I need more mpg's BADDDD!!!

[mattroberts]

Fellas...I've got a 2003 Superduty 6.0L that is bone stock with 113,000 miles on it. I don't really want to do anything to the engine, (ie: EGR delete etc)....It's got what i think is a 3" factory exhaust of which I'm getting ready to cut the cat and factory muffler off and replace that muffler with an AeroTurbine....Leaving the same 3" exhaust piping. I've talked with several Diesel Performance shops all reccomending different tuners...A couple even recommended I don't chip it due to the the cylinder head issues with this motor and that I'd even be wasting my money with a different air cleaner or cold air intake????.....so I'm not really sure what to do now? The truck is used as a ranch truck hauling horses and cattle and a daily driver, (about 20,000 miles per year)...Never pulling more that 10 to 15,000 lbs with no problem.

What can anyone recommend I do to increase the pitiful 15.3 mpg's I'm getting with this truck with fuel at $3.69/gl and going up nightly. Remember, cost is a concern here.

Help me out if you can,

Matt Roberts

[mdgreene2001]

sct and custom tunes

[mattroberts]

Please explain what these tuners will do in relationship to what I stated in my thread and why a few Diesel Performance shops stated that I not put a tuner/chip on it at all?

[TerraScaper]

Some simple bolt ons will yield abou 2-3 mpg improvements. Without doing anything your spending $4824 a year on fuel with no modifications, If you averaged a median 2.5 mpg improvement you would spend $4,146 a year, leaving you with $678 to spend on improvements that would be paid for the first year, anything after that is money in your pocket. For that price you could by a tuner, like an SCT Livewire that will monitor your vitals and allow you to diagnose issues before they become big problems. A simple diagnosis from your mechanic will easily cost $100-300 per visit. You'll also

[zip04]

I know you plan on keeping it stock, but I would definately spend the money on a coolant filter ($129 at dieselsite and DFuser last I checked) and Cat-1 rated ELC coolant if you haven't already flushed the Ford Gold out. From what I have read, I would definately go with an SCT tuner as stated previously. Something that allows you to monitor your vitals and tune the vehicle (transmission included with the SCT).

[Fox Hunt]

Just be lucky its only $3.69. Its $4.25 where I'm at

[worldwide73]

Honestly 15mpg mixed driving in pretty good... you could probably get 20mpg on the highway but I don't think buying a tuner would help a ton in your case.

[mattroberts]

And how would you suggest me going about getting that 20 mpg???

[Snake]

You're going to have to drive like a 90 year old. Keep your boost as low as possible and your rpms down when accelerating. And drive slooooooowwwwww on the highway.

[worldwide73]

Beat me to it Snake.... It works if your willing to drive like that.