Any secrets for a bumping MPG on 1998 305?

[kennythewelder]

Remove as many restrictions from the exhaust system as you can. High flow cats, a free flowing muffler, ECT. big tires burn more fuel. A well tuned engine that runs properly will also burn less fuel. Then there is gear ratio. The faster the RPMs the more fuel you will burn. So 410 gears will burn more fuel than 308s will. Add to all of this driving habits and road conditions, all play a part in MPGs. I went from 342s to 373s in my truck, and yes, I am burning more fuel. If you want good fuel mileage, pit some 273 gears in the rear end, but it will be a real dog from a dead stop.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

Will a EGR Delete, provide more power with better mileage?​

More power and better mileage when I deleted it on my 5.7L Express van. Intake stayed much much cleaner as well.

 

[cubandeathgrip]

^^^This, but if you delete EGR and add HLC (Highway Lean Cruise) you can improve MPG.

what is Highway Lean Cruise?

 

[F4U-1A]

What rear end do you have? If you drive mostly empty taller gears can definitely help. If you mostly putt putt around town they won't do much, maybe even hu

look at this.... tailgate up and down.... tailgate up wins and heres the proof. theres a whole bunch of pics like this.

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These guys, that is were we are heading in Kanada, No MPG to fret about, and at the end of the day, it is a meal in Quebec.

 

[tpass]

ROI (return on investment)

nothing "added" will be worth the cost.. you will never recoup the money spent.

just keep your truck light, maintain the tune and maintenance and drive it like stepping on the gas will break it.

there is no magic for mpg.

 

[man-a-fre]

Is the factory muffler really that restrictive on these trucks? Will there really be a gain in mileage that would be noticeable by replacing it with an aftermarket muffler. Already have "test pipe " in place of converter.

 

[kennythewelder]

Is the factory muffler really that restrictive on these trucks? Will there really be a gain in mileage that would be noticeable by replacing it with an aftermarket muffler. Already have "test pipe " in place of converter.

Yes the OE muffler is that restrictive. So are the OE cats. Keep in mind though, that a flow master is a lot better than OE, there are much better choices out there, including old school glass packs. Any free flowing muffler is tons better than OE, and a lot better than flowmeters. A muffler that to can hold up to the light, and see straight through ( before it is installed) will flow. Flow masters have baffles inside to direct flow. These are restrictions. Same is true for cats. High flow cats will let a lot more flow through than any OE cat will. OE mufflers are very restrictive. You have an input pipe with holes in it, inside a case that is packed with fiber and an out pit pipe basically the same leaving the muffler. Neither of these pipes are lined up with each other, so the exhaust must force it's way through the packing before it can leave through the out put pipe. The exhaust will also fill the whole cavity that is full of packing. A straight pipe will flow well, but most people don't like the sound, and IDK just how legal it is.

 

[454cid]

ROI (return on investment)

nothing "added" will be worth the cost.. you will never recoup the money spent.

just keep your truck light, maintain the tune and maintenance and drive it like stepping on the gas will break it.

there is no magic for mpg.

That's not necessarily true. It depends on how much you drive and how much fuel costs.

 

[thinger2]

Like everyone has said.
Keep it tuned
Check tire pressure. If you are running stock size tires, use the factory recommended tire pressure.
Not the pressure rating on the sidewall of the tire.
Vehicles are designed to get the best mileage with a certain size tire at a certain pressure.
With big tires it gets a little bit more involved.
Eliminate any other cause of rolling resistance.
Brake drag, bone dry wheel bearings, empty rear diff etc..
Make sure the front end is all good and aligned. You can waste a bunch of fuel if the truck is constantly scrubbing the front tires while you steer it down the highway like sailing a ship.
But the biggest impact is your driving habits.
If all is mechanically well.
Drive it like its linked to your bank account.
Which it is.
If you tailgate and stomp on it to pass people, a TBI will firehose fuel down the intake.
But they aint fast, they are loud with a good exhaust tone.
Zen, good music, and relaxation will
get you to the same stoplight that the ******* who was tailgating you gets to.
And you will be right behind him at the same light.
Its a truck, not an ambulance. Drive it like a you would drive a moving truck.
Change your habits and then check the mileage.
Slow and steady will get you to the same place as frantic and freakout.
Just about 1 minute later.

 

[L31MaxExpress]

ROI (return on investment)

nothing "added" will be worth the cost.. you will never recoup the money spent.

just keep your truck light, maintain the tune and maintenance and drive it like stepping on the gas will break it.

there is no magic for mpg.

0411 swap with egr disabled and lean cruise enabled pulled another 2-3 mpg out of my Express van with the L31 and gave it a noticeable amount more get up and go when needed.