Raced an Explorer..results not what I expected

[JThiessen]

This afternoon while I was on the way to the mall with the wife and kids. Noticed an Explorer driving like a butt head through traffic and ended up next to him at the double left turn light onto the I-5 on ramp. I figured by the way he was driving that he'd be getting on it just by the way he driving, so I so I kicked off the OD and kinda babied it until I was around the around the corner, and then accelerated normally until I could see if he was going to try to shoot around me. Sure enough he started to accelerate hard and I also nailed the throttle. When I finally got to where the on-ramp lanes merged together I looked in my rear view to see how far back he was, but he was still right beside me!



So heres the set up of the truck:

EZ on level 3

Six 60lb tubes of sand in the bed.

New running boards (like that has any effect??)

New Pre-filter from Santa on the recently cleaned AFE.



Now, with the running boards polished up, I should have smoked his butt... . right???



On the X-mas trip to Montana, it seemed as though I didnt have the power and mileage that I normally had with the EZ. Boost levels hit 25lbs on flat ground (doing 85mph) - I initially attributed this to mixed diesel in Montana. I've also noticed that my EGTs seem to cool down faster than they used to (dont have to let it idle at all any more before its under 300) - could this be due to lower than usual temps around here? My gut feeling is that the EZ is not working correctly. WIth it on level three, I should have had problems with traction in Montana on the way home since it was so icy. Even now, with the sand in the back, I think I should have issues keeping the tires hooked up on wet roads.



Anyone with input on how to actually test one of these?

 

[jwilliams3]

Dyno with and dyno without.

 

[FDavid]

not sure how to test one but my motto is "when in doubt, replace the fuel filter"

-dave

 

[daytripper63]

When was the last time you ran any additive/injector cleaner?



Get the TST-PMCR it's a sure thing...

 

[Gypsyman]

Just unplug the EZ and see if you feel a difference.

 

[EEngel]

Uggg....

Switch the fuel filter... . Add more power!!!!!! Good excuse for that next bomb.

 

[Bertram65]

These trucks are slow, stock 0-60 is around 9 seconds. With the EZ you might take a second off, most cars are faster than that if the driver is trying.

 

[bpenrod]

Especially if you were waiting for him to jump on it. By the time you notice and react he has the momentum.

 

[Patriot_RAM]

I usually come out on top with my setup. Me and the wife and kids got waxed this weekend by a damn rice burner. Time for twins... .

 

[Buzzer]

You don't know what he had in that Explorer for performace enhancements either. Hes also alot lighter then you and with the momentum, hey who knows.

 

[ata]

Like Buzzer said you probably gave the Explorer at least 1 second and probably 2 seconds MOMENTUM on you that's hard to make-up on a on 4. 7 V-8. So you did a good job at staying ahead of him.

 

[JThiessen]

I did the fuel filter last oil change, so I'm doubting that is the culprit (but it is still a possibility).



I've never put an additive or cleaner in based on what I've read here and in the owners manual.



The Explorer didnt have the look of one that had been firecrackered (as opposed to bombed!?!?!). I agree that these rigs arent racers per se', but my gut still tells me that I'm not getting the power I once had.

 

[CATCRACKER]

ez is a mild chip and you have a heavy truck somtimes just knowing you have a chip and the feel of the torque makes us feel faster than we are. high revving gas engines are not slow a tst and transmission will fix you prob.

 

[RonsRig]

JThiessen,

Making those gradual turns to an on ramp is not a good race set up, but it can be fun. You cannot wait for the other guy to catch up. I usually kick it off the line when I start the turn to get the rear wheels slippery. I try to make the turn steering generally straight ahead with slight corrections, steady power throught the turn where you can feel the back end step out a little. You can control th e turn with you engine speed and you should be able to hear the rear tires "chirp". This pretty much freaks out the other drivers to the point they don't want to follow you in fear of whatever...

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Do ya suppose that on some Explorer board, there's an owner complaining that after paying big bucks for his rig, then adding all those expensive power mods, couldn't take a guy in a Dodge pickup on a freeway onramp?

 

[MTollman]

Funny1

Now that was funny Gary! :-laf

 

[Big MAK]

Are you running winter blend fuel right now? There's a definite drop in power running winter blend; atleast that's what my pants-o-meter has been telling me the last ten years. You'll also have less go when it's cold in general; if it's cold enough to make the fuel thicker. The burn isn't as efficient. All my non-scientific opinion but backed by a-lot of experience.

 

[JThiessen]

Gary - I can only hope so!!!



Big MAK: I dont believe that they are selling blended fuel here. On the trip to Montana over X-mas, thats what I initially attributed the mileage and performance to. But now that I've filled up here, the overall symptoms are still there. Temps here have been lows around 30 and highs around 40.

 

[Lonestar]

Do ya suppose that on some Explorer board, there's an owner complaining that after paying big bucks for his rig, then adding all those expensive power mods, couldn't take a guy in a Dodge pickup on a freeway onramp?

:-laf

 

[Tony T.]

I figured you would have lost sight of him in that black cloud of smoke, an make him miss the on ramp. :--)



Tony