Modifications: 4 inch STRAIGHT exhaust (no Cat and no Muffler) K&N Filter in stock air box. Resistor mod (modifies resistance to the fuel injectors making them think they need to push higher pressures. 1998 Reinell 26' Ski-Boat and dual-axle trailer, loaded with a weeks worth of food and supplies for a trip to Lake Powell. Interstate 70 through Colorado. Over Eisenhauer Tunnel pass. Road is something like 6% incline. While towing up the hill, able to maintain 60mph without any problem on the Westbound side, while the 454CI Gas Suburban we used to have would bog to about 25mph with same boat, same load, on the same road. On the way back, with the boat weighing aprox. Engine braking power is damn near non-existant. Suggestion for that is to purchase either a USGear Super Duty Exhaust Brake or a Bank's Brake exhaust brake, either with associated Torque Converter locker. They both are very effective systems.
Because of the negligible exhaust braking properties, we rode the brakes the whole way down either side. It never got to the point of no control, just annoyance. The brakes are still the original equipment. We have made the Powell trip once, and are leaving again in 4 days for it. We have 62,000 miles on it. The brakes are still fine, but will need to be done within the next 10,000 miles. The 4 speed with OverDrive is very nice, especially for highway driving, but the Ford transmissions DO NOT deal with additional power over stock very well. Stock life is expected to be 120,000 miles. With 100hp over stock, life is expected to be 45,000-90,000 miles depending on driving style. Suggested solution- A transmission from Brians Truck Shop. Same setup, just much better approached from a strength standpoint. Our 550hp F-250 has 50,000 miles on it and it has no sign of quitting. The tranny is the original in the Excursion.
Towing recommendations- Buy a larger Transmission Cooler and do not Tow with a chip, power programmer, Nitrous, or Propane kit installed or running. That stock tranny doesn't like that. With the stock setup, it will do you a great job for a long time. With stock power and a bigger tranny cooler, expect a 15-50% increase in tranny life. The Tranny in the 2500 Suburban stood up to 75,000 miles of towing and abuse before it croaked. Very stable ride. With a Distribution Hitch, even side wind is very tolerable. Without, depending on the height and length of your trailer it can be a pain, but that is how it is with anything. The suspension deals with jolts and bumps beautifully when loaded down a bit. Its still truck-ish, but its not like riding a hard-tailed motorcycle in any regard. The seats are well designed, there is leg room in every row.
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