New Exhaust or Not?

[Memphis]

I've been driving my '94 with 4cyl/5spd for awhile now....since October. It has 135,000 miles on it and is a 2wd with extended cab. I drive 28 miles round trip on the highway during the week and it's somewhat hilly. I can only seem to manage as high as 21mpg and as low as 16mpg. Is this normal? Is it my driving? I know the tires are aired up, the plugs/wires are new, the fuel filter is new, the air cleaner is new. Can I or should I adjust the timing? I've cleaned the MAF, too.
One thing I've noticed is that the Previous Owner had gutted the Cat and put it back together and added two small glass packs. Would going back to stock including a new cat be better? It's noisier than I like so I'm thinking about it. Thanks,Scott

 

[badmts]

does seem a little low,if PO went to trouble of faking the cat what else did he do? are tires stock?if tires are taller than stock your speedo/odo are off as will be your mpg

 

[Memphis]

Tires are: Front P205/75R14
Rear P215/75R14 It's just what I could find for used at the time.

Also, the doors are not original to the truck so the axle size isn't there. Not sure what it is. I've also wondered if I'm shifting too soon or not soon enough. I try shifting at 15 then 25 then 35 then 45 or 50. I wonder if that should be for highway AND town? Thanks,Scott

 

[badmts]

215/75r14 is not stock it is taller so your odometer is readingfewer miles than you are going-your mpg is better than you think

 

[Memphis]

I'll be.............What should the stock tires be for a 1994 with 4cyl, 5spd, 2wd, extended cab?

 

[badmts]

195/70r14, 215/70r14 or 225/70r14 all ofwhich are shorter than 215/75r14.look at the drivers door jamb for clues or call Ford with vin

 

[bilzy7]

I mean if your notcaringabout an exhaust note just get exhaust rebuilt at a shop... Gotall mypiping done and a muff for 220. Course I cut some tailpipe off when I put on bell techs as they wouldn't fit....

 

[RangerFabWorks]

your shifting way to early. your lugging the engine at those speeds. and dont use 5th unless your cruising at 55+ on the highway.

try winding the gears out a little more.

when mine was a 2.3 4 speed. heres how i would shift.

1st 15
2nd 35
3rd 50
4th 55+

that got the best performance. and mpg out of that truck. try it. see if it improves. the 2.3 needs to rev in order to make any usable power.

 

[Memphis]

I'll try that. The Owner's Manual said: 15, 25, 35, 45 so I was doing that. I didn't want to over-rev it. I figured shifting sooner would save gas. maybe not. I do notice at times I seem to be lugging the engine.
I did fill up last night...... and it got 22.9mpg on this tank. Maybe that's not bad. Could I be hoping for 25mpg?

 

[RangerFabWorks]

I'll try that. The Owner's Manual said: 15, 25, 35, 45 so I was doing that. I didn't want to over-rev it. I figured shifting sooner would save gas. maybe not. I do notice at times I seem to be lugging the engine.
I did fill up last night...... and it got 22.9mpg on this tank. Maybe that's not bad. Could I be hoping for 25mpg?

the owners manual shift points are for a flat level ground with the wind at your back. there for a perfect case scenario.

real world. the the 2.3 doesnt make any usable power till 3,000-4,000 rpm. so dont be afraid to wind it out a bit.

trust me. it took some getting used to. but the 2.3 is capable of 27 mpg on the freeway if driven right.

 

[Memphis]

27mpg! Now you're talking. I have something to shoot for. I wish I had a tach on it to tell me at what RPMs I'm at. My commute is anything, but flat so I'll give this a try. Thanks,Scott

 

[Rose2300]

I've got a 95 b2300 5 spd all stock running 195/70r/14 tires and am averaging 26-29 mpg highway/city mixed. I also use the recommended shift points. maybe it's because it only has 50000 miles on it??

 

[Memphis]

I'm trying the different shift points and it's shifting smoother (when letting the clutch out). However it's also burning through more gas or so it would seem.