Can cam change on '07, 5.9 get better mileage??

[Motorhead]

I finally read on this site on the '07, 5. 9 "Internal EGR" through cam timing.
Has anyone went to a more conventional type of cam to get better fuel mileage?
I am not really"" interested in more HP, I just want the best fuel mileage.
As my signature shows, I got the LATE 5. 9, G-56 . 74-6th gear. I am planing to put on some 285/75/17's for unloaded driving. I am picking up a complete set of STOCK alloys this week that I will put on for towing our trailer.

I drive the truck at about 66mph on the freeway, keeping the tach at or below 2,000rpm.

I am looking at the Smarty Jr. for the 40-70 hp program and fuel timing advance.

Any other PROVEN mileage add-on's ?

 

[ENafziger]

I usually get shot down for saying this, but I've not seen much increase in fuel ecomony using boxes or programmers (TST, Smarty, EZ, MP-8), although each truck is different. Some mileage gains may be possible if you can drive very conservatively, but with added power it's not easy to do!

The most consistant mileage gains seem to be accomplished via mechanical mods. From doing extensive reading on various boards, it seems that a cam change (MaxSpool, Helix 2, etc. ) is good for 1 - 2 mpg, and the front axle disconnect kit (EMS, Dynatrac) may be good for another 1 mpg. Moreover, an overdrive unit shows benefit as well for interstate cruising (US gear, Mitchell overdrive, GearVendors, etc).

A cam swap involves a good amount of labor, so it's one of the less common mods, although it may most effectively accomplish what you're after.

--Eric

 

[jelag]

Fuel economy is a balance scale... . most of it is from a math formula based on weight, wind and how fast you accelerate... yes a cam change might help but you've got to give something else up to trade off, performance??, pulling power?? nothing is for free...

Years ago I was able to log almost a 1000 hours with a dyno... but the time with the engineer was a great learning tool... . you learn that for every positive change there is negative side effect...

With out changing the frontal area, lightening our trucks, don't expect morethan 2-3%

BTW - my kid drives the same truck and get almost 15% better economy by starting slower, and driving 12 mph slower than I do. .

 

[ENafziger]

yes a cam change might help but you've got to give something else up to trade off, performance??, pulling power?? nothing is for free...

Thanks Jelag, in a sense that is true; however, the trade-off is a 3-way triangle involving economy, performance, and emissions.

As I understand it, the cam in the new trucks is an "emissions" cam, if you will, in that it retards valve timing over previous generation trucks. With the correct cam swap, it is possible to gain significant fuel economy AND maintain performance (or increase slightly). The "give something else up" portion of the triangle is manifested in that emissions will suffer as a result.

So, it's all in what you're looking for... if emisssions/pollution is of great concern, then the cam swap is a win/lose situation. However, if you're only interested in the performance/economy side of the triangle, it's win/win.

--Eric

 

[Motorhead]

I will use my old '01. 5 as an example. At the best, I could get 17mpg highway stock. I put in an edge ez(on middle position) DD-2 injectors, A stock HO Hx-35 turbo, and 4" exhaust. I could get regularly 20 to 21 mpg highway AND had ALOT more power on tap.

Yes, I do drive my '07 easy on the highway, often times at 60 to 63 mph if I am not in a hurry(I'm RETIRED nowOo. ). I short shift it going through the gears shifting at 1800-1900 rpm.
I just feel that the "NEW" cams are affecting mileage.