Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) best options for economy and power

[perickson]

What is the best way to get more power and economy out of my stock 97 4X4 5 spd? Injectors,torque plate,exhaust,air cleaner ect. ? I would like more power without losing milege.

 

[RJPotts]

All of the above will make more power and increase mileage considering you can keep your foot out of the new found power.

A good 4" exhaust is a must especially if you plan on injectors.

Get a BHAF and remove the factory air box.

A #10 plate would be a good option for driveability and increased mileage.

And if you want injectors there are tons of options.

It all depends on just how much power you want because mileage will plateau at a certain point (21-23 mpg at best USUALLY depending on how you drive).

You'll probably want to look into a 3K or 4K GSK also.

-R. J.

 

[perickson]

R. J. Potts : What would you recommend, injectors or torque plate?

 

[Devan Manis]

i don't think that a torque plate alone will yeild better mileage, but injectors might. I would suggest bumping up the timing. and as always do as RJ says.

 

[perickson]

Thanks Devan.

 

[RJPotts]

Do as I say. :-laf That's good.

Yeah, I'm with Devan Manis.

After you get exhaust and some kind of filter (doesn't have to be a BHAF but its cheap and works great) I would get some injectors, then adjust the timing.

You'll probably be in need of some gauges after that too.

-R. J.

 

[perickson]

Which Injectors And Gauges Do You Recommend?

 

[wcjp]

I know there's some locals running injectors from DDP.



I've heard it said with injectors you can buy:



cheap

power

mileage



pick any two





Also, tire selection helps with mileage. I switched tires and lost 1mpg. Both were 265's. I also added a canopy that had no mileage benefit. The biggest mileage consideration was the right foot keeping the truck under 70mph. My 96' needed all of the soft fuel lines replaced. After replacing the soft lines and the fuel preheater screen and gaskets mileage went up.

 

[WAnderstrom]

Cam?

How mechanically inclined are you? You may want to check out piers web site and take a look at their stage one cam. They claim a 1-2 mpg increase along with quicker turbo spool up and lower egt's.

 

[TShively]

considering that you have a good free flowing exhaust, go with a #10 plate slide it back toward the drivers seat @. 070" should be good!

 

[sewman]

I have a stock 98 12v,auto,if I drive 75 it'll get 19 -20 mpg,65 21-22,57 24. 5mpg.

see where were going here?also towing @ 70=14. 5 @ 55 I got 17 w/same trailer.

accelerating as slow as you can also helps,but when you have power & use it like my 94 5spd it will get worse then b4 the mods,

so as the others suggest timing,exhaust,make sure you have syn oil in diffs,& airbox changes are best.

 

[bkroupa]

My '98 got 19mpg dead stock with 4. 10 gears & 245 tires. 285 tires, removing the cat, a walker muffler & opening up the stock airbox got it to 20mpg. Bumping the timing to 16 - 21mpg, swapping the rear axle to a 3. 54 & I consistantly get 22. 5 on my weekly commute ~700 miles a week. The 4" exhaust did not make any difference on my truck, the tonneau cover is handy but i noticed no measurable change, the 10 plate was a great improvement in performance & won't hurt your mileage if you don't use the power too often. The 4kgsk kit made a huge difference in drivability with the 5 speed, made the truck much more pleasant to tow with. At this level I'm shopping for a small turbo upgrade.

Decide now how far you intend to go so you can buy things just once. 350hp, 450hp, or above all require different supporting hardware.



You have the same engine I do, I love the change in my truck for what I do wth it.