Greetings - my first post

When I bought my 2001 F250CC SD SB 5.4L 4X2 4.10, I said it would be the last truck I ever bought (only because I could see the way gas was headed, and it would eventually end up as a secondary vehicle used for trash days and hauling construction materials).

I now have a TT Toy Hauller of about 3.5Tons, and have looked for ways to improve or recapture performance. The truck has 85K miles. I switched to Amsoil at 75K. I have used a K&N air filter since 18K.

Over the past two months I have put in a K&N CAI (stage II). I am also toying with the Hypertech programmer for more torque in the 2500-4000rpm range when towing). Also, I replace my exhaust with a cat-back "heart throb" (probably thew away money there - at least I have the bent tubing to put on some decent gp tips later). Another questionable change I made was I replaced the OEM plugs (actually the origonalls-at 85K miles) with Bosch fusion plugs.

The only other thing I can think of doing is replacing the headers and possibly the cat with two cats.

What I am tring to do is increase overall fuel economy for normal driving, and increase towing performance without too much of a sacrifice in fuel economy (hopefully some imrovement even) while towing. (down in this range a 10% improvement is 1.5mpg!)

Prior to hypertech and the CAI, I would get 15-17mpg Hwy (70-80mph) unloaded. Towing the TT Toy Hauler, dropped to 8-10mpg (60-75mph).

Don't have any numbers post Hypertech and CAI.

What else can be (should be)done/redone to my truck? Is the new header idea justifiable? Keep in mind this is my last truck, and I treat it that way. The Cab looks show room new, and the body is in excllent condition - I am not going to go out and buy another truck.

Thanks for any help your expertise generates, I am no mechanic (unless you start talking motorcycles).

Ed

2001 F250CrewCab SB 4X2 5-speed manual transmision 4.10 rear end
2004 KLR650
2003 KL250S
2004 KX250F
2005 KX85
2003 Merc Sable
1997 Ford Taurus

 

Sheesh man, I think you're doing great with what you have. That's a pretty heavy trailer for the 5.4, and for you to be getting the average mileage your getting is pretty good in itself. I'd say sit back and enjoy the ride. Any more money you put into it, could be money you could have put into the gas tank!

 

Cat shouldn't make too much of a difference. The K&N might have been a bad idea, someone else can chime in on that one. I use them, but I also only drive my truck maybe twice a month.

 

The 5.4L does tow the trailer pretty good, it is just that heavy weight in the pit of my stomache every time I realize my MPG is dropped 40%. And all I am doing is moving more air around and heating my trailer axles and tires up a bit.

 

Law of diminishing returns - every mpg above what you're getting now will cost you more than the one before it. And as to that 8-10 mpg towing, it ain't gonna change much. Don't care if it's a Chevy, Dodge, or Ford, at 8000 lbs and large frontal area, that's the mileage you're stuck with. Any one tells you they're towing a 10k 5er with a large front and getting 15 is lying thru his teeth.......

 

I've wondered about that one myself. Driving down the interstate when it is 100F in the shade, and I am supposed to find cold air where? Yep, right ther in the front corner of my engine compartment. I can understand the concept of cold air, I'm not dense, but I believe the real gain comes from less restriction on the intake.

On the side, has anyone tried to form a "ram air" into the area of the CAI filter. Would have to remove some plastic forward of the filter, and make a clear path to the front left of the grill. Some thing to think about. Maybe someday I will play around with some rubber sheets and spray some expansion foam and mold for a smooth transition, then paint with rubber sealant. Mount a differential pressure sensor system to monitor air intake and air filter pressures.

Someday

I did feel a quicker response to the foot action after the stage II K&N was installed. Made me feel better about the money spent. Just need to get the air to the filter in a better more efficient fashion (and keep it from taking on water)

Thanks for the inputs!

Ed

 

I was talking more about the filter itself. K&N filters let dirt into the intake more than a paper filter. Also, the oil from the filter collects on the MAF.

 

That is probably the wall I should be banging my head against. Thetruck itself takes care of half of the air resistance. Just need to find a way to flow smoother to the trailer front.

Anyone got a wind tunnel they will loan out, and a scale model of the 2001 F250CCSB they wouldn't mind having a few spray paint traces ran over it?

More thinking to do.
Ed

 

I hadn't heard that about K&N before. Will have to find a safe way to clean the MAF sensor (verry carefully).

Thanks,
Ed

 

Definitely clean the MAF!

Even with a paper filter, it gets dirty.

Do not clean the K&N - the extra dirt keeps more dirt from getting in

 

The K&N debate is all over this website (and every other car/truck related website in the universe). I've been running a K&N in my truck (not the CAI, just the filter) since I got it with 29000 miles. It has over 94000 now and still runs great. I've cleaned the filter maybe 3 times (according to the instructions), reoiled, and never had a problem. As for power increase...maybe, but certainly not enough to write Mom about. It does sound cooler though! Got a bit more of a roar when you tromp on it.

As I said above, I just really don't think you're gonna get much more out of it. You're doing pretty good and a lot of people would love to get what you are (the 15 - 17...I get about the same towing as you anyway). I know I would. Maybe a tune-up is finally in order!!

 

I just like not having to change paper filters every time I change the oil.

I can feel the difference with the paper filters VERY quickly. The performance (throttle response) falls off pretty quick. With the K&N, it doesn't. Oh, wait, I didn't use a K&N this time, but that "orange" brand (quickly runs and hides)

 

I will gather some more stats before/after the K&N CAI, Bosch fusion plug, & Hypertech mods. I have a feeling there won't be much of a difference due mainly to errors introduced by "full tank", weather, which roads traveled,etc. I will be happy if I get > 10mpg towing. The data I produced in my original post was 1000 mile drive to California to pick up TTTH, and return trip towing the thing. Those numbers are good (I still gave the finals +/- 1mpg). Not about to drive the 1K to get another data set. I will post however, whatever honest data I do obtain on my 200-400 mile week-enders.

Off to see what I can do about aerodynamics, and trying not to smack the same molecules of air any more than neccessary.

Ed

 

Do you have stock-sized tires?

 

Yep, stock tires (Yokohoma Geolander LT235/85R16 HT/S), and 4.10 rear. 5 speed manual transmission because it is one of those "control" things. That is the way I grew up (Have I?).

OK, I'll bite. "quickly runs and hides Fram what"?