Every Programer I've seen, except for one, lists the E Series as applicable but then mentions that it only applies to the 3 Valve Motors for the later model years like my 2008. As far as I know all E Series come with the 2 Valve Motor, but it could be a different 2 Valve motor in a 2008 versus say a 1998, I guess.

The only company I've seen so far that understands this is 5 Star Tunners. They list a Tunner for a 2008 E Series and mention that it is a 2 Valver.

So my question is: Is anybody using 5 Star or a different tunner in a late model van?

Mostly I'm looking for real, documented fuel economy improvements. Not really interested in what a readout is saying unless it has been documented manually as well.

I don't plan on towing more than my 2500# pop up so more power is not a concern at the moment. Actually fuel economy is not a big concern either, I knew what I was getting into when I bought this van but If the cost of the tunner saves me enough to break even in less than a year I'd like to try it.

Thank, Bob

 

The sad fact is I have yet to see a programmer that can deliver fuel economy improvements without sharply altering / limiting performance.

i.e. if the tuner ensured that WOT or heavy foot commands are ignored, and translated into gradual, slow throttle / transmission shifts, sure!

But I can do that myself without a box.

There is simply no way to improve fuel economy by anything more than a small (low single digit or so) percentage because as it is, the PCM monitors fuel / air ratios tightly, and you cannot lean it out more without detonation beyond the range of control of the detonation sensor.

If you pushed the mixture toward detonation --- you risk damaging your motor severely.

Insofar as towing --- you are adding an additional burden, so fuel has to be burned.


You are better off to get one of those "magic magnets" if you are looking for imagined fuel economy gains.


It is far easier to tune for power, which involves using more, not less fuel.

Tuning for economy is best done by sharply dropping fuel burning things like fast acceleration.

Take the lead out of your right shoe --- it does the same thing.

 

DiabloSport Predator is the one am using,but I do agree with gearloose. I only gain maybe 2 mpg but I was looking for power not gas mileage.

 

2MPG! That is nothing to sneeze at. 2 MPG is 13% better if you were only getting 15 and now get 17.

 

My brother and I have done alot of fuel efficiency mods and to be honest very few will pay for themselves in a year unless your putting insane miles on your vehicle.

I have a 97 Honda civic HX, we have modded the hell out of this thing and it shows, but it's more of a hey look what we can do, then a lets save money. it gets 40-42city/50mpg consistent hwy but i can squeeze 58mpg if i really try. but the car runs a factory wideband O2 sensor so it can run a more precise (leaner) air/fuel ratio.

what typically pays off is a pvc HOT air intake, which cannot be safely done without a dyno and a wide-band O2 on most 05+ ford b/c of a super sensitive mass air flowsensor.

on my van i decked the block .040 and I believe it helped but i can't compare a before and after b/c I bought the van with a bad rod.

you can have a sct programmer tuned to increase the EGR flow, which will decrease combustion temps allowing it to run leaner, and it will advance the timing for a more efficient combustion. if you are doing the tuner for strictly MPG's it will take quite a bit to pay for its self. most I think you will see is 2-4 mpg better. I am asking my tuner to make me a mpg tune today now that we have my 87 performance tune ironed out.

With my tuner, decked, block, 3.73's, and SCT with a performance custom tune my 98 5.4 PI 2V super van gets 14 city/17-19hwy.

I bought my programmer used for 300 and got a tuned for 50.