MPG Mods make big improvements

[MikeDett]

I think we finally figured it out. The 2008 F150 Limite 5.4 w/ 4 sp 3.73 is doing better. We are now getting 11.2 MPG where before the mods we got 8 mpg.

Our TT is a Rockwood Sig Lt. 8315 curb wt. of 7200 lb ready to go 8050 lb. The changes I made are as follows.

Banks Ram Air system at $450.00 and ECM reprograming tool at $300.00. Reprogram to Heavy Tow... Before the mods the TV would struggle up the hill here in S. Calif. At home base we are 800 ft. elevation. On a trip before the mod to Idyllwild CA at 6500 ft. we had some hills we pulled at 30 mph and were lucky to get 6-8 mpg. After to mod we made our last trip to Yosemite National Park. Elvation to 5500 to 6000 ft. One grade called Priest Grade was 5 miles of 5-6% switch backs going into Groveland the TV did great pulling the hill at 45-55 mph. The entire round trip of 1100 miles the average was 11.2 MPG.

We had no over heat even with temps of 95 deg. The TV is a 2008 F150 Limited with tow pkg. trans cooler 22" tires and 3.73 axle. We use a Propride hitch and P3 brake controler.

I'M HAPPY
__________________

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by MikeDett

I think we finally figured it out. The 2008 F150 Limite 5.4 w/ 4 sp 3.73 is doing better. We are now getting 11.2 MPG where before the mods we got 8 mpg.

Our TT is a Rockwood Sig Lt. 8315 curb wt. of 7200 lb ready to go 8050 lb. The changes I made are as follows.

Banks Ram Air system at $450.00 and ECM reprograming tool at $300.00. Reprogram to Heavy Tow... Before the mods the TV would struggle up the hill here in S. Calif. At home base we are 800 ft. elevation. On a trip before the mod to Idyllwild CA at 6500 ft. we had some hills we pulled at 30 mph and were lucky to get 6-8 mpg. After to mod we made our last trip to Yosemite National Park. Elvation to 5500 to 6000 ft. One grade called Priest Grade was 5 miles of 5-6% switch backs going into Groveland the TV did great pulling the hill at 45-55 mph. The entire round trip of 1100 miles the average was 11.2 MPG.

We had no over heat even with temps of 95 deg. The TV is a 2008 F150 Limited with tow pkg. trans cooler 22" tires and 3.73 axle. We use a Propride hitch and P3 brake controler.

I'M HAPPY
__________________

@ 3.2 mpg, it is going to take a lot of miles to recoup $750.00.

[TURBS]

Saving about 12 to 15 dollars a tank full.
Depending on fuel prices.
That is assuming 30 gallon tank
And I did my math right

[bob213]

Are you hand calculating your gas mileage or going off the dash computer? If you are not doing it by hand it is more than likely incorrect since you reprogrammed. That's a 40% gain. You better call Detroit and let them know what you did.

[MikeDett]

Being able to pull 5% grades at reasonable speeds is a safety factor. Out west it doesn't seam to matter where we go the hills are big and long. As to figuring mpg by long math or by the ECM I'll take the ECM.

I've been in the heavy truck business 45 year working for 2 different major OEMs and an engine manufacture. I've done training for major fleets at driver and service center levels. They have all been using ECM calculations for over 15 year. They, pay drivers based on results that are downloaded to company business systems and compensate good driving habits based on trucks ECM info. Engine power and driveability can be controled by fleet managers from thousands of miles away. ECM's are reliable...

I used the ecm info from the F150 info display before thes mods and after no changes on how mpg is caclulated.

This mod was based on adding 50% more air and changing shift points in the trans and RPM limits.

I hope this mod info helps someone that is having the same problem I was having with the big hills and long grades. MPG will be an added benifit.

[bob213]

I may be incorrect but I believe the factory Ecm is correct "until" you put a tune on your engine. Unless the tune includes the recalibration of fuel mileage it is usually off. With a tow tune on my truck (Via Predator Tuner) my DIC shows I'm getting over 18 MPG. Hand calculated it is on the high side of 14. I hope you are getting the MPG you think you are as that would be fantastic, but until you do the math you will never know for sure.

Your tires alone are enough to change the results unless you recalibrated for the 22".

[OldCoot]

Originally Posted by bob213

I may be incorrect but I believe the factory Ecm is correct "until" you put a tune on your engine. Unless the tune includes the recalibration of fuel mileage it is usually off. With a tow tune on my truck (Via Predator Tuner) my DIC shows I'm getting over 18 MPG. Hand calculated it is on the high side of 14. I hope you are getting the MPG you think you are as that would be fantastic, but until you do the math you will never know for sure.

I agree, until you actually figure miles traveled vs gal. used you will never know for sure and preferably over at least 2 or 3 fill ups.

[MikeDett]

I guess we'll agree to disagree, at Cummins we only used the ECM and so did all the major fleets running the Cummins, CAT and Detroit engines. Maybe the Ford ECM isn't as reliable... Go figure.

[TURBS]

my truck has a jacked up ecm from wait4meperformance and the difference between the computer and manually doing is about .2 to .5 tenths off average .

[LadyWindrider]

From OP in post #5,

"This mod was based on adding 50% more air and changing shift points in the trans and RPM limits."

How do you get 50% more air without a supercharger or a turbocharger? The bore and stroke haven't changed, so how much volume could the air change without some help?
Ram air, at 100 mph is less than 3/4 psi, which isn't going to help much, and if you did get 50% more air, you would need about 50% more fuel, else you would be very lean and burn valves and pistons. I agree with others, do a hand calculation of your mileage, only way to prove one of us wrong.

Also, Cummins is a diesel, whole nother ballgame than the 5.4L. You can control turbo boost pressure on a diesel and get more air, and power.

[09grizzly1]

Well MikeDett,it looks like time to bow out,you will never win with the ole guys on here,I know from experience.Congrates on the improved power and economy.

09grizzly1

[bob213]

Originally Posted by MikeDett

I guess we'll agree to disagree, at Cummins we only used the ECM and so did all the major fleets running the Cummins, CAT and Detroit engines. Maybe the Ford ECM isn't as reliable... Go figure.

I'm not trying to argue but I think you are missing the point. Did the fleet Cummins,CAT and Detroit engines have an aftermarket tune on them? I believe that is what changes things. Again, I'm glad you are getting more power and I hope you are getting all the mileage you think you are.

[MikeDett]

yes we change tuns on the fly, by sat.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

@ 3.2 mpg, it is going to take a lot of miles to recoup $750.00.

My thought exactly also.

[MikeDett]

You are the winner and correct. Only with a variable geomertry turbo can bost and the air be controled.

The 5.4 gas can not. If you look at the Ford air cleaner and the restrictions and Banks system it does offer a 50% larger air intake.

What I want and is diesel... next year.

[MIKE44460]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

@ 3.2 mpg, it is going to take a lot of miles to recoup $750.00.

Well. My trip to Myrtle Beach was 90+ gallons of 93 octane gasoline. Now I use 60-63 gallons of fuel. Saving 30 gallons of gas cost about me 55K, but leaping ahead from a 1993 to a 2011 and all the great things the truck will do to make towing a walk in the park, it has been worth every penny. I just slide down Fancy Gap a 65 mph and never touch the brakes and go up at 65 on cruise.

[dwaynerz]

Originally Posted by dunnnc

@ 3.2 mpg, it is going to take a lot of miles to recoup $750.00.

it might take a while to recoup 750 bucks on fuel mileage alone, but the thrill of being able to pull a hill faster than you did before is priceless. consider it money well spent

[transamz9]

Originally Posted by dwaynerz

it might take a while to recoup 750 bucks on fuel mileage alone, but the thrill of being able to pull a hill faster than you did before is priceless. consider it money well spent

Not necessarily faster but with much more ease .

[unyalli]

Originally Posted by dwaynerz

it might take a while to recoup 750 bucks on fuel mileage alone, but the thrill of being able to pull a hill faster than you did before is priceless. consider it money well spent

Agree, worth every penny. Good report.