MPG Ideas
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 6
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MPG Ideas
Hey everyone,
Ive got a 96 short bed standard cab, 5.0 engine. I get about 10 miles to the gallon with mostly highway driving. I just installed a K&N CAI and will soon put in a flowmaster 40 and UD pulleys. I have 33" BFG mud terrains on it so I am guessing thats where my bad mileage is coming from. I dont have any lift.
I was just curious if anyone thinks lifting a truck actually hurts the mileage if tire size isnt changed. I think aerodynamics could affect it very negligibly but I think a majority of what would change mileage is tire size. Do you agree or disagree?
Ive got a 96 short bed standard cab, 5.0 engine. I get about 10 miles to the gallon with mostly highway driving. I just installed a K&N CAI and will soon put in a flowmaster 40 and UD pulleys. I have 33" BFG mud terrains on it so I am guessing thats where my bad mileage is coming from. I dont have any lift.
I was just curious if anyone thinks lifting a truck actually hurts the mileage if tire size isnt changed. I think aerodynamics could affect it very negligibly but I think a majority of what would change mileage is tire size. Do you agree or disagree?
in the house
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,140
Likes: 1,979
From: Kansas
An un-lifted truck running 33" tires isn't much taller than some stock trucks these days.
I'm not too sure how much aerodynamics are affected, to tell the truth. Let's face it...a pickup is a big barn-door trying to get shoved thru the air, regardless of how high it is. There simply isn't ANYTHING done to try to improve the CD as it is just a useless endeavor.
Not sure why the o.p. is only getting 10 mpg but I had a '77 Chevy half-ton that only got SEVEN mpg, and that was with a 305 cid V8 running a 2bbl carburetor. Its problems was the 4.10:1 rear end and a 3-speed TurboHydramatic....lol. At 70 mph it was running about 3800 rpm.....
I'm not too sure how much aerodynamics are affected, to tell the truth. Let's face it...a pickup is a big barn-door trying to get shoved thru the air, regardless of how high it is. There simply isn't ANYTHING done to try to improve the CD as it is just a useless endeavor.
Not sure why the o.p. is only getting 10 mpg but I had a '77 Chevy half-ton that only got SEVEN mpg, and that was with a 305 cid V8 running a 2bbl carburetor. Its problems was the 4.10:1 rear end and a 3-speed TurboHydramatic....lol. At 70 mph it was running about 3800 rpm.....
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,831
Likes: 88
From: SK, Canada
An un-lifted truck running 33" tires isn't much taller than some stock trucks these days.
I'm not too sure how much aerodynamics are affected, to tell the truth. Let's face it...a pickup is a big barn-door trying to get shoved thru the air, regardless of how high it is. There simply isn't ANYTHING done to try to improve the CD as it is just a useless endeavor.
Not sure why the o.p. is only getting 10 mpg but I had a '77 Chevy half-ton that only got SEVEN mpg, and that was with a 305 cid V8 running a 2bbl carburetor. Its problems was the 4.10:1 rear end and a 3-speed TurboHydramatic....lol. At 70 mph it was running about 3800 rpm.....
I'm not too sure how much aerodynamics are affected, to tell the truth. Let's face it...a pickup is a big barn-door trying to get shoved thru the air, regardless of how high it is. There simply isn't ANYTHING done to try to improve the CD as it is just a useless endeavor.
Not sure why the o.p. is only getting 10 mpg but I had a '77 Chevy half-ton that only got SEVEN mpg, and that was with a 305 cid V8 running a 2bbl carburetor. Its problems was the 4.10:1 rear end and a 3-speed TurboHydramatic....lol. At 70 mph it was running about 3800 rpm.....
in the house
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5,140
Likes: 1,979
From: Kansas
Yeah....I wasn't tryin' to rain on your parade....lol.
Seems there are a lot of threads about loss of mpg following lifts and/or the addition of bigger wheels and tires. One of the problems with trying to pinpoint 'THE' problem is...usually there is more than ONE thing modified, so...it makes it hard to come to a conclusion.
Seems there are a lot of threads about loss of mpg following lifts and/or the addition of bigger wheels and tires. One of the problems with trying to pinpoint 'THE' problem is...usually there is more than ONE thing modified, so...it makes it hard to come to a conclusion.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 1,831
Likes: 88
From: SK, Canada
Yeah....I wasn't tryin' to rain on your parade....lol.
Seems there are a lot of threads about loss of mpg following lifts and/or the addition of bigger wheels and tires. One of the problems with trying to pinpoint 'THE' problem is...usually there is more than ONE thing modified, so...it makes it hard to come to a conclusion.
Seems there are a lot of threads about loss of mpg following lifts and/or the addition of bigger wheels and tires. One of the problems with trying to pinpoint 'THE' problem is...usually there is more than ONE thing modified, so...it makes it hard to come to a conclusion.
Member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 97
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one thing you may want to think about doing to get like 3 to 4 mpg better would be to install an electric cooling fan. your enginge will be quieter and have more snap.
another would be to install real hood scoops and get the engine bay heat down so the intake doesnt get as heated. cooler air is more dense which means you dont need as much fuel to get the same bang!
another would be to install real hood scoops and get the engine bay heat down so the intake doesnt get as heated. cooler air is more dense which means you dont need as much fuel to get the same bang!