Quote:
Originally Posted by American Viking
Hey I had a GT (a 96) as recently as 2012 and will again, so I get you.
There are plenty of things you can do to help with your mileage.
1. Change the rear end gears. I don't know what ratio you have in the rear end because they differ between the Automatic and the manual - And there are optional rear ratios for both. If you have a manual trans get the 3.15 gears from an automatic, if you have an automatic get a set of 2.73's from either ford parts or a junk yard. You will need an ecm reflash to correct the speedometer for the gear changes, but that will bring down the cruising rpm.
2. Get the lightweight aluminum driveshaft, it can handle pretty much anything your throwing at the car right now and the reduced mass will help with coasting.
3. The lowering springs WILL help with mpg, because there will be less turbulent air under the car and less turbulent air coming from the wheel-well openings.
4. If you have a tire pressure monitoring system, ditch the spare, carry plugs, a small compressor (the slime one is great) and a can of slime foam instead.
5. If you got a gt with a manual, when the clutch needs attention, swap it out and install a lightweight flywheel, the factory flywheel on my GT weighed 27 lbs. The aluminum one with Steel friction facings was only 17lbs. Less wasted energy overcoming inertia.
6. lightweight pulleys on the front engine accessory drive. Standard but lighter weight (or no more than 5% underdrive pulleys) or you will have charging issues.
7. Replace that mechanical pump with an electric pump (meziere used to make them with a idler pulley on the outside of the pump case so you did not have to change the belt arrangement).
8. This will sound odd, but get a good set of High power heavy duty coils. Ford COP coils have a terrible reputation. Replacing them a top aftermarket brand will help make sure that combustion starts when it supposed to and that it then is as complete as you could hope for when the exhaust valve opens.
9. Get a good ECU reflash, Ford left plenty of efficiency on the table when they authored the programming in your car in exchange for 100K mile emissions certification.
That should let you get back more than just a couple of MPG.
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1. Next highest gear is 2.73 out of the v6 but would easily cost $800 after parts and labor. Not really worth it
2. Another high dollar option, not really worth it at this moment
3. I'll probably get some eventually since it'll also help with my appearance
4. Spare is already out
5. Mine is automatic
6. Nobody makes UD pullies for the new 5.0
7. E water pump is over $1,000. Not worth it
8. I've actually heard the exact opposite on that. People always say coils are waste of money
9. Already have some on the way