What mods are best for MPG?

[coranmad]

This is my first post! I just bought my wife a 2001 Excursion. I want to get the best MPG possible. What kind of programmer/intake/exhaust combination will get me the best results? thanks in advance for the advice.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

i would first get a 4" TB exhaust and an cold air intake kit like the S&B or AFE... after that i would get a set of gauges (boost,pyro,trans) and either a Tony Wildman chip or DP tuner...

let me know if you have any questions. oh and welcome to the Org

-Raul

[farmboypowerstroke]

You beat me to it Raul, thats what i was going to say, word for word just about. I say go with tony wildman for the chip

[coranmad]

thanks for the info. I've heard good things about the DP tuner. What is so special about it and the Tony Wildman tuners? I'm just ignorant. Also, does anybody have an opinion on the brand of exhaust I should use? I've put MBRP on other trucks and have been pleased. Are there any that have a milder tone? My wife is going to be driving this, I don't want to hear about it every day. Thanks again for the advice.

[Raul@Stealth Automotive]

they are both custom tuned chips.... i run the TW chip in my own rig. one thing you get with the TW chip is unlimited reburns. with the DP you will have to pay to have it reburned if you ever decided to change the tunes....

i too like the MBRP..... i havnt heard an exhaust that is quiter.. my suggestion is keep the muffler on to quite it down

let me know if you have any other questions bud

-Raul

[281UnderPressure]

I haven't found anyone who has done it yet, but changing the rear gearing should give you a nice increase in MPG. They offer a 3.55 and better yet a 3.08 for the Sterling rearend. I just don't know how much you would give up in towing. I would think the power mods above should make it pull at least as good as stock after changing the gearing.

[Ken Lum]

I would check my CPS -I changed mine about 6 months ago to the International unit and my MPG went from 14.5 to almost 17. Apparently it has been faulty since brand new...

[danhustonii]

arg...pardon my ignorance, but what is the CPS unit?

[smitty16s]

yea def. check the cps, mine crapped out on me on the way home from the dealer i bought it from...i was really hating ford to say the least...but were cool now.

o CPS is cam-shaft position sensor...the 7.3s had a bunch of problems, ford replaces them for free.

[Ken Lum]

If you do replace the CPS on your own before the recall as I and some others did, Ford will reimburse you the cost of the unit you bought. The new units are much better than the original ones because they provide a stronger signal to the engine computer. I am still going to keep a spare with me though!!!

A few months ago I had a problem with the fuel filter leaking. The stock O-rings barely touch the housing and sometimes don't seal properly. I've now switched to the one piece cap and filter and haven't had a problem since.