I'm a newbie to the forum and would like to introduce myself. Bob Scott, 56 y/o Jack of all trades, master of none Slot car nut extraordinaire <IMG title=Applause alt="=D>" src="http://www.mpgresearch.com/forum/images/smilies/eusa_clap.gif"> Check out my site @ <!-- m -->http://www.gofastest.com/cruzin<!-- m --> .

I recently traded my motor home for a 2003 Ford Super Duty E350 with a 5.4l and would like to know what I can do to increase mpg. The van has 145K miles. These were said to be freeway miles and I'd have to agree, jusdging from the great condition of the van.

I've done a little reading and don't care to get into some of the really extensive mods that some are doing (good work BTW) but would like to know of some of the easier, less expensive mods that can be done.

I have never gotten into using any computer mods but have heard there are some "chips" that can be installed to increase HP & MPG.

I have looked into the K&N Air Induction kits although after reading some here I see several talk dudu about K&N and some raved about AMSOIL filters. Good grief!


Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

Welcome to FTE Cruzinbob!!

CAI (Cold air intake) and a better flowing exhaust will help your motor breathe better and possibly add 1 or 2 mpg. Most tuners (programmers), what you called "chips" for these motors add hp and torque, but don't necessarily increase your mileage, some decrease it when they add the power, but can adjust shift points in your tranny which can improve things a bit. Given the mileage, your truck could probably use a basic tuneup just to check things over, plugs, etc.

Most guys with 2V 5.4L engines (prior to 2005) upgrade to change their y-pipe with something like this - eBay Motors: 00-04 Ford F250-F350 6.8L V10 Gas Saving Y Pipe (item 220264186397 end time Aug-11-08 09:22:54 PDT) The factory y-pipe is very restrictive.

Depends on how far you want to go. A K&N intake for the gas trucks is one of the best - it gets a poor grade on the diesels due to possible dusting but that is normally because people only upgrade their filter, not the whole intake setup. I have used them on three different gas trucks in very dusty conditions and never had any problems. AFE is also well respected.

Custom exhaust with a freeflowing Magnaflow or Flowmaster muffler can be done relatively cheaply and there are a few bolt on kits you can find from these manufacturers and Gibson and others. Lots of choices out there and they don't need to be loud to help improve the flow if you don't want it to sound like a race car.

Anyway, you'll get more input here, I just thought I'd throw out a few ideas.

 

Thing is, there are no CAI made for E-series that I know of. Same with tuners. You'd have to get a custom tune. You can swap mufflers but I wouldn't expect any MPG increases, just more noise inside.

Also E-series don't have the funky Y-pipe.

What kind of mileage are you getting now?

 

Well, might make my own CAI with PVC...

I just checked the 1st 1/4 tank used and am @ 12.8 going from Oakview (1000 altitude) to Ventura (beach) and back. About 50/50 freeway, city driving. Monsta, you have an Econoline or know about them? Also, mine is Extended. Had some not to heavy shelving but took one side out to stack my mobile tracks in.

I usually go thru normal simple minor things when getting a new/used vehicle, rotor, cap, plugs, wires, crankcase/trans oil change (and due to the high mileage I'll use synthetic, probably Valvoline).

I've been a regular on slot car boards and will be checking these forums regularly too. Isn't the Internet an amazing thing? Hard to believe sometimes the amount of discussion that goes on. Certainly many have their opinions and bias for product/procedures but it's great to be able to check it out so easily.

Thanks again and looking for any all all input!

 

I've put 2 tank fulls (regular) of gas since my last post and after just putting in a new Fram Air Filter am getting 14.75 mpg! Mostly freeway driving but I drive pretty hard 70-80 mph. When I got it the owner told me he got 19 mpg flat freeway @ 60 mph!

I am quite happy with my van. Over the last 15 years I've had a half dozen Dodges, 1 '01 Chevy Express 3500 Ext and lastly a 91 GMC 1/2t. I only got 9 mpg with the Express (had a 350 Vortec).

I am a bit disappointed looking for an alloy rim for my E350. Bought some from an 05 Lariat 4x4 and they don't fit. Since Chevies cross fine, I never suspected that the Ford wouldn't. Any one know what other vehicles rims fot the 16.5 pattern for the E350?

Thanks, Bob Scott

 

Wow, that's pretty good mileage for a gasser! I only get 16 mpg average with mine. And mine is a 7.3. I do have about 2,500 pounds of stuff in it, and ladders on top though.

The F series rims are a different bolt pattern than all the other trucks with 8 lugs, but I'm sure you know that by now. I don't know the specs on the E series rims, but you can measure the backspacing, and just get new ones that are the same.

 

Ford has a couple of good looking wheels they used on their vans. One is an Alco-style forged wheel that looks awesome. These wheels were optional on 1998 and older F250/F350 and E350 vans up until recently.
There are also these wheels:
eBay Motors: New Factory Ford Aluminum 16 Wheels F250 Truck E250 Van (item 270265577790 end time Aug-24-08 12:09:22 PDT)

 

Another tank of gas and I'm up to 16.17 mpg! This was pretty much all freeway driving. One thing I can't understand is that I was near empty and a fillup is taking about 20 gal...specs call for a 35 gal tank?!

The rims on my vans are 8 x 6.5.

89crewcab, thanks for the link and info, I really needed that! Now that I know what to look for gonna see if I can find some locally since I'm only 60 miles north of Los Angeles.