2006 E350 6.0 van mods

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Nov 29, 2006 | 01:17 AM

glasstruck

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2006 E350 6.0 van mods

Hello crew, first time posting on the site, glad I found it! I have a new (3,000 miles) E350 van w/6.0. Love the power! We have a glass company and have aluminum glass racks mounted on both sided of the rig, much better performance than the '99 E250 van with the V-6 and same racks, which we still have & use daily (gets about 11 mpg)& (SLOW). Anyway, we put in a K&N air filter, but what other very simple & straightforward things can we do to A. increase mileage and/or B. increase power (mileage is priority). We're getting about 15 mpg, but everybody says that its going to take awhile to get the motor up to better mileage?? Does a bigger exhaust mean better mpg?
Pretty new to the diesel life, as you can probably tell!
Thanks!

Nov 29, 2006 | 04:31 AM

tvsjr

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First, take the K&N off. The stock Donaldson filter will flow more air than your unmodified engine will ever need, and do so while providing superior filtration.

Personally, I'd say that it's a work truck. Don't try to modify it... you'll cost yourself in the long run with downtime, potential warranty issues, etc.

We certainly don't make performance modifications to our fire apparatus or ambulances based around the E/F350 and the 6.0.

Nov 29, 2006 | 06:31 AM

CanadaGuy

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Actually, the Econolines use a normal paper filter, not the Donaldson. But, to answer your question, there is not much you can do to an Econoline to increase performance due to the restictive charge air cooling system. Econolines make less boost than a pick-up for the same reason.

Dec 3, 2006 | 05:54 PM

glasstruck

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Guys, been hearing plenty of talk about freeflowing exhaust giving you better mgp, which is what I'm after. I understand the E350 is not meant to be a hot rod, but can I free up the exhaust and expect better mpg? My van has a small (appears to be anyway) a small catalytic converter (says "Nelson") on it, then big muffler, then the exhaust tubing steps down in size to the tail pipe, all which is bolted, not welded together. Seems like an easy operation to remove the "Nelson" and go straight thru with the exhaust, no muffler. Can this improve mpg? Will it hurt the van at all? BTW, it's a CA emission legal vehicle.
Just looking for more mpg,
Thanks!

Dec 3, 2006 | 06:12 PM

CanadaGuy

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I don't know much about California emissions, other than the fact that they are pretty tight. What I do think though, is that the amount of money you might spend may far outweigh the overall fuel savings.

Dec 3, 2006 | 06:57 PM

glasstruck

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Canada guy, I'm not sure what those parts would cost; but I wouldn't think it'd be too bad, not looking for performance or stainless parts, just eliminate the converter & muffler; maybe I'm in for a surprise!
Thanks!

Dec 3, 2006 | 07:06 PM

WishIhada7.3

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since everyone has beat around the bush i will give you a straight forth answer. i dont know to much about the E line but if you could go to the exhaust shop and have them flare out a 3" (or what ever it is at the cat) and slip a 2 bolt flange on to make your own cat delete pipe the just get a straight piece of pipe to delete the muffler. Makeing the exhaust completly straight thru. you will notice better throttle responce quicker spool up and better G/M. How much you gain depends mainly on how much you put your foot into it and 100% on your driving habits.