460 performance, gas mileage
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460 performance, gas mileage
I have a F-350 crew cab 4x4, automatic, 410 gears. It has 190,000 miles on it. The motor runs smooth, and power just ok. I have a 3 inch flowmaster exhaust and a K&N air filter. That is about it. I am thinking of running a K&N intake filter, and swapping the timing chain out, and advance the cam timming by 4 degrees. My gas mileage is very poor. About 8-9 mpg. It is not a daily driver, I just use it to tow my camp trailer and what not. I love driving this truck, but with the poor fuel economy it makes me think twice about turning the key. I am looking for improved gas mileage and some quick performance upgrades. Any advic would be great. It is a California truck, smog and all.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: San Jose CA
Same issue with my '91 with the full Banks kit. Towing a vehicle on a trailer and with a pop-up camper in the bed, I get between 7.5 and 8.5. Best empty mileage ever was long ago at 12, with a cab-flush camper shell and 55 MPH.
If I get 9.5 without towing I'm tickled. I think it is the nature of the beast.
If I get 9.5 without towing I'm tickled. I think it is the nature of the beast.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Alaska
Do you have speed density or mass air set up? I've heard the mass air get better MPG, but 8-9 sounds reasonable for speed density.
I have a 460 Centurion w/ 3.55 gears, 33x12.5 tires. I have added K&N air charger, MSD ignition box and coil. We get 9-10 when only the wife drives it, I think it only gets about 5-6 when I drive.
I have a 460 Centurion w/ 3.55 gears, 33x12.5 tires. I have added K&N air charger, MSD ignition box and coil. We get 9-10 when only the wife drives it, I think it only gets about 5-6 when I drive.
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You can spend some big bucks on the banks system, won't inprove economy to much but it will put a smile on your face when stomp on the skinny pedal.
You have to face reality like the rest of us did, your trying to push a big heavy brick down the road with a big heavy motor that burns a lot of fuel.
There are a couple of things you can check, o2 sesnor (has been replaced in the last 30k miles?) if it is mass air flow system don't worry about the post cat o2 it's just there to moniter catalytic converter efficiency. Other things to check; plugs, cap, rotor, fuel filter, restricted / plugged exhaust and injectors, (injector flush?).
If you check out some of these threads there is all sorts of places to spend your
money, personally I think the bigest bang for your buck are headers and intake air inprovments, If it's a speed density system You will have to play with your fuel pressure to get full benefits after the mods. (somewhere there is a whole thread on the subject).
Hope this helps
Regards, Domenico.
You have to face reality like the rest of us did, your trying to push a big heavy brick down the road with a big heavy motor that burns a lot of fuel.
There are a couple of things you can check, o2 sesnor (has been replaced in the last 30k miles?) if it is mass air flow system don't worry about the post cat o2 it's just there to moniter catalytic converter efficiency. Other things to check; plugs, cap, rotor, fuel filter, restricted / plugged exhaust and injectors, (injector flush?).
If you check out some of these threads there is all sorts of places to spend your
money, personally I think the bigest bang for your buck are headers and intake air inprovments, If it's a speed density system You will have to play with your fuel pressure to get full benefits after the mods. (somewhere there is a whole thread on the subject).
Hope this helps
Regards, Domenico.
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Thanks for the info. I have lived with the fuel mileage for about two years. I figured that it was probably the best it was gonna get. I have already done a complete tuneup, and will probably but the K&N air intake kit. Runs about 175.00. Last month I went to a Flowmaster 3 inch exhaust system. Definetly helped out of the hole. I appreciate the info. First time I towed with this truck I looked down and thought I was losing oil pressure. Turned out to be the fuel gauge. Oooops.
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From: B/CS, Texas!!
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Infidel
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Elkhorn WI
Will the engine run if the O2 sensor was taken off? Im thinking about cutting my cat off because i dont have emissions where i live.
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From: N. Gwinnett Co. Georgia
Mileage
To above post:The O2 sensor probably plays as great a part as any in helping you get mileage. 
You are pushing a very large vehicle down the road with a very capable engine when it comes to power/torque delivery. My fuel milage is around 12-13 mpg all around unloaded in an F250. Make sure all tires are properly inflated and aligned, brake system is in tip-top shape and nothing is dragging, new fliuds in your third members and tranny/t-case, and good oil in the motor. Winter is generally the worst time for fuel mileage with anything from addatives in the northeast to sticking EGR systems, and operation "out of the loop". Is the truck lifted? What kind of tires are you running, wider tires sometimes mean decreased fuel economy. I did gain fuel economy with the Superchip/shift kit, mostly because I don't need to put my foot as deeply into the pool of required 93 octance fuel.
You are pushing a very large vehicle down the road with a very capable engine when it comes to power/torque delivery. My fuel milage is around 12-13 mpg all around unloaded in an F250. Make sure all tires are properly inflated and aligned, brake system is in tip-top shape and nothing is dragging, new fliuds in your third members and tranny/t-case, and good oil in the motor. Winter is generally the worst time for fuel mileage with anything from addatives in the northeast to sticking EGR systems, and operation "out of the loop". Is the truck lifted? What kind of tires are you running, wider tires sometimes mean decreased fuel economy. I did gain fuel economy with the Superchip/shift kit, mostly because I don't need to put my foot as deeply into the pool of required 93 octance fuel.
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