peterwinkle

I posted this in the 5.0L forum and am not having any luck with help, hoping I can find someone on here with some input. I just got a 2014 FX4 with the 5.0L in it, and am trying to get more torque and throttle response without increasing the noise to an unbearable level. I've been researching a lot but am reading some conflicting info, so thought I would ask some from those that know. These are what I'm considering:

1- SCT tuner: will do this for sure

2- Exhaust: will at least do a cat back (probably magnaflow), would like to do headers and full dual but am unsure about how loud it will be while driving. What's the best option while keeping the noise at a reasonable level?

3- Intake: Am leaning towards an AFE CAI, have read of some saying that the CAI doesnt do anything for performance? I can understand it not helping on a stock engine, but with some basic upgrades to let it breath I can see the intake being the bottleneck?

4- Boss intake manifold: have heard a lot of people say these will lower torque but increase hp and rpm range... which i dont care so much about in a truck. The thing is 5startuning shows a small torque increase while getting some HP on their dyno graph... I'm not sure which to believe. This one is my biggest question on if it's worth the money.

I'll be changing shocks (was set on Bilstein 5100's, but am looking more at f150lifts Boss Ultimate Kit) and some bigger tires to get a little more clearance, am just trying to figure out the best route to get some more torque.

safetypin

1. Good call!
2. Don't bother. Do long tubes with a catback, or don't bother. The stock muffler is a straight-through design.
3. Don't bother doing a CAI. Your factory airbox outflows the engine. The CAI will just help the engine to be noisier.
4. If you want GOOD gains, that don't cause your bottom end power to take a dump, you'll HAVE to get a CobraJet intake. Requires a different throttle body (bad ***) and a custom intake tube w/ filter (also bad ***) The Boss intake with both F-150 and Mustang GT 5.0 cam configurations causes losses on the low end, with some gains at the very high end. Not very helpful for a heavy *** truck. Cobrajet keeps your low end while giving you top end nasty.


Best bet with this engine is to go F/I. If cost is no expense and you don't want a blower, get long tubes and the Cobrajet.

safetypin

Your best bet is to start out with a tune. The transmission mapping and throttle pedal sensitivity will make the truck feel like a completely different vehicle. Go that route first, then decide if you want to deal with the rest.


It's easily the best bang for the buck upgrade, with concrete gains.

FosterChild

pretty good read. This explains the difference in the cobra jet and boss intakes. http://www.americanmuscle.com/2011-i...old-guide.html

peterwinkle

Thanks for the replies. It sounds like just the tune and possibly exhaust is my best bet. I think if I step up into the cobra jet set up, i may as well just spnend a little more and do a supercharger... Maybe in the future. One dumb question, What is F/l?

One last thing... Can anyone comment on the noise from putting in long headers and a full exhaust? If I go with a Y pipe it would probably be less noisy, but less power than a full dual? I'm nervous about putting in an exhaust and getting an irritating drone while driving.

4.6Intruder

F/I is Forced Induction aka supercharger or turbo. Long tubes back is the only way to gain anything as far as exhaust goes. Intakes do nothing unless as stated a cobra jet manifold or boss. Do custom tunes from either MPT of 5star that'll help with how the truck drive/feels and will be needed anyways if doing some of these mods.

4.6Intruder

Long tubes can be extremely loud, but it also depends on the rest of your setup. Drone doesn't really increase with long tubes, only when on the gas. The muffler choice is what determines the db level. Would do the catted version if going long tubes if db level is concern. It helps with some of the rasp. With that said, my ARH long tubes with high flow catted y pipe and Solo's Mach X catback exhaust is extremely loud when on the go pedal and cold start ups. Cruising down interstate it is surprisingly not bad. I can still have a normal conversation with passengers without yelling. Low end definitely improved when I went long tubes. I had custom tunes before and after I did long tubes and felt the difference.

SteveLord

What gears do you have? 3.55 max I am guessing?

Changing those will guarantee increase performance too. But it is not cheap.

mdp2150

I have a 2011 super crew 5.0. I have 2 custom tunes from MPT. A tow and a 91 octane performance tune. Both tunes blow me away. The tow is a great upgrade from stock(haven't really towed anything yet) and the performance is CRAZY good. The shifts are race and they hit hard and the throtle response is great. I also have the roush exhaust but don't think it made a differance other then sound and it sounds great IMO. I left the factory resonator in for a decent noise level. I know if you just put in the roush the way it comes its very loud(a friend did this first and then went and got his resonator welded back in. I had the tunes first and it made me love driving my truck that much more. Oh i have a sct x4 tuner, very easy to use and change tunes.

peterwinkle

I have no idea what the gears are, is there a way to tell without lifting the wheels off the ground and checking rotation of axle vs drive shaft?

Also, another dumb question... Do you have to have a tune for a full exhaust replacement? I would think the O2 sensors would have issues, especially if the cat is removed?