What can be done to improve power on Ford 460 E40D?

[Evugrandtour]

Hi everyone. I have a Winnie vectra grand tour 1996 with Ford 460 + E4OD trans. I love the rig but driving it can be stressful and leg breaking sometimes. It struggles on Overdrive when the road slightly steep uphill and will make sudden downshift then upshift again when it’s just a very slight uphill. I plan to ask a local “Bank” store but before I bring it there, I just thought I’d ask first before being milked by the store :P? I appreciate any input.

[Sweetbriar]

Some maybe ideas -

Decrease weight as much as you can. Limit how much stuff you carry. Simplest, lowest cost and easiest performance improvement you can make.

Replace the exhaust manifold with headers and check the catalytic converter for flow restrictions. Can be a bit of work particularly if the fasteners are corroded. Can get expensive if you can't do the work.

Increase the rear axle ratio. You'll loose top end speed and pick up but will increase power to the wheels. Another potential high cost if you have to pay for the work.

[jacwjames]

I had a 1997 Class C with a 460, probably much lighter in weight. It also struggled with any type of grade and was a screaming demon with then engine right right at my feet and hot, it would burn my feet.

Not saying there aren't some things that would help but I doubt it would be a significant improvement and probably costly.

[95f5334j]

Consider installing a Banks transmission control module on the E4OD. It made a very noticeable improvement after I installed it and a complete Banks header system on my F53 with the 460 E4OD combination.

https://www.bankspower.com/c-48-prod...%7Cyear%3D1996

[twinboat]

Use Drive, instead of Over Drive.

[GypsyR]

I've gotten the feel of mine and have learned to just floor the throttle a bit before I need to on hills to sort of give it a few seconds head start. This works fine for me and I don't have to mess with the shifter or overdrive switch at all.

There are a few things you can do to increase power but there's only so much. If you have a clean air filter, fuel filter, and the engine is well in tune then freeing up the exhaust is a good thing to do. Headers to start with.
You can advance the initial engine timing, tweak the TPS and EGR a bit too. There's a post somewhere here by someone who knows more about those things than me but I can't recall where it is right off. Maybe he'll see this thread. It's probably in the "Ford Motorhome Chassis Forum " though.

[Gary RVRoamer]

I don't think the E4OD has a way to lock out the overdrive. Drive includes OD.


The basic problem is the E4OD has 3rd & 4th gear ratios that are close together, then a large drop to 2nd. Once the grade exceeds a certain [modest] incline, there is going to be a major downshift and either slow speed or an upshift as soon as you gain some speed again. The Banks Transcommand module should help the shifting a little, but don't expect a miracle.


https://official.bankspower.com/tech...-transcommand/


I would not pay for the rest of the Banks engine upgrades - the 460 has enough power already. I'm not saying the Banks 460 engine upgrades aren't any good - they do indeed help power somewhat. But they are a lot of $$ for a modest gain in power that doesn't do much for your shifting & hill-climb problem. I had a 460 with E4OD on a '96 Southwind 36 footer. so have a good feel for what you are talking about.


What you really need is a 5 or 6 speed auto tranny, but retrofitting a 5R110 or 6R80 is pricey.

[dbircky]

The E4OD transmission has a button on the end of the gear selector to lock out OD. Use it if the transmission is cycling in and out of OD. You can also use it to hold it in the lower gear going down hills.

[GypsyR]

I think Gary above means the "converter lockup" or "TCC" feature is on in 3rd and 4th. I disable TCC the same way I force downshifts, by putting my right foot down appropriately. Or the brake pedal. My "OD cancel" switch is on the dash and I don't much reaching up there unless I need downhill braking. Nor do I feel it's needed.

When I first got my coach I figured I would throw a few Sonnax, Superior, and TransGo tweaks at the transmission but after putting some miles on it as far as I'm concerned it's doing what it needs to do.

The engine however...insert Tim Taylor grunt....more power!
Well, a little more anyway.

[EyezOpen]

A major choke point would be tbi injection if so equipped. Does it have mpi or tbi...or perhaps a carb?

[oldmarine]

I worked for Ford for 36 Years . I had a class "c" with a 460 cu/inch .the cheapest increase for more Power (if You can due it Your self ) is open the front of the Engine(timing cover) and replace the Timing Gear sprockets +Chain with a set for a 429 cu/inch set .its basically the same Engine ,and no other Modifications are needed .This will give you aprox. a 30 Horsepower increase .out of pocked $$ is about $ 100.00 if you can do it your self .
Try it , you'l like it . OLD MARINE

[tderonne]

Originally Posted by oldmarine

... replace the Timing Gear sprockets +Chain.....

PSSSST, not on a 1996 EFI motor. That trick is for the carb'd versions.

[Ray,IN]

Originally Posted by twinboat

Use Drive, instead of Over Drive.

I was thinking that and always using tow/haul mode, gas mileage might suffer but his problem is solved.

[House Husband]

The biggest bang for the buck is headers. I elected to install the Banks Power Pack. You get what you pay for. Banks components are all 308 stainless steel. Does not rot out. I installed mine 17 years ago, with no failures to date. Banks headers do NOT require header to head gaskets. 5/8" thick flanges fit just like the gasket less manifolds. No gaskets to fail. No other manufacture offers 5/8" thick flanges.
2 adjustments will help considerably with the early down shift issue.
1: Remove the throttle positioner. Drill or press out the metal bushings that the screws pass through. You may crack the TPS case. NO problem. reinstall the TPS and adjust the out put voltage to 0.9- 0.92. Key on engine off.
2" Remove the EGR valve position sensor. Extend the shaft about 3/16". I use computer brass stand off nuts for extensions. Cut off the bolt threads and drill then the nut end to 5/32". The crimp the nut slightly and tap it on the sensor shaft. Reinstall the sensor and check the out put voltage. Key on engine off. Strive for 0.80-0.85 volts. You will have to grind down the extension to achieve the proper voltage.
The above TPS adjustment will trick the computer into thinking you are not pushing the throttle down as far and the EGR adjustment will add ignition timing.
All of the above made my ol 460 a real pleasure to drive.
Then about 5 years ago I added the stroker crank, upped the compression ratio, added a better camshaft and cleaned up the ports.
I do suggest the Banks Trans Commander. It will up the line pressure in the transmission and make the shifts firmer for better transmission life.
I run with the big boys now!!!

Richard