Ford F-150 Engine Dressup

Back in the old days, a trick set of valve covers was something every hot-rodder had to have. Let’s face it; all the real goodies were inside the engine, or other style enhancers would take a few seconds to realize. 

Today’s F-150s have coils atop the valve covers, which kind of defeats the purpose of using a shiny set of aftermarket valve covers. So what’s there to do? Luckily some seriously sharp coil covers are available to give you the look you’re after. The best part is they are super easy to install and are inexpensive. 

F-150 engine compartments are packed with all sorts of black. Whether low gloss or flat black,  it’s pretty lifeless in there. With that being said, the right componentry is sure to add some style and give the engine bay a little more spark. 

Upgrading to a cold air intake doubles the benefits for one price. Cold air intakes usually replace the entire factory intake system, and can add some flair to the engine bay when properly selected. This is one of the times when it’s beneficial to have such a popular truck like the F-150 because it is well supported by the aftermarket industry.

Keep in mind that this is a performance mod and can cost a bit more coin in comparison to other types of upgrades. Due to garnering both performance and good looks, it’s certainly well worth the cost. 

Pairing a cold air intake with a throttle body spacer is another proverbial double whammy. Spacers insert onto the throttle body, and provide a bit more intake volume, upping performance gains. And due to the finished available, they will also liven up the engine bay. They don’t cost as much as a cold air intake, but are a little more pricey than other modifications. 

Wiring can be a painful sight.  Though Ford routes its F-150 wiring cleanly in comparison to other OEMs,  this area can use some attention. Wire looms are not a new-age game changer; you can probably find them on the Flintstones car. They are super easy to install and very affordable. Best of all, they provide that clean look most owners crave.

Hoses and lines also can be a bit on the ugly side. But like wiring, these elements can be addressed inexpensively with some plastic- or braided-hose covering. Besides providing a clean look, hose and line upgrades also add to a high-performance touch to your F-150.

Exhaust headers are on the more extreme end of engine dress up, but like cold-air intakes, they provide added performance. Exhaust headers are available in multiple finishes to match the true personality of your Ford F-150. For the performance they are worth it alone; but the muscular looks are as equally impressive. 

When peering into your Ford F-150’s engine bay, you’re sure to see other dull areas. Overflow tanks, AC filler caps and fan shrouds are generally dull in design, and are easy to replace. Don’t worry; aftermarket suppliers provide many different options.
Underhood lights can be easily swapped out as well. Many colors of LEDs are available, providing additional personality to your engine bay. If you’re really into the idea of custom lighting, and have some extra time, you can run LED lights all over the engine compartment. These types of mods range from a couple of dollars to a couple of hundred, and their installations can be quite complex.