Best MPG program/tunner/downloader shoot-out?

[Swamp Donkey]

I was wondering if there was anywhere in a magazine or on the internet where somebody tested different programs for best MPG. Just turning through the pages of Diesel Power magazine there are probably no less than 30 different advertisements claiming increases in power and mileage. What one actually works? I have a juice with attitude that gives me 0 mpg increase even on the mileage setting. There are so many out there, that I would like to see a shoot-out between the top 10 or 15 on the same truck, same driving distance, speed etc to see if any actually work. Maybe I will send in a request to Diesel Power magazine to do this instead of another 5 page article on an easy intake/exhaust bolt on! Maybe even an idea for someone on the TDR staff to write an article on. Of course it would only be advertisers products but oh well... ...

 

[MDTyree]

I was wondering if there was anywhere in a magazine or on the internet where somebody tested different programs for best MPG. Just turning through the pages of Diesel Power magazine there are probably no less than 30 different advertisements claiming increases in power and mileage. What one actually works? I have a juice with attitude that gives me 0 mpg increase even on the mileage setting. There are so many out there, that I would like to see a shoot-out between the top 10 or 15 on the same truck, same driving distance, speed etc to see if any actually work. Maybe I will send in a request to Diesel Power magazine to do this instead of another 5 page article on an easy intake/exhaust bolt on! Maybe even an idea for someone on the TDR staff to write an article on. Of course it would only be advertisers products but oh well... ...

Good idea!

 

[JVolpe]

Its a good idea or wishful thinking. Most of the testing of multiple performance mods on the same truck have been related to dyno numbers or ETs more so than mileage improvements.



I have tried 6 different boxes and 4 different programmers over the last 3 years. All of them had a settings point that did provide some mileage improvement. Some very little and some up to 2+ mpg.



But every truck configuration acts a little different from my experience and what may give 2mpg increase on one truck may do little on what appears to be a similar configuration on another truck.



So much of mileage is conditions and driver related it would be hard to provide anything more than generic kind of results. Just my . 02.

 

[CToney]

Controlled environment neccessary. Example: Cruising on dyno at 70mph fuel test cell with return emptying into it as well. Truck must be loaded to simulate normal load at that speed. A different load would be needed for towed mpg. Other mods may affect as well.

 

[TCDiesel]

The best mileage Increase available, Upgraded Foot. The attraction of better mileage is so temping to both parties, that why its effective. sales on the manufacturing end and saving on the Buyer end. But in reality it close to impossible to prove or denied. But what can be promised is Performance so buy on that platform and if some mileage comes with it thats a additional Benefit.

 

[KParsons]

mpg

the best mpg on my06 is 20mpg on one tank on the hi way. 18-19 normal for easy hi way miles. if i tried real hard maybe 20-21, 60 mph. around town 15-16mpg. light towing 3500lbs, 12-13 mpg. i do drive very easy 95%of the time. it is a truck, this is what it is. i have a honda a 94vx. that will get 50mpg some times, 40-45mpg most times. i never use the truck unless i have too. my 2cents. kp

 

[jelag]

Years ago I spent a lot of time with some chassis dyno's and the chance to work with a mechanical engineer who was also with SAE.

He stated that weight, wind resistance, acceleration could and would effect MPG more than any add on... . and that if the auto manufactures could give us a vehicle that could get 2-5 more MPG they would because of the c. a. f. e. law.

He than proved it to me more than once... we did have a lot of fun with vendors who promised 10-20% improvement... we could test drive a vehicle based on the actual driving conditions and duplicate that on the dyno, make modifications and retest...

Just my pennies worth... don't expect a fuel economy increase with a HP increase... . take 750 lbs off... . change wind resistance and than see some good changes...

 

[5POINT9]

I would have to agree with the little mileage claims. I have tried:



VA 3. 1

VA 3. 2

Triple Dog

Power Pup

Predator

Puck

Edge EZ

Edge Juice

Ramifier

And maybe another or two that I am forgetting. Anywho, I have never seen a measurable increase in fuel mileage. In a lot of cases, I saw the same or WORSE mileage!

The edge EZ showed the only real increase, around 0. 5mpg.

 

[Regcabguy]

Pinnochio lives.

I think the Pinnochio factor seems to affect the mileage claims more than any mechanical or electronic device. Apparently,some trucks do slightly better than others,but some of the claims on these forums... ... ... ?

 

[sweeda]

Add all you want but its the driving style that will make or break your mileage. I just used my friends '94 while my trans was rebuilt. he claimed his truck was getting 18 to 19 mpg. When I used it I got the same 15 mpg that I get in my 04. 5. A all stock '94 4x4 same truck two different drivers. modify for the power you want and if mpg's come in you just got lucky. light on the fuel pedal and coast to the stop signs. this is the best advise to improve any mpg on any vechile

 

[Swamp Donkey]

Thanks for the responses guys. Guess I was hoping for a clear cut winner. I drive about 300 km's a day and keep track of every tank and km's driven. I also drive the same route at around the same speeds. Any fuel savings I can get will mean more for my family instead the oil companies!

 

[TAbbott]

" light on the fuel pedal and coast to the stop signs. this is the best advise to improve any mpg on any vechile"



Sound advice. Add to that properly inflated, highway tread tires, proper wheel alignment, and lighter viscosity synthetic lubes. Those things, coupled with driving far ahead of oneself, slower speeds and accelerations will optimize fuel economy. Won't be as much fun, but will optimize the economy.

 

[CToney]

Probably the best for milage and bang for buck is synthetic lubes. TAbbott sums it up pretty good in my opinion. Less retrictive intake and exhaust also help but very minutely. Keep boost levels low <15lbs under acceleration and mpg shouldn't be too bad. Don't try and pass everyone and keep speed in check. Timing advance helps power and should help milage. A different turbo (less backpressure than stock) and injectors (balanced and better atomization) will help as well. But with most of these changes the power goes up and so does the fun factor. So a lot of people burn more fuel and tires because its too much fun. I've never run a stock cummins for very long and no one change I've made has really increased my fuel milage a huge amount but, when I can travel a lot further on a smaller tank than a ford I know who really supports BIG oil. Thanks for all the R&D Clessie.

 

[ronman]

Initial data point for the Smarty Jr in my truck...



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...195182-gear-vendor-s-smarty-jr-stack-mpg.html

 

[hdtrukn]

Hey Swamp

You dont list what tires you are running,

but you are 4x4 so I would guess Big Tires.

That is killing you , put a set of 245/85 whatever street rubber on it and you WILL SEE inprovement.

I went from stock 215 wide to 245 wide and lost 3mpg. rolling resistence kills.

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I am actualy running the stock size tires. 265/??/17. Siped the stock michelins for the winter! Also running synthetics everywhere. Not realy complaining about fuel mileage, just looing for improvements!

 

[steved]

I agree with these guys... rolling resistance, ease of the throttle, and slower speeds provide better mileage... I've squeezed 23mpg out of my pig a couple times, that's not easy to do with 4. 10s.



A couple things that weren't mentioned...



Rolling resistance can also be decreased by adding a set of locking hubs... that was probably my biggest increase in mileage over the stock form.



The tire does make a difference, and it doesn't matter the tread type. I replaced the factory bfg rugged trails with a set of cooper studded snows and actually saw an increase going to the more aggressive and softer tread. Additionally, I saw some of the best mileage increases running a set of 315s on the highway... it dropped the RPMs down into a more highway manageable range.



The RokkTech sensor helped a little... not as much as advertised...



steved

 

[ronman]

... Rolling resistance can also be decreased by adding a set of locking hubs... that was probably my biggest increase in mileage over the stock form... .



steved

Steved:



How much of a MPG gain did you see when you added the locking hubs? I am considering them for the future.

 

[steved]

Steved:



How much of a MPG gain did you see when you added the locking hubs? I am considering them for the future.

I'd say between 1 and 1. 5mpg... if I had to say a hard number, I'd say a very solid 1 mpg.



steved

 

[Cattletrkr]

I'd say between 1 and 1. 5mpg... if I had to say a hard number, I'd say a very solid 1 mpg.

steved

Empty or towing... do you tow anything??