300 Fuel Econ tips
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 106
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From: Lone Tree, IA
300 Fuel Econ tips
Hi, folks.
I've got a '94 with the EFI big-six. I've taken care of all of the usual things to improve economy, i.e., plugs, wires, filters, tire air pressure, etc. I'm curious whether anyone can recommend anything specific to the 300 I might be overlooking.
Also: where's the redline on this thing? The tach goes to six but I've rarely explored the space above 3k, as it sounds like I'm about to eject a piston into low orbit.
Thanks,
JG
'94 F150 reg-cab shortbox 4x4, EFI 300 i6, Mazda gearbox, 125K.
I've got a '94 with the EFI big-six. I've taken care of all of the usual things to improve economy, i.e., plugs, wires, filters, tire air pressure, etc. I'm curious whether anyone can recommend anything specific to the 300 I might be overlooking.
Also: where's the redline on this thing? The tach goes to six but I've rarely explored the space above 3k, as it sounds like I'm about to eject a piston into low orbit.
Thanks,
JG
'94 F150 reg-cab shortbox 4x4, EFI 300 i6, Mazda gearbox, 125K.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 566
Likes: 1
Hi, folks.
I've got a '94 with the EFI big-six. I've taken care of all of the usual things to improve economy, i.e., plugs, wires, filters, tire air pressure, etc. I'm curious whether anyone can recommend anything specific to the 300 I might be overlooking.
Also: where's the redline on this thing? The tach goes to six but I've rarely explored the space above 3k, as it sounds like I'm about to eject a piston into low orbit.
Thanks,
JG
'94 F150 reg-cab shortbox 4x4, EFI 300 i6, Mazda gearbox, 125K.
I've got a '94 with the EFI big-six. I've taken care of all of the usual things to improve economy, i.e., plugs, wires, filters, tire air pressure, etc. I'm curious whether anyone can recommend anything specific to the 300 I might be overlooking.
Also: where's the redline on this thing? The tach goes to six but I've rarely explored the space above 3k, as it sounds like I'm about to eject a piston into low orbit.
Thanks,
JG
'94 F150 reg-cab shortbox 4x4, EFI 300 i6, Mazda gearbox, 125K.
You could run over 3000 RPMs all day, I've done it.
Freshman User
Joined: Jan 2010
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the 300 will take a 7,000 rpm blast like it was nothing thats just the beauty of a engine that is balanced in the primary and secondary.
also for better MPG use gas with no ethenol. its trash and gives bad MPG i dont kno y they put it in other than to make more money. (as would be expected greedy america)
also for better MPG use gas with no ethenol. its trash and gives bad MPG i dont kno y they put it in other than to make more money. (as would be expected greedy america)
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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i usually got around 18-19MPG intown. mine was the 5 speed, and I would just coast to a stop at the stop signs. This helped out a lot. Driving style dictates MPG a lot. Also try to get the gas without ethanol, which is hard. if the pump says "can contain up to 10% ethanol" As it will reduce MPG a bit. Sounds like you have your truck tuned up good.
I have heard that synthetic oils will help MPG. Engine, tranny, and rear end. Haven't noticed any difference in my Toyota truck runnning synthetic engine oil. I hardly ever drive the same roads for an entire tank, so its hard to tell. plus i switched this winter, and its hard to compare winter MPG"S to summer MPG"S.
I have heard that synthetic oils will help MPG. Engine, tranny, and rear end. Haven't noticed any difference in my Toyota truck runnning synthetic engine oil. I hardly ever drive the same roads for an entire tank, so its hard to tell. plus i switched this winter, and its hard to compare winter MPG"S to summer MPG"S.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 566
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the 300 will take a 7,000 rpm blast like it was nothing thats just the beauty of a engine that is balanced in the primary and secondary.
also for better MPG use gas with no ethenol. its trash and gives bad MPG i dont kno y they put it in other than to make more money. (as would be expected greedy america)
also for better MPG use gas with no ethenol. its trash and gives bad MPG i dont kno y they put it in other than to make more money. (as would be expected greedy america)
I've even heard of 10-15% less fuel economy
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 106
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From: Lone Tree, IA
I know all about E10; there are a few places here in Cheyenne that advertise no alcohol in their fuels. I also pump 85 octane here (at altitude)... I haven't tried 87, which is considered midgrade here.
I drive like a granny, shortshifting that torquey 300.
I will try a synthetic blend at the next oil change. I usually change between 2,500 and 3,000 — any thoughts on that? I run my tires at 35 front 41 rear as per the doorjam sticker.
7,000? Zooks. Short of pulling a 6,000 lbs car hauler through the mountains I've never needed more than 3,300 up and then back down grades, but I'm always nervous. I just returned from a roadtrip to Iowa and running 2,800 the whole way down the interstate had me sweating, too; glad to know that won't hurt anything.
When I changed plugs and wires about a month ago I noticed there was a lot of corrosion on the coil end of the coil-distributor connection. Sanding that down, along with the plugs and wires, seems to have made a big difference, maybe as much as 1.5mpg. (Haven't driven enough to nail down a firm figure yet.) Seems to have restored a bit of low end and eased the idle.
I drive like a granny, shortshifting that torquey 300.
I will try a synthetic blend at the next oil change. I usually change between 2,500 and 3,000 — any thoughts on that? I run my tires at 35 front 41 rear as per the doorjam sticker.
7,000? Zooks. Short of pulling a 6,000 lbs car hauler through the mountains I've never needed more than 3,300 up and then back down grades, but I'm always nervous. I just returned from a roadtrip to Iowa and running 2,800 the whole way down the interstate had me sweating, too; glad to know that won't hurt anything.
When I changed plugs and wires about a month ago I noticed there was a lot of corrosion on the coil end of the coil-distributor connection. Sanding that down, along with the plugs and wires, seems to have made a big difference, maybe as much as 1.5mpg. (Haven't driven enough to nail down a firm figure yet.) Seems to have restored a bit of low end and eased the idle.
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Boise, Idaho
Wow, 7000? I'd never think about doing that to my 300. I've heard of people throwing piston skirts at anything above 4500, and the engine'll tear itself apart over 5500. 7000, no way. It may be balanced, but you're going to get parts floating, and then rods throwing.
Definitely keep an eye out for non-ethanol. A place here specifically advertises it and I noticed quite a jump after I filled up there. 10-15% is a lot of an econ difference.
Definitely keep an eye out for non-ethanol. A place here specifically advertises it and I noticed quite a jump after I filled up there. 10-15% is a lot of an econ difference.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: Sheffield, AL
I am going from memory, so will be off a little, but if one looks at the window sticker of new Chevrolet flex-fuel vehicles [i.e. Suburban, pick-ups, etc.], specifically at the EPA mileage estimates, it goes something like this: 14-15 mpg in town & 20 mpg highway using gasoline and changes to ~12 mpg in town and 15-16 highway when using E-85 [85% Ethanol].
My numbers may be off a little (?), but this is shocking!!
My numbers may be off a little (?), but this is shocking!!
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From: Near Los Angeles
Wow, 7000? I'd never think about doing that to my 300. I've heard of people throwing piston skirts at anything above 4500, and the engine'll tear itself apart over 5500. 7000, no way. It may be balanced, but you're going to get parts floating, and then rods throwing.
Definitely keep an eye out for non-ethanol. A place here specifically advertises it and I noticed quite a jump after I filled up there. 10-15% is a lot of an econ difference.
Definitely keep an eye out for non-ethanol. A place here specifically advertises it and I noticed quite a jump after I filled up there. 10-15% is a lot of an econ difference.
However, there are guys on this site and the other one, who routinely buzz their engines up to 7K, and one up to 9k!! But there is an abyiss between us and them, between our engines and their 300's, and the only thing that can bridge that canyon is truck loads of green backs.
(I was looking at a bitchen roaster at the swap meet. The guy started it for me, and was buzzing it to unbelievable rpm right there. When I about flipped out, he explained: "Its a rotary. There's no top end." Our engines are nothing like that; tractor engines for the daily grind.
