Power boost for Ford 450 V10

We've had a 5 Star Tuner in our 32' Class C for 6 years now and its been excellent. Moves the max HP slightly closer to the max torque figure and changes the transmission shifting performance to be practical. Prolongs the pulling before shifting when you have an incline and shifts again promptly after you reach the top. You still need to drive it to get the RPM up on steep climbs. I never need to exceed 4000 rpm with her. And, very unexpectedly we got a 1 to 1-1/2 mile increase in our MPG. Towing a toad or 2 harleys on a trailer we get 8-8.5 on reasonably level driving.

Dave

theoldwizard1 wrote:
The biggest complaint about the V10 is you have to use high RPM (>4000) when climbing hills. At that speed, it makes a lot of noise.

No, you don't. Again this comes down to the operator knowing how to drive a V-10 properly. I can climb at least 9 out of 10 hills {at +/- 5 mph of the speed limit} to include 6 percent grades running at 3,250 rpm which is max torque {420#}. About one long grade in 10 will require a further downshift increasing the rpm's up to 4,250 which = max HP {305}.

While this will briefly put a serious dent in your mileage rarely do such grades last for more than a few miles and then you are cruising down the backside burning zero {as in not a drop of fuel}, oh, you do use Tow Haul right? :h

Probably 90 percent of our travels are more in the 2,200 - 2,500 rpm range {which gives me 60 - 65 mph} and after 7 years I still a average 9.5 mpg like clockwork and that includes a little bit of generator time.

Keep in mind that my 2012 E-350 has GVWR of 11,500 and while I run at or near that number most of the time an E-450 will be humping an additional 3,000# {GVWR of 14,500} with the same motor and 4:56 rear end vs the 4:10 on my E-350. Yep, I love my V-10.

:B

We have a 2019 Jayco Precept on the Ford V10,and the GVWR is 22,00lbs. The past few weeks we have been camping in SW Colorado and traveled up and down lots of mountain passes. In the tow/haul mode, I got over most passes at 45mph and from 3,200 to 4,000rpm. The longest and steepest was Monarch pass, 11,312 ft, and I did drop to 35mph about a mile from the summit. I suppose I could have gone over 4,000 rpm but I like to take my time and not push the engine. Downhill, it would run at 3,000 to 4,000rpm in tow/haul with occasional application of the brakes. I love this engine and it may take me an extra 10 or 15 minutes do get to my destination than it would in a diesel pusher, but then I saved about $100,000 by not buying a DP. It is very quiet and comfortable in my camping space!

The biggest complaint about the V10 is you have to use high RPM (>4000) when climbing hills. At that speed, it makes a lot of noise.

Are you having issues now? As long as the cooling system works I think you will be fine even if slow at times. You will not be alone. The numbers might be a bit intimidating but once you get over that first pass the rest are easy. Enjoy the trip.

There are a number of "Tunes" that can be applied to the venerable V-10. Unfortunately you can choose between a little more power or even less of an improvement in mileage... you can not get both from anyone.

The stock V-10 is just fine the way it came from the Ford factory "If" you know how too run it. The folks that complain of any lack of power simply do not know how to drive a V-10... just put you foot into it!. You can't hurt a V-10 by running at 4,250 rpm {max HP} but keep in mind max torque is 3,250 rpm and it is torque that moves you up and down the mountains.

If ever there was a bullet proof motor that needs absolutely no further modification it is the V-10. In the spirit of full disclosure I have 63,000 trouble free miles on our 2012 nexus 24' class C. It is married to the 5 speed Torque Shift trans and has amazing performance. Would I like to have the the newer 6 speed trans.... you betcha!

Most folks who mess with the original engine are seeking a solution for which there is no known problem {the government does this a lot...:S} The same can be said for many of the alleged handling issues which are usually just a simple and inexpensive matter of proper alignment and psi based upon the loads they typically carry. The after market accessories folks are not your friends but will be happy to sell you a lot of garbage that you probably, really do not need. Caveat Emptor!

As always... Opinions and YMMV.

:C

Meh, nothing worth the money IMO. Any significant gains will be from significant mods.
A blower is pretty much bolt on, but...transmission. If it has the torqueshift 5 speed like the diesels it’ll handle a pump gas setup.

The older the V10, the more power Banks systems can give you. As the years went by, Ford pretty much implemented the same strategies as Banks. The gain from their package does not give the gains it once did.

What year is the chasis?
Really no mods for increase in power but the 5 Star transmission tune has great reviews.

Remember that to drive effectively in any mountains, you need to take care of your engine AND transmission. Learn when to downshift to both make power and keep the tranny from getting hot. If you don't have a tachometer in your vehicle, you need to install one. In order to not burn things up, learn to drive by the tach, not the speedometer. Spin your engine up to higher rpm's will keep the engine and tranny coolere.
Coming down the long steep grades, you will need to remember that lower gears and slower speeds are directly related to safety. You should rarely need to use your vehicles brakes if you are using your engine to brake.