Questions and Answers
Ford Needs More Torque
Q. I have a 1995 Ford F150 4 wheel drive 4 speed with overdrive standard transmission, 5.0 fuel injected. I pull a camper and I need more low end torque, or possibly more torque through out. I've heard I could change the computer chip to accomplish this, but a mechanic told me that it does not work. The motor runs great and I'm not ready to, nor can I afford to, overhaul the motor at this time. What do you suggest I do?
Thank you for your time,
Steve BA. Engine torque is not a related to engine performance, it is something that is actually built into the engine. Let me see if I can explain this properly.
In the simplest sense, torque is related to the stroke of the piston and the stroke is determined by the crankshaft. The longer the stroke, the more torque. The stroke is determined by how far the connecting rod journal is offset from the centerline of the crankshaft. If the journal is close to the centerline, it makes a smaller circle in relation to that centerline and thus a short stroke. If it is further out, it makes a larger circle resulting in a longer stroke.
The further away the connecting rod journal is from the centerline, the more torque is applied. Just as a longer lever can lift more weight, a longer stroke applies more torque.
Race cars have very short strokes which results in high horsepower but low torque. And diesel engines have much longer strokes resulting in very high torque. That is the main reason heavy construction equipment are powered by diesel engines.
There is really nothing you can do to increase the torque output of an engine. In your case where you need more torque than horsepower, a switch to a diesel powered vehicle would be the best solution for you. You can get gas powered engines with higher torque output than your's but I don't think that's what you really want to do.
Another advantage of a diesel engine over a gas engine in your case is reduced maintenance. Pulling a heavy load adds more stress to the engine and accelerates engine wear. A diesel is designed to withstand the heavy loads and will last, at least, twice as long as a gas engine in the same situations.
Since there is no ignition system in a diesel you will save on not have to replace spark plugs, or ignition parts. Fuel milage is also much better than a gas engine so you will save money on fuel. My Mercedes turbo diesel with 211,000 miles gets me 48 mpg on the open highway. And, in general, diesel fuel is cheaper than gasoline. Also, In states that have emissions inspections, diesels are not tested for emissions.
There are some disadvantages of course. The biggest of which is cold weather operation. At about 0 degrees diesel fuel "gels" which means it starts to turn into jelly. You can get an anti-gel additive to add to the fuel to prevent this and in winter most suppliers go to a winter formula to prevent this as well. Heat output is low in a diesel so you will not get as much heat through your heater as you would in a gas engine. You've probably seen radiator covers on school buses and big rig trucks. These restrict air flow through the radiator to increase the operating temperature of the engine and more heat for the passenger compartment.
There is also the noise. There is no mistaking the sound of a diesel engine. They are louder than a gas engine, but this is normal. They do get quiet off idle and are very smooth at higher rpm's. In fact, the higher the rpm's the more fuel efficient they get. This is why truckers fought to get speed limits raised on the interstates. In colder climates a block heater is a must. Cold weather starting is very difficult due to the heavier weight (usually 20W-50) engine oil a diesel uses.
If you do decide you want to go to a diesel, I would recommend staying away from a General Motors diesel. They have a very poor track record as far as reliability goes. I would go with any make of vehicle that uses a Cummings or Detroit built diesel engine. They are far more reliable and will generally last 400,000 to 500,000 miles.
