Need more power cheap

[Daven]

Im not going to continue to argue with u about this. But u and i both know that even though the increase is small, it IS still an increase. Do a few of these small increases and u have a bit more power to play with, plus the bonus of your truck sounds better than stock.

 

[Psychopete]

CAI adds a bit more power.

Don't think this has been proven on a 2.9L engine. Would like to see some dyno results backing up either senario. Otherwise either point is worthless because there is nothing to back up the statements.

Add more, takes away? Where's the proof? The BS on the box is not accurate, nor are assumptions.

 

[strvger]

here is my example of modding: cut the belt to my exhaust (smog) pump. po had already disabled the thing by cutting off pieces that went to the exhaust, manifold, etc.
i didn't cut the belt for more hp, i did it because sooner or later, i'd forget about it and it would get old and break and maybe trash something else under my hood.
did i gain any hp from that mod... i doubt it seriously. did i potentially keep that belt from wreaking havoc under my hood, probably.
trying to get more hp from my 27 year old engine doesn't make much sense to me. doing all i can to keep it running as good as i can is a no-brainer. i don't fix what isn't broke, but i do believe in preventative maintenance which is a very different thing.
but that's just me.

 

[Earl43P]

Smaller diameter tires will really wake it up.

I went from 245/75/16 stock (my old 2000 3.0 4wd MO5D) down to 235/75/15.

Thought I had a hot rod.

Gives you less unsprung weight, better handling but you gotta re-do the speedo gear or you'll be getting tickets.

I just went out and read the door sticker off the 90 STX (seized 2.9, I've never driven it) and it came stock with 215/75/15 tires. Mine is an auto w/4.10s, 4wd.

So, if you have much bigger meats than that on it, going smaller will make an improvement. A noticeable one, IMO.

 

[magnetnerd]

Smaller diameter tires will really wake it up.

I went from 245/75/16 stock (my old 2000 3.0 4wd MO5D) down to 235/75/15.

Thought I had a hot rod.

Gives you less unsprung weight, better handling but you gotta re-do the speedo gear or you'll be getting tickets for going too slow

I just went out and read the door sticker off the 90 STX (seized 2.9, I've never driven it) and it came stock with 215/75/15 tires. Mine is an auto w/4.10s, 4wd.

So, if you have much bigger meats than that on it, going smaller will make an improvement. A noticeable one, IMO.

fixed

 

[tmaxxman]

ok thanks for the info i have 235 75 15 on it now

 

[Mike Tonon]

FYI, I was told by someone on here years ago when I had my 87 with the 2.9l to only use motorcraft spark plugs and platinum motorcraft if I wanted something better. I remember something about other brands like bosch being a problem, I can't remember why.

 

[disciplerocks]

Why would you spend money on parts you already have installed factory?

 

[wrecking-crew]

Don't think this has been proven on a 2.9L engine. Would like to see some dyno results backing up either senario. Otherwise either point is worthless because there is nothing to back up the statements.

Add more, takes away? Where's the proof? The BS on the box is not accurate, nor are assumptions.

I got a dyno sheet saying my 2.9 made 110hp stock with 158k. If you remove the top of the air cleaner and leave the pipe on, you gain 2hp. I just need to dig up the sheet.

Edit: Wanted to test a cone filter, but the instructor wouldn't let me.

 

[Psychopete]

I got a dyno sheet saying my 2.9 made 110hp stock with 158k. If you remove the top of the air cleaner and leave the pipe on, you gain 2hp. I just need to dig up the sheet.

Now were getting somewhere LOL Hopefully you'll find them, I am curious to see where in the RPM band the increase was.

Never used platinum plugs w/ my 2.9L, but plugs were always easy to change on this engine (no A/C). Longer life is the theory behind using platinum plugs. No other benefit. Copper is a better conductor but deteriorates, I use copper core in my 2.3L Tempo and 5.0L Ranger - real easy to change. Use platinums in my van because the back plugs are hard to get to.