improving gas mileage

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Jan 28, 2006 | 10:39 PM

seanvicious

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improving gas mileage

i am just looking for a way to improve my mileage with the prices of fuel these days. i was looking into the banks sidewinder kit, but don't think i'll have that much money. what about just intake or exhaust or something like that? any other ides you guys have. oh, and... the louder the truck the better.

Jan 29, 2006 | 08:48 AM

89ford73

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a simple straightpipe and to cut the "soupbowl" out of the lid of the air cleaner would be the best and cheapest mod for fuel milege, and also to speed up the timing a bit, which is easy to do. you have to remember that if you spend 2500 on a sidewinder, you would have to drive the truck for somewhere close to 40 years for it to pay for itself in fuel savings. it is easier and cheaper to slow down a little than to do a bunch of heavy expensive mods. 40 bucks for straightpipe, soupbowl is free, and k-n air filters are about 60 bucks, just remember to oil it very well to keep all the dirt out, i use a whole bottle of oil in he kit when i clean it. i only clean mine twice a year, and i drive in very dusty conditions.
p.s. they work better when they are a little dirty...

Jan 29, 2006 | 12:00 PM

wh336fire

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From: mooringsport louisiana

What engine and tranny do you have ? What is your current fuel milage ?

Jan 29, 2006 | 12:11 PM

PLC7.3

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From: Manitoba

Straight pipe will be too noisy, with a free flow muffler on a 3-3.5 exhaust would give better exhaust performance. Many who have done the soup bowl see no improvement except in the under hood noise department.......you can get the lid off a diesel van it has no soup bowl. Intake definitely open the thing up, if you have stone guard on the hood it blocks the intake on the models with the intake on the top of the rad support.

Jan 29, 2006 | 07:40 PM

seanvicious

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i drive a 1990 f-250 4x4 diesel with the automatic. i get about 19 mpg on the highway and 15 in the city.

Jan 29, 2006 | 09:30 PM

papadelogan

Snowboard season cometh..

Joined: Jan 2006

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From: Gulf Coast of Florida

What intakes are available for the 7.3 IDI to help out with improving mileage? Exhausts aren't too hard to find, but intakes seem to be MUCH harder to find. Can anyone tell us this info, for both the NA & turbo versions? Thanks!!!