Gas mileage idea?!?
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 42
Likes: 0
Gas mileage idea?!?
I've been told replacing the belt driven clutch fan with electric fans can gain you hp and mpg. I'm more interested in the mpg gains.
Is there any truth to this? Has someone out in FTE land done this?
I would rather spend the bucks on this than using a tuner to modify the computer. Especially if you have to run premium. Any mileage savings is offset by the higher fuel cost + the cost of the programmer.
What do you guys and gals think?
Is there any truth to this? Has someone out in FTE land done this?
I would rather spend the bucks on this than using a tuner to modify the computer. Especially if you have to run premium. Any mileage savings is offset by the higher fuel cost + the cost of the programmer.
What do you guys and gals think?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
Likes: 74
From: Blue Hill Township
The electric fan will reduce the load on the motor when it is hot, and you are towing. I don't think it is worth it to put the electric fan on. Your money is best spend on a new exhaust system, or head work, or the programmer.
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Go with the tuner! Besides the HP/Torque gains, you will be able to diagnose your own service codes. With the Diablo Predator and my other mods I am averaging 16.2-16.8 mpg. I drive my Expy 3 times a week 25 miles down to work (3200 feet elevation to 1500 feet elevation) and 25 miles back up the hills. I also changed the plugs, fuel filter and pcv valve before I installed the performance tune. The tune makes a huge difference on the sound of the engine, idle and amazing throttle response/poooooower!
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 423
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Do you have to use premium fuel with the Predator? I thought you could set it to still run 87? obviously the returns are better if you use premium, but i already spend enough on gas, not sure i want to jumpt to premium. i do really want the predator...already did intake and exhaust.
1owner...i would also advise against the electric fan. For the amount of work and cost you put into it, it will be a long time before you make that back on gas mileage.
1owner...i would also advise against the electric fan. For the amount of work and cost you put into it, it will be a long time before you make that back on gas mileage.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,960
Likes: 5
From: All over Texas
I think the answer is yes, the electric fans will give you both increased mpg and hp. I followed many threads regarding electric fan installations and most of the guys that did the swap really liked the results, but at $400 it'll take a long time to offset the initial cost....this alone deterred me from doing this mod.
I do have the Superchips tuner and love the performance gains. Sure premium gas is higher than regular, but it's never any more than $0.10 to $0.20 per gallon more regardless of the price of regular unleaded.
I do have the Superchips tuner and love the performance gains. Sure premium gas is higher than regular, but it's never any more than $0.10 to $0.20 per gallon more regardless of the price of regular unleaded.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 8
From: OK
Originally Posted by 1owner
Any mileage savings is offset by the higher fuel cost + the cost of the programmer.
"Any mileage savings is offset by the cost of the xxxx."
Replace the xxxx with whatever mod you're thinking about purchasing.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2004
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I have a 97 Expy with the 5.4 4x4... I just bought it and have been averaging like 13.5 mpg total. I am pretty sure that the spark plugs are original, and this truck has 145,000 miles on it. ALL the fluids and filters are 100% brand new/changed.
Would changing my spark plugs make any difference? I see that it's a pain to do... I definitely don't have the cash to pay for it; what's the link to view the instructions?
Does premium gas help to obtain better mileage on this stock tuned engine? I don't know the compression ratio whether it's high enough to make a difference or not. Someday I'll get the money to buy a Superchips--as soon as I FINISH paying the truck off in three months. I forgot to mention that my tires are stock size (Bridgestone a/t dueler revo's--the most highly regarded model online) so that shouldn't be a factor/axle ratio.
What are you guys pulling for gas mileage??? Which mods and gas are you running to get these figures? I love my truck so far, but need to know if it's running as efficiently as it should.
Would changing my spark plugs make any difference? I see that it's a pain to do... I definitely don't have the cash to pay for it; what's the link to view the instructions?
Does premium gas help to obtain better mileage on this stock tuned engine? I don't know the compression ratio whether it's high enough to make a difference or not. Someday I'll get the money to buy a Superchips--as soon as I FINISH paying the truck off in three months. I forgot to mention that my tires are stock size (Bridgestone a/t dueler revo's--the most highly regarded model online) so that shouldn't be a factor/axle ratio.
What are you guys pulling for gas mileage??? Which mods and gas are you running to get these figures? I love my truck so far, but need to know if it's running as efficiently as it should.
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by MOOK929RR
Do you have to use premium fuel with the Predator? I thought you could set it to still run 87? obviously the returns are better if you use premium, but i already spend enough on gas, not sure i want to jumpt to premium. i do really want the predator...already did intake and exhaust.
1owner...i would also advise against the electric fan. For the amount of work and cost you put into it, it will be a long time before you make that back on gas mileage.
1owner...i would also advise against the electric fan. For the amount of work and cost you put into it, it will be a long time before you make that back on gas mileage.
New User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Originally Posted by aloonda
what impact does installing the predator or other systems have on a vehicle with 80k on it?
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 0
From: South...
How can one consider an electric fan (~$400) to be so much more expensive than a tuner? I'm thinking about buying the Superchips tuner but it's over $350... I would think that at only a mile or two more per gallon, it would take a long time to realize any savings with ANY of these mods.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Originally Posted by Matt03Expy
Spending $$$ for mods to save gas is laughable. But, it is one way to justify the reason for the mods. 
One day we can buy these trucks and get 30+ MPG's...
Okay maybe not
