De-tune for mpg???

[DieselViking]

With diesel at $3.00 a gal. and images of Dodge Sprinter vans haunting my dreams, I've been wondering about alternative ways to tackle mpg issues w/ my 6.0. I can't complain too much. Been getting 15-16 in town/18-19 highway when unloaded. Seems average. Anyway, I havn't gone the chip/exhaust/intake route, I don't want to shell out the cash just yet, plus I've only had the truck a year. Doing Amsoil synthetic fluids all around soon. So, to get to the point, I recently read about how the non-F-250 version/ or 'direct from International' version of the 6.0, like maybe in the F-650, Econoline, or other fleet-type vehicles are 'de-tuned' to produce in the 250 hp/450 torque range with a lower max rpm limit...could the lower power, lower rev limit tune of these engines lead to increased mpg? Could I retrofit the ECM of one of these de-tuned 6.0's into my F-250 for better fuel economy? All I ever hear is about making more power for better mpg with chips and such, but could a step down in power be an answer? I have motorcycles to satisfy my need for speed, so I don't necessarily care if the pickup goes fast or not.

[Blue01F250]

Well, in the diesel power mag... they have a MPG article.. seems some $10 high speed duct tape or somethign and some card board is all you need to block the grill off and cover all the seams.. lol I do'nt know what the linke may be, but it might be on their site...


also, the biggest cause of their MPG gains (30MPG in a 95 dodge 1 ton) was putting something under the throttle so they could only use half throttle at any time... seems your idea would work.

[WEWILLE]

I dont think it would help as much as a good towing chip. I would think detuneing would be more expensive though, because not many people do it.