I got my Summer 2007 edition of SuperTruck Essentials and inside was a short rundown on how to get better gas mileage in your truck. In there were new Cold Air Intake and Exhaust. I am interested mainly the first one (the second requires much saving up for a 16 year old...) but in this magazine it shows for: "88-06 Ford - $137.99-$285.99" Seems pretty cheap but it shows a very small version of what I've been shown before and dosent even come with the chrome tube. Further down, I see the K&N series 77 Metal Fuel Injection Series Kits, with the chrome, bigger filter, and the heat shield but is around $245.99-$321.99. I do not plan on spending that much when my cousin put an exact one on his '04 Dodge Dakota SLT for only $70. Anyone know any sites that offer K&M Cold Air intakes with chrome tubes for under $200? (trying to stay under 100 if possible.)

Thanks!

-Alex

 

Actually... if you want more performance, go with the plastic one. The dyno's prove it.

Then again, if you want looks, go with the chrome.

 

Your truck will not last long enough for you to pay for the mods with your savings in gas. Mod it for other reasons, not just better gas mileage.

 

Whats that supposed to mean? I've got a brand new engine in my truck and its only got 17K miles on it. I plan on owning for many more years buddy.

 

It means that even over several years, the gas savings will not pay for the mods.

 

if you're gonna spend that much money, you should look at the sct programmers. it can hold 3 tunes, one for performance, fuel economy and another for whatever else u want. i got mine for $380.

 

even if it does not pay for itself over the years, I still want it because of power addition and increased airflow to my engine.

 

Best way to increase your fuel economy is to hot glue a thumb tack to the throttle pedal and drive barefoot.

 

Haha, I already drive like that. It's sometimes I like to have power and not have it is kinda sad so thats my main reason for getting a CAI

 

That is EXACTLY what I meant by "mod it for other reasons".

 

Raptor, what he's saying is that if you're going to spend 250 bucks to get a CAI because of the gas savings, you're wasting your money since you won't get that 250 bucks back for a pretty long time (it would probably take 5+ years depending on how many miles you put on it). To list fuel savings as your number 1 reason to mod a truck isn't worth it.

I put a performance CAI on my old 02 and it didn't seem to do jack to my fuel econ. If I had put in a high perf muffler, just had a K&N drop in, and added a chip to the truck, I probably would have seen much more of a return on investment both in acceleration and fuel savings. Exhaust shouldn't cost you as much as a CAI would, unless you're going to go with one of those cheap Ebay ones that aren't tested at all.

 

The most cost effective methods to increase gas mileage are inflate the tires to max and keep your foot out of the firewall - and only use the AC when you really need it. Keep the windows closed whenever possible to minimize drag. These are all free and will increase gas mileage as much as any mods would. Full synthetic lubricants can help too. I think the first actual mod I would do is e-fans. The stock engine-driven fan is a heavy SOB.

 

in the texas heat would an electric fan cool the engine as good as the stock one?

 

It will cool better because when it runs, it runs at full speed regardless of engine speed.

 

I only added 1 mpg to my average mpg. And from what I hear is that its hard to find a good reliable controller for those that doent like to flip switches.