Have 2005 F150 5.4L 2wd runs great but wanting a little more power. The only mods I have is a Edge programmer and Weapon X Coils and a flowmaster 2 into 1 muffler.

I have $1500 to spend and only can do simple work since Im disabled.

I could use some advice on shop installed mods for my budget. I can install a CAI (no idea which to choose) but anything else would have to be shop installed. I would like to get the most for my money. Headers and new exhaust would probably blow my entire budget. Its not much money but could use advice

rear gears? Throttle body (might could do this myself) Please any advice appreciated and Thanks in advance

 

Im also going to be doing some towing with a 4000lb travel trailer.

 

I think your best bet would be convert the Edge to a PHP, not sure how much that is but for sure would be in the list. The reason with that is after all your upgrades are done, you can get the custom tune to pull the most performance out of the bolt ons. Catback exhausts, long tube headers, CAI followed by a custom tune?

 

You did not mention what gear ratio you currently have? Thinking you want at least 373 or lower.
I went thru this same scenario several months ago. My recommendation is the forget the CAI and do the Gott's mod. Next step is either convert your tuner or buy one that allows custom tunes. I highly recommend MPT from experience. You can get the tow tune you need and the 93 octane performance. My 08 5.4 3v w/ 373 LS absolutely amazed me when I loaded their 93 performance tune. The difference from stock (with my otherwise stock truck) is night and day. Plus, I get better mileage running it.

 

I'm probably about to step in the poo, but everything I've read about so-called CAI systems says the truck only goes faster because your wallet is lighter. It already has CAI. The Gotts mod is cheap and easy to do, and will give you any (if any) improvement a major name CAI will. Might as well do the Gotts. The gears will make the biggest seat of the pants improvement. I've done it twice and been very happy with the performance boost. You might experience a slight loss of MPG but it won't be much unless you really go overboard on the ratio. I think 4.10 would be just right for a 2wd, I'm guessing you have 31" tires (or thereabouts). I did both my swaps on 4wd's with 35" tires and used 4.56 gear sets. This would be a push for 31's with 4.10 gears. Plan on $1100-$1200. You'll probably come in below that figure, but it allows for a complete bearing set replacement if necessary. Definitely go to a shop that is experienced in axle service. The balance of your budget will probably get you a tuner, but without other induction/exhaust mods, a tuner won't do much more than bump the timing a couple degrees. You'll have to run 91 octane to actually get the performance increase, although from the feedback I've got from friends, the MPG improvement (assuming you don't have your foot in it all the time) offsets the increased fuel cost. My only experience with an electronically tuned gas engine was a soft nagging ping regardless of octane, and an on again - off again check engine light. I removed it.
As far as bang for the buck, the gears are going to be the winner by a landslide.

 

Thanks for the ideas...Im long overdue for the Gotts mod. Ive known about several years and never got around to doing it. I'll search the forum and get the steps and make it my weekend project. I'll find a quality axle shop and do the gears.

I love my edge..it was inexpensive and made the truck run alot better. Its been great for diagnosing problems. My mpg on highway is 17 if I run 70mph. ...but I dont City mileage is 11-13mpg. Just glad gas is cheap now.