Will exhuast and intake help MPG?

[stanzaboi]

Hello everyone. I am trying to get my wife's '98 V6 EXplorer XLT to be as gas efficient as possible. Will adding an intake and/or exhaust help raise the mpg? If not, are there any other mods that may help?Thanks.

 

[Alec]

If you can resist the urge to use the go pedal more, then yes, they usually help.

 

[Hokie]

Maybe 1-2 mpg max. I think my interstate mileage went up from 17.5 on average to 18-19 with the KKM and 2.5" Magnaflow catbacks on my SOHC. I was able to get a pretty consistent hi 18's low 19's this summer commuting to work. But then again, the sticker on my truck said 16 city, 19 highway, so in theory the mods really did nothing.

 

[jssong]

mine prob dropped about 5 mpg because i step on it more to hear the intake and exhaust.. although i have no problem hearing the exhaust on mine.

 

[stanzaboi]

What Exhuast and intakes do you guys recommend?

I would like a stainless steel exhuast, anyone know of one for the '98 V6 2wd XLT 4dr explorer? Also, do K&N make an intake for this model?Thanks

 

[mmsdrummer]

Since its the wife's car, you'll probably want to keep it rather stock sounding. Go with Gibson. They have a stainless catback system for around $350. And yes, K&N has an intake system. Do some searching; these topics have been discussed many times.

 

[Premier]

I would recommend KKM over k&N. It is a sponsor of the site so look for the banner up top. Also it is basically the same thing, but will save you money.

 

[aldive]

Take a look at what I did to get over 30 MPG at http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=44372&highlight=quest+for

 

[DOCMORGY]

I wanted to add a few thoughts on the exhaust/intake question you had:

I did 2.5" cat-back exhaust on both my '91 & '01 Sports (OHV & SOHC) & did the KKM on my '01...with these & a few other mods, I did get about 2-3mpg mixed improvement on both models & I drive fairly aggressively usually.

But answer this question before you spend the money: why do the upgrade? If it is to get better gas mileage, the best you'll get is 5-10% of your current. So, if you spend an avg of $100.00 monthly on gas, this should save you approx 5-10$ per month on gas. Then, figure in the cost of the upgrades..you're looking at approx $400 if you install them yourself (minimum), which means it will take you 40-80 months in this example to recoup your cost.

But, you will also have more power & better throttle response, & in my humble opinion, a better sounding vehicle.

So, keep those economics in mind when you make your decision. As for KKM vs K&N, the K&N does have a heat shield, but is also 2-3X the cost of the KKM..I tried both on my '01 & settled for the KKM (K&N kept giving me check engine lites & so I sold it on eBay for a fraction of what I paid for it after a week).

Just a few thoughts for you.
cm

 

[stanzaboi]

KKM Intake

Is this a full on intake kit or just an adapter and air filter? Also, where is the best place to purchase one and how much do they usually run? Thanks.

 

[DOCMORGY]

To purchase, click on the KKM banner that is at the top of every Serious Explorations page. The kit for SOHC runs 89.95 + about $10.00 for shipping.

The kit consists of a cone air filter + an adapter to bolt it onto your MAF. Installation requires an 8mm/10mm/11mm socket & perhaps a flathead screwdriver. My installation the other nite took approx 15 mins. Be sure to unhook your battery negative cable before you start & leave it unhooked until you are done to clear the ECU memory, so that when you hook it back up, it will relearn based on the increased airflow thru the KKM (it is considerably higher than stock airbox & you can hear it sucking air after a cold start in the morning, otherwise, it is pretty much transparent thereafter).

About the only pain in the install is attaching a bracket to the adapter that you bolt to somewhere on the chassis so that the cone filter doesn't just flop around in all of the free space...I bolted mine to the hole left behind by removal of the heat shield behind the pass side headlight.

In my opinion, this is a worthwhile addition if you are looking for maybe 1 mpg & maybe 5-10 HP..just keep your foot out of it & it'll be worth it.

Good luck
Craig