94 F150 Tow Rig

[Shaneajanderson]

I already got some good input on improving the Aero of my tow rig, now I'm looking for some input on getting it better suited for towing.

Getting a different pickup might be an option, but for now let's pretend it's not.

I have a 94 F150 with the 302, 5-speed, and 3.55 rear gears. It has oversized (31") tires, and I plan to get back to the factory 235/75/15 here shortly. What I want to do is squeeze another 5-10 ft-lbs out of it, or somehow shift the torque curve down. I thought about a new cam but it seems pretty involved. I've read both ways on headers: some say shorties are best for low end torque, and others have said long-tube headers are better.

I don't really want to do an axle swap, and would prefer to keep this pretty low budget. Thanks for any input.

[Piotrsko]

Cams are easey-peasey, just don't forget to get new lifters. Watch the lift if you're not changing springs. Long tube headers were used for low end torque, dont know anymore.

You're going to lose an inch tire diameter. Maybe more if you are careful, kinda like going to 3.73 diff. Spec your tires carefully.

Fastest, cheapest way is nitrous under 3% rigged to throttle position.

[ChopStix]

Dropping the tire size will feel like you are gaining torque. But loosing tire diameter *might* affect your MPG. Only testing will answer that.

Me, I have had LRR tires increase and decrease MPG and I have yet to be able to define why. But I don't want to hijack your topic with that. So my advise is do a bit of testing and log everything to show your results.

[Frank Lee]

Lighten the load.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by Piotrsko

Cams are easey-peasey, just don't forget to get new lifters. Watch the lift if you're not changing springs. Long tube headers were used for low end torque, dont know anymore.

You're going to lose an inch tire diameter. Maybe more if you are careful, kinda like going to 3.73 diff. Spec your tires carefully.

Fastest, cheapest way is nitrous under 3% rigged to throttle position.

I'm not comfortable with nitrous, plus it's another thing to maintain. The tires I have now are oversized, I'll be returning to the specced size.

When I look on summit they say shorties for low end torque, and long tube for high rpm power, so I'm confused there.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Lighten the load.

A smaller camper is what I want, but I got a big no from the better 3/4

[Taylor95]

You can increase horsepower and torque by increasing airflow into the engine and airflow out of the engine. Thus less restrictive airways will yield more power. If you can advance ignition timing on your truck easily, that will also make a small difference. Regearing will make a big difference too when it comes to towing.

[Shaneajanderson]

Originally Posted by Taylor95

You can increase horsepower and torque by increasing airflow into the engine and airflow out of the engine. Thus less restrictive airways will yield more power. If you can advance ignition timing on your truck easily, that will also make a small difference. Regearing will make a big difference too when it comes to towing.

What would you suggest for more airflow? I already took off the restrictive cold air duct from the air box, and I don't really want to mess with the heads. I'll have to check out the timing, but I thought these couldn't be advanced because they're computer controlled, though I don't remember where I read that.

I have the lowest factory option for differentials (3.55) and I don't know enough to be comfortable regearing the axles myself.

[Taylor95]

You can get a larger throttle body (or bore out your stock one), and get performance exhaust parts for your vehicle. And you could also upgrade your ignition system. Other than that you really can't do anything else without getting inside your engine.

Edit: if you have injectors then upgrading them to 12 hole injectors might yield some results.

[Piotrsko]

Rethinking this: I believe you have the plastic crack prone intake with coil packs. Therefore you also have a chipped computer ecm. Get a performance chip replacement optimized for towing.