typical gas mileage with v-8

[Explorer#2]

One of the most popular threads on this board is Aldive's "My Quest for 30" w/ his sohc v6, if you could show us how to get 28 mpg w/ a AWD 5.0 you would be the new hero on the block.

here is the thread

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=44372&highlight=quest

 

[spta97]

spta- do you have synthetics in your diffs and cases?
hows your air filter, fuel filter? plugs? you dont necessairly have to change plugs..just re gap them.
.

I used to get the oil changed at the dealer because they have this "Engine for life" program that will cover the engine forever as long as you get oil changes done there. I scrapped that and am going to start running Mobile 1.

I did change the fuel filter, air filter. The plugs and wires are supposed to be good to 100k (I've got 50k) so I didn't want to waste money. Good idea to regap though - I didn't think about that.

.fill in those gaps between your hood and other lines in front end . this will lower your air resistance and give up to 2 mpg on an suv of this size.

With what? Like a rubber gasket you would use around a door or window?

if your willing to spend some money to help out..put a 3 inch exhaust.
dont go any smaller. this will give you about 35 free hp compared to stock..and better fuel econ. put synthetic all around in all your cases.

How much are we talking for a SS 3" exhaust? I don't want to get one that will rust. I will look into changing the front and rear diffs with Synthetic as well. I don't think they were ever done.

get rid of those at tires and put on a set of street tires

I do need this truck for the winter so that's not an option. If I did get a 2nd set of tires and rims it would blow my profit margin.

if you want to go further..do your intakes.

Well I have cleaned the intake and the butterfly with Seafoam and a MF cloth (as well as Seafoamed the engine). Are you talking about actual machine work?

Thanks for the advice.

 

[spta97]

SPTS97 I agree with you that it IS embarrasing. My friend with has a 2005 Yukon Denali with a 6.0 Liter Vortec V8 with 335HP 375lb. ft. of touque and she gets better mileage than I do. I know technology has come a long way, but there is no excuse for that.

I know. It kills me that people with HEAVIER trucks that put my HP and TQ numbers to shame are getting better gas mileage than I am. I tried driving like a grandma but that made little if any difference. Besides, I like to drive fast

The Explorer is just my hold over until I get the truck I really want (Nissan Armada :smoke: ), but I've gotta pay off my M3 before I do. If I can do some relatively cheap things to to X to get the mileage up I am more than willing.

 

[wildstang]

Has anyone ever had a custom computer tune or chip installed thiers noticed any difference? Anybody think a shift kit or computer calibration of the transmission would help? I can't believe the factory setting is the most efficient. Maybe the engine has to work to hard, hard to believe because it feels pretty decent. Maybe something like a 331 stroker that would provide more torque would help.

 

[celly]

Has anyone ever had a custom computer tune or chip installed thiers noticed any difference? Anybody think a shift kit or computer calibration of the transmission would help?.

I've got an SCT XC2 flasher with custom tunes from bamachips.com. A DEFINITE improvement in performance. I felt the shifting was pretty sluggish in stock form. Not so with the tunes.

 

[proftomda]

1998 5.0 XLT two wheel drive 105,000 miles.

Did a good tune up, replaced the dragging, squeaky cam synchronizer gear, installed Torque monster headers and a thorough clay bar, polish and wax on the body. Checked it two days ago when I filled up and 24.6 mpg. I'm going to check again next fill up because thats better than I had hoped for.

 

[wildstang]

Celly, I just want to make sure I understand your response, the definite improvement was a result of the transmission calibration but no difference for the engine calibration? Notice any difference in mileage and what was the price roughly?

Proftomda, how much were the headers? 24.6 mpg is pretty good, would be nice to get 20-21 for the all wheel drive.

 

[rcpasq]

wildstang.
The Headers are on this Forum at a special Forum price for Members like yourself.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=147452

http://www.torquemonsterheaders.com

We have a '98 Explorer EB 5.0 V8 awd and so far with Headers, MAC Intake and 3" exhaust, we've been able to get 24 mpg hwy. However, we consistantly get 21.5 - 23 hwy & 14 - 17 city/mixed, depending on driving habits and conditions. This is without synthetic oil. I highly recommend synthetic oils for the engine, transmission, transfer case (awd) and the fore and aft differentials. Your numbers should improve from there. We also have a small flyer we send with every set of Headers titled "Add-Ons After Headers" that incorporates a lot of what members are suggesting.

Also, the Headers will give you an increase of 20-24 hp and 20-35 lbs of tq. Any other well thought out Add-Ons will increase those numbers very nicely.

What I'm saying, is you can reach 24-28 mpg hwy with a 5.0 V8 AWD and the right mods!

Bob Pasquale
Tech Performance & Engineering
Torque Monster Headers
l

 

[wildstang]

thank you rcpasq, looks like a very nice product and the comments sound like they back that up. I will have to talk it over with the wife and scrape up some cash. Be nice to get low 20's on the highway, I would actually want to drive it then.

 

[vino25]

I have a 98 eddie bauer 5.0 and i get about 14.5- 15 in town and i went out of town this last weekend and got 22 on the highway. i have a k&n and throttle body spacer on my car.

 

[GSpan]

K&N didn't give me much by itself, don't expect more than about and extra half mile per gallon or so. But every little bit helps at $2.50/gal. Keep your tires inflated properly, keep your truck cleaned out and keep your oil maintained are the 3 best tips you can get for mileage on any vehicle.

$2.50 a gal? Dam I pay $3.30. Think I'll keep my Mounty, and move instead. LOL

 

[Syclone613]

I've been getting 15-16.5 in town. Never seen any better though. I'm going to disconnect my front driveline.