MILEAGE , MILEAGE , MILEAGE

[PDP Shane]

     Alright , that's it ! At 4.30 a gallon for diesel , I really find myself wanting to help everyone get better mileage. I know that money is getting harder to come by these days with fuel prices being where they are , so here are some cheaper ways of helping your wallet at the pump .
      If you are not running some kind of additive in your fuel , you need to start ( Lucas,Redline,Diesel Power, etc.).The stuff I have been using is called Power Service . It is a cetane booster , injector cleaner , top end cylinder lubercant , and it also helps prevent cold temp. gelling. You can find it at almost any NAPA store for around 7 bucks.
      Second , if you don't have some kind of after market air intake , get one . If you plan on keeping your truck for a while , it's worth it . Just having a cleanable air filter will save money in the long run , cause your not spending          20 - 60 dollars every time you change the filter . Putting an after market air filter on your truck will improve your spool up time on the turbo , give you anywhere from 10 - 25 percent more power , thus improving mileage .
      Third , if you don't have after market exhaust , get it . The cheapest and easiest way to do this is to cut the cat converter off , cut the muffler off and straight pipe it . I know , alot of people don't like the noise , but it does help and it's cheap . Another option is cutting the cat converter off and put a high performance muffler on it .The neat part about doing this is , if it is still too loud , you can put another high performance muffler on it and it gets quieter.Final option , get a full turbo back exhaust system . They are easy to install and they work the best .
       Fourth , get a programmer . The EDGE products are a good all round choice . Good products , good customer service . By putting a programmer on your truck , you can tweak your timing and widen out your fuel pulses with each push of a butten , getting the peak performance and mileage , weather your towing or going out to dinner .
      Fifth , CHECK YOUR FILTERS ON A REGULAR BASIS !!!  Making sure that you always have a clean air filter and fuel filter are very important when your looking for mileage or performance . If your air filter is dirty , you motor has to work harder to pull air through it . If your fuel filter is dirty , your pumps have to work harder to pull fuel through to the motor , which also works the motor harder , beings that your high pressure pump is gear driven . Also , if your fuel filter is dirty , you run the risk of burning up your high pressure pump . Average price for a high pressure pump is $ 1500 . Change your filter .
      Finally ( you thought I'd never shut up didn't you ?) , keep your oil changed on a regular basis , keep the proper amount of air in your tires , and have some one else drive they're car whenever you need to go somewhere . If you need help getting any of the products listed above  or help doing any of the things listed above ( except for driving you places) , please don't hesitate to call me . The lines are open like a Jerry Lewis telathon just for you guys !

[woodsrider]

 Just remember when all the gas gets the 10% alcohol we will all getting less miles per gallon from the new gas.

[RTOYZ]

Thanks Shane for these tips. I for one enjoy the posts you make regarding diesel performance and to be able to tap your knowledge for all to share.

[DuneJunkie]

I have taken care of all of those...............

it still hurts at the pump!

[PDP Shane]

Oh , hell yea it hurts at the pump . I'm just trying to help you guys from stopping at the pumps as often .

[duraraptor]

I don't think I would let the VP tap anything of mine.

[PDP Shane]

Yea , I know . Just look at his picture . Doesn't he look like Mr. Bean ?

[duraraptor]

Ok, so I took Shane's advise and had all those wonderful things done to my truck.  Believe me it's not a truck anymore, it's a race car with 37inch tires.  Who cares about mileage, when tires cost so much more?

[Wapiti1]

PDP. Thanks for the info you posted. I own a 2004  6.0 and I have not had near the problems alot of people have had. About 2 months after I bought it,the Ford had a recall,(computer update) Ever since my mileage went from 24/gal to 17/gal.  I am very happy with the power but wish to get better mileage back. I also concerned of messing up my engine too. I would like to know your recommendations toward achieving this goal, besides buying a Dodge or Chevy

[PDP Shane]

Unfortunately , I really wouldn't recommend going a whole lot further than an air filter kit and exhaust on the 6.0 fords , if you want to keep it reliable . You can probably get away with a programmer when your empty . If you run the programmer when your towing , you can run the risk of blowing a head gasket because of the increased cylinder pressure from the amount of additional fuel from the programmer ( under a load ). You should be safe with air filter system ,exhaust , and a programmer . Just remember to at least turn the programmer down ( if not off ) when towing . That's all the further I would take a 6.0 . Any further than that , you can start running into problems . Mainly because of the weak head bolts . On the up side though , it works really well as a boat anker .

[Wapiti1]

Thanks PDP, I appreciate the info. I know these 6.0 can break with the increase power. You gave me exactly what I wanted to know. I found out my truck was built in Canada, not a California emission, and  in the later part of 04. I do have a main seal leak ( for the third time) They say Ford allows a certain amount of leak . I do wish they would put Cummings in a Ford,  That would be cool!!

You could not get away with out the boat anchor comment, Haaaa-Haaaaa

 

Thanks again

[YFZ 450 Quadaholic]

Wapiti1,
I would not recommend any aftermarket air filter for the 6.0L.
The stock unit is very well designed; both in airflow and filtration.
The do look nice under the hood; but you will not see much increase in mpg from that one mod.
Do get the SS turbo-back 4" exhaust (not 5").  Don't go with aluminized steel; get stainless steel.
MBRP or Aero-turbine make very nice mufflers....
There's my .02.
-James

[Wapiti1]

Thanks James, I purchased the K&N last summer, I notice a quicker response but no increase in mileage.I do have a pre-filter on it to. Are you local(Medford area), If so any recommendations for a good exhaust place? PDP recommended using a programmer for running empty only, I agree but will it increase mpg? If so any recommendations on a particular product?

[YFZ 450 Quadaholic]

No I'm in the Portland area.  I used Fast Secialties out of Vancouver, WA.
I really like the Aero - Turbine exhaust; & went with Diamond Eye 4" turbo-back stainless pipe.
In my opinion, the SCT XCALII is the best tuner for the 6.0L.  But with the higher horsepower tunes; I really think one must have the ARP headstuds installed or else the head gaskets are going to go out - just a matter of time with these hot tunes and stock headstuds.  I don't run the hot tunes.  I tow 10K-12K lb. trailers frequently.  I am on my 3rd (warrantied) engine since August 07 while using the "tow" tune/file (level 2) on the Edge Juice w/ Attitude the entire time.
(PDP has a very good point!!!)
I averaged 9 mpg towing this weight consistently (37" tires and 6" lift).
For the past 6 weeks, I have been running on stock settings (miss that power!) and have been averaging 7 mpg.
Running empty I experienced the same spread in mpg......approx. 15mpg on level 3 and 12-13mpg on stock settings.
-James

[RTOYZ]

Wapiti1, For an exhaust place here in town why don't you go see one of our sponsors (custom Exhaust works) Give Roland a call at 664-5565 and tell him Patrick Sent you From TemporaryInsandity. He has done 3 of our 4 cars.

Pat

[Wapiti1]

Thanks YFZ!



Thanks Pat, I'll check it out.

[PDP Shane]

The SCT  products are going to be your best bet . I have sold quite a few of them for the 6.0 . Another thing you can try is removing your filter sock when your not on dirt roads or in the sand . Having that filter sock on there cuts your air flow down by 20 percent . Hey , anything helps right now . As for the EDGE systems , we've done some testing with them in an '05 dodge and an '03 6.0 . Both guys said the same thing . The power curve comes on to aggresivly , which is probably the cause of a few lost trannys . If you do want exhaust , I would suggest the MBRP 4" turbo back kit . It comes with everything you need ( including muffler ) , and it's an easy install . If you can change oil , you can install this kit ( and save yourself a few bucks by doing it yourself ) .