After Market Intakes
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: Maumee, Ohio
After Market Intakes
I have a 2003 F-150, 4.6, I already have a Flow Master S/S
Muffler and dual tail pipes. I like it ,nice sound. Ques. is "What is the experience of you guys with After market intakes systems?" I.E. mileage improvement, and cost ,ease of installation? Not real happy with Highway MPG 19 MPG,I can't seem to break the 20 MPG bearer. I need imput from other 4.6 owners.
THANKS DAVE
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 5,358
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From: Commerce Twp, MI
They cost $200-300, can improve fuel effeciency by 5% and about the same amount of power increase. I would not expect to make up the cost of the intake with the savings in fuel in less than 100k miles, though. Driving style affects fuel consupmtion more than any mod. And I would be happy to get more than 13mpg under any conditions with my F-150, let alone approach 20mpg.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: MADISON, WI
Dave
I would agree with the other post that driving style affects mpg more than anything else. That being said in general some of the same mods that produce more power will increase mpg IF you keep your foot out of the throttle. I didn't note exactly what you have for a truck, but clearly 2wd gets better fuel economy than 4wd and manual tranny if driven properly will get better mpg than and auto.
Now I have a '98 F-150 with 2wd and manual tranny with the 4.6 and a topper. I got 15 mpg consistantly without realy trying. Since buying it I have modded it strictly for performance, but have gained in mpg IF I keep my fool foot off the throttle. Here's a list of things I have done that can help mpg and power: AF1 intake (I had a K&N, but took it off in favor of the far more sturdy and shiny stainless steel Air Force 1; ASP underdrive pulleys - frees up about 10 horsepower to drive your truck further down the road; Derale electric fans - frees up about 15 horse by removing parasitic drag from 14# stock fan, this will improve mpg by 1 to 1.5 mpg; a set of good Denso plugs - not cheap but should be the last ones you'll need; Superchip tuning - while most often promoted for more power, IF you keep your foot out of the throttle, the added power of good tuning along with premium fuel will net you more power. I doubt that you'll want that if your main concern is fuel economy
To increase your fuel economy buy good fuel - no generic brands and no ethanol (a gallon of ethanal blended fuel contains less BTU's of energy than straight gasoline).
In my personal case with all of the above mods and headers, bigger fuel injectors, bigger fuel pump, larger mass air meter, MSD ignition coil packs and better wires and exhaust, I can still get 20 mpg IF I keep my foot out of it. In actuality I average 15 mpg and keep on the throttle pretty regular.
I think you are doing about as good as can be expected. It is unrealistic to expect a 5,000 lb steel box to get 20+ mpg in my opinion unless you really, really work at it.
For starters run 35 lbs in your tires, buy your good gas at the SAME place (if possible), and then run your mpg test on 600-800 miles of driving. Lighten up your truck as much as possible and put a cover on your bed.
The pulleys and electric fans would likely yield the most noticeable results. Keep the air filter clean, and keep your foot out of it. Let the torque of the motor move the truck.
Best of luck
ENB
I would agree with the other post that driving style affects mpg more than anything else. That being said in general some of the same mods that produce more power will increase mpg IF you keep your foot out of the throttle. I didn't note exactly what you have for a truck, but clearly 2wd gets better fuel economy than 4wd and manual tranny if driven properly will get better mpg than and auto.
Now I have a '98 F-150 with 2wd and manual tranny with the 4.6 and a topper. I got 15 mpg consistantly without realy trying. Since buying it I have modded it strictly for performance, but have gained in mpg IF I keep my fool foot off the throttle. Here's a list of things I have done that can help mpg and power: AF1 intake (I had a K&N, but took it off in favor of the far more sturdy and shiny stainless steel Air Force 1; ASP underdrive pulleys - frees up about 10 horsepower to drive your truck further down the road; Derale electric fans - frees up about 15 horse by removing parasitic drag from 14# stock fan, this will improve mpg by 1 to 1.5 mpg; a set of good Denso plugs - not cheap but should be the last ones you'll need; Superchip tuning - while most often promoted for more power, IF you keep your foot out of the throttle, the added power of good tuning along with premium fuel will net you more power. I doubt that you'll want that if your main concern is fuel economy
To increase your fuel economy buy good fuel - no generic brands and no ethanol (a gallon of ethanal blended fuel contains less BTU's of energy than straight gasoline).
In my personal case with all of the above mods and headers, bigger fuel injectors, bigger fuel pump, larger mass air meter, MSD ignition coil packs and better wires and exhaust, I can still get 20 mpg IF I keep my foot out of it. In actuality I average 15 mpg and keep on the throttle pretty regular.
I think you are doing about as good as can be expected. It is unrealistic to expect a 5,000 lb steel box to get 20+ mpg in my opinion unless you really, really work at it.
For starters run 35 lbs in your tires, buy your good gas at the SAME place (if possible), and then run your mpg test on 600-800 miles of driving. Lighten up your truck as much as possible and put a cover on your bed.
The pulleys and electric fans would likely yield the most noticeable results. Keep the air filter clean, and keep your foot out of it. Let the torque of the motor move the truck.
Best of luck
ENB
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 54
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From: texas
i put the air force 1 CAI on my truck but couldn't really tell you how much better milege i got b/c i did it w/ about 2000 miles on it.w/ that and magnaflow muffler i can get about 17mpg on the highway but that is usually driving about 80-85 most of the time. i can get about 20 if i obey the speed limit
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Under the flightpath of old ORD 22R
Want to increase MPG ? Get a VAc gauge, and keep the needle between 12 and 18 in/HG.
Only way to get the MPG up there.
I did calcualtions on E-Fans, Pulley set, intake and Exhst systems.
E-Fans alone was a ~ 35K miles ROI at 0% cost of money. That is break even, not saving.
Pulley set was another ~30K miles for break even.
Unless you plan on driving the truck for another 60K + miles, doing the mod for increased MPG is not going to work.
Doing the mod for performance is the reason why to do something, but then your MPG will fall in the toliet. I am somehwere around 12 to 13 MPG on average, but that is due to how I drive. I got my foot in it too much with all the mods I have.
At 19 MPG I'd be dancing a jig !
The member that installed a VAC gauge and kept it in that range ALL the time got something like 21 or 22 mpg always. I think someone's grandmother with a walker could take you off the line though
Be happy with 19, and do FIPK, E-Fans and a pulley set if you want performance increase, but that does not sound like something you would want to do, as you will have your foot in it, and the MPG will fall off.
Good luck
Only way to get the MPG up there.
I did calcualtions on E-Fans, Pulley set, intake and Exhst systems.
E-Fans alone was a ~ 35K miles ROI at 0% cost of money. That is break even, not saving.
Pulley set was another ~30K miles for break even.
Unless you plan on driving the truck for another 60K + miles, doing the mod for increased MPG is not going to work.
Doing the mod for performance is the reason why to do something, but then your MPG will fall in the toliet. I am somehwere around 12 to 13 MPG on average, but that is due to how I drive. I got my foot in it too much with all the mods I have.
At 19 MPG I'd be dancing a jig !
The member that installed a VAC gauge and kept it in that range ALL the time got something like 21 or 22 mpg always. I think someone's grandmother with a walker could take you off the line though
Be happy with 19, and do FIPK, E-Fans and a pulley set if you want performance increase, but that does not sound like something you would want to do, as you will have your foot in it, and the MPG will fall off.
Good luck
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From: Maumee, Ohio
After markets intakes
Thanks to all who responded! I guess I should have been more clear. I have a 2003 ,F-150 ,4.6 engine,2 wheel drive, 6,000 miles
On a trip from North West Ohio to Hot Springs Ark. mileage was, a high of 19 and low of 17. This was at a constant 70mph. on cruse. Usually good divided hwy. In june I plan a 4,800 mile + trip to San Francisco and return. Will pull a low rider M/C trailer with my Porsche 914 in side. Car weights 2,200 lbs. So any thing I can do to improve Mileage reasonable i will try. Gas here is $1.60 to $1.70 for reg. Out west I here that $2.00 + is not uncommon. Pulling a trailer I don,t expect to get the 19 mpg, but at two bucks a gallon What would help?
I allreadt have a Flow Master S/S muffler and duel exhaust pipes. A K&N filter in the stock intake system. Is it worth getting rind of the stock air box & related item's , for less restrictive intake system? What has been your experence?
Thanks in advance Dave
It is really nice to have a site like this to pick each others brains.
On a trip from North West Ohio to Hot Springs Ark. mileage was, a high of 19 and low of 17. This was at a constant 70mph. on cruse. Usually good divided hwy. In june I plan a 4,800 mile + trip to San Francisco and return. Will pull a low rider M/C trailer with my Porsche 914 in side. Car weights 2,200 lbs. So any thing I can do to improve Mileage reasonable i will try. Gas here is $1.60 to $1.70 for reg. Out west I here that $2.00 + is not uncommon. Pulling a trailer I don,t expect to get the 19 mpg, but at two bucks a gallon What would help?
I allreadt have a Flow Master S/S muffler and duel exhaust pipes. A K&N filter in the stock intake system. Is it worth getting rind of the stock air box & related item's , for less restrictive intake system? What has been your experence?
Thanks in advance Dave
It is really nice to have a site like this to pick each others brains.
Last edited by dk9141; Feb 21, 2004 at 04:57 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: irwin,pa
Re: After markets intakes
Originally posted by dk9141
Thanks to all who responded! I guess I should have been more clear. I have a 2003 ,F-150 ,4.6 engine,2 wheel drive, 6,000 miles
On a trip from North West Ohio to Hot Springs Ark. mileage was, a high of 19 and low of 17. This was at a constant 70mph. on cruse. Usually good divided hwy. In june I plan a 4,800 mile + trip to San Francisco and return. Will pull a low rider M/C trailer with my Porsche 914 in side. Car weights 2,200 lbs. So any thing I can do to improve Mileage reasonable i will try. Gas here is $1.60 to $1.70 for reg. Out west I here that $2.00 + is not uncommon. Pulling a trailer I don,t expect to get the 19 mpg, but at two bucks a gallon What would help? reduce the friction in moving parts, add 5 psi to your tire pressure lower t]you speed to 60- 65 mph-phil
I allreadt have a Flow Master S/S muffler and duel exhaust pipes. A K&N filter in the stock intake system. Is it worth getting rind of the stock air box & related item's , for less restrictive intake system? What has been your experence?
Thanks in advance Dave
It is really nice to have a site like this to pick each others brains.
Thanks to all who responded! I guess I should have been more clear. I have a 2003 ,F-150 ,4.6 engine,2 wheel drive, 6,000 miles
On a trip from North West Ohio to Hot Springs Ark. mileage was, a high of 19 and low of 17. This was at a constant 70mph. on cruse. Usually good divided hwy. In june I plan a 4,800 mile + trip to San Francisco and return. Will pull a low rider M/C trailer with my Porsche 914 in side. Car weights 2,200 lbs. So any thing I can do to improve Mileage reasonable i will try. Gas here is $1.60 to $1.70 for reg. Out west I here that $2.00 + is not uncommon. Pulling a trailer I don,t expect to get the 19 mpg, but at two bucks a gallon What would help? reduce the friction in moving parts, add 5 psi to your tire pressure lower t]you speed to 60- 65 mph-phil
I allreadt have a Flow Master S/S muffler and duel exhaust pipes. A K&N filter in the stock intake system. Is it worth getting rind of the stock air box & related item's , for less restrictive intake system? What has been your experence?
Thanks in advance Dave
It is really nice to have a site like this to pick each others brains.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 20
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From: FL
Re: After markets intakes
Originally posted by dk9141
I allreadt have a Flow Master S/S muffler and duel exhaust pipes. A K&N filter in the stock intake system. Is it worth getting rind of the stock air box & related item's , for less restrictive intake system? What has been your experence?
I allreadt have a Flow Master S/S muffler and duel exhaust pipes. A K&N filter in the stock intake system. Is it worth getting rind of the stock air box & related item's , for less restrictive intake system? What has been your experence?
Chris