I notice a difference when switching from gasoline to e85, but that's a much higher ethanol content. I doubt you'd really notice 5% ethanol.
My money is one the truck running so much better because of the new plugs. You're actually burning all of the fuel properly now.
Maybe, but I've changed the plugs numerous times over the 17 years I've had the truck. Usually doesn't make one bit of difference. I'm saying it's running better than it ever has in those 17 years. Running better now without the chip on the computer than it ever ran with the chip on the computer.
I wonder if when Ford flashed the new computer, they didn't flash it as a California vehicle? I mean, it's running awesome. Throttle response is superb, even at low rpm's where that huge intake tube of mine should make it a dog down low. It's never lit up the tires before. I have Lakewood traction bars on her, set pretty tight at the snubbers, and it still lit up them pretty large sticky tires, on dry pavement no less.
It just caught me off guard, that's all. I expect it in my Lightning, not my Ranger.
Here's a few of my Lightning, just for the hell of it. Yeah, I expect it to light up them 305/45-18 Nitto NT555R's in the back. Even with those LONG traction bars. ;-)
Rear are stock rims, 18 X 9.5 with 305/45-18 Nitto NT555R's on them (the pic shows Mickey Thompson drag radials). Fronts are stock rims cut down to 7 inches, with 225/60-18 Michelin's.