Performance Mod...Which one to do first??
former member
Joined: Jan 2014
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I don't want to sound like I am attaching your statement but do you have any evidence to back up this part of what you said?
Do you have data to back this up or is this just personal opinion?
I cannot speak for our trucks specifically but for others I have seen the numbers on some tests that do show improvements in both HP and TQ.
I find it hard to believe, looking at the stock design of both intake and exhaust, that there are no gains to be found. I would certainly like to see one way or another so if you can back this up that would be great.
Thanks
Do you have data to back this up or is this just personal opinion?
I cannot speak for our trucks specifically but for others I have seen the numbers on some tests that do show improvements in both HP and TQ.
I find it hard to believe, looking at the stock design of both intake and exhaust, that there are no gains to be found. I would certainly like to see one way or another so if you can back this up that would be great.
Thanks
Sure - no problems - this is a discussion forum, after all.
Bear in mind - just 'looking' at something, unless it is a grossly obvious flaw, generally will not tell you if the component or system is going to be efficient or not.
Here's one: http://www.f150online.com/forums/4739726-post9.html
The 04+ exhaust systems are tuned for low-end torque - just where a truck needs it to be. Several aftermarket systems can offer a bit more on top ( usually at the expense of low-end grunt. Ask yerself how often you spend driving @ 4,000 + rpm . OEM's are stainless, with mandrel bends and huge mufflers (which preserve TQ, do not drone and are quiet).
The 09+ OEM systems are even better - the mufflers are straight-through designs.
Sadly - the Marketing has taken it's toll - folks are Convinced it must be better.
For a boosted / highly modded ( e.g engine internals) truck - different story, as in those cases, better breathing IS a requirement to making power, as now the engine's demands is outstripping the capability of both the stock intake and exhaust
For a stock truck? Nope - it's mostly perception, mixed in with perhaps a small gain here or there in the rpm spectrum - nothing that will be tangible in the real world. Increased Intake noise does not equal more power; just as a louder exhaust does not.
Fact is - IF you want real-world tangible results for a stock truck invest the money you would have spent on an CAI/Exhaust on a custom-tuned flash programmer. That one upgrade will dwarf anything you will see perf-wise from a CAI/WAI & catback or muffler.
But - by all means, for looks, sound, bling, and if yer pockets are deep enough, add those other mods - just be aware of their effect on the truck (e.g. exhaust piping too large can reduce low-end, but enhance top-end; CAI will require a programmer in any case to correct MAF TF skew - that is mentioned in Jim's analysis ).
FWIW -
I asked Stage 3 about just this - here was the response.
Okay guys here is the Solo Performance 4 Inch 5.0L F150 exhaust system sound clip. It should be noted the truck has an AFE intake, BBK 85mm throttle body, 5 star custom tuning on an sct livewire and this exhaust. The truck makes 410 Flywheel HP as it sits in this video.
MGD
Last edited by MGD; Jan 24, 2014 at 12:32 PM.
