02 F150 5.4/auto/3.55

[spacetiger]

Hello to all. An interesting site with some interesting thoughts, projects, and results.

I'm an aerospace engineer, so I'm always interested in max efficiency. The F150 (5.4 auto/3.55) has my attention as I'm going through a program to get the MPG up. I use the pickup for many things including towing boats, it is not my daily driver. The projects list out as:

Drive train efficiency:
- Tune up: complete
- Evolution tuner CS: complete, running 2nd program
- electric flex-o-lite fan: complete
- under pulley set: pending, parts in
- Cool air swap: pending, parts coming
- Dual exhaust: pending, parts in

Aerodynamics:
- Tonneau cover: done
- Grill cover: temp in place collection data (new grill coming); 90% of grill covered from outside
- Lowering suspension kit: pending, parts in

Averaging 16.2 MPG, best 17.6 and worse of 15.7. Probably 3-4 weeks before I can get all mods in. Playing with the programmer now to see what efficiencies are possible. The objective is to get to 22.

Projects in contemplation phase:
- 3.73 rearend swap / GearVender OD swap [big $$$$]
- front air dam
- airflow management devise behind extended cab

Projects in thinking phase:
- automatic "go to neutral" function. This is mostly while sitting in traffic, not coasting. I note the evolution programmer indicates engine load. Having watched the values at idle and at speed, I notice a distinct change in values when sitting still in gear vs. in neutral. In gear, it is normally at 21-22 counts. In neutral, it is mostly 14 (toggling to 15). After the electric fan, it is mostly 13 (toggling to 14). So, efan swap looks like it net ~4.7% efficiency (1/21.5). But if I put the transmission in neutral, I go from 21.5 to 13; a 37.2% drop. Since I do a lot of traffic sitting, I may gain a noticeable gain. Just curious, has anyone thought of a design based on a solenoid that kicks the AT into neutral when stopped, then back in gear when foot is off the brake and/or when TB is not in use? Seems this is doable and safer than using the transmission selector.... It seems like this would be something the automakers would do because you can design this in safely (foot has to be on the brake and TB inactive = solenoid internal to transmission stops crank from turning fluid in torque converter. BTW, I think you risk A/T damage when you coast with engine off (see owners manual warning for towing conditions). Just saying.

Other vehicles:
02 Mercedes SLK320 (26.2 MPG), primary vehicle
09 Aprilia Sportcity 250 (87.3 MPG), runabout
90 Honda PC800 (58.1 MPG), toy

Jerry

[Big Dave]

Is your truck a 4x4 or 4x2?

If its 4x2 you have some extra options.

Slam the truck with drop I-beams & shackles. That got me an extra 1.0 MPG.

Swapping in a T56 from a Mustang would be a bunch cheaper than a Gear Vendor and would get you the bebefits of a manual (efficincy + easy hypermiling).

[spacetiger]

Forgot to post it; 4 x 2. Thanks for the catch Big Dave.

I am planning on dropping front 2" and rear enough to level it (say 3-4"). The kit is in the garage.

Cannot swap to manual as I tow and A/T is better to tow. GearVender is many $'s, but you get 8 speed A/T with lower 1st gearing ~8% and top end gearing is taller by ~18% if you also swap from 3.55 to 3.73 rearend gearing. This helps towing and cruising with no load.

I think the GearVender will be workable if I can get a bit more HP/torque at 1,800 RPM + reduce air drag.

Jerry

[Big Dave]

I tow with a stick. ZF6-650.

Having a GV, I wish I could get an axle with a 1.6:1 ratio and I'd use a Spicer 7 gear with a 1:1 top gear.

[spacetiger]

Big Dave,

How do you like the GearVender? Did you do the install yourself?

Just curious, are you using a programmer (I have the Evolution CS); I like the fact you can reprogram for towing or power.

Jerry