87 to 96 302 better mpg
#1
01-14-2019, 01:06 PM
87 to 96 302 better mpg
I have a 1990 XLT Lariat reg cab lw with a 302 that gets less than 16mpg on hway, i have recently did a tune up after purchase and replaced one injector a compression test showed all cyl in great shape just wondering if anyone went to a 12v fan on the radiator to deleat the engine fan or any other tricks to increase the mpg other than slowing down to 55 on the interstate.
A little history of the truck it is a 302 auto XLT Lariat that has 103000 miles Red out with red interior no rust and very few dings and no body work, was owned by a older gent that babyed it and took very good care of it but never polished it. It is now polished and cleaned up engine runs great , trans shifting great and fluid looks new. The old gent passed and one of his kids drove it for a year until it started missing they then parked it in a garage.
walt
A little history of the truck it is a 302 auto XLT Lariat that has 103000 miles Red out with red interior no rust and very few dings and no body work, was owned by a older gent that babyed it and took very good care of it but never polished it. It is now polished and cleaned up engine runs great , trans shifting great and fluid looks new. The old gent passed and one of his kids drove it for a year until it started missing they then parked it in a garage.
walt
#2
01-14-2019, 01:28 PM
Originally Posted by walt2137
any other tricks to increase the mpg other than slowing down to 55 in the interstate.
#3
01-14-2019, 04:45 PM
16 mpg sounds fantastic! That would equate to a little more than 19 mpg up here in the Great White North with our Imperial gallon (20% bigger than US gallon) and I'd be elated with anything like that. My truck will get around 7 - 8 mpg around town and maybe 12 on the highway. I think your truck is doing great! The aerodynamics are probably the largest factor.
#4
01-14-2019, 04:56 PM
I agree with ZR - these are old, boxy trucks. Not built for fuel economy. As Paul will tell you, there are sensible driving habits that'll net you some MPG.
I can watch my MPG drop from 16 to 15 to 13.5 as I go from 60 to 65 to 70. Six banger, 5 speed, 3.55.
I can watch my MPG drop from 16 to 15 to 13.5 as I go from 60 to 65 to 70. Six banger, 5 speed, 3.55.
#5
01-14-2019, 06:13 PM
Originally Posted by Conanski
Well how fast do you drive? And what is the axle gear ratio and tire size?
#6
01-14-2019, 09:38 PM
Is that an AOD truck? If it's a 5sp then your tires are too small and your optimum(for fuel milage) speed is 60mph assuming relatively flat terrain. You should be able to eek a a little more out of it with a few mods though, e-fan, longtubes with a single 2.5" exhaust system, timing advance, and a cam upgrade to something that actually opens the valves. My 90 ext cab 4x4 would pull damn close to 20mpg on flat terrain at 70mph, that was a stock 5.0/AOD truck with an aftermarket roller cam that wasn't even the best choice I could have made, full exhaust with headers, 3.55 gears and 31" tires.
#7
01-15-2019, 12:46 AM
My 302 got me 13city and 19 hwy. I wish my 351 could do the same.
When trying to get better MPG I pull my ides from this http://performanceunlimited.com/proj...ine_series.pdf
The pdf is a lil' large so give it a minute or two to download.
And since you have a 302 you'll want to do a Ignition upgrade
https://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum...mp-no-56k.html
When trying to get better MPG I pull my ides from this http://performanceunlimited.com/proj...ine_series.pdf
The pdf is a lil' large so give it a minute or two to download.
And since you have a 302 you'll want to do a Ignition upgrade
https://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum...mp-no-56k.html
#8
01-15-2019, 04:40 AM
I get about 11 to 12 mpg with my 351 and 5 speed combo; my daily commute to work is about 25 miles one way. On a good day when I’m not leadfooting it, my best range was 456 miles using both tanks, which equates to about 12mpg
#10
01-15-2019, 04:33 PM
Originally Posted by walt2137
I am thinking about changing the 3.55 rear to a 3.07,
#11
01-15-2019, 06:44 PM
Originally Posted by walt2137
On the I highway in our area i drive 70 sh axle 3.55 tires new Good Year P215/75R 15 the tire that is oem size.
Fuel is cheap right now. Does it make financial sense to spend hundreds to gain a little economy? It would if you drive a lot or plan to hang onto the truck a while, but not if it's only a few thousand miles a year and you'll sell in two years. Just something to consider.
#12
01-15-2019, 07:06 PM
Originally Posted by GoinBoarding
I thought stock sized tires were 235/75R15, not 215?
Fuel is cheap right now. Does it make financial sense to spend hundreds to gain a little economy? It would if you drive a lot or plan to hang onto the truck a while, but not if it's only a few thousand miles a year and you'll sell in two years. Just something to consider.
Fuel is cheap right now. Does it make financial sense to spend hundreds to gain a little economy? It would if you drive a lot or plan to hang onto the truck a while, but not if it's only a few thousand miles a year and you'll sell in two years. Just something to consider.
#13
01-15-2019, 09:00 PM
Originally Posted by GoinBoarding
I thought stock sized tires were 235/75R15, not 215?
Fuel is cheap right now. Does it make financial sense to spend hundreds to gain a little economy? It would if you drive a lot or plan to hang onto the truck a while, but not if it's only a few thousand miles a year and you'll sell in two years. Just something to consider.
Fuel is cheap right now. Does it make financial sense to spend hundreds to gain a little economy? It would if you drive a lot or plan to hang onto the truck a while, but not if it's only a few thousand miles a year and you'll sell in two years. Just something to consider.
XLT trucks.
fuel wont stay cheap long its probaly going to creap up above $100 a barrel in the next few years and i cant see
where $100 to 150 is that much cash and besides it will be a fun project and if it dont work i will change it back.
Thanks to everyone for your feed back.
#14
01-15-2019, 09:30 PM
Originally Posted by walt2137
No stock tires for the 1990 is 215’s ,
You never did say what trans your truck has. If it's an AOD the truck is very close to having the perfect powertrain combo as it stands but if it has a C6 then yeah 3.08 gears will help.
