AFTERMARKET VS. MPG

[jgarcia0330]

Hello everyone,

I’m a first time truck owner but not a first time turbo owner. Im a former US Navy Diesel mechanic I know my way around an engine. But to be honest this is my first time owning a brand new car and a truck for that matter. I use my truck to drive around diesel repair shops around Michigan since is part of my job.

The point with all this is that I’m done with my racing days and now I’m more focused on reliability and fuel savings. I’ve been researching the internet to see how I can improve the MPG and lifespan of my Ranger.

My question is: If I install a Roush intake, hot/cold charge pipes and a Cat back with no tune. Would my MPG improve? Would it damage my engine? Would a tune just make it just use more fuel?

I would appreciate any tips. Apologies for the long post.

Cheers!!!

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[Racket]

Besides driving technique I'll offer a few debatable options to increase MPGs :

I haven't explored them personally but I believe a couple tuners offer custom programming to maximize it. I expect the truck to be less exciting to drive, but easier to improve fuel costs (over time).

I can't discern the break even point on what you'd spend up front.

As far as exhaust I don't know if significant efficiency can be gained by swapping out the whole system but there are older threads where owners discovered the factory muffler seemed to have the most restriction. From a cost standpoint and perhaps cosmetic upgrade it's worth considering.

The only other experience I've had where mileage has improved was my highway mileage got better installing the VelossaTech Big Mouth and the cold side intercooler pipe from Mishimototo before the hot side. I can't explain how just the cold side replacement significantly raised my MPGs when the factory hot side clearly has restrictions but for the week or so I had only half the system on it made gains the on board computer (that I had corrected the calibration) reported. The perceived powerband was changed and felt a little sluggish but once I had the hot side on it was more 'normal' and MPGs went back to what they were.

CVF will sell you an upgraded cold side IC pipe system by itself.

I imagine others might suggest watching tire pressure, tonneau covers and resisting the urge to level the truck by raising the front but that's my observations.

Air filter media (Roush et al) might give slight improvement but offer less particulate protection.

Nice looking truck though ??

 

[Frenchy]

So it really depends on a few different things. First off how you drive will be the biggest factor on MPG. Drive like you want MPG and you will get decent MPG. Drive it like you stole it and you can forget it. That said if you have a big head wind you can also forget it.......

In general terms yes increasing the overall performance of an engine will allow the MPG to go up as long as you are still trying to get MPG. I myself did the following to my 2019. Livernoise Tow Tune(running premium fuel only), AEM drop in air filter, Old Man EMU lift, Firestone Destination XT's in 285/70-17, removed front air dam(didn't have the FX4). With all that I was usually around the low to mid 20's on MPG depending on what I did.

Hope that information helps a little.

 

[Joeiconic]

Honestly, in its stock form the truck is at or near as good as it can be in terms of MPG. Any money you spend to get another .5 or 1 MPG will not likely be recouped through gas savings.

 

[seasprite]

I found for me that when I switched from 87 to 91 octane I had an increase in MPG and it was even a little better when I went alcohol free 91. I added a tonneau cover and now I'm getting 27.2 MPG. Was hoping for a little more like 28 MPG. But I'm happy with the results so far.

 

[Motorpsychology]

I found for me that when I switched from 87 to 91 octane I had an increase in MPG and it was even a little better when I went alcohol free 91. I added a tonneau cover and now I'm getting 27.2 MPG. Was hoping for a little more like 28 MPG. But I'm happy with the results so far.

10-4. 91 octane E-0 gives me the best milage, but not enough difference for me to justify $10-11 more when I fill up the Ranger; I run 91 oct E-0 in the bike, tho.

 

[Racket]

I found ethanol free 90 octane at Kroger and used their points to bring the cost down. Even then about the cost of 93 octane E10 from Costco and I don't think my mileage improved over that and I didn't feel the engine ran any better. On the contrary back when I could get E30 94 octane cheaper than 93 octane at the club the truck ran great and the mileage was roughly equivalent to the 10% ethanol premium. Granted I have a midgrade fuel tune, cat back exhaust and the VelossaTech but if I could get E15 premium and it's cheaper I'd be all over that. I think levelling the front hurt my MPGs.

 

[jgarcia0330]

Man this forum is amazing. Thank you for the positive feedback and awesome advice. It looks like I’m already winning half of the battle because I barely go above 2300rpm. For what I get from everything that this thread is saying charge pipes and a bigger intake inlet I should get what I’m looking for. I baby the crap out of this truck and I’m planning to have it for a long time. All I want is to make preventative modifications that will extend the lifespan of the truck and keep the ownership cost as low as possible. Again, thanks everyone that took the time to put down some good information. Have a great day y’all!!!

 

[seasprite]

10-4. 91 octane E-0 gives me the best milage, but not enough difference for me to justify $10-11 more when I fill up the Ranger; I run 91 oct E-0 in the bike, tho.

Can't remember the numbers anymore but when I first did this I figured cost per mile, and the 91 was running .04-.05 cents cheaper. The big thing is this, 90% of my driving is on the hwy with the cruse lock in 65 mph. If you have more city driving or stop and go I can see that making a huge difference in these trucks. Plus I turned ASS off with Forscan.

 

[Okinawa Joe]

Man this forum is amazing. Thank you for the positive feedback and awesome advice. It looks like I’m already winning half of the battle because I barely go above 2300rpm. For what I get from everything that this thread is saying charge pipes and a bigger intake inlet I should get what I’m looking for. I baby the crap out of this truck and I’m planning to have it for a long time. All I want is to make preventative modifications that will extend the lifespan of the truck and keep the ownership cost as low as possible. Again, thanks everyone that took the time to put down some good information. Have a great day y’all!!!

As you know you're mileage may vary by most importantly air temp. Dense cold air uses more fuel. Mileage always gives down in the cooler months. I'm in VA and my mean average temp is much higher than northern states. I have very little city driving and the 4 lanes near me are 60-65 mph. Perfect scenario for mileage as I average 24-25 and on trips as good as 28. I'm not modifying a thing on the truck.

Although I had a Focus ST before, exhaust, mountune intercooler, Rousch filter, Cobb tune. And I averaged 34-35 Summer months, and it went like a scalded dog!

 

[Wytchdctr]

My biggest boost in mpg came from my LMS tune.

The biggest dent in mpg is starting the thing cold. Holy crap it goes thru gas like crazy on a true cold start.. relative to other cars I have owned.

So keeping it in a super warm garage might help.......

 

[jgarcia0330]

As you know you're mileage may vary by most importantly air temp. Dense cold air uses more fuel. Mileage always gives down in the cooler months. I'm in VA and my mean average temp is much higher than northern states. I have very little city driving and the 4 lanes near me are 60-65 mph. Perfect scenario for mileage as I average 24-25 and on trips as good as 28. I'm not modifying a thing on the truck.

Although I had a Focus ST before, exhaust, mountune intercooler, Rousch filter, Cobb tune. And I averaged 34-35 Summer months, and it went like a scalded dog!

As you know you're mileage may vary by most importantly air temp. Dense cold air uses more fuel. Mileage always gives down in the cooler months. I'm in VA and my mean average temp is much higher than northern states. I have very little city driving and the 4 lanes near me are 60-65 mph. Perfect scenario for mileage as I average 24-25 and on trips as good as 28. I'm not modifying a thing on the truck.

Although I had a Focus ST before, exhaust, mountune intercooler, Rousch filter, Cobb tune. And I averaged 34-35 Summer months, and it went like a scalded dog!

Man that’s a beautiful truck.

 

[MrBirdman330]

The Ecoboost is designed to be most efficient running premium octane fuel, I've done some little things expensive but little and have seen expectations slightly exceeded, bigger intake snorkel for the airbox bye AFE power, Velossatech big mouth intake scoop that goes behind the grille and a Diesel Ranger Upper Radiator shield that gives better airflow to the intake along with a K&N filter. I would say now that the engine breathes in better a slight more high flow exhaust would help as well rather than leaving stock.

 

[jgarcia0330]

The Ecoboost is designed to be most efficient running premium octane fuel, I've done some little things expensive but little and have seen expectations slightly exceeded, bigger intake snorkel for the airbox bye AFE power, Velossatech big mouth intake scoop that goes behind the grille and a Diesel Ranger Upper Radiator shield that gives better airflow to the intake along with a K&N filter. I would say now that the engine breathes in better a slight more high flow exhaust would help as well rather than leaving stock.

That seems to be the constant around the water cooler. I’m going to start by upgrading the snorkel, adding the intake scoop and changing the filter. I really don’t want to change the sound of the exhaust because I do enjoy how quiet it is. I think I might do the intercooler pipes just to let some cooler air in. I really want a good reliable source for a tune that will make the improvements work towards my MPG more than for speed.

 

[ccasanova22]

I find it hard to believe some actually are getting north of 25mpg with these trucks, Premium octane included. That means they are getting 500+ miles per tank, and unless you have a stiff tail wind, I don’t see how that’s possible.

So for those that post 28-29mpg, what are you running (mods) and what percentage city/hwy?

FWIW my stock 2022 Ranger gets a maximum of 487 miles or < 500 per tank, unless I drive it until the truck stalls out maybe.

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