Fuel Econ Build

[goebeld]

So where to go from here? The under drive pulley comes in later this week. After doing a lot of research online I am not going to go with an e-fan. It won't cool as well as the stock fan, won't save that much energy, and how much extra load do I really want to put on my alternator with under drive pulleys?

Everyone seems to agree that the more I increase my VE the better fuel econ I will get. So headers then 1.7 rocker arms? Or upgraded coil and 8 mm wires? Or a Jet chip? Will I really see any fuel econ gains with the Jet chip on regular fuel? I think that the chip makes most of its power by advancing the timing. It probably cant advance the timing much on regular fuel without detonation...

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

i dont remember if the jet chip is a full blown tuner or just a plug-n-go chip....but most actual tuners allow for several settings (towing, power, economy, ect) on several different octane ratings. meaning you could set it to "87 - eco" and get better mileage. from what ive heard, a good tuner is the single biggest bang for your buck for OBDII vehicles...both power and economy-wise.

but dont be so fast to blow off the high octane fuel. ive been doing an experiment with my ranger for the past few months. im running 25 degrees base timing and 97 octane and ive been averaging 2-2.5MPG better than i did with regular. my brake even point is only something like 1-1.5mpg increase....so im actually saving money in the long run.

 

[thepretzelman]

I don't know about you guys but I did an experiment with regular gas and plus. With regular gas I was getting between 14-15 and with plus I get between 16-17. I have experimented with about a dozen tanks of gas and I get 1-2 mpg better, and that is worth the extra $1.80 per tank.

 

[goebeld]

Hmm that is interesting. I can get midgrade for the same price as regular around here. Also premium is only 3.60 cents more per tank. I guess it could pay for itself it is just saved one gallon of gas per tank... Thats not too hard to do.

So maybe look into bamachips or the jet chip before doing any other mod... Anyone have any preferences?

 

[Jon Boy]

hmm... this thread is making me feel better about my truck. 91 3.0 with just a shortened, slightly opened up exhaust (2.25" after the cat) and still getting 20-23mpg on 87oct.

EDIT: just had a thought, the money your planning on saving with these goodies will go towards all the goodies your planning on right? so where's the real savings (chips are not cheap), or you just going for the mpg's alone?

 

[betomonroy]

I've have Driven my truck with Plus since I bought my 3.0 in May 2006. Last week I changed the fuel filter just to find out there was no need yet to replace it. I also removed and cleaned the upper manifold and throtle body and found out that the sludge build up was minimal. Changed the spark plugs (some 34,000 miles after I bought the truck) and so far the spark plugs were the only thing that needed replacing. AND THEY WERE NOT DOUBLE PLATINUM OR WORNED OUT THAT BAD. Maybe I'll instal'em back just to see how far the go.

 

[goebeld]

After looking around coils don't seem like a very good mod. I think I am going to do roller rockers next. Then eventually headers and a bamma module. It dosnt make since to order the module now as I will just end up spending more money for a different tune once I get rockers and headers. My question is will 1.7 roller rockers add much without getting headers? Will it just try to stuff too much air through the junk stock manifolds?

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

they should still make a little bit of a difference...but you'll definitely notice the difference once you put the headers on.

keep in mind that higher ratio rockers are going to move your power curve up some...so keeping the engine near its peak torque rpm is going to be even more important in order to achieve good economy.

 

[betomonroy]

And the only difference between the rockers is just that the 3.0 takes metric bolts 8MX125.

 

[Geeshik]

Fuel Economy?

So i assume these trucks with great economy are all 2wd, right? I was told to expect around 17mpg out of my 4wd 3.0.

And about all of this peak power curve stuff, where does that put my Ranger with a 3:73 ratio and oh, say, 31 inch tires (16" wheels)? I'm curious because i was thinking of getting rid of them in favor of some stock 14s or 15s just for the simple reason it might be less stress on the engine.

 

[Wicked_Sludge]

93' standard cab, 4x4, 5 speed, flairside. 18MPG city, 22-24 highway.

peak torque isnt effected by tire and gear combos. your engine will get best economy around 3,000RPM regardless of your gearing.

however, proper gearing will help keep your motor in its "happy zone" more often.

 

[georgexplorer]

My 2002 3.0 avg's 17.
I pulled my plugs out to ckeck and clean them and decided to check the gap. (I just bought the truck) the plugs were at .83/84 Re-gapped to .43/.44 and I am now closer to 18mpg.

Question I have is now with modding the motor should the gap in the plugs change? For instance an intake, your adding more air, changing the ratio now if you space the gap in the plugs a little more would it create a bigger spark???

 

[goebeld]

Georgexplorer

The larger you make your spark plug gap the higher the voltage because of the increased resistance. Your stock coils can only make so many volts so too big of a gap and no spark. Intake mods may add more air, but the 02 sensors should pick up on this and change the fuel trims so the a/f ratio will remain the same

 

[goebeld]

I installed the under drive pulley today. It was only 4 bolts and took about 30 min to install with a new gator belt. While I was at it I changed the engine, tranny, diff, and power steering fluid to Mobile One full synthetic products. I think my power steering pump had power steering fluid in it and it was making a lot of noise. With the Mobile One ATF it is now much quieter. I also did a coolant flush, new t-stat, and 4 new shocks while I was on a role.

We will see how the underdrive pulley and synthetic everything effect the fuel econ. So far it drives real well. Maybe a bit quicker with no dimming of the headlights, or slow blinking turn signal like I was worried about.

The next mod will be to mount a new front plastic piece that goes under the bumper as the old one got ripped off. I will also remove the factory front license plate mount. Maybe these two things will make it a bit more aerodynamic?

 

[goebeld]

Just got 22.5 mpg on my last tank which I am very excited about. It was 80 percent city 20 percent highway and lots of idle time while I did my power steering flush and the coolant flush. This next tank will be the one with intake, exhaust, spacer, underdrive, all synthetic fluids. We will see how well it does.