Hello, can any one help me out? I have a 1999 Ford F150, 4.2L V-6, 5 speed extended cab truck that I want to increase the power. Basically I want to be able to tow a fullsize car on a tralier comfortably and not have a hard time going up a hill such as the Idaho-Washington mountain pass. I would like to try to do an engine swap for a V-8 4.9L or a 5.0L. Anyone have any other ideas how I can increase my power without doing an engine swap?

 

The 4.2 is a good engine, but weak when towing. The best thing you could do to get more power out of that is to put on a good air-intake system (like K&N) and maybe a larger exhaust (3") and performance muffler.

 

SUPERCHARGER

 

Hello again! Hey mulletman do you think a bigger exhaust and a cold air intake systems will increase my power enough to be able to tow a car up a hill comfortably? I beleieve with the engine I have now the truck is rate to tow between 3600lbs-4000lbs. What I am looking for is something that will give me enough power to be able to tow a 3000lb car on a u-haul trailer with no problem. I pulled a 93 chevy lumina from Texas to Washington state on a tow dolly behind my truck and its was horrible on the hills and mountain passes. I didn't think it was going to make it up over one of the passes because I was in second gear and crawling slowly up this 5000 foot incline but it came on over. My truck is equiped with a tow package and a transmission cooler so I didn't damage anything. So from this experience I know when I have to make this trip again one day I need more power. What about changing out my cam,injectors, and under drive pulley's? I was trying to find a computer performance chip to increase my power but I haven't had any luck. The only one I found was from JET and it only increase the horse power by 10-15 horse for $249.00 that seems like a lot for a little of nothing. I am open to suggestions, thanks!

 

Like I said, there is not a whole lot you can do with a 4.2L except what I mentioned. Intake and exhaust system would be a great start anyway.

 

I had put in an underdrive pulley kit in my 95 ford f150 5.0 about 2 years ago and i noticed a big boost right away both in power and fuel mileage. It was fairly easy to do and it costs next to nothing. The only problem I had was I noticed a drop in amps so powering my accesories was a little harder. The reason being I had shortened the travling distance of my belt so less revolutions around the alternator. I plan on getting a larger altenator to remedy that.

 

Get a new truck. You won't get the power you need out of that engine. You'll waste money trying. Sell it and but a truck with a 5.4 and get the 3.73 gears. Then you won't have any problems.

 

I would agree with Mulletman on this one. There are a few small things that you can do to the engine (like exhaust and intake), but they aren't going to make a huge difference. In fact, after that you may still be going up the pass in 2nd gear at a snail's pase. Unfortunately for you there is no replacement for displacement, and although the 4.2 is a nice engine it wasn't made for what you are looking to do.