Guys,

I'm wrapping up my 4.9 Lightning project and was wondering if it is possible to achieve 20 MPG with an E4OD? I've got 3.31 gears, tonneau cover, and recent tune up but can't seem to get past 18 MPG. I've considered a better flowing catback exhaust and intake but was wondering before I went to the expense would swapping a more efficient 5.0/E4OD make more sense? BTW, I use this truck only for light hauling and towing a jetski around. Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Scott

 

be happy with 18 mpg. that 4 better than I have ever seen with my 30turd and E4OD

 

I would do the exhaust either way, but that is just me. I love the sound of almost any exhaust.

So with the high gas prices, and the huge amount of new comers to this wonderful site asking what to do to get better MPG and the millions of threads about it I decided I would pull together some of the better information and give you what I have been researching. I have been pulling tons of threads and been saving them about MPG gains and what to do to help. If you think some of my information is incorrect than please let me know as well. I DO NOT WANT THIS TO BECOME A DEBATE. This is info i found on THIS site. If there is anything I can add even if it is debatable, I want to give the reader an idea of good ways, cheap ways, and all ways of better MPG. Most of the listed also give more power, so it is a win-win situation.

Intake: Intakes take in more air than regular drop filter compartment. More (cold) air means happier and smoother running engine. Some people notice MPG gain, others don’t. I read that SSgtTex said he got around 3 MPG better with the FIPK I didn’t notice a difference because I did my before I had my license. There are tons of companies out their. Most people go with K&N. want to do this but don’t have the money? Here is a “Ghetto-fab K&N write ups.” They sound cool as well, so that’s another reason it’s cool to have a K&N.
http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/show...&highlight=mpg
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...hlight=ram+air

Electric Fan Swap-This is a swap i believe people usually get them out of Taurus' but many other cars as well. Pretty much, they cool the engine better and are more efficient. However, they are electric so they use more battery power. I read that they can help about 1-2 MPG. A great write up by kf4amu:
http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/show...t=electric+fan

Headers: Headers will replace the stock exhaust manifolds. This allows for better airflow. Once again better air flow = happier truck= better MPG. With less air restriction they often have performance benefits as well, such as better horsepower. There are 2 different kinds: Shorty and long tube. Shorties are good for people who have or are going to do a SAS (solid axle swap). However Shorties don’t have as much performance and MPG gains as long tube. You can read more about header set up here:
http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/show...&highlight=mpg

Mufflers: Scraping you stock muffler and swapping to a new muffler is a good cheap change. The stock muffler restricts air flow. New performance mufflers also allow better air flow and help with MPG gain and HP. I notice a difference with my Flowmaster 40 series. Mufflers more often than not make the truck sound better than stock does. (Refer to the link above for more exhaust help.)

Exhaust set up: Replacing the stock y pipe with a bassani or similar is supposed to do more then any other exhuast modification or so I have read on here about 2 MPG gain . Also like stated below, scraping the stock exhaust pipping with newer wider pipes will better MPG(more air flow) Below is Gacknar's set up.
http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/show...t=bassani+pipe

Gears and Gearing: If you have a lifted truck and stock gears don’t really ask for very good MPG. The big tires with stock gearing put strain on the truck and how hard it has to work. With better gearing you can get pretty close to what it was like driving stock both performance wise and MPG wise. The down side to gearing is that it is expensive. There are billion of different ratios to go with so you can refer to here for what fits you best.

http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/show...&highlight=mpg

Timing Bump and ignition upgrade: This upgrade involves a new coil, distributor cap, spark plugs, spark plug wires and such. When you do the timing it changes the time when the spark is introduced in to the piston to ignite the fuel earlier so the unused gas wont make it through. Now its getting ignited. So you are getting more horsepower and no more unburnt gas.There are plenty of write-ups about it like the Sixlitre. Here is Sewiv’s. About a 4-5 MPG gain.
http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/show...=sixlitre+tune

Ignition Boxes:These control the ignition spark. The powerful inductive sparks will help burn the fuel mixture more efficiently improving starting, idle quality and economy. These can be picked up for around 100 dollars and more.

Weight: This is major. The less weight in the truck the better MPG it will get. So try and not carry all you tools and off road equiptment if it is not needed. An extra 100lbs can reduce your mileage by 2% or vice versa. Less weight the less restriction.

Tires:Make sure they aired up to the proper PSI's. Make sure your alignment is straight

Additives

Seafoam: This is a additive that can be added to the fuel tank, carburetor or fuel injection system, or the oil crankcase. The point is not to burn more efficiently (you'll actually get less MPG while you are burning through the tank that has seafoam in it) but to clean the system out so that fuel isn't restricted and there isn't as much carbon and crap interfering.
One can only cost about 6 bucks, and can be picked up at pretty much any auto store. I have personally used this and other Fuel Injector Cleaners and notice they do work my gas lasted longer in my tank with it. Here is a write up about how to do it.
http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/show...&highlight=mpg

Maintenance: Changing you fluids (tranny, engine oil, diffs) will make you car run smoother and alot better thus making you MPG maintain a good average. If you run your gears and engine dry of fluids then it wears,breaks and destroys the truck. Proper maintenance will extend the life of you truck. Some people sware by SYNTHETICS. They last longer than regular oil, and are suppose to be better for the engine.

Now for the debatable bolt on features!!!

Throttle Body Spacers (TBS) : These increase air intake volume and velocity. They are supposed to increase HP, torque, and MPG. Some people do notice a difference, some don’t. A lot of people say they are a waste of money but for 90 bucks you can pick up one for yourself. I read that Allcruisen got a 2 MPG gain from one. You can read more about them and debates of them here:
http://fullsizebronco.com/forum/show...&highlight=mpg

Engine Performance Booster: These are what you know as Tornado or Turbonator. They say they can increase MPG by 24% and HP by 13 HP. I find these a little un-realistic. But I have read that they do help. They are cheap around 65 bucks you can pick one up for. They create a mini whirlwind of air to ensure better fuel atomization. MikE2 did a test and said he did get better MPG and HP with them about 1.5-2 MPG gain.
http://www.fullsizebronco.com/forum/...ad.php?t=62846

Hoods Cowl induction hoods allow for cold air to cool your engine. They supposably allow the fuel/ air mix more properly. I have never heard if they actully do get better MPG and better performance but im guessing they do or racecars wouldn't use them.

Driving style: this is most important. you need to drive with an easy foot, punching the gas and breaking hard are good ways to get bad MPG. Revving your engine also is a good way to get bad MPG....ask me i know Letting the engine run on very cold days for a little while is good, however cranking your heat up and letting the truck run for 20 minutes so you have your own little equator, that will hurt you MPG. Driving over 60MPH can really decrease your MPB the ideal MPH is in between 55-60 usually. This can be benificial to up to 20%.

Wind and Wind Resistance: When on the highways dont have your windows rolled down, this creates drag. Also, Avoid luggage racks or other things that make your truck less aerodynamic.

This is from a thread over on a fullsize bronco forum.

 

Anyone else?

 

You can/should look at improved fuel mileage this way: any improvement you make in power will be manifested in better fuel economy - all else being equal - by not having to keep your foot in it as much.

The "six liter" tuneup will have positive gains in power, resulting in better fuel economy overall. (Bigger plug gap; thicker wires; better coil, cap and rotor; timing bumped to 13*BTDC.)