Effects Of Air Dam (Ford F350 pickup) - Page 2 - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

gascort · 10-26-2008, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaorenst

Big Dave, What made the most difference in your mpg increase? I have a 2008 Ram 150 with a 5.7 hemi and would love to see the results you are seeing. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Glen,

I'd predict his response to be "driving habits", but i think he has also done some transmission stuff and obviously aero too.

gaorenst · 10-26-2008, 01:06 PM

what i need to know is what made the biggest difference for him. I've put a flowmaster exaust in my truck, superchipped my truck, and put cold air intact but nothing near his results.

gascort · 10-26-2008, 01:35 PM

With the winter weather, you're actually likely to take a hit in fuel economy - do some searches for a WAI, or warm air intake.
The flowmaster will likely only help at high RPMs, where you aren't getting great FE anyway, and most of the superchip results I've seen result in lower Air/Fuel ratios. Is yours one of the power programmer superchips? If so, I'd recommend setting it for the best "torque" setting, as with most engines you'll get the most power at the low end of the rpm range.
Your mods will net your truck higher performance- faster acceleration and more power, but more fuel used. The exhaust won't hurt or help much for fuel economy.

gascort · 10-26-2008, 01:37 PM

Oh, and before Metro chimes in, Welcome to Ecomodder! You can go to the EM garage to put in your truck and start logging gas mileage, and be sure to introduce yourself in the introductions forum.

gaorenst · 10-26-2008, 01:58 PM

Thanks Gascort.

The mods I've done have really not made that much of a difference.
I have the truck set for the High octane setting in the superchip.

For the warm air intake would that just be setting the air intake from right by the engine? The truck has MDS which is really good for freeway driving. believe it or not this my truck gets decent mileage compared to my t100 but only if I keep my foot off the peddle I can get 16 in the city and 19 on the freeway going 65 mph. Cant go any slower in Houston.

I'm starting to think that the o2 sensors have a big part of the MPG of the vehicle.

Also have you read up on HHO is it a hoax or is there any truth to it?

Sorry to be so long winded. :-p

gascort · 10-26-2008, 02:07 PM

lol; you obviously don't know me well if you're worried about being long-winded!

IMO, HHO is a hoax all over - it doesn't match any real science, and I should know - I teach physics.
All my neighbors like asking me about my car experiments and they believe in HHO from what their friends have told them. I try to set them straight without telling them their friends are lying..

gaorenst · 10-26-2008, 02:39 PM

This is my understanding of HHO. It makes the fuel more effecient. Your vehicle is not actually running off of it. Diesel vehicles have been doing this with CNG into the air intake. But the HHO #'s are a bit crazy. unrealistic

portsample · 10-27-2008, 12:41 AM

Very impressive mileage Big Dave. I was wondering if you had done any modifications under the hood. I am considering getting a programmable chip for my truck. Immediately after buying it used last May I was able to get 21mpg consistently on the open road using cruise control and 23 w/out using cruise control driving the same 200 mile route.

Jethro · 12-16-2009, 04:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gaorenst

Big Dave,

What made the most difference in your mpg increase? I have a 2008 Ram 150 with a 5.7 hemi and would love to see the results you are seeing.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Glen,

An exhaust and intake is a good starting place. I know more HP isn't the operative words around this site, but I have always seens ~2mpg increase over stock.

The 2 biggest increases I've seen are from a aftermarket torque converter (actually use the power your engine is making, not converting it to heat in the auto trans) and an electric fan.
If you look on DodgeTalk (can I suggest another site?) there are a few people who make a very nice electric fan kit.

Another mod you might try is to block off part of the grill opening. The 02+ Rams have an even more ridiculously large grill opening. If you look at the SRT-10 Rams, the first 6" or so from each side is solid. Unless you're doing some heavy towing, I bet you could block off almost ALL of the grill area!

I am planning on testing this on my next trip to Denver (if I don't buy this 200SX).

If I had more money, I'd make a tonneau cover. One of these days.

dwestmodesto · 12-30-2009, 12:46 AM

I usually hang out on the CumminsForum. Without my camper on my 2004 Ram2500 cummins quadcab longbed 4wd I can get between 21-23mpg all stock. I added a diablosport predator. Diablo claims it will give a couple mpg. have only used it on one 800mile trip. I didn't see much change. I could feel the additional power however. I am currently I changing out my 3 1/2" stock exhuast to 4" from edelbrock. I am also swapping later model 4" turbo elbow and downpipe. I am changing out intake by switching to the better flowing airhorn from the 2000-2003 models. I have opened up the stock airbox with 4 inch venting down into the front fender for cool air. Gutting out the tube from the airbox to the turbo also should get me better flow. I am planning on blocking off areas of the grill that are not in the path of the intercooler/oilcooler/airconditioner cooler/radiator to get better airflow over the front of the vehicle. I am also planning on adding 6" to the airdam under the front fender to cut some of the under vehicle turbulence.
Time will tell. Most of the mods will be in be end of January.
JustAnotherDave

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jethro

An exhaust and intake is a good starting place. I know more HP isn't the operative words around this site, but I have always seens ~2mpg increase over stock.

The 2 biggest increases I've seen are from a aftermarket torque converter (actually use the power your engine is making, not converting it to heat in the auto trans) and an electric fan.
If you look on DodgeTalk (can I suggest another site?) there are a few people who make a very nice electric fan kit.

Another mod you might try is to block off part of the grill opening. The 02+ Rams have an even more ridiculously large grill opening. If you look at the SRT-10 Rams, the first 6" or so from each side is solid. Unless you're doing some heavy towing, I bet you could block off almost ALL of the grill area!

I am planning on testing this on my next trip to Denver (if I don't buy this 200SX).

If I had more money, I'd make a tonneau cover. One of these days.