Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Things to do for best MPG???

[Bart]

Thanks JGK I'll keep that in mind

Amink, Thanks for the info. I was thinking about going the $1. 1K exhaust that stainless and pretty and, and, and, Maybe you're right. I too live in an ared climate so that linked system maybe smarter. TST only recommends a #8 plate for 98 12v'rs. I'll look into the #10/3K gsk kit for information

TRCM Yes it's a TST plate and they only list one plate for my rig and that's a #8. I think I'm going to pull the top off and see if I did get the #8. The others aren't recommended.

Thanks everyone, I'll bet others are getting a wealth of information from this thread. We're all in the same high fuel cost boat. Keep up the ideas.

 

[AMink]

Bart, I think that the recommendations for plates are for stock air, exhaust, and transmission. Since you have an ATS, and will be getting better air flow, it's not as much an issue. Call or email Piers and they can set you up and explain "why". Do some searches on here and see what others are using. Most of all, have fun and enjoy your "new" truck!

 

[GSiefken]

I just run the 100 percent stock power wagon at 55 mph around 1600 rpm with no quick starts and lugging and she gets wonderful mileage. Going to start using some 2 and 5 percent blend biodiesel and see if that improves mileage even more. I drive a 97 ford school bus with cummins and allison auto with 100 percent soy and the mileage is down just a little. When we run 20 percent blend the mileage went up one to two miles per gallon on the regular route. The bus mileage went from 7 to 8 and 9 with 20 percent blend. I like it can't really feel much power difference and smell is better.

 

[Forrest]

That #8 plate might just be best for mileage. It's got a nice big "bump" on the bottom, which is in the low rpm range, so it'll limit fuel as compared to the #10. Would be an interesting test though. You'll probably find the #10 is more fun to drive & there goes the mileage.



Also, driving easy until your torque convertor locks up so you can drive in lockup as much as possible kinda seems like it would make for better mileage.



Another thing to try is timing. I'm @ 17 degrees & am getting better mileage than stock timing. I'd guess whatever timing yields max torque @ average driving rpm would be the best setting. I have no idea what that is, but 17 is working for me.

 

[Grizzly]

The best way to increase your fuel mileage is to lie about. That's what my brother-in -law does.

 

[pwerwagn]

The best way to increase your fuel mileage is to lie about. That's what my brother-in -law does.

:-laf :-laf

I think thats what everybody does. I think its a rule that if you buy a PSD, you have to lie about mileage.



Bart, I forgot where I got the muff from. Its a 3" in, 3" out walker. something like $50. Joe D can get the part # for you. I like the 3". I doubt I would gain any mileage going to a 4" at my current state of mods.

My suggestion for you:

BHAF (cheapest filter, flows decent, filters good)

either a 4" Rips alum system, or the 3" walker muff with stock pipe (choose based on funds, if ya can, go ahead and do the 4")

Timing somwhere between 15. 5 and 17 seems to be the ticket for mileage... .

I belive *SOME* trucks have been able to run 255/85-16's on duals with no space issues.

I have been trying very very hard this week to get the best mileage I can. right now, it has 306miles on the odo (which is slow due to the tires) and Im at 5/8 tank. Im usually at 300 miles at half tank, so it is better. Ive only exceeded 10psi twice in the 300 miles (actually full throttle runs, I couldnt help it anymore), and only drove 70 on the freeway.

--Jeff

 

[AndyJohnson]

If your not going to straight pipe it at least throw the cat away. bigger injectors will help millage alot if you keep your foot out. Like others said move the plate or housing back a little. When i was running stock except for 330 hp injectors i got 25. 6 miles to the gallon for 300 miles up steep hills on freeway at 65mph. now with everything in my sig. in town with my foot in it a little i get 17 to 18. One of the biggest overlooking things on mpg is adjusting the valves. On 12 v i think they say like every 40k I do mine about every 10k. If there bad you could gain as much as 3mpg. Mosty when i do every 10k it just makes it run smother and better response.

 

[Cooker]

Bart, I forgot where I got the muff from. Its a 3" in, 3" out walker. something like $50. Joe D can get the part # for you. I like the 3". I doubt I would gain any mileage going to a 4" at my current state of mods.

Walker muffler. Can be purchased at NAPA. Probably $60-$70. Part number is 21468.

 

[Bart]

Grizzly & pwrwagon. I agree with you about the streeeeeeeeeeeeeching mileage claims. I've done it

Cooker, Thanks there's pretty girl working at our local NAPA and she likes to see me come in a buy stuff.

I think I need to look into that timing advancement. I saw on another post about a tool kit to do this. Anyone know about that? It's not that I don't have enough tools. They're like a woman's shoes, can never have too many tools! Right?

AJ I threw the cat in the garage several years ago. That was the first BOMB I did to BART (Big ***** Red Truck).

 

[pwerwagn]

Hey bart,

as I said, I've been driving VERY nice this week to work to try to get the best mileage possible. I filled up about 20 minutes ago, at 397 miles, and used 17. 31 gallons of gas. Used the same pump as last time, and filled it to the neck.

that averages to 22. 9mph, mixed in town and highway driving. probably 50/50 mix. My best yet!!!!

--Jeff

 

[sstockton]

Yeah I'm going to stand by the injectors, I had 370's in my '95 dually 2x4. I don't think you want anything that big, but something with an optimized spray angle would really help you out. also slide the afc back a little. And Adjust your timing to like 16 degrees. Open up the air box and exhaust(cut out your cat) I don't remember what year truck you have, but if it has EGR, get rid of it. Anyways, yeah all the advice on this thread seems to be taking you in the right direction. do any of these things and you should notice some improvement. Do them all and Hopefully you will be surprised.



Also stretching the truth about fuel milage is a common thing, I had a friend tell me he got 26mpg in his 01. I drove it 600+miles from portland and got 19 I didn't have my foot in it like he does either. So it happens. And Yeah PSD's they don't do so great. I've got one of those as well and it gets 16. 4 unloaded going down will with a tailwind. just kidding but its not the same as the dodge.



Sean

 

[Grizzly]

Hey bart,

as I said, I've been driving VERY nice this week to work to try to get the best mileage possible. I filled up about 20 minutes ago, at 397 miles, and used 17. 31 gallons of gas. Used the same pump as last time, and filled it to the neck.

that averages to 22. 9mph, mixed in town and highway driving. probably 50/50 mix. My best yet!!!!

--Jeff

Jeff, that's great mileage, and I do believe you, but I hope you didn't fill it with gas and I assume you mean 22. 9 mpg and not mph.

 

[Davidson]

Bart, what kind of mileage do you get without the camper? An AFE & 4" exhaust helped my MPG's and you may want to try a taller tire.

 

[Bart]

I'm not too sure about without the camper. I filled it up and drove it around town just a little, maybe 50 miles and then loaded the camper and with my early Bronco on a car trailer. The combination netted me 13. 144 miles per gallon. Speed was no more than 65 loaded and unloaded. The camper is around 3,000 lbs, the early Bronco is around 3,K and I'm guessing the car trailer is 1,500. So with 7,500 pounds more and cab over wind resistance I guess 13 isn't too bad. I'm going to Bend Oregon next weekend without the Bronco and trailer but with the camper. I'll be checking mileage then. I'd say that at least 75% of my travel with the Dodge involves the camper. Wife like the tuttle shell and we don't have to eat out and motel it. We stop when we like and leave when we like.

Another question I have is this BHAF, is that just a napa air filter or something else completely?

I ordered the napa muffler to install before the Oregon trip to see if MPG improves

 

[Bart]

For an exhaust system, I'd suggest one from Rip Rook at Source Automotive. I put a 4" turbo back on mine. It may not be as fancy as stainless, but for where I live, rust is not a huge issue. Also, a BHAF (NAPA part #2790). You can look in my reader's rigs to see how I installed it, but I'm sure there're other ways. I also put a cover on it from Outerwears on. I don't have a part number handy, but if you tell them it's for a BHAF and give them the dimensions of the filter, they'll set you up. Get the water repellent material. Make sure all your intercooler hoses are tight and not leaking so that you get the most out of the air the turbo is pushing. I don't have one, but have heard that a 10 plate and 3000 gsk kit work very well together. If you already have the 60# exhaust springs, you may ask around about a 4000gsk kit. With the mods I've done, I haven't seen a huge growth in mileage, but I get the same or better with MORE POWER! :-laf Next up--new turbo and injectors!

AminkI just called the local napa and they said that the 2790 is a Donaldson disposal housing and it's $60. Is that right? Anyone have a picture or link to where I can see what's what?

 

[pwerwagn]

Jeff, that's great mileage, and I do believe you, but I hope you didn't fill it with gas and I assume you mean 22. 9 mpg and not mph

Ha Ha. You got me on that one!!!! I guess i was in a hurry that day.



With regard to the mileage with a camper, I dont think "great" mileage can be achieved with the camper unless you run real slow. I haul a 10'-9" lance on the same truck mentioned above. If I run 65-70, my mileage drops to about 13mpg. running 55-60, it is still only about 14. 5. Kinda sucks. The weird part is, I also have a big enclosed trailer (26', ~7500lbs), with lots of wind resistance, and running 75, I still get like 16 and 17. oh well, its beyond me.

--Jeff

 

[bkroupa]

My truck picked up 1 full mpg bumping the timing from stock to 16.

It also runs/drives better than it did before. I get just better than 22 empty most of the time on my 700 mile weekly commute, cruise set at 65mph & 12-15 towing my TT depending on the traffic & headwinds. The plate shouldn't matter unless you need help behaving

 

[AMink]

the 2790 is a Donaldson disposal housing

Bart, I have the sticker that was on the filter in front of me, and it doesn't say Donaldson. It has the Napa logo, says "premium filter" (in 3 languages!), and at the bottom it says "Wix". Just a rebranded Wix filter. It seems that the price is somewhat dependent on the store. I think I paid about $45 for mine. Here's a pic of the filter, check my readers rigs to see how I set it up in there.



#ad

 

[Bart]

Thanks Amink. I appreciate your help. A friend of mine runs a parts house that has wix filters. I'll see if I can get him to cross the 2790 over and get that filter for me.

 

[Forrest]

Here's another pic with the BHAF next to the competition.