In an effort to increase fuel mileage but keep towing power I would like to do the following: 4" exhaust, new air intake, and economy/tow chip. In what order should I install the above? I have read all the info on these up-grades and won't repeat other threads. Just wondering what order I should do these since I don't have the cash to do all three at the same time? (Yes, wife is opposed to that - hehe)

Often Tested; Always Faithful; Brothers Forever

Good night "Chesty" wherever you are

 

I've said it before and I'll likely go to my grave saying it, but doing performance modifications (and, let's be honest, that's what they really are) for fuel economy reasons is much like super sizing your value meal just so that you can get an extra large diet soda. It's a losing proposition.

With that being said, I will say from the performance perspective you should do the exhaust first, and then follow that up with the chip/tuner. As for the aftermarket air intake, there are quite a few folks here that seem to agree that there really isn't much need to install one--unless you are planning on going for more mods & big power. On a side note, there are some mixed reports on getting a louder turbo whine with aftermarket intakes. If that's your cup of proverbial tea, that may be another reason to go that route.

 

So, you feel all these performance parts do not enhance mileage? I am not a 20 year kid who is looking for a hot rod truck! Just a 60 year old retired Marine who wants better mileage and still retain power to pull my Bobcat. It looks like I am getting nearly 16 over all on my truck (hwy mileage is very good/city not so good) and everything appears to be working fine. After reading these forums about mileage enhancers, most have said the chip and exhaust (especially the economy/towing chip;that adds 65hp). If the exhaust, alone, will give me 1-2 mpg more, can I expect the chip to add 1-2 more? Thanks for the response Deluxe. (Were you a Vietnam era Marine vet? I did two tours in I Corps)


Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever

 

Exhaust, tow tune. The air intake was developed by Donaldson, power gains are only seen at peak RPM's.

This is my Ford. There are many like it, but this one is mine.....

 

exhaust first then the chip, as for a chip not helping i had a 65 hp one in mine for a little bit, ran the guts out of the truck showing all my buddies and it didnt hurt the mileage so i cant see where if you ran the truck like a normal person it wouldnt help some but even if it dosent the truck ran 100 times better

 

Something to add to that is when you get a chip/tuner you may want to put in some gauges also. The chips make the EGT's go up quite a bit and you definitely want to monitor them.

 

Exhaust and intake won't do much of anything for mileage. Out of the mods you listed, the one that could make a significant difference would be the chip/programmer. However, you'll need gauges to monitor things when you up the power... and exhaust will be a good idea even if it won't help mileage because it will help keep EGTs under control.

Best thing for mileage is to just moderate your right foot. It will make the BIGGEST difference, and doesn't cost anything.

 

Do what makes you happy BUT my opinion is that the money you spend on mods will never pay for themselves in milage (well maybe in many thousands and thousands of miles).

Most folks say they get 1-3 mpg more with all the mods. So with that....All numbers for example only.

28 gal at each fill up.
420 miles at each fill up.
420 divided by 28 = 15mpg

at least $1000 in mods (chip, gauges, exhaust and maybe intake).

2 mpg increase is acheived.

28 gal fill up
476 miles fill up
=17mpg

You are now getting 56 extra miles per fill up. Which is 3.3 gallons of diesel at 17mpg. So you are getting an extra 3.3 gallons at $3.00 a gallon.

3.3gal x $3 = $9.90 saved per fill up (or tank full). You would have to fill up 101 times to equal a savings of $1000. With each fill up getting you 476 miles...miles until pay off would be 48,076 miles.

That is figuring fuel prices staying at $3. If they go down your pay off is longer and if they go up then it is shorter. That is also only figuring $1000 in mods. I didn't price it out but I think good mods would cost more unless you did all the installs yourself. Another thing...in town you will get less mpg and on the highway you may get more but not much more. And there is no guarantee of any mpg increase!

There are many variables and I can't figure all the different outcomes. I just wanted to illustrate that mods for mpg isn't worth it...in MY OPINION. Too long of a payoff. Now...yes, you do get the added benefit of more power but if you like to use that power then your pay back is even longer.

My thought is get mods because you want mods NOT for mpg only.

Good luck and have fun!

 

Gauges (Boost, Pyro, Trans), Exhaust, then Programmer. In my experiance with SCT you will get the best gains with the race tunes assuming that you can keep your foot out of it.

 

If you feel your truck has enough towing power now you might just add a fuel additive like power service or motorcraft's. Some people say they get up to 2 more mpg from that.

 

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exhaust first then the chip, as for a chip not helping i had a 65 hp one in mine for a little bit, ran the guts out of the truck showing all my buddies and it didnt hurt the mileage so i cant see where if you ran the truck like a normal person it wouldnt help some but even if it dosent the truck ran 100 times better





Why did you remove the 65hp chip?

 

I have also discovered a recall on this truck and just made an appointment for a control module recalibration. Is the the PCM module found under the dash? The service desk said it will improve performance and mileage?

 

Recalls are voluntary......if it ain't broke don't fix it.

 

06 F350 FX4 CC. I am after the same thing, better MPG! K&N CAkit, improved 0.2 mpg. Superchips Flashpaq 1805 in tow safe mode improved another 1.0 mpg. Started out stock 16.0 mpg. Now 17.2 mpg. Fuel mpg hand calulated. Michael