More HP out of my 4.9 I6

[roadwarrior9840]

I have a 1987 F-150 with the 4.9 straight 6 and as some of you may know, the 4.9 straight 6 was built more so for torque rather than speed and I'm wondering as to what I can do to get some more horses out of it. I know I could get some new exhaust or a new intake system and replace mechanical components for electrical ones, but I'm wondering if anyone out there can tell me if there is any inexpensive ways to get some more horses and/or if anyone knows if there is something specific I can do that would only be relevant to the 4.9 straight 6?

 

[Beach66Bum]

Well, rear end gears. (if you have 4.10's, you can go to a lower ratio and improve your mileage at the same time)

 

[roadwarrior9840]

Thanks a bunch, I'm new to this kind of stuff and I'm willing to try anything to make sure I got the fastest ride in town. But will lowering the ratios also lower my torque?

 

[5.0Flareside]

ya wanna have the fastest ride???

get rid of the truck.....


look at the specs in my sig... done all that to my 5.0 in my truck.. can hang with damn near most Camaros, Firebirds, Stangs, and whatever Ricer piece of junk wants to run me.. out run 99% of the trucks around...

pretty damn fast.. but not THE fastest...

 

[Beach66Bum]

yes, but you can have a great balance between the two using anything other than 4.10's. I am thinking about a gear swap since my truck has a T-18 with 4.10's.

 

[5.0Flareside]

yes, but you can have a great balance between the two using anything other than 4.10's. I am thinking about a gear swap since my truck has a T-18 with 4.10's.

if his truck is stock.. it DOES NOT have 4.10s.. only F150 that came factory with 4.10's was the Lightning in the 8/9 Gen....

he's probably got 3.08's.. so a 3.55 or 3.73 would be a good swap.. but not for what he's wanting to do..


for what he's wanting to do.. he better get ready to spend a load of cash..

 

[Beach66Bum]

true, comes down to the engine again for serious gains. Gearing and tranny changes, you are still limited to the stock motor HP

 

[roadwarrior9840]

As soon as I get job I'm getting a 2002 F-150 with the 5.4 off of my uncle which ill soup up but I've always liked the 6th gen F-150s and plus this used to be my grandpa's so I have emotional ties to it....and amkatt I think I'll try 4.10ing it and if I don't like it I can always just keep trying different ratios, and remember I'm desperate so I'm willing to try anything

 

[5.0Flareside]

why are you so desperate?? just drive the truck and cruise.. the 300I6 is NOT FAST.. nor will it EVER BE.. atleast not without dumping THOUSANDS into it..

 

[O'Rattlecan]

I am really fond of the 4.9 I6, but it's not a race engine. Steeper gears will probably be your cheapest way to get more speed out of it, but it will make your fuel mileage suffer on the highway. You'll be turning quite a few more RPM's, and that motor isn't known for turning a lot of RPM's.

Ryan

 

[SuperCab]

What transmission do you have? As Ryan said, the 300 didn't like to run high rpms, and unless you have an overdrive, going to a lower rear end will cut your fuel mileage and top end.

Drive it easy, and be happy you're getting nearly double the fuel economy of most other pickups that age.

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