I've been reading threads on this site and others in hopes of finding a way to get a few more mpg. I have a bone stock 05' F-150 KR 5.4L. Based on reading, a cold air intake, free flow exhaust and computer programmer will get between 2-5 mpg. Currently, my truck is a daily driver and I tow my MasterCraft (boat > 4k lbs) on the weekend.

A few questions:

1. In re: to the exhaust, am I just replacing after the cat (pipe and muffler) or do I have to go all the way to the manifolds? Also, are most of these bolt ons/DIY or do they require a shop?

2. I see you can buy chips/modules to adjust settings. However, they aren't cheap either. Are there places that will program your vehicle for a fee?

3. I read a lot of contrasting opinons on the CAI. Some like the K&N, some recommend the Volant.

I'm not looking to break the bank. But, if I could put $1K into this and get some better mpg that would really help. I'm not looking for speed or a lot of power, just mpg.

Thx!

 

You can get bolt on systems that go from the cat back and bolt it on in your driveway. They even use the factory hanger locations. You could replace the cats but thats getting into far too much work and alot more money.





The Xcal unit plus 3 tunes will run ya about $400. The good news is the Xcal is the majority of that price and you can store 3 seperate tunes on it at 1 time. Meaning you can have a towing tune for when you tune then a MPG tune for going to work M-F.



AF1 or the S&B are the 2 best performing intakes. AF1 recently had a price jump so I think the S&B is the best deal for the money. For the record I have the AF1 and its a great intake

 

Any of the brands that everybody bickers about will do just fine.

Edit: Brands that everybody "discuss" the former sounded rude. appologies

 

Can you guys recommend a free flow exhaust system? Also, is the Xcat 'plug 'n play?'

Do you think this is realistic for a $1k?

 

If you're doing these mods for the MPG gain... It's going to take a LONG time before these mods pay for themselves.

 

I was going to point out the same, running some rough numbers I estimate his payback of these mods to be at around 2 years with a 2.5 mpg increase. That increase may be a bit on the high side though.

 

The Xcal is very user friendly, you do not even have to open your hood. You download the new "tunes" by plugging in the device to your OBII port.

I think you can do it for 1k

Tuner $400
Intake $299
Exhaust $300-$400

I dont think the exhaust will do as much as the intake and tuner will do, but then again I have only had flowmasters so I may be wrong.

 

an intake system will do very little. read some other reviews here on the forums if you do not believe me. i got one thinking it would make more of a difference than it did. i actually barely saw results if any

 

Thx for all the comments guys.

 

Are you trying to just get better gas mileage or are you trying to get both power and mileage? If you just want mileage, just save your money. If you want both than you're on the right track without a doubt. I'd get a MRBP bolt on exhaust system. As far as intakes go with a S&B intake. The Volant chokes in the upper RPM range. The K&N is a good intake, just doesn't put down the same numbers as the S&B, and it's also an exposed air filter design. Not to mention a custom tuned Xcal2 or Xcal3 from a reputable tune, it'll make the biggest difference. I use VMPTuning.com as my tuner and he does a great job, fast turn around time, great prices, and great customer service. Any intake will require a custom tune to ensure that you are not running lean. It's not worth risking on a $30,000 truck.

Another mod to consider is some E-Fans. Do not buy the kit that Troyer sells though. A lot of people have a LOT of problems with them. Just ask forum member, Josiah, he had a ton of problems and they wouldn't take care of him. If you search the forum you can find a bunch of write ups with the correct parts to buy and step by step instructions.

Intakes on 2004+ F150s get ~20 rwhp gains ... What kind of intake is it? Do you have a tuner? Which one?

 

i dont know the price for the 2004+, but S&B for my 02 was $185 shipped from autoanything with the FTEDEAL coupon. unless you get a single exit cat-back kit, you wont find a good exhaust kit one for under $400. dual exit flowmasters and gibsons run about $400 for aluminzed, $525 for gibson stainless. magnaflows are $500+ as well.

 

Check out hottexhaust.com, their prices are pretty low on the Magnaflow systems.

 

the fact is.....the best way to save gas is to drive less...everyone knows this.....if you want to improve your mpgs though just go with the most obvious....ive heard the best things from the s&b intake for your truck......its fully inclosed too and not too expensive and an easy install.....then of course there is the exhaust...both these mods will not give you very much full economy so dont be fooled but it will help a little.....and then a programer set to an economy tune will tie these mods together nicely......but like youve already heard....these mods probably wont pay for themselves anytime soon if youre jsut looking for mpgs......plus the bad thing about it is these mods come with a good amount of power and after you put them on you might just find that your foot is made of lead haha.....so you have ot be careful of that too....serisouly :P

 

i run K&N. in the box was a paper that looked like it was a dyno print out that stated it gave 9.something extra hp no tuner yet ordering xcal2 next week from vmp. i dont doubt the hp gains that came in the box, but as far as seeing improvements in mpg, so far that has been un-noticable

 

Yes but K&N is hardly the best performing cold air intake. AF1 and S&B have been dyno'd with much better results