Improved mileage?
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Improved mileage?
I have a 2003 F250. My friend told me that he gained 3 mpg and better performance on his V10 by just adding a K&N replacement filter and cutting out his muffler and replacing it with a Magnaflow muffler, leaving the rest of the exhaust system stock. He did not add a full air intake kit or full exhaust system with the "Y" replaced.
Will these two changes really make much of a difference with mileage and performance on my truck?
Will these two changes really make much of a difference with mileage and performance on my truck?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 420
From: Long Island USA
More than likely, the paper air filter was clogged to all hell (I can tell the stock paper filter clogs up within a few thousand miles, enough to FEEL - change only the filter, and I feel the power pick up) (before I changed out to a Fram Air Hog, and later, the Volant CAI).
He might have also changed the fuel filter, filled his tires, and a few other things that he didn't even realize have a HUGE impact on MPGs.
3MPGs will not be possible in any way shape or form, UNLESS you do a bunch of maintenance things all at the same time:
1) Clean the MAF
2) Change the air filter, or go with an aftermarket
3) Change the fuel filter
4) Check your tire pressure - if you like a "nice ride" give up some comfort for better MPGs. But do not overinflate, that'll wear out the tires faster, just costing you more money
5) Change the plugs/boots if you haven't done it in 50K miles. Even though Ford says 100K miles on the plugs, I've had great results changing them in the modulars with only 30K on them. Seriously.
He might have also changed the fuel filter, filled his tires, and a few other things that he didn't even realize have a HUGE impact on MPGs.
3MPGs will not be possible in any way shape or form, UNLESS you do a bunch of maintenance things all at the same time:
1) Clean the MAF
2) Change the air filter, or go with an aftermarket
3) Change the fuel filter
4) Check your tire pressure - if you like a "nice ride" give up some comfort for better MPGs. But do not overinflate, that'll wear out the tires faster, just costing you more money
5) Change the plugs/boots if you haven't done it in 50K miles. Even though Ford says 100K miles on the plugs, I've had great results changing them in the modulars with only 30K on them. Seriously.
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
Is there any benefit (mileage or performance) to swapping out the stock muffler with an aftermarket muffler?
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Krewat,
Did you use any heat shields with your headers? If so, what did you do. Have you had any problems with them? (headers) and did you notice any difference with the "Y" pipe?
Has anyone remove the stock fan and replaced it with electric or something else?
2004 F350 SD CB SB XLT V10
K&N CAI, Magaflow cat back
Did you use any heat shields with your headers? If so, what did you do. Have you had any problems with them? (headers) and did you notice any difference with the "Y" pipe?
Has anyone remove the stock fan and replaced it with electric or something else?
2004 F350 SD CB SB XLT V10
K&N CAI, Magaflow cat back
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 420
From: Long Island USA
NO heat shields. No heat damage to anything, and I did run it at around 95 degrees ambient for 5 hours idling and pulling tree stumps. Not a whole lot of heat under there. I'm assuming under heavy load, the fan (and movement of the vehicle) would help a lot anyway.
Electric fan will not gain you much, if anything. Simple physics and conservation of energy applies. Using a clutched fan, there's not much to be gained.
Electric fan will not gain you much, if anything. Simple physics and conservation of energy applies. Using a clutched fan, there's not much to be gained.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 2
From: BC Canada
If the air filter is restrictive on a newer truck or car, the computer reads the air flow anyways, and puts in less fuel.
So theoretically more airflow, can only cause it to use more gas, not less.
I had a pal of mine that would not believe me, so we drove his dodge truck with in dash fuel use display.
We put in a brand new airfilter, and went for a drive, on a steep hill I held it right to the floor for about 45 seconds, it would read as low as 4 MPG when I held it WOT.
We wnt back down the hill, and I pulled over.
I opened the airbox on his truck, and jammed an old t shirt of mine, and a couple rags in the airbox.
Turned around and went up the same hill, and at the same area on the hill I again held it right to the floor, the lowest reading I could get was * MPG, and it had noticeably less acceleration.
If starved for air, the MAF tells the fule injection to use less gas....thats the simple explanation.
So theoretically more airflow, can only cause it to use more gas, not less.
I had a pal of mine that would not believe me, so we drove his dodge truck with in dash fuel use display.
We put in a brand new airfilter, and went for a drive, on a steep hill I held it right to the floor for about 45 seconds, it would read as low as 4 MPG when I held it WOT.
We wnt back down the hill, and I pulled over.
I opened the airbox on his truck, and jammed an old t shirt of mine, and a couple rags in the airbox.
Turned around and went up the same hill, and at the same area on the hill I again held it right to the floor, the lowest reading I could get was * MPG, and it had noticeably less acceleration.
If starved for air, the MAF tells the fule injection to use less gas....thats the simple explanation.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 3,924
Likes: 6
From: Richmond BC
but dont expect to notice any real performance gains...
i'd only ever change to a performance muffler if teh current one was going bad and needed replacing anyways...
Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
If the air filter is restrictive on a newer truck or car, the computer reads the air flow anyways, and puts in less fuel.
So theoretically more airflow, can only cause it to use more gas, not less.
If starved for air, the MAF tells the fule injection to use less gas....thats the simple explanation.
So theoretically more airflow, can only cause it to use more gas, not less.
If starved for air, the MAF tells the fule injection to use less gas....thats the simple explanation.
Although your example was illuminating.
New User
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
I live in Phoenix... I have a few boats that I pull for friends as for mine. HP is important .... and .... if I can something with GPM. I have read that going with electric fan upgrade and rid for stock fan has help with HP and some mileage. Anything can help...
Does the "y" pipe really help with HP/mileage? If so, where did you get yours or did you make your own.... I would love to go with the Banks system.... but ... it's pricie..
What do you all think of "tuners" after intake and exhaust up grades??
thx !
Does the "y" pipe really help with HP/mileage? If so, where did you get yours or did you make your own.... I would love to go with the Banks system.... but ... it's pricie..
What do you all think of "tuners" after intake and exhaust up grades??
thx !