Just purchased a 2001 SuperCrew...and yes, I'm at fault for putting "pipes" on my truck...but it sounds so much better. But here's the deal...putting these large pipes on has dropped my mileage from 15-16 to 13 mpg. I know I can put a K&N filter on the truck...but I also heard that there is a "program" that can be bought from Hyper-Tech (spelling?) that will help with this problem. Anyone have any ideas where I can get this "program" and any other ideas to gain some mileage back on my truck (placing the original pipes back on is not an option)....thanks for your help!

 

You may want to try a 3" Y fitting . The "chip" requires premium fuel . Just maybe your ear runs your foot to get more of that sweet sound .

 

Check your tire pressure - my dealer had mine filled to 42 PSI!! I aired down to 30 in the front and 35 rear (as per sticker recommendation) and went up nearly 5 miles per gallon!

 

I've taken the liberty of putting larger tires on my truck...and these particular tires are to have 50psi...I have 45psi in them, currently.

but thanks for the idea.

 

What mileage were you getting before and after? It seems that the harder tire would get better gas mileage??

Thanks

 

before placing the pipes on the truck, I was getting 15 mpg...now it has dropped to 13mpg....recently, I've placed the K&N air system...and checked that I have a "Y" on the pipes (as recommended from another truck owner)...STILL NO CHANGE!...
really, I'm not one to place a heavy foot on the gas pedal!
I will try your suggestion and drop the PSI to 35-40 to see if that helps.

 

I think you are mostly going to be stuck with poor mileage as long as you have those pipes. While you probably got some reduction in back pressure, you probably also affected the ability of the exhaust system to scavenge gases when the exhaust valve opens.

In a simple exhaust system, there is a wave pulse that is generated when the hot gases blow out of the cylinder and travel down the pipe. At the end of the pipe a reflected wave bounces back up the exhaust system. With the correct length pipe, the reflected wave will actually be at negative pressure and will help suck more gases from the cylinder.

Systems are actually much more complex. Every bend, baffle, and change in diameter results in a secondary prssure wave travelling in the opposite direction. Additionally, the pressure waves generated by other cyclinders are used to cross scavenge.

I'd have to say that Ford has done a lot of engineering to obtain the optimum configuration that meets noise requirements and permits the engine to run well. Way too many after equipment pipe manufacturers (truck, car and motorcycle), don't pay enought attention to the scavenging problem, and the result is exactly what is happening to you.

The K&N might help a bit since it is freer breathing, but the basic problem will still remain. Ditto for another chip... you may get your gas mileage to increase, but at the expense of performance somewhere in the power band.

The real solution is to find a properly designed set of pipes that can be proved up on the dyno not to rob HP, and maybe add a few HP.

 

I too have poor gas mileage. However mine is completely factory. The 2nd tank (city) came to a whopping 12.9 MPG, and (hwy) was a stout 15.9. any luck w/ ur? or any suggestions?

 

I've replaced the torpedo muffler (that really sounds great on the Fords) with the Flowmaster Series 70 muffler on the truck; placed a K&N air filtering system on the truck (that looks really cool - all the big bulky stuff is eliminated); tires have the pressure of 40psi....and I switched to synthetic oil (Mobil One)... and there has been no change...or minimal change at best.

I'm monitoring HyperTech to order the computer program when it becomes available for the 2001 F150s to see if that will help....otherwise, sorry...I have nothing to offer.

good luck!

 

I recently purchased a '01 F150 SuperCrew Lariat, blk w/ tan trim and tan leather, 5.4L, limited slip diff, auto trans.

this is the 4th tank of gas i have filled up w/. i drive constantly in the city and each tank i got an astonishing 12.936MPG i was under the impression i should receive around 15-16MPG. any suggestions on how to increase the mileage? I currently have 1200 miles on it.

 

first...I would let the engine "break in"...
next....see the above email that states what I have done to my truck with respect to the muffler and air filter system. To date, my truck is getting approx. 14mpg on the highway...but, I am still waiting for the truck to "seed" the new muffler and air system ...hopefully, in the next 4-6 months, I will see an improvement....


good luck...otherwise, I suppose we bought a truck to "work" as a truck...not to get great mileage.