will improve it. Plus my gas mileage really stinks (13-14)

Thanks again,

Matt

 

[Majisto]

Originally posted by ptiiqv
I know my sport trac is geared lower than my wifes explorer, but hers, pulls better, gets much better gas mileage and is quite a bit quicker, even off of the line. I hoping by putting a chip in it, some exhaust, and air intake, that i will improve it. Plus my gas mileage really stinks (13-14)

Thanks again,

Matt

Sounds like your engine may have a problem. While I do have 4.10 gears, I get 18-19 MPG city with constant pedal to carpet contact, and pull off low 16 1/4s. I don't really consider that too bad.

 

[Nate1]

Holy COW! Do you live 100 feet below sea level at -50 degrees!? If I mashed it to the carpet every time I moved I would get 8-9MPG... as is my 4.10s give me approx 13 mpg when I make a consious attempt to keep it under 2k rpms....

 

[Majisto]

Originally posted by nweibley
Holy COW! Do you live 100 feet below sea level at -50 degrees!? If I mashed it to the carpet every time I moved I would get 8-9MPG... as is my 4.10s give me approx 13 mpg when I make a consious attempt to keep it under 2k rpms....

Not sure...I am not quite serious when I mean that I floor it all the time. Usually I don't have to floor it since 2,500 or below gets me going just fine, but I open it up a lot to hear the motor, and if I saw single digit mileage at all, I would scream my head off.

I get about 25 MPG on the road as well. To be honest, I may even have 3.73s. It drives and moves like a 4.10 truck (The kill list I have shows that) but it doesn't seem to get the mileage they do...factory freak? Maybe so. I ain't complaining.

 

[ptiiqv]

I have the 4.10 gears, it is at the dealer right now, hopefully they can figure it out. I know i want alot, i just wish Ford would put a V8 in it. I have taken several trips on the highway (over 200 miles) and the best i get is 15 (average 78 mph). So I'm hoping that by allowing the truck to breathe easier (intake, exhaust, chip) , that this wil help my mileage problems.

 

[Majisto]

Originally posted by ptiiqv
I have the 4.10 gears, it is at the dealer right now, hopefully they can figure it out. I know i want alot, i just wish Ford would put a V8 in it. I have taken several trips on the highway (over 200 miles) and the best i get is 15 (average 78 mph). So I'm hoping that by allowing the truck to breathe easier (intake, exhaust, chip) , that this wil help my mileage problems.

I do wish the SporTrack had a V-8. I never understood why it did not. Maybe you get worse mileage because of the open bed? There's some product that is a hydraulic system that lower your tailgate slightly to create a wing effect. Instead of trapping air in the bed, the air just goes right over the open tailgate. Maybe you could try that or just driving around with your tailgate down and see the mileage you get?

 

[james t]

Originally posted by ptiiqv
I have the 4.10 gears, it is at the dealer right now, hopefully they can figure it out. I know i want alot, i just wish Ford would put a V8 in it. I have taken several trips on the highway (over 200 miles) and the best i get is 15 (average 78 mph). So I'm hoping that by allowing the truck to breathe easier (intake, exhaust, chip) , that this wil help my mileage problems.

not to make you feel bad or anything, but i average 20-21mpg on trips running almost the exact same speed (i like to set cruise around 78mph). i have a 5 liter 4door. sounds as though something is wrong with yours if you can only muster 15mpg all highway.

 

[Nate1]

I got 20mpg on the highway with something wrong in my Fuel System (probably slow switching 02) a roof rack, brushguard etc, and 4.10s.

Something is definatly wrong...

 

[Hokie]

How many miles? Aldive often talks about bad O2 sensors giving poor mileage. (He's already replaced them on his '99 XLT)

 

[ptiiqv]

I have 24,000 miles on it. I bought it new in March of 2002. I guess i will have the dealer look at the O2 sensor while they have it.

THANKS!!!!!