More power for my Ford E450 32 Foot Forest River Sunseeker

[TWaller1]

Recently bought a 2011 Forest River Sunseeker 32 foot Class C.
Climbing up to Lake Tahoe was a chore. Not pulling a car. Any ideas how to get more pulling power? (K&N air filter is a must) but also thinking about a chip or changing out exhaust?
My last Class C was an E350 on a 29 foot class C. It seemed to have more power vs my E450
Obviously my 32 footer is heavier but really disappointed in the lack of power climbing hills.
Any ideas?

T

[Travlr41]

Hank85713 wrote:


So in next couple of days should be able to give some info on mpg, and overal performance.

Is the 5-star tuner a plug-in affair or is some other work to be done?

Bob in Houston

[carringb]

Tech Dude wrote:
If you are not wide open no intake or exhust will help the ecu progams the fuel and air

Not quite true. In the case of the V10, the stock intake is such a restriction that opening it up using an AFE intake allows more air under all throttle positions. The MAF sees this and adds more fuel, which means it makes more power for a given throttle angle. This allows it to pull harder in overdrive without so much downshifting.

Disclaimer: I had the Banks PowerPack on already when I did the AFE upgrade. I don't know how much improvement it would make with a stock exhaust.

[Tech_Dude]

If you are not wide open no intake or exhust will help the ecu progams the fuel and air

[carringb]

triple602 wrote:
Anyone know if 5 Star will pass CA smog test?? I wrote to them twice and never got answer.

If it does not pass (it probably will) all you have to do is return the program to stock and then drive about 10 miles so all the "readiness" tests can be performed.

[garyhaupt]

I have a V10 now in my present E350.

My first one, a '94 E350 had a 460 and man, that critter moved.

Mind you, I have other 'things' now, that slow me down but I sure did like that engine and it's wonderful sound and performance. I had gone to a 5" exhaust, and Banks Air Flow...varrrroooooom....


Gary Haupt

[triple602]

Anyone know if 5 Star will pass CA smog test?? I wrote to them twice and never got answer.

[rich85704]

Ford Truck Enthusiasts

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/955188-the-5-star-mike-sticky-thread.html

Hope this helps.

Rich

[Sfla2]

Hank what is FTE site,i must be a little lost

[Hank85713]

jd sure will, Over on the FTE v10 site there are a bunch of stickies on the 5 star system. I didn't read all but only a few. I was looking for something to calm the engine down and improve throttle control. Mike the owner said it would as this is drive by wire system and thats why the throttle response is so poor. Gas to look at the setting, see how much rpm there is and then make corrections and so you end up at 4000 rpm when you dont need it! At least thats what I was trying to get rid of. We leave next week so will try to let all know how it goes. will be pulling a hyundai elantra (2700 lbs) and heading east on I10 with 1st night hopefully at van horne.

So in next couple of days should be able to give some info on mpg, and overal performance. I run a scan gauge and the other day it was showing 15mpg for a short stretch of straight and level and generally stayed around 9. Best I had before was 8-8.5 in same config w/o towing! 5star does say a 10% improvement so maybe it will?

[j-d]

Hank, please give us a report on performance changes with Five Star! Some of what you find may not apply to me, because we have the 4R100 and yours in TorqShift. I've driven TorqShift and it seemed to have very good manners compared with our erratic (neurotic?) 4R100. Have a great trip and I hope all works out well.

[Hank85713]

We have a 2011 e450 that we just got. Like you I found it to be less than desirable for climbing hills or anything. Ordered a 5 star tune and put it in this past weekend. The short drive I took sure seemed to be better. Throttle was more responsive vs before and it cruised just a little better.

We leave next week for a trip so will know later. I think an improved air filter will help some, but to get the best out of it you will need to get rid of the oem muffler so it breathes out better. I use Gibson products and on my old F250 they recommended teaming the muffler up with a K&N. Did seem to help, so finally made a FIPK up for it and it did run better, but I also had replaced the ign with the red kit msk (I think, cant remember) and yes it would haul. Dont know how they work on an obd 2 system.

[timmac]

Banks power system will give that V-10 more guts in the hills, have one on my 08 Bounder class A, can climb the hills while flat towing a Jeep just fine, my total weight is around 22,000 lbs..

Ultimate RV Power System

Remove airflow restrictions with complete intake and exhaust system plus advanced programming for up to +56 hp and +70 lb-ft, 7% more MPG and optimum engine efficiency.

[Sfla2]

heard pros-cons abt K&N as far as MAF sensor in air intake abt the oil used on K&N filter. can mess up sensor cheaper to buy a paper 1 every 6 mo

[Oldme]

5 Start tuning.

Many other forms members swear by it.
It is on my short list.

It reprograms you computer for air/fuel mix, timing and also transmission shift points.

http://www.5startuning.com/got-a-v10-rv/

[TWaller1]

Thanks for the feedback gents. Points well taken.