Looking to actually gain some MPG

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Ohh ok ya they told me at the shop that it wouldn't even be a problem until around 60k miles as long as I'm only doing highway driving which i am. Is that true?

 

You were lied to by that shop so they could make money off of your install. 3" of front lift without angle correction is going to be a problem sooner than later.

I would stay away from that place and not do any business there in the future if that's the kind of stuff they tell their customers.

If that were my truck, I would lower it so the front is only lifted 2". It may not even be possible depending on the brand of leveling kit you were sold.

 

Gaining MPG's is a pipe dream in the trucks really. All of the mods you listed do nothing to really help you, they mostly lighten your wallet. A good custom tune is the way to go for sure. Check out Black Bear Performance, they do great work and have done many tunes for members of this forum.

[redwngr]

Has anyone thought about an under drive pulley for fuel efficiency? From what I understand, the engine doesn't have to work as hard to reach any given speed, compared to the stock pulley... I hear it improves performance too. Thoughts??

 

 

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I was involved with development of multi-speed accessory drives about 30 years ago.

 

Yes, we could prove (wind tunnel and instrumented on-road testing) that reducing the accessory drive belt speed will improve fuel economy. They could also be shown to improve performance (1/4 mile, etc). Reducing accessory speed with a fixed pulley would result in unacceptably low output from water pumps, alternators and AC compressors when in stop and go situations -- especially after dark and in the rain when lights, wipers and ac system could all be in use.

 

The systems we were developing reduced accessory speed when 'off idle', but restored normal belt speed at or idle low engine speeds.

 

It is clear that belt speeds are selected for low engine rpm conditions. At interstate speeds, accessories are turning much faster than then need to be. That said todays engine rpms at highway speeds are much lower than those of the vehicles we were developing for in the 80's. (think compact 4 cylinder vehicles).

 

I would think there would be a lot less to gain on these trucks than there was with those older vehicles.

[Justin Nachazel]

 

You were lied to by that shop so they could make money off of your install. 3" of front lift without angle correction is going to be a problem sooner than later.

I would stay away from that place and not do any business there in the future if that's the kind of stuff they tell their customers.

If that were my truck, I would lower it so the front is only lifted 2". It may not even be possible depending on the brand of leveling kit you were sold.

 

Gaining MPG's is a pipe dream in the trucks really. All of the mods you listed do nothing to really help you, they mostly lighten your wallet. A good custom tune is the way to go for sure. Check out Black Bear Performance, they do great work and have done many tunes for members of this forum.

I think in the next year I'm going to a 4" off-road lift anyways. This year it's going to be the tire upgrade They def don't know what they are talking about at that shop

[Zachlovesfood]

I was involved with development of multi-speed accessory drives about 30 years ago.

 

Yes, we could prove (wind tunnel and instrumented on-road testing) that reducing the accessory drive belt speed will improve fuel economy. They could also be shown to improve performance (1/4 mile, etc). Reducing accessory speed with a fixed pulley would result in unacceptably low output from water pumps, alternators and AC compressors when in stop and go situations -- especially after dark and in the rain when lights, wipers and ac system could all be in use.

 

The systems we were developing reduced accessory speed when 'off idle', but restored normal belt speed at or idle low engine speeds.

 

It is clear that belt speeds are selected for low engine rpm conditions. At interstate speeds, accessories are turning much faster than then need to be. That said todays engine rpms at highway speeds are much lower than those of the vehicles we were developing for in the 80's. (think compact 4 cylinder vehicles).

 

I would think there would be a lot less to gain on these trucks than there was with those older vehicles.

In that case, with all this technology and tuning available, I'm aware it's possible to change RPM at idle. These truck seem to idle at 500 RPM. I wonder if bumping it up just a bit, say 600 RPM, would that make any significant difference for the voltage going to accessories? I have no clue what voltage ratings to expect when comparing pulley sizes and RPMs. Surely there's a ratio in there somewhere. Raising idle might reduce economy only at idle, but that's not my concern. It would still hold the pro's of and under drive pulley. Just a thought.

 

 

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[jenkins12]

I guess I should not have expressed it in that way. They are closely coupled, as you correctly indicate. In most instances, they are inversely related however.

 

That would have been a better way for me to express it.

 

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I would have to agree. When I had my '08 F350 Super Duty it had about 100 lbs of emissions stuff on it! All of this weight was chocking my fuel efficiency all in the name of emissions. I always thought to myself, before I straight piped the thing that I am burning more fuel just so that it would burn cleaner!

[sdog4127]

Anyone ever looked into electric water pump mod? We already have electric Rad Fan and P/S. From what I understand the electric P/S did provide a good gain seeing as how it seems to be the norm across all brands lately to meet CAFE.

...Just thinking out loud. Electric A/C would be cool too, but would likely need high voltage motor and lots of Benji's! As we know, this all is governed back to return on investment. As several members stated before, if this was an economical upgrade the OEM would do it from factory, because they are thirsty for any fuel economy gain they can dependably use.

Would be kind of fun to do though, even though the cost of fuel will probably never pay you back; except with oodles of self gratification.

SMH

 

 

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[fbachman]

 

I would have to agree. When I had my '08 F350 Super Duty it had about 100 lbs of emissions stuff on it! All of this weight was chocking my fuel efficiency all in the name of emissions. I always thought to myself, before I straight piped the thing that I am burning more fuel just so that it would burn cleaner!

You nailed it there, sir. Kick out more Mass of emissions particulates at a lower concentration...

 

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[Justin Nachazel]

OP, what kind of mileage are you getting? The best and cheapest way to increase your mpg's is to change your driving style. BTW, beautiful truck.

 

Thank you! Im getting 17-19.5mpg right now so not too bad. Freeway I'm getting 21mpg but I drive like a grandma haha I've just learned to accept defeat with it since its going to go down when I get new tires anyways lol .... just realized I responded to an old posting lol Sorry!