Okay ... I'm in ... I've been watching and reading this thread as well as a few of the others, and also trying to read and learn over on ls1truck.
I'll admit that unfortunately I am barely versed as to the vocabulary and concepts some of the posts are about. However Jenna, Doug, and Omar seem to be fairly close to agreement in opinions.
My primary question is whether or not doing the upgrades is legal in California? I know the CA jokes $ comments are coming! But in all my reading I have not found anyone who addresses a smog legal CARB way of doing these performance upgrades.
I already have the AiRaid cai, a throttle body spacer (didn't know better back then), exhaust, efans, and a BlackBearPerformance tune. Being an '01 daily driver with approx 184k that I tow a wakeboat with, I'd like to hear suggestions, concerns, and order of priority for install to give me something better than I have now, and close to the F150 Ecoboost numbers (~420 ft-lbs). If I can keep my mpg close to 15 that would be a bonus. Also since it obviously factors into the equation, my budget is not unlimited. The 5k supercharger is out. However, if I could do something in the 1k range, I'd be thrilled.
If I've read and understood the suggestions so far I'm looking at ...
1) Cam which will also require Springs & Rockers (possibly Trunion upgrade instead of rockers). Sounds like an agreed upon good suggestion is a Comp 212-218 Low Lift. Comp or Crane 1.8 Rockers. Pac springs. Do not get Comp 918s springs (lots of failures)
2) Headers - Jenna suggests no shorties
3) Gears
4) Transmission
- Torque Converter (does this belong in the transmission part of the performance equation)
approx $385 = Circle D 285 / 2800
3000 3200
FTI Yank 2800 3000
5) Forced Induction
Sorry if this is too long or disorganized. It's my first post using the tapatalk app. Thanks in advance for any guidance or specific suggestions.