Need some opinions.

I have a 2004 Ranger 4.0L with K&N air intake and exhaust. Looking for the next upgrade for the truck and I'm stuck between some JBA headers from summit racing and a SCT live wire performance chip. The headers are slightly cheaper, but I'm not sure which one is more worth it.

What do you think?

 

Get a tuner, not a chip

 

The SCT Live Wire is a programmer. I would go with just the SCT Xcal 3 personally unless your deadset on having the live display.

 

I'm not dead set on the display but it does make it convient to have your setting right at your finger tips.

 

Tuner...hands down. Way more beneficial and not a ***** to install. lol.

 

i want a tuner so bad but you still have to get custom tunes right?

 

Some come with canned tunes on them, the Diablo ones do

 

are they any good?

 

Swap in an electric fan, I have intake and exhaust done as well, same year same engine as your truck. I got a lincoln mark VIII fan from a junkyard, costed me like $35, definitly worth it. x2 on the SCT Xcal 3 if youre gonna go that route.

 

I have both. I got the JBA headers and a programmer. I also have a K&N CAI and exhaust.

 

A lot of guys on here like them. Theres been a couple threads on them if you search

 

ya i searched a lot but no one is commenting on the factory tunes. and i got the electric fan and exhaust

 

I don't think theres custom tunes for the Diablo ones, there all factory tunes. I could be wrong though.

 

I guess my next question with the SCT programmers is if I install it will it raise my rev limiter, right now it stops at 3000RPM....kinda lame.

 

Little late but do the exhaust first…

An internal combustion engine is no more than a large air pump; more air in via K&N, you need to get more air out, via headers.
The tuner is nice but if you retune without the air moving efficiency then why bother...

 

This makes sense if you'll have money for a tuner after you do the headers.

 

i do! and this is what i wanted to know.

 

Then by all means go for it, you won't be disapointed. but like said, do headers first , then tune.

 

The only time to install headers on a 4.0 ranger is if you are removing the engine for major work, or you have forced induction, otherwise it is just to cost and labor prohibitive given the minimal power gains.

 

i replaced the engine in my truck... headers will be a breeze, even easier with a body lift