Cheap Performance?
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Senior User
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Cheap Performance?
I have a 95 F-150 4X4 w/e4od and 5.8L, 3.55 gears and 31-10.5 tires, custom 2 1/4 duals. I have added an Accel super coil, K&N filter, adjusted the timing to 10 deg btdc (the right way), re-gapped the plugs to .055" (on new tuneup parts), reset min idle, re-programmed speedo, and am running castrol full synthetic 5w-30. Is 16mpg too little with this combo? The biggest difference I noticed was when I re-gapped the plugs at the same time I replaced the coil, both in performance and mileage. I guess all I have to ask is if there are any more "cheap" mods I can do to increase mileage, other than put a block under the go pedal.
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Ya, I would be extremely happy with 16 MPG. Even after changing a failing EGR, I am still only seeing 10 MPG. I am starting to think maybe the cat is clogged up or something (original cat for all I know), as everything else seems to check out... and it runs just fine... just that 10MPG is going to bankrupt me 
-Chris
-Chris
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From: Mountain Top, Pa
Even though optikal illushun may have come across as a tad rude.....I do have to agree w/ him on the electric fan idea....less drag on motor will increase power and mileage. I'd be estatic w/ 16mpg though....I'm guessing I'm getting about9- 10 mpg right now
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Concord, New Hampshire
take the 16 and run it, I was lucky to get 10-12 on the highway with my truck, and that was with the tailgate down, wind to my back, going down hill. all ive done to it is, K&N open element, no cats, flowmaster 40, with duals after, MSD Blaster 2 coil. no smog pump, and its punched .040 over <- (new news to me just found out) and this is on an 87 f-150, 351w 4bbl 4x4. so if i were you id be happy with 16
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From: Calhoun GA
You don't get any better gas milage with the tailgate down. My trap speeds at the track are slightly higher when I leave the tailgate up.
http://popularmechanics.com/automot...ss/index5.phtml
http://www.awtrucks.com/tailgateup.htm
http://popularmechanics.com/automot...ss/index5.phtml
http://www.awtrucks.com/tailgateup.htm
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Basically, on a 95 F-150 5.8L the coil is held down with four 5.5mm screws, takes something like two minutes to change, Accel coil part# ACC-140012 $39.88 at Summit Racing.
As for the cooling fans, that was going to be the next thing. Anyone know of a direct fit fan(s) for a 95 F-150 w/ac? I just don't like the cheezy plastic tie-straps that universal fit fans use. I have had to fix too many holes in radiator cores. (I'm a mechanic for a living and I just hate to have to re-do anything.)
Does anyone have thoughts on manifold replacement style headers? I'm thinking about the ones that Summit racing offers, part #SUM-G9036. Just asking.
As for the cooling fans, that was going to be the next thing. Anyone know of a direct fit fan(s) for a 95 F-150 w/ac? I just don't like the cheezy plastic tie-straps that universal fit fans use. I have had to fix too many holes in radiator cores. (I'm a mechanic for a living and I just hate to have to re-do anything.)
Does anyone have thoughts on manifold replacement style headers? I'm thinking about the ones that Summit racing offers, part #SUM-G9036. Just asking.
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Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Calhoun GA
As far as the fans go...Flex-A-Lite 295's will work very well. For a truck, I wouldn't go with anything smaller.
The Summit headers will work better than the stockers, and give your exhaust sound a more commanding note.
The Summit headers will work better than the stockers, and give your exhaust sound a more commanding note.
Postmaster
Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Coal Region
flex-a-lite black magic fans are a direct drop it. dont have the model off hand, sorry. they are quiet expensive tho. u can always get a 16" fan and mount it in ur stock shroud with a good mount to the outside of the rad not the fins...
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From: Calhoun GA
The 295's come with their own molded shroud, and they (twin 13.5" fans) cover the entire radiator. They are made for trucks and they pass almost twice the air as the single black magic fan. They ramp up slow so they don't tax your electrical system and you can adjust the temp settings to command when you want the the fans to come on. I run this setup on my supercharged 351 and have never had a cooling issue on the street or at the track.
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