Is it poss. for Ford to have the capability to flash our truck computers and instantly get 20+ mpg? (Just like we can change the settings on our printer to print normal, draft or best...) Do they have a secret code?

 

They could, but it would mean not meeting EPA regulations. I think the EPA is partially to blame for the oil crisis, reducing efficiency in the 20-25% range to lower emissions. I wonder if they measure emissions per gallon or emissions per mile... wouldn't that be great if they were improving emissions only by increasing the fuel to emissions ratio

 

well, if they leaned out the engine, its less power and less emissions.

 

That's only true to a certain point. If they limited the max duty cycle of the injectors, which they do, it would lean it out under WOT. However, at highway speeds with cruise control set, the amount of diesel injected is the amount needed to maintain speed. There isn't any extra diesel injected than is needed or it would accelerate. Now, they could reduce the amount of diesel needed at any given speed/power level by adjusting timing and other factors to make it get more energy from the fuel... but oh no, emissions would increase as the fuel usage goes down.

 

It seems all those smart people could figure that out - leaner engine, fewer emmissions & better mpg...

Do the current tuners do this?

 

Leaning out the mixture does not mean you'll get better mileage or fewer emissions. Quite the opposite, a lean mixture tends to have sharply increased NOx emissions.

Also, engines with lean mixtures will run hotter (overheating and engine damage) plus they make less power (which means you have to burn more fuel to make the same amount of power that an engine with a normal fuel/air ratio makes).

The idea that Ford (or any company) can double the fuel mileage of a vehicle with a different operating program is a myth, an urban legend. If it was true companies like Super Chip or Bully Dog would already be selling these tunes and making a fortune.

 

Are we talking gasoline or diesel?

 

I was talking diesel, others are talking gasoline. Each reacts differently to reduced fuel mix. Diesels will just produce less power and turn over slower, their throttle response is only controlled by fuel where a gasoline engine is controlled by fuel and air restriction.

 

Personally, I have a 5.4L...Just sold my 7.3.

But, is it impossible for a 3/4 ton to get 20+? I get 17 @ 55mph, but I can't always drive that speed or accelerate slowly (i.e. 610 in Houston...)...

I wonder if the oil companies could add an additive to the fuel that would make it burn slower to increase mpg?

 

Do I wish for 20+ mpg with my '06 V10 SCrew F350 - you bet. But 416 cubic inches, 7200+ for weight, aerodynamics similar to a barn door, a 4.10 set of gears, a fairly restrictive exhaust are working against my best efforts. But then I look at it from the viewpoint of a somewhat similar truck that I owned in the distant past - a '79 F350 V8/460 SC. The '06 ride is better, handles better (with Bilsteins) the engine runs better - injected vs. a carb, electronic engine management vs. Duraspark ll, it gets better gas mileage 10-13 vs 8-11. And the best part, it hauls my 7700 camper like it wasn't there at 9 mpg and 70 mph. The '79, 7-8mpg and regardless of the fact it was a 9900GVW Super Camper Special, I always knew the trailer was attached.

Do I wish that I could find a manufacturer that makes a programmer/chip for this truck as a "magic wand"? Sure do. Some say they do, but my research says it really ain't true - that is unless one has been designed in the past few months. Heck, there isn't even a good aftermarket exhaust - that is unless someone has..........you know what I mean

I don't like $110 fill ups - but, unfortunately that's the way it is if you drive a large pickup truck. So - what do I do - I fill it then shine it up and drive it....and hope the price of gas mellows out.

 

Diesels depend on fuel AND injection advance, don't they?

As for running a diesel lean, I was told to QUICKLY fix the issue by my machinist. There is a point where it's TOO lean...

 

Yes, the injection has to advance to match the changing engine speed and load or it would run like crap as it tried to speed up.

 

so its easier to squeeze MPG's out of a diesel anyway i do agree that the EPA is responsible for most of the crisis now there even responsible for making companys like "cat" to stop making OTR engines i think a bunch of stuff needs to be re evaluated to do good for the economy not just tree huggers

 

Is it posible? Absolutly. My old 7.3 gets close to 19mpg hiway stock on an 11-12K truck. Wouldn't take much to improve that. Better spread on the trans gears in a 5-6 speed auto vs the 4 spd auto thats in it. Faster rears to go with the better spread on the tranny.

Can it be done and match the new EPA regs? No way in He11. Almost imposible to drive my new 6.4 in 5th/OD at 40-45 yet my 7.3 will hop right in to OD at 38. Has to do with keeping the RPM's up to keep the exhaust temps in the range to burn off all the carbon the truck may or may not make.

 

OUCH, while reading all the posts on here i was watching my local 10:00 news and they were saying that if oil prices are going to continue to rise, that experts are stating that by 2010, we will be seeing $7.50 for a gallon of regular gas. no mention of diesel though...thats an amazing $330 for a full 44 gallon fillup.