What are best mods to improve MPG and Power

2shus · #1 01-30-2005, 11:29 PM

I have a 1988 Dodge Ram 1/2 ton 4X4 with a 318 TBI. What mods can be done to improve MPG. It runs great but only gets about 9 MPG in town and barely 11 on the highway and is somewhat anemic compared to my 85 van with carb and 318. I am considering headers with duals and some sort of free flow air intake system. I have heard of some sort of spacer or riser for the throttle body, what about that? What other mods can I do to help and what if any components can or should be removed without affecting the computer system drastically. This is for a (1988) model. Also would going back to carb be a good option to help with MPG and maybe more power? My old 85 dodge van with carb gets 14 MPG on the highway. I realize the 4X4 cost some in mileage but feel their is room for some improvement. Also it does not have overdrive and that probably hurts me on the highway. Can any tranny mods be done resonably? Thanks.

horatio102 · #2 02-02-2005, 05:27 AM

Honestly I'm not familiar much with the TBI systems and how they respond to modifying stuff. I trust that you've done a tune up recently? Check plugs, wires, cap, rotor, etc. How old is the O2 sensor? Are the cats getting plugged up?

I'd start there first.

Then any time you can remove restrictions it'll improve the efficiency of the motor, so a better flowing filter, 1 5/8" into 2 1/2" collector headers with a Y into a single 3" with a non-restrictive muffler with high flow cats.

Fuel injection is nice for the cold mornings, but if you don't mind warming it up a bit first, and you don't have to deal with emissions, go ahead and swap it back to a carb setup. It's much cheaper and easier to make power with a carb than dinking around with a computer.