Need some modifications...

Hi all! I am new to the forum, and I just bought a 1999 Ford Explorer. I put new tires on immediately, because the old ones were rotted to hell. Other than that the vehichle is perfect. The engine was perfectly clean and it need ed no tightening, no new brakes, nothing. There was one previous owner. He was an older guy around 45 or 50. Anyway, I don't have a lot of cash, but I need something that I can easily install to increase performace. Maybe pull out an extra 5-10 bhp or something to that effect. Any ideas?:banghead:

Welcome to the forum!

Which engine does your Explorer have, the 4.0L SOHC, 4.0L, or 5.0L V-8?

What kind of expense are you willing to incur for the 5-10 hp? By all means, don't waste your money on one of those "chips" off of eBay that are just a resistor that bypasses the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor.

-Rod

Welcome to the forum!

Which engine does your Explorer have, the 4.0L SOHC, 4.0L, or 5.0L V-8?

What kind of expense are you willing to incur for the 5-10 hp? By all means, don't waste your money on one of those "chips" off of eBay that are just a resistor that bypasses the Intake Air Temperature (IAT) sensor.

-Rod
It has the 5.0L V8. Yesterday I changed to a K&N Air Filter. It will last years and you only need to wash it around every 40,000 miles. I don't really want to shell out more than $300 on any one thing.

From a performance standpoint, you won't really gain much from the K&N - they're really only effective at high rpms. However, I still consider them a good purchase because, if you plan to keep the vehicle awhile, you'll get your money out of it by not having to replace the filter again. Be careful when you clean it though as too much oil will cause it to contaminate the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.

Probably the best use of the first $300 would be for a tune up and safety inspection. Make sure the front end is tight, replace any worn components, get some high quality brake pads to reduce the stopping distance, make sure the belts and hoses have been replaced recently, check the condition of the coolant, and have the transmission fluid and filter replaced.

Of course if you are relying on a shop to do all your work, $300 won't get you very far on the list above. However, in my opinion, it's always best to have a safe car, especially before you attempt to make it faster.

-Rod

From a performance standpoint, you won't really gain much from the K&N - they're really only effective at high rpms. However, I still consider them a good purchase because, if you plan to keep the vehicle awhile, you'll get your money out of it by not having to replace the filter again. Be careful when you clean it though as too much oil will cause it to contaminate the Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensor.

Probably the best use of the first $300 would be for a tune up and safety inspection. Make sure the front end is tight, replace any worn components, get some high quality brake pads to reduce the stopping distance, make sure the belts and hoses have been replaced recently, check the condition of the coolant, and have the transmission fluid and filter replaced.

Of course if you are relying on a shop to do all your work, $300 won't get you very far on the list above. However, in my opinion, it's always best to have a safe car, especially before you attempt to make it faster.

-Rod

I now see I need a new front bumper. Either that or re-paint part of the chrome, replace the light bracket, and grind off part of it near the fender because my tires are big aftermarkets that rub when I turn hard. I am heading off to the junk-yard tomorrow to see if I can find another one. If I don't I will just have to order a new body kit in a month. I think tuning411 has the cheapest. Not sure.

well the easly way of up grading is to put a K and N filter on it DRY dont put it in wet make shore it is DRY