Hi, I did a quick search and no other thread really popped out at me that would answer this.

Ever since I put bigger tires on my truck (265-70-R17), my fuel economy has been way down. Combined of about 50/50 city and highway gives me little more than 17 MPG. I have a 2wd 2007 f150 with the 4.6 v8.

What I was wondering was if there is a combination of exhaust (which I've heard can improve MPG) and a tuner (set in economy mode) that can improve my MPG by a few miles.

I want to say that I once heard that a tuner can compliment an aftermarket exhaust system (such as Magnaflow or Flowmaster), and essentially make it so the product is greater than the sum of its parts.

Any info on getting a fuel economy increase by doing these options would be appreciated.

EDIT:
I currently have a K&N air filter, but I could be persuaded into getting a K&N air intake system if they also improve MPG (which I believe they do?)

 

Tozir: I will give you my honest opinion--->To acheive the best mpg is to keep your truck in the stock forum.

Bigger tires and ground clearance only add extra weight and excessive drag going down the highway.

I myself have heard many claims by Tuner designers of MPG gains. But never actual gains in the real world. Maybe there is some, but very few owners ever spread the word. As for exhaust? The claims are all out there, but very few owners ever brag about getting 1-2 extra MPG from adding an aftermarket exhaust.

As a combo which you ask? I have never heard any-->Usually a MPG loss due to always trying to feel and hear the extra power and sound.

Maybe a few will visit and share their experience of that very sout after MPG increase ? By the time you buy and Tuner and Exhaust -->$500-$700 total bill you will have alot of catching up to do.

I'm sorry I can't answer your question. I myself just have never heard of real world results for either of the 2 add ons.

 

I run a tuner, one by Mike Butler at 5 Star. In my personal experience, I have not seen a MPG increase, but then again I didn't expect any increase, nor was I out to see any increase. A tuner and exhaust likely won't gain you anything more than a touch more noise and a more fun truck to drive. Like SyN said, by the time you spend $400 on a tuner and another $200-$400 on exhaust, you'll probably spend years trying to recoup that out of pocket expense.

BTW, 17+ MPG is pretty durn good. My mostly stock 5.4L SCrew hasn't broken into the 17s...ever, even running 90%+ highway.

 

I have to agree with these guys. MY 06 5.4 4x4 was running a custom tune by Mike at 5 star (which added great power), an S&B intake from him, and a 40 series exhaust. all of which maybe gained at max 1mpg. But driving style and like mentioned above, my pickup was definitely driven harder after buying the fun stuff, I couldnt help it. And I had my bowtie cousin saying it was pretty quick. That said, those items total $810 (yikes when you think about it, its the first time I have) for very slim MPG gains all with the stock tires. but a lot of fun and I wouldnt hesitate to do it again. Tuner is already installed on the 08 and exhaust soon. Intake probably wont ever happen due to the cost vs gains, even if I completely disagree with Fords stock setup (kind of like the oil filter access, but that is another soap box issue.) Good luck, just wanted to share my experience with all three.

 

I have an 08 F150 2wd reg cab with the 5.4 and 4.10 gears and I am getting in the 18 mpg range with rural Wisconsin driving. Only mod I have is a tonneau cover which gave me about 2 mpg. Best thing you can do is get a ScanGuage II or similar unit so you can monitor your fuel usage and change your driving habits.

 

My 2008 FX4 with the 5.4 and 4wd gets about 16-18 in town and short trips, but it gets into the 20's on a longer trips. But, I drive it easy....about 105 kph or 65 mph on the hwy and I too have the scan gauge.
BTW I have a 2.5 inch level on it and 275 65R20 tires that are 2 inches taller than stock but same section width.

 

My 06 screw 5.4 has a mbrp siso an edge tuner and a airaid high flow intake tube on 20 with 275 60 tires with a 3" level kit and on the highway I get when I'm lucky 18.5 mpg I also have a tonneau cover all the mods due wake them up but will never recoupe the money on gas savings

 

I bought my '07 Scab 5.4 in August 09, low miles, well cared for. It had a catback system and a "store bought" "Gott's Mod" type intake tube with stock air filter and box. She also had a Truxedo QT cover from day one. In the first few months, I never saw over about 18.5 mpg, 19.1 was best I ever saw tank to tank on road trips around here (including a road trip that Christmas to Ga).

I also started using my ScanGageII and found that it's about perfect if left on tank to tank with overall average. I use the instat MPG scale like a vacuum gage of old days, and I check my average. It's not rocket science.

March 2010 I decided after some investigating, to call the folks at Troyer's and let them help me .... I was happy with the power, I wanted better shifting with less hunting. They are only 40 miles away too. I had read some posts about mild MPG gains and if the tuner increased power, if it increased efficiency, I thought "maybe" but such was not my intent.

Troyer's man (not Mike, a guy that works there, forget his name now) suggested SC's FP-1865. I use the 87 Perf / tow tune about 99.44% of the time .... or more. It suits me and my wallet.

Ever since, on a road trip like to Ga. or Indy, etc ..... I can get 20 - 20.5 MPG every time now with my driving style. The gain was immediate, I didn't start ******* it when adding the tuner, I drove as I already did. The truck maintains speed better on grades, less throttle and response is better, so I guess my foot presses less? I almost never ever use cruise control, I found out long ago that I can do better as I can anticipate hills and stops. I also use the OD button on long grades and slow zones.

Anyway, no question about it ..... that SC FP 1865 nets me a solid 1.5 MPG. It'll not pay for itself soon, but I get better shifting and a more relaxed, pleasing drive. I never tried 0-60, etc .... but truck does seem to have more ummmph.

 

I have an Edge Evo on my '07, and it looks like it gets an easy 1-2 MPG better with it on level 2 and running mid-octane gas (87 in CO) which I'd guess is due to the PCM being able to advance the timing a bit more than on low octane. It's enough to pay for the price bump for mid-octane, but not much more. The transmission programming is so much better than stock too; I hate having to drive it with stock programming just due to the transmission behavior.

The basic physics are that running a truck engine in a manner that nets high MPG also means that the throttle is hardly open so the air flow rate in and out of the engine is very low compared to WOT. Aftermarket intakes and exhausts just don't make much of a difference at those flow rates compared to a functional OE system. At WOT, now that's a different story; that's why I buy aftermarket stuff, but that's where the MPG falls on the floor too.

 

Bear & VFR: Those are pretty positive results. I know some things that make the auto more fun and more pleasurable to drive is a worth while investment.

I guess Ya have to make the choice of--> Do You Need It? or Do You Want It? To justify the cost.

Thanks for your experience!

 

17 sounds pretty good comparatively, but whenever I first got my truck, it was getting nearly 22 mpg highway. So just knowing what it was makes 17 feel worse than it probably is.

Thanks for the replies, guys.