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ChrisDParise · 10-31-2022, 07:29 PM

All, thanks for your input. I've learned enough and made the decision to get both manifolds replaced and of course new bolt (stud) sets. Appointment is next week.

Manifolds are the new improved OEM from Ford with an improved alloy mix, still cast iron, and treated to stay more stable (nothing is 100% right?)

I looked into headers but after talking with my shop came away with some negatives that I'd rather stay away from - heat and possible gasket maintenace. On these E450 van's heat is already an issue for the passenger and aft of the doghouse on the floor.
The cast manifolds are an advantage with regard to heat dissipation but headers have a power advantage
I was intrigued by the header advantage but in the end the OEM approach here prevailed
I plan to research adding a tuner. 5 Star is popular but I need to do more digging. Feedback on tuners for the V10 is quite positive and it may fill my lust for a little more power - I've got the 306 hp V10 5 sp with tow/haul.

l1v3fr33ord1 · 11-01-2022, 04:12 AM

ChrisDParise-

There seem to be a lot of satisfied 5Star customers, so I encourage you to try out the tune. I was one of the apparently few who had problems.

On the plus side, the tune greatly reduced the common "screaming downshift" issue and supplied a bit more acceleration (especially from a stop), with no change in fuel economy. I don't have numbers for the acceleration, just a seat-of-the-pants "measurement."

On the minus side, the tune seemed to cause the cruise control to not work correctly; it would allow speed to sag until the cruise control dropped out.

"Your Mileage May Vary" seems to apply here. I ended up deinstalling the tune and selling the unit in the iRV2 classifieds.

ChrisDParise · 11-01-2022, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l1v3fr33ord1

ChrisDParise-

There seem to be a lot of satisfied 5Star customers, so I encourage you to try out the tune. I was one of the apparently few who had problems.

On the plus side, the tune greatly reduced the common "screaming downshift" issue and supplied a bit more acceleration (especially from a stop), with no change in fuel economy. I don't have numbers for the acceleration, just a seat-of-the-pants "measurement."

On the minus side, the tune seemed to cause the cruise control to not work correctly; it would allow speed to sag until the cruise control dropped out.

"Your Mileage May Vary" seems to apply here. I ended up deinstalling the tune and selling the unit in the iRV2 classifieds.

Thanks for your thoughts

Banks and UPFORD Ultra RV have tuners too, so far I've found. They look the same, and may be the same.

My shop has a lot of respect for Banks. Still researching

Btw, looked at the K&N air filter shocked how expensive it is but on other hand isn't everything rv $100, $500 or thousands?