Anybody else have the FIPK? Did your mileage drop, gain, or stay the same?

I took my truck into the shop today with a gas mileage/loss of power concern. They scanned it and found nothing wrong. They said my reduced mileage is because of the FIPK. Could this be? They said that because the engine is getting more air, it is also increasing the fuel to correct the ratio. I checked my mileage before-20 mpg and after-16mpg. These checks were done pretty far apart (10,000 miles). Both were done with the same style of driving. Truck had more power after FIPK but not 4 mpg worth. It also seems to be getting sluggish (the reason I put the FIPK on). Slow on hills and while towing, but computer says all is well....
Any help appreciated,

-Hank


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1996 F-150 (3/96-old style)XLT, 302, 5sp. Toreador Red CC, Tow Pkg, Optional Payload Pkg, HD susp., Flowmaster 40 series, "Duals",
Raven Cap, Bumper Guards, Hood Ornament, Unity Lights, Jet Chip, K&N, B&M Shift ****, Hidden Hitch w/ Ford Motorsports Cover,...etc.

 

Not sure about mileage, but it certainly didn't slow me down at all. What about that Jet chip? Heard some bad stuff about them (no personal experience). It could be that the Jet chip is actually keeping your computer from going into the relearn cycle and you are actually running an incorrect fuel/air mix. Did you disconnect your battery while you installed the FIPK? My truck has never felt fast but it feels plenty powerful.

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1993 F-150 SWB Supercab 4.9l 4 speed auto w/ OD, 3.55 gears, K&N fipk, Custom Exhaust w/ Flowmaster.

But to chip or not to chip? Hmmmmm...

 

Foster,

You're right. I checked back through some old receipts and my fuel mileage went down 4 mpg with the chip. The FIPK may have increased the mileage a little. Both helped my power, but with the 3.08 rear nothing but a gear swap will help so much. I think a gear swap may actually help my mileage. My truck has always been slow and required a heavy foot to get anywhere. I think that's where the chip is hurting me... Anyway a gear swap will help me stay out of the throttle on take-off and hills I hope. BTW: with the exception of the fuel mileage I love the JET chip, installed easily with no problems and despite what some think, the JET DOES WORK ALL THE TIME. It made a big difference from idle on up-part, mid, or full throttle.

-Hank

 

I've heard many people say that gears was their most noticable mod. Do you know if the chip affects your computer's relearn cycle? You might want to pull it out for awhile and see what your truck feels like and how the mileage is affected. It took a couple of hundred miles before I liked the FIPK. At first it didn't seem to do much, but after my computer adjusted I noticed a difference. Good luck and let me know if you figure out for sure what's going on with you truck.

-Foster

P.S.- I didn't know the tow package came with 3.08 gears. Seems like the wrong gearing for something meant to tow.

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1993 F-150 SWB Supercab 4.9l 4 speed auto w/ OD, 3.55 gears, K&N fipk, Custom Exhaust w/ Flowmaster.

But to chip or not to chip? Hmmmmm...

 

Gearing is probably the best...And it should be for 1000 bucks.

Foster, after you "broke-it-in" what kind of mileage did you get?

 

Pastmaster,

I'm such a leadfoot, I'm afraid to find out, but last time I checked I was getting about 17. Of course I was driving a little more conservatively than I usually do. How 'bout your '89?

 

Foster,

I, being a novice to new pickups (mine replaced a 74' F-100), thought that the "tow package" would tow anything you put behind it. Boy was I wrong. Back in the 70's they had the "camper special" packages that weren't jokes. My pickup has the heavy duty suspention (HD shocks, HD front springs (actually 4wd springs from factory), stabilizer bars front and rear), HD cooling, battery, etc.....and a 3.08 rear (terrible!).....I thought maybe with the torque of the motors these days it would do alright.....I was dissapointed.

Pastmaster, I'm lucky and have a 2wd so it'll "only" run me around $400 parts, labor, and all.

-Hank

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1996 F-150 (3/96-old style)XLT, 302, 5sp. Toreador Red CC, Tow Pkg, Optional Payload Pkg, HD susp., Flowmaster 40 series, "Duals",
Raven Cap, Bumper Guards, Hood Ornament, Unity Lights, Jet Chip, K&N, B&M Shift ****, Hidden Hitch w/ Ford Motorsports Cover,...etc.

 

My 93 2wd gets about 20 avg and the 89 gets about 14 avg.

Hank, $400 I wish I could find a place that would do it for $800 for a 4x4.

 

Hank,

My Dad had a '73 with the 302. He loved that truck and had over 250,000 miles on it when my brother totaled it. He was hit by the only thing that could possibly total that truck... a '60's Impala.

He was disappointed with his '85 with the 302. I'm not sure what he thought about its performance but he always griped about how hard it was to work on. I drove it some when I was 16 and it seemed fast to me... I could outrun japanese sedans anyway.

I think the new engines show some promise, if they live up to their specs and can last like that '73 302. Only time will tell.

 

Hank

I have recived both more power and gas mileage from my FIPK. I have no chip installed maybe that is the problem.

I have a 1992 F-150 XLT 351 5.8L SB 4WD w/3:55 gears auto, FIPK, Dual 3" exhust.

 

i know how everybody has there thought on the FIPK's and the hot air issue and not getting cool air..well today while checking my oil i looked over the filter and saw bugs all over it..i dont think that the bugs are coming from under the truck so maybe it really does get a good amount of air from outside the truck...any thoughts???

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95 F-150 s/c XLT short 5.0 4x2 4R70W trans. 3.55
Cat-back duels with flo-pro and echo tips
K&N FIPK, Superchip
New dunlop rover touring 255/70R15
Accel 8.8 custom wires, accel superstock coil, accel cap and rotor
Motorcraft platnium plugs
Smoke color bug deflector and vent visors
Better built tool box
Future mods:
Tint job, and a pair of painted oem style cab steps
Front and rear anti-sway bars

 

Just installed mine on Saturday and I will have to agree with you 95FordMan. I had the hood open and also noticed the samething. It would be interesting to see where the most air is coming from on the trucks.

Have Fun & Keep on Truckin'
Dean

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1994 F-150 XLT Supercab, Long Box, 302 EFI, Automatic, Royal Blue in and out, Captain Chairs. Chrome Rims 15x8's, Michelin LTX M/S 105S 235/75R15 (Summer), OEM Aluminum Rims 15x8's, Michelin LTX M/S 108S (Winter), Lightly Tinted, Soft Tonneau Cover, Ford Receiver Hitch Cover & Lock, Alpine CDM-7829 Head Unit, PPI 4800 Amplifier, Kicker 10" Solo Baric Sub with Custom Box and Kicker Impulse 6.5 Mid & Tweets.