I know these trucks dont get any gas mileage but I would like to know what upgrades can be done to show some improvement. I looking for answers about exhaust systems intake etc. I know not to expect much but anything could help.


Thanks, Mike

 

theres not many mods that can help the v-10 on gas, but you already know that. If i were you i would go buy a k&n. I have heard though in some of the reviews and tests though about the k&n, is that they let alot more dirt in. The reason is because they also let in more air. Thats the only reason why i wouldnt buy it. Some people dont care though.

 

Ive got a K&N in my x since day 1 (2000 6.8l 4x4). its got 99000 (Im waiting on it to roll over now lol) and no problems with dirt. I also run mobil 1 full synthetic.

As far as mods go, i think a CAI is a wash, maybe you might see some mpg improvements coupled with a free-flowing exhaust, but with the $$, prolly won't be worth it without some hardcore miles.

I think the biggest single thing, especially with the v10 is just keeping your foot out of it. I try to keep it below 2000 rpm in city driving, but its hard .

If you really wanted to get serious and do a lot of highway driving, you might consider a gear vendor's over/underdrive. I don't think they are cheap, but with some taller overdrive gears, you might be able to ooch by at some lower rpm's, especially with the v10's torque

Also, apparently, some people say they get a few mpg's extra with a throttle body spacer... but somehow i think its BS

I guess if you really wanted to, a turbo can boost your mileage IF you can keep your foot out of it

haha, a bunch of random ideas, but hopefully some might be helpful

Isaac

 

The main differnce between 9 mpg and 12 mpg in my X is the driver. Just drive nice and easy and save your money, unless you like the sound of the after market exhaust.

Dont do any mods for mileage you will be disapointed. If you like the sound and extra umph good ahead, but searching for mpg is a waste.

 

Changing to ALL synthetic fluids all around can help. Putting 285/75’s in it may help due to the reduced engine RPM (does anyone know for sure if it will?). I don’t know if anyone makes a coil pack for this vehicle but is someone makes higher voltage coils, changing to those may help. Spark plugs themselves play a roll. Going a Magnaflow exhaust may help. Adding a Superships programmer will help. If you do all this stuff you could see a fairly good increase in economy.

 

I have the 285s sitting in my garage waiting to be installed,I have the 4.30 rear, so this may help on the highway. But I still like the power off the line. Will these tires effect that any? I was told the superchips doesnt make much of a diff. on the v10.??? The only thing I was thinking was the exhaust next. I did a search but could not find the magnaflow for the v10, Only the Gibson. Does anyone out there have this ? and hows the sound?

 

I had a SuperChips - worked great in my F150, 5.4 - but when I got the V10, i tried out and couldn't tell any difference, except maybe a little better throttle responce. I sold it and bought a couple tanks of gas

Rightnow I'm getting 13 mpg mixed driving, back and forth to work. I recently changed the oil (< 1k ago) and put in a new air filter. When I did, I disconnected the battery to clear the PCM.

Everyone complains about the MPG, but with my F150 I was getting 16 mpg at best - so 13 is not that bad for all the pulling power this truck has.

 

Mike330, i have 285's on right now and they didn't loose any power or mpg's The only difference is that its like 1 or 2 mphs off.

Afreemand, how is your k&n? Do you change your own oil, if you do then do you see dirt in the oil when you drain it.

 

I Added A K&n Fipk, Gibson Exhaust, Custom Y-pipe And Mobile One Oil, Noticed A Little Increase In Mpg. Also Noticed These Mods Greatly Improved Power Through Out The Entire Rpm Range. I Was Traveling On The Highway This Afternoon And I Can Get About 16.2 To 16.4 Mpg If I Keep It At 70mph And 2000rpm, And I Think Our Area Is Still Using The Winter Blend Fuel (nj). Anything Higher Than 2000rpm And My Mileage Drops Quickley.

 

so you say synthetic oil is the way to go. What brand is recomended? I filled up today and checked my mileage, I avg 11 city and highway.

 

as far as bigger tires, I think its a wash for mixed driving. You get fewer revs per mile, but the extra weight takes some extra to get moving from a stop. IMHO. I have 285/70/17's on my X, and my mpg actually went down mpg, but I think that was just 'cuz I got cockier because I had new rims/tires

As far as the K&N, I do change my own oil, but I haven't really looked too closely at it when I do. But from what I do see/get on myself lol, I don't see any dirt or sand. But, I also do long intervals 7500 mi (I run mobil 1 full-synthetic) so when I finally get at it, its pretty dark. I'd imagine that the filter would take care of any of grit that got into the oil anyway. As far as performance, I've never driven without it, so I can't say.

Here is an interesting air filter mod... Haven't done it myself... I guess its kinda like a CAI, but it sucks engine air instead
http://www.clubfte.com/users/monsta/airboxmod.html
[edit: I didn't realize it at the time, but apparently, that's Monsta's mod, so props to him ]

By the way, I get about 9.5 mpg. Thats a mix if towing a 3000# trailer on weekends, and 35% freeway and 65% city

By the way, what oil viscosity do you recommend. The truck says 5w30, but I called mobil 1 and the suggested 5w20. Any thoughts?

Isaac

 

Afreemand, i always been using 5w 20. You go 7500 mile intervals?? Dang. When you change it every 7500, how many quarts did the 10er suck up?

Mike330, sysntetic is the way to go. Id either use mobil 1 5w 20 or penzoil 5w20. I cant find any penzoil in sysntetic though, so i just go with mobil one. If i found it though i would deff switch.

 

I never thought you could mention "fuel MPG improvement and V-10 in the same thread?"

 

This sounds way too good to be true. Most people are talking 9 to 12 MPG - let's call it 12. And you are getting 4.5 (or more) MPG better than the rest of us? That’s +37% (or more) MPG. I'd have to see the documentation to believe this. No offense intended, but this seems like the claims by the guys who tell us magnets on our fuel lines will save gas.

And did I understand you to say that only "a little" of your current MPGs came from the mods?

What am I missing!?!?

 

No body mentioned wind as a factor in fuel mileage. I think it is possible for someone to get a couple MPG better than average if driving with a strong wind at their back. Likewise, you can certainly lose 2 or 3 MPG if driving into the wind. So if you just check your MPG on one tank, and don't aveage it over a few tanks, it can give you falsely elevated or depressed numbers.

I'd like to hear what the worst numbers people get are? How about towing a big trailer?