Mods for mileage & or power

[Big Bry]

Well I don't know too much about better mileage but let me tell you about power. The Banks Power Pack has woke the sleeping giant. The system works as a team instead of buying different parts from different dealers. The ottomind computer with the Banks power pack cuts back power when the torque converter is about to lock up saving your transmission from the stress of all the power. It also will not let the exhuast temps. to rise above 1300*F and no more than 36 pounds of boost on the turbo. This system works great and I am very happy with it.

As far as fuel mileage goes, if you keep your foot off the throttle you will see some improvement. I didn't gain much more than 1mpg but about 125hp. and 300lbs. of torque. When you step down on the throttle she gets up and goes.

I have been very happy with the Banks system and installed it myself. About 10 hours of work. Not all that hard just time consuming. Medium mechanical skill and you can do it.

Good luck and have fun.

Bryan

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Bryan De Boer
I L-O-V-E MY D-O-D-G-E
White 2000 Ram 2500 Quad s/b With a Banks Power Pack

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

What I'm really hunting for are some numbers on average unloaded mileage. I know that gains in mileage and power can be gained simultaneously. What is normal mileage for a 2001 4x4 6spd 3500? it makes 245hp and 505lbft of torque. Does anyone have numbers for mods made on a 'Latest and Greatest' truck? All I've seen have been numbers for older engines and claims that they are compatible. The numbers for some of the modified engines are similar to the stock ratings on my truck(specifically the banks power numbers). What I really want is the best bang for the buck!

[This message has been edited by Mark_Kendrick (edited 12-19-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

<font color=blue>First off if your running 2000rpm at 70mph that sounds like a 3. 54 gear ratio. What size tires are you running? The 245hp/505ft-lbs is at the flywheel. More then likely that is not the numbers being put to the ground.

There are many different options available. Everyones fuel milage varies, I am perfectly content with 15mpg because of my driving style. Right now I only have the PowerEdge on my truck, but more will be on it come February and then awayyyyyy we go #ad


You need to read up on the old posts in the forum and decide how much power you want, and how far you wanna go. A simple modest power gain? Or do you want POWER? First and formost get ya some gauges and establish a baseline for your truck, then the skys the limit. You just have to decide for yourself... ..... how far do you want to go?

Myself, when I am done should be sitting at 425hp without propane. That is my goal the first week of February.

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<font color=blue>

• Eric D. Howard - #ad
  - Outlaw BOMB'er! - #ad
  - TDR Member since April 8th, 2000, Rancho 9000 shocks
• 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 HD 4x4 SLT Auto Reg cab Cummins Turbo Diesel 4. 10 gear ratio LT265/75R/16 tires
• Patriot Blue Pearl Coat, Agate interior, Leather seats EVERY option, Silencer Ring AWOL, Trans Go Shift Kit
• JRE 4" Exhaust, "Hot" PowerEdge, Autometer UltraLite Gauges (EGT, Custom Boost, transmission temp), K&N Airfilter

</font><font size=-2>

[This message has been edited by KatDiesel (edited 12-19-2000). ]

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Eric,
I want to give it the kick to punish the tires. The tires are stock. I also want to make it as efficient as possible. The limit is a loss in efficiency for normal driving. What effects did your power edge have on power and mileage?

[This message has been edited by Mark_Kendrick (edited 12-19-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Mark... Kat gave ya some good advice... read the past posts, use the "search" function.

OK, I can not explain it, but the more power I have gained, the more mileage I have gained. Something about using less throttle to do the same job...

I am consistently over 20mpg(empty) and if I hold it down to 2100rpms, I easily break 22mpg. (HWY mileage figures)

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Rob Hanson
1999 "Big Red", 3500 SLT QC 4X4 6 spd, 4. 10 LSD, Braided SS fuel lines, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins E-Brake, Blue Box, DD3 Injectors, Banks High Ram and 14cm Wastegated Turbo, All-steel Cowl Induction Hood, Cummins RED Valve Cover, Rhino, Rosewood Kit, Scotty System, SportComp Gauges, TorkLift SuperHitch, Tekonsha Brake Controller, Rear Flood lights, Cobra CB, DeeZee Running Boards, BD 2WD Low kit, Air Lift bags and a Geno's "I tromped a Ford" decal. Member of BOMB! (WW NW Chapter)

MyPics.com (pics updated 10/14/00)

I'd rather be... .
Cummin than Strokin.

 

[RobbyRam]

Mark- Try Power Edges' EZ... You will not be dissappointed with the power increase or the milage increase!

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Bob in Sacramento, Y2K Black 3500 ISB 4x4 4:10 LSD,Auto,QC,SLT Laramie, Slightly BOMBED LB, Polished Stull Billet Grill & Fog inserts, Chrome Smitty-Built Step Rails, Mopar Chrome-Tipped Mud Flaps, A-Pillar mounted West-Tach Turbo/Pyro/Trans Temp gauges,Rancho 9000's set at '1',Diamond Plated Tool Box, OEM U. R. Bedliner + other stuff.
Fact:The First Fords' had 'DODGE' Engines! The new PSD's need them!

 

[jmeehan]

I just went over 3300 miles on my 2500. At 2000 RPM with a little uncontrolled right foot now and then I have gotten 17. 9 mpg. I tried 1500 RPM for two tanks out of curiosity and my milage went to 16. Of course there was a little more hotrodding and some four wheel drive use due to snow. I don't know how much those duals will affect milage.

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'01. 5 2500 4X4 QC LB ETH/DEE SLT 3. 54, Patriot Blue

 

[sport bike]

Injectors probably do the most for mileage. But i agee with Rob,that the more hp i make the better the mileage. On my last road trip i got 21mpg. This is on a 2000 5sp, 2wd,extcab,daully,3. 54grs that dynoed 525hp!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I have a new 2001 3500 4x4 long bed x-cab 6spd. I don't know the gear ratio but at 70 it's running 2000 rpm. I've been getting 15-16mpg since new and am at 3k mi (in less than a month!). What kind of mileage can I expect to get when it's 'settled'? I love it so far. . It's fast and nimble in traffic and makes a commute almost enjoyable. What kind of mods can be made to increase mileage. I have read the info on the vanakken cpc and it increases fuel flow along with the timing change. This seems like it would get worse mileage. I would like to know what mods render the best increases in mileage without sacrificing power. More power is better but fuel is expensive. I would also like to know what anyone knows about the Dyno Sources "Power Button". Thanks, Mark

 

[Old Account - 243]

I just averaged my mileage for the first 60K:

First 47K @ 17. 55mpg, no power adders.

Last 13K @ 17. 35 with either 275hp injectors or the Poweredge.

Where is this big increase in fuel economy you guys are talking about?

243




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99 QC 2500 ST 4X4 SB 24V/5speed 3. 54/LSD Driftwood/Agate
Walker 21468, VDO, Bridgestone 285/75/16 MT's, RS9000's, Hella 500's

-- email address removed --

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

Thanks for the feed back. . as I said mine is stock but I tend to keep a foot buried in the throttle and it still gets 15-16. the odd thing is that when I'm driving 65-75 for a long trip I still only get 16. How much is mileage going to change after break in and what kind of changes are seen after one of the electronic modules(real world figures on increases in hp, mpg, and responsiveness)?

 

[rogerblind]

I'm at 15K miles. Auto/3. 54. Average around town about 17-18 mpg. Recent road trip of around 500 miles at 80+/- mph was 18. 7 mpg. All unloaded, with VA. Agree lead foot drastically reduces numbers. All my numbers are calculated, not from computer (which actually is pretty close).

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Y2K 2500 4X4 LB QC Auto Trans

 

[Ted Jannetty]

Hello Mark,

I have read your posts, and will try and answer your questions.
Mileage varies widely and there is no good answer except to try and understand what effects your final figures.
The roads you travel, hilly or flat.
Altitude, or available oxygen to burn fuel.
How hard you squeeze the throttle when taking off, or excelerating to you desired speed, some people are more patient then others.
Accessories on the trucks, running boards, bug shields, mirrors, visors, etc.
The type of fuel you are currently burning varies widely through out the year, and where you buy it, there is winter blend and summer blend, the summer blend is better for fuel economy.

As far as aftermarket parts that will help your fuel economy, You have to start with air flow to maximize your efficiency.

K&N air filter and 4" exhaust turbo to tail pipe, this is especially important on the 2001 HO since Dodge decided to go to a cheaper form of bending the down pipes, called compression bending, instead of mandrel bending.
The factory system is as small as 2. 5 inches in the bends.
And the HO is more powerful than previous engines, there for requiring a larger not smaller exhaust.

The Break in period can last as long as 20,000 miles, the best advise I can give to you is work it hard and it will run better.

Ted Jannetty


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Ted Jannetty, Owner President, Jannetty Racing Enterprises, Inc.
97 3500 4x4 club cab 5spd. RED, JRE custom power kit, JRE 4" exhaust
JRE 1/2 inch fuel system, Bosch 300 hp injectors, Prime loc,
Cummins chrome kit, US Gear 20% over drive, 3. 54 posi, Autometer
Ultralite 50lb. boost, and Pyrometer, BD exhaust brake.
Horton fan clutch

99 Ski-Doo 800 Formula III Pipes, reeds, studs and clutching 172 hp
99 Honda Forman 450 ES jet kit, pipe, lift kit, 27" Mud Runners
2001 Ski-Doo MXZ 800 X stock for now 140 hp
2000 TransAm Ram Air WS6 Flowmaster, K&N, Granatelli Mass air meter, LS1 Lid 370 hp
1973 Camaro Rally Sport Street Strip 850+ HP

 

[Mark_Kendrick]

I live Near Houston, TX. I would guess that they sell a summer blend year round. Cold here is in the 40's. You can count the number of freezes on your fingers. I'm a computer consultant(a gearhead at heart) so my truck is usually a glorified car. I am building a house and my lawn mower is a 50hp John Deere with a 6ft brush hog, so I will occasionally push it a bit. I just want enough power to roast the tires. My friends all drive regular 1. 2T pu and I like proving that you don't have to buy a little toy truck to have a bit of a hot rod. I already get better mpg than most. Now I want to leave them at the stop lights. My truck has the camper package so handling is actually excellent. From what I have been reading the cheapest gains seem to be with cold air induction out of the cowl and a better filter. the question is what is next? A fuel box? exhaust? keeping in mind the goal is power for the dollar. I read up on propane foggers long before i ever bought a diesel. all of the options sound pretty good the problem is prioritizing. I have a short mod budget after the truck payment!!! It is worth every dollar though.

[This message has been edited by Mark_Kendrick (edited 12-20-2000). ]

 

[TomGolden]

Hi Mark,

I have a 2001 2500 4x4 quad cab long bed with 3. 54 and the 6spd transmission, LSD and stock tires, which is fairly close to your Ram, so I'll give you my info so far. I didn't notice if you have a dually or not, and I do believe that now you can actually get a 3500 single rear wheel, which I wanted to get, but decided it wasn't worth the extra $2,000 or so.

I drove Godzilla home on September 29th, he has 6200 miles as of today (12/20). Right after I got him, my dad and I drove him on a hunting trip from southern Cal to Jackson, Wyoming towing my dad's toyota 4x4, a round trip of about 2000 miles. I drove between 70-75MPH average the whole trip. This is the only towing/hauling I have done so far with Godzilla. I changed oil/filter first at 2500, then changed oil/filter/fuel filter at 6100 miles, I use Chevron Delo 400 15W40 and Fleetguard Stratapore filters. Other than EGT/boost gauges and nerf bars, I have as yet made no mods to Godzilla. To date, even on the hunting trip, he has been getting a steady 16. 5 - 17. 0 MPG. My daily commute is 40 miles round trip, half uphill, half downhill, averaging 70 - 75 MPH. I like to keep up with the gassers at stop lights, but haven't yet left any rubber evidence behind me

I am going to put on Ted Jannetty's 4" JRE exhaust, straigh piped from turbo to tail pipe (no muffler or resonator), and possibly his own version of a "Psychotty-like" air induction system early next year. Then at some point, like you budget after truck payment permitting, larger injectors and maybe a Power Edge box, which will also require a new clutch to handle the torque.

Congrats on the purchase of a great truck! I know you'll enjoy it as much as I have so far #ad


Tom


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Get outta the way: The Cummins is Cummin'!

Tom Golden
Godzilla: Patriot Blue 2001 2500 SLT QC 4X4 LWB ETH/DEE, Tow & Camper packages, 3. 54 Ltd. Slip, 4 wheel disc ABS, Isspro EGT/boost gauges, black SmittyBilt nerf bars
2001 Zinc Yellow SVT Mustang Cobra on order

 

[Mike Vonada]

Mark,
Before you jump into changing things on your rig. Do some research. Bombing is as personal as the decision to buy a Dodge over a Ford or Chevy. Do you research first.
With that said here is my $0. 02.
I agree with Ted, 4" exhaust turbo back is a must on the ETH.
Injectors will increase power and mileage.
A box that changes boost and fueling with increase power and mileage.
The biggest and best thing you can do for mileage is watch the application of the right foot over the accelerater pedal!! #ad

And when you make all these mods that becomes hard to do.
Good luck and take you time,
Mike

 

[RMHanes]

I have a 98. 5, 5 speed, 3. 54 rear end, and stock tires. My mileage on the interstate is around 21-22 mpg. This empty. Have not done extensive traveling while hauling so can not give a number under these conditions. Travel on the interstate in 5th geer at around 2000 rpm and that corresponds to about 67 mph.
When had the Cummins people do the inquiry of the onboard computer at the '99 Round up and Rally in Indiania there were a lot of Cummins people asking about how the mpg is so high. Been keeping pretty good track of it so far and overall with about 30K miles it has averaged 20 mpg. With that mgp and the size full tank, stock, need to make more biological stops than fuel stops!