mileage boost
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 424
Likes: 0
From: Pleasant Hill OR
mileage boost
So my dad is thinking of getting rid of his 01 F-150 to get something that gets alittle better mileage. To make a long story short, I have to get it to hurt alittle less at the pump to keep the oval in the family. I was thinking of the K&N FIPK, cat back, and a tune up. First question, what kind of cat backs work good on these trucks for a decent price? Is there a O2 sensor after the cat. Also is there any other ideas you guys have? Thanks for any input!
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
V-8's and V 6's are gonna suck up more gas than the 4 cylinders. Really no way around that one, however tuning it up will give it optimal gas mileage and keeping your foot out of the excelarator will too. Is it a 6 cylinder or 8? With the gas prices going up and truck sucking up the fuel i was forced to buy me a little used 4 cylinder colt. thats about the best advice i can give ya on that one. I have a K and N filter on mine and didnt notice much of a improvement in gas mileage as for cat backs i have them also(flowmasters and 2 1/2 pipe) Just made truck louder and not much of a gas improvement there, not sure about the location of the O2 sensors, but someone will chime in on that one. Good luck on your decisions
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 313
Likes: 0
Agree with Code Red, keepin your foot out of the throttle is prob the best way overall. I have a MAC intake, didnt notice much increase in mileage either. I also have true dual exhaust..meaing, obviously, two seperate pipes all the way. I left cats on, and went straight pipes all the way out the back. Maybee a slight increase in mileage, opened motor up really well. No mufflers is the best way for the best flow. My truck has a good rumble, opinion, I dont like loud straight pipes which is why I left cats on...it is a good overall sound, not annoying loud! Ive heard alot of people talk about changing the fans on the motor, no experience myself, but worth looking into!
New User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Mileage got worse.
I bought and installed a BBK Cold Air Induction on my 1999 F-150 and have noticed that my mileage got worse. Before I could go back and forth to work for an intire week on a little more than one fourth of a tank. I have had the set up on for less than a week and have already used what I would have used for an intire week with the stock intake. I am going to order a Tornado fuel saver and see what that can do to help. I have a tornado on my 1995 5.0L and I did notice a difference. Even if it gets me back to what I was getting before I will be happy. I will say that I have noticed a gain in horse power though. Plus the pedal has gotten a little more touchy. I am trying to justify that to compensate for the loss in fuel but with the price of gas its really hard. I will be getting a Gibson exhaust but it is more for the sound and the HP gain. I doubt it will help the mileage. I am also looking to put on some BBK underdrive pulleys to slow the A/C compressor and alternator which should help fuel a little. Lets see what happens.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 11,931
Likes: 180
the reason to put on headers, dual exhaust, more open intake system, etc, is to get a lot more air, rev itup, and get more HP. that aint better mileage. If you want milage, dont wast your money on aftermarket stuff. If you want more HP, that might be a different story. Tune up the truck, dont stomp on the throttle, and stay at 55 MPH is the only things you can do. Other wise buy a honda.
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 740
Likes: 0
I agrre with all, I have found when I put my foot in it it uses alot more gas as opposed to normal driving. As it has been said before if you buy a big truck with a v8 or v6 (if you look at the mpg on both they are about the same, the v6 just has to work harder to cpminsate for the weight and the v8 does not work as hard to move the vehicle) you did not buy it for the Gas mmilage. If you look at alot of the mid size trucks they to get about the same as a full size maybe alittle better than 17 mpg up to 19 or 20 mpg.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Dubai, UAE
I'd love to be getting 17 MPG!?!? I run 95 octance (it's the cheapest we got over here) have installed a Predator, advanced the timing and I am only getting 400 KM's to a tank!! I mean, i work that out to be roughly 12.5 MPG!??! Now I didn't track my mileage as well as i should have before i installed the predator, and of course i could uninstall the Predators and run a tank without it, but i seem to recall getting better mileage when the truck was stock. I did go from stock 245's tires to 285's and have a soft tonneau cover on. Granted, i can be a heavy foot at times, but i honestly make an effort to go easy on the throttle. I'd also say that I probably do about 50% highway and 50% city. I'd appreciate your thoughts on the matter.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
Check out this thread. It might be worth a try:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s....php?&t=420448
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s....php?&t=420448
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Dubai, UAE
Although an interesting article, I would like to try and find out why my truck is not getting the fuel mileage that others have reported before adding an additive like acetone. I'd like to determine whether or not I have a problem with the truck first and then perhaps in the future add acetone for an even greater fuel mileage increase.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 161
Likes: 0
From: Dubai, UAE
You mean the Predator manual? Well i was running 98. To be honest, i don't mind spending the extra $2-$3 a fill to run on 98, i was just trying the 95 to see if i could notice any difference. I'll fill up on 98 next time and see if there is a difference. However, from the other posts on fuel mileage, I really can't believe the difference. I'm not sure if changing to 98 will make up the difference in my poor mileage.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,810
Likes: 15
From: Central Ohio
You'll get the best milleage out of a 2wd that has been lowered slightly, maybe a lower front valance to keep the air from going under the chassis, and lighter tires, usually the skinnier the tire the less drag there is. You still havent said anything about what the vehicle it is other than 01 F-150. Is it 2wd or 4wd? Is it a v6 or a v8? Is it a short bed reg cab or a long bed ext cab? To get any detailed responses we need to know more than 01-f150.