Tow Vehicle Modifications

[Grey Wolf]

I know this has been discussed here, but I still need a couple of answers. I also e-mailed one of the responders, but they never e-mailed back. I've got a 2001 Ford with the Triton V10. If you've done any of the below to you vehicle any bran, please respond?

1. Everyone says the easiest/cheapest performance improvement is a K & N filter. Would you just purchasethe filter, or the filter and a new filter box. What will this do for me. Will it increase mileage, horsepower, or what. If these filters really breathe better, are they also letting in more dirt?

2. A superchip. What will this do for me? Increase horsepower, mileage or what? Does this affect my warranty. Is this a home replacement project, or does it need to go to a garage? What is an average cost of this chip? I've heard that a chip can give you 2-3 MPG. If that's true, why doesn't something liek this come from the factory? Oh yeah, any ideas where I can get the chip.

Sorry to rehash this, but looking for answers.

Thanks Grey Wolf

[Jon]

Grey Wolf,
Go to Ford Trucks .com and they can answer all your questions. The chip you are looking for is either a Diablo or Superchip. They are both programmable and will give you horsepower and torque boosts. 2-3 mpg is in the ballpark but you will have to use premium fuel.The warranty is not affected. K & N airfilters boasts of some pretty significant gas savings and power boosts but I frankly don't believe the figures and have friends that haven't seen the gains either. Go to the website and they have all the info.

[EyeBoy]

GW;
I attempted to reply to your email, but it was kicked back. The poster above myself has good info and if you can find your old thread I had placed more info attached to it.
Have a great time with your new truck.
Tom
Catch a wave!

[SeaCat]

I have a K&N filter in my Durango (5.2L) and tried a "power" chip. The K&N is still in there because it did get me more mpg (nothing astounding but I did go from 15 to 16/17 on the highway). I generally run mid grade fuel.

Took out the chip as I didn't really see any difference. I'm going to try it again as the transmission had to be replaced a month or so after I tried it and could have been masking any improvements.

Ryan

[Starfish]

I put the K&N filter in my V10 SDF250 and I didn't really see much change in performance, but I like and trust the filters because I noticed a LOT of improvement years ago by putting one in a motorcycle. Supposedly K&N filters give both better airflow and better filtration; though that sounds hard to believe, it IS possible if the structure of the filter is different. I'm at least convinced that the filtration is as good as a regular one, and the cost is minimal because you don't have to discard the filter.

[Scott D]

Try an Amsoil air filter. The tests I have seen show that they filter better than K & N but still give good air flow. For better towing performance you should have a performance exhaust sytem installed.

[GOS]

Tried the K&N Filter on my '98 F150, which is a gas hawg. It didn't help one bit. Save your $$.