QuestionQUESTION: I was wondering if I changed muffler and pipes and air filters if that would increase gas mileage and or increase power. I am open to any suggestions you have that would help, even down to the brand of parts.
Thanks, PS. I had a totally different kind of question a few weeks ago and a man named Joe Douglas helped me out.
Thanks again Bernie
ANSWER: I need to know two things, engine displacement and budget. The budget will help me customize you truck to get the most bang for your buck. Please be as accurate as possible with your figure.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: My ford f 150 2006 has a 5.4 engine, and I was hopeing to do what I needed for 12 to $1500.00 dollars, including labor, to get better power and better gas milage to justify the costs.
Thanks,Bernie
ANSWER: I would start with a programmer, which will top out at $450 including taxes. This is something you will be able to use yourself. I use the Hypertech programmer myself. However, Bully dog does now make a gasoline programmer that promises 25 HP and 24 ft. lbs of torque. It also says that it works on all trucks, all makes. Bully dog is a very reputable name. You get the choice of three stages with the hypertech. The next thing to add is a cold air intake system. I recommend either K&N, or Roush for this mod. The Roush should get you a 22+ H.P gain. You can use the same cleaning kit for K&N for the rest. This is something that you can also do yourself saving labor for the grand daddy of them all, the exhaust system. You have to ask yourself one question, "Do I really need that spare tire?" If not, you can go with 3" exhaust. Either way, you will want to go stainless. It looks like will will push your suggested budget right to the envelope, depending on whether you decide to go with single or dual exhaust. You can buy the dual system for about $50 more, for an incredible power gain. You will literally need to call around muffler shops to ask them if you can bring a system to them, and how much they will charge in labor. I buy my pony parts from Steeda. Other notable brands would be dynomax, flow master, or Steeda's brand.
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: James, Thank you so much for the great information. My one other question is how much will these changes help my gas mileage?. I was hoping to gain 3 to 4 mpg or more.
AnswerIt should be possible to get that kind of gain. Should be goes a long way. With more performance and horsepower you don't have to push down so far on the gas pedal. If you are like me, that is a joke, I use that gas pedal. However, providing you don't jack rabbit start the red light, you should get that kind of improvement. At the minimum, you should be looking at 2+ mpg gain. That is a considerable amount considering the current level. I honestly do not see three mpg gain out of the question, depending on the setting of your programmer. However, the other setting on the programmer is for high octane fuel which would offset the gain yet still give you more mpg. The offset I refer to is the cost difference between low and high octane of an average 20 cent per gallon. Just don't let that extra HP go to your head through the pedal, and you will be fine. Think of it like carrying around a loaded truck bed and not. That is a tremendous HP gain for the price without modifying the internal engine. All you are doing is basically making the truck more efficient while adding a knockout punch. Just wait until you hear the sound of that stainless exhaust efficiency.
