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YACT

EightySix Four

EightySix Four

Diamond Member
Need to get better gas mileage out of a ford 5.4, I went from 10 miles a day to 80. I know I just need a different vehicle but in my father's mind big cars are safer. I've tried to talk him down into something, even saying I'd siphon off some of the money I'd save to the family to help out, but he won't hear it.
 
Any modifications that will help me out on the highway. I went from driving 10 miles a day, to 80, and this 5.4l V8 is killing me.
 
Anything at all that will... Intake/Exhaust... anything?


The theory makes sense in my head, though I have admittedly little knowledge on the subject of anything engine related. More space for a better mixture between the air and fuel, allowing a more complete burn. But like I said, limited knowledge on the subject.
 
Stick a balled up sock under your accellerator pedal.

That's what will improve your mileage. Nothing else will short of major work.

Gasoline only contains so much energy. It takes X amount of gasoline to move Y weight against Z resistance (wind, mechanical, etc). Modern fuel injection systems, etc, have pretty much maximized the potential of gasoline.

There is a small amount of efficiency lost due to mass production techniques. So if you drop a couple grand into massaging your heads and tightening up tolerances, you'll pick up a few percent improvement. Or you can change your cam to one that is optimized for mileage, but there goes your torque and horsepower. Let me know how that works out for you.
 
I can't get rid of the car, but I can't continue to afford the gas either. My father is into the whole big=safe thing, so I can't get into a car unless it's a boat, which defeats the purpose. Ideas?
 
Originally posted by: crazySOB297
I can't get rid of the car, but I can't continue to afford the gas either. My father is into the whole big=safe thing, so I can't get into a car unless it's a boat, which defeats the purpose. Ideas?
Click to expand...

Is it your dad's car? Tell him you can't afford the gas, and want something smaller.

If you really, REALLY need a boat, try getting a Caprice...large, but decent mileage considering the size.
 
yea, drive 55mph, with cruise control if its on a highway, leave all unnecessary baggage out of the car, dont use the air unless its really needed...keep air filters cleaned and or replaced regularly, keep oil changed regularly, avoid jack rabbit starts, all of the usual common sense approaches will work in your favor.....never be in a hurry to beat the guy beside you to the next red light...that sort of thing...
 
He technically owns it, but for all intents and purposes, it's mine. I'm 16, and I drive reasonably, 65-70 tops on the highway (same as the slow lane traffic around me)
 
Originally posted by: DurocShark
Gasoline only contains so much energy. It takes X amount of gasoline to move Y weight against Z resistance (wind, mechanical, etc). Modern fuel injection systems, etc, have pretty much maximized the potential of gasoline.
Click to expand...

That's a little simplistic...all engines have different efficiencies at different RPMs and power outputs. The V8 the OP has is going to serve up energy most efficiently at a higher RPM...but it will serve up much, MUCH more energy than is necessary to keep the car moving at a constant speed. The engine is much less efficient at low throttle settings.

We haven't "maximized" the potential of gasoline. If that were the case, aerodynamic profile and speed would be the only thing that affected gas mileage, since every car would burn exactly the amount of gas required to produce exactly the desired horsepower, and no more.
 
His thing is in his first 8 months he totaled two cars... Pontiac Grand Prix's which he attributes his life to their size. I have been driving 8 months and haven't had a fender bender, much less totaled anything. I tried to talk him into it, and even showed him the stats showing the safety of small v.s. large, but it's jsut the way he thinks.
 
Originally posted by: crazySOB297
I have 2 classes a day in two different locations. No choice.
Click to expand...

It was your choice to sign up for those classes, knowing how far apart they were and what kind of mileage you get...

I still don't understand what's stopping you from buying a nice economy car for yourself.
 
You're only going to save about $5.00 per day, unless you get a really tiny car, which truly isn't safe. You could swap that for another truck and smaller 8 or 6, but only gain 25% better mileage at best. The cost to make the switch could easily eat up that savings.
 
The most you can do is make sure the truck is running like a swiss watch. That will give you the best MPG possible.
 
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: crazySOB297
I have 2 classes a day in two different locations. No choice.
Click to expand...

It was your choice to sign up for those classes, knowing how far apart they were and what kind of mileage you get...

I still don't understand what's stopping you from buying a nice economy car for yourself.
Click to expand...


My dad owns the car, I live under his roof. He believes that small cars are incredibly unsafe, he will not allow me to trade into something smaller for another 6 months+. Hell, I had a deal lined up to trade for a nice jetta, whole thing worked out, papers ready to sign, and he told me to forget it.

I use ~$65 a week in gas, not including other destinations other than the required daily drives.

In a car with 25 mpg I would use $42 dollars a week, add in personal driving and that number goes up, drive a car with even better gas mileage, it continues to go up. That's $23 a week, not huge by mosts standards, but you gotta remember, I'm a low income 16 year old.
 
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: crazySOB297
I have 2 classes a day in two different locations. No choice.
Click to expand...

It was your choice to sign up for those classes, knowing how far apart they were and what kind of mileage you get...

I still don't understand what's stopping you from buying a nice economy car for yourself.
Click to expand...

Cars owned free and clear are still almost infinitley cheaper to run than new cars that get amazing mileage. Even in the H1's, gas consumption is nothing compared to depreciation... I can't fathom why so many people have such a hard time understanding that.

The only thing the OP can do is slow down and accelerate more slowly, not run AC and keep the windows up. THATS IT.
 
Originally posted by: crazySOB297
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: crazySOB297
I have 2 classes a day in two different locations. No choice.
Click to expand...

It was your choice to sign up for those classes, knowing how far apart they were and what kind of mileage you get...

I still don't understand what's stopping you from buying a nice economy car for yourself.
Click to expand...


My dad owns the car, I live under his roof. He believes that small cars are incredibly unsafe, he will not allow me to trade into something smaller for another 6 months+. Hell, I had a deal lined up to trade for a nice jetta, whole thing worked out, papers ready to sign, and he told me to forget it.
Click to expand...

:laugh:

you think a Jetta+gas+german maintanance will be cheaper than a V8 you're handed+gas+whatever maintance your daddy doesen't pay?

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:
 
Originally posted by: acemcmac
Originally posted by: crazySOB297
Originally posted by: jagec
Originally posted by: crazySOB297
I have 2 classes a day in two different locations. No choice.
Click to expand...

It was your choice to sign up for those classes, knowing how far apart they were and what kind of mileage you get...

I still don't understand what's stopping you from buying a nice economy car for yourself.
Click to expand...


My dad owns the car, I live under his roof. He believes that small cars are incredibly unsafe, he will not allow me to trade into something smaller for another 6 months+. Hell, I had a deal lined up to trade for a nice jetta, whole thing worked out, papers ready to sign, and he told me to forget it.
Click to expand...

:laugh:

you think a Jetta+gas+german maintanance will be cheaper than a V8 you're handed+gas+whatever maintance your daddy doesen't pay?

:laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh::laugh:
Click to expand...

We have incredibly good luck with VW's, having owned 4 in our family and none ever having any problems, even past 100k miles.
 
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