RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long)

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RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 10/21/2007 3:49:05 AM    INDEERAM   Posts: 35 Joined: 10/18/2007 Status: offline quote: ORIGINAL: Caisson06 Whether it got me better fuel economy is debatable, but my old gasser, I put Gibson Headers (designed for towing, not racing, they say) on my 318, and it definitely helped getting up the hills.  Before, the truck would downshift on the long grades, sometimes 3-4 times.  After, it only downshifted once on the longest grade.  Dont' overkill on the exhaust.  I put the performance cat and dual Gibson exhaust on later, and lost about 1/2 of my gain from the headers. I honestly am not being a smart @$$, but: What was your original gain, to begin with??? (in reply to Caisson06) Post #: 16

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 11/15/2007 8:56:54 AM    NYPANAMA42 Posts: 950 Joined: 8/3/2006 Status: offline Excellent information HankL. Just out of curiosity, how does your truck do, as far as MPG are concerned? _____________________________ 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab 4X4 4.7LTR V-8 K&N Air filter system Westin Nerf Bars Line-X Bedliner Tow Package Flow Master Super 40 Muffler Mobil 1 Synthetic Oil 8th Div. Alpha Dogs. (in reply to INDEERAM) Post #: 17

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 11/16/2007 3:06:36 AM    HankL   Posts: 2719 Joined: 8/20/2005 Status: offline I have a 1995 Clubcab shortbed 46RH (just rebuilt after torque converter clutch gave out) Magnum 5.9V8 (has OBD-I and EGR and CR is slightly higher at 9.1) that originally had 3.55 diff gears, then 3.92, now 3.21 weighs about 5400 lbs loaded had an ARE tonneau (blew off in Hurricane Wilma) mileage now about 186,000 miles (odo corrected) At full throttle acceleration it gets about 4 MPG At 55 mph on a level highway with the tonneau and vortex generators on the sides it once got 25.4 MPG in 65 degree weather with a 4 mph wind out of the north on an east bound I40 trip from Knoxville to Raleigh.  Part of the above trip is on concrete pavement, which makes a difference of about 1 to 2 MPG over blacktop. At 60 mph steady (i have done a lot of written down test runs at 60 ) with the tonneau on it but no vortex generators it will get 21-23 MPG depending on wind/air temperaure/pavement/10% ethanol in gasoline I kinda have a philosophy that I should get at least 20 MPG on the highway, and adjust my speed to achieve that. Most of the time I can get 20 MPG at a speed between 64 and 68 mph depending on the above factors...and how much weight the truck is carrying.  If I load the bed up with 6 gallon plastic pails filled with mining ore samples my pickup's weight can go to up to 6200 lbs and the MPG drops by about 2.  With a full load of whitewater rafting stuff and two kayaks tied down to luggage bars on the top of the tonneau the MPG can drop by 4. At a steady speed of 70 mph I get 18 to 19 MPG. (70 is my normal test run speed from Fuquay-Varina NC to Wilmington and back in a big loop that partially cancels out wind) Once without the radiator fan blades on I got 19.7 MPG on this loop at 70 mph. With vortex generators on the sides of cab behind vent windows and also at rear sides of bed, tonneau, and with the radiator fan blades removed, I was able to get 21 MPG at a steady 70 mph on a test run loop over I64 from Lexington to Morehead and back on a 65 degree day with light 2-5 mph wind from the west.  I did this twice to make sure it was not a fluke. If you ask yourself the question: why did Hank begin experimenting with MPG on his Ram pickup? The answer is: One day Hank decided that he ought to have a hobby project to make his Ram pickup get 20 MPG at 70 mph and 30 MPG at 55 mph.  I have not been able to get to 30 MPG at 55 mph yet, but the FEC computer simulation program predicts that at 44 mph with larger rear tires to further lower the rpms it might be possible to 'max out' at 29 MPG or so.  I have wondered if some of the new design 19.5 tires with high air pressure and low rolling resistance might do the trick and push the MPG past 30 but it would take custom 5 on 5.5 bolt patterns or custom 8 lug axles. From a mileage of 141,000 miles to today at 186,000 the average MPG in all driving has been 15.6 MPG. Previously I had the 1995 Mopar Performance PCM computer in for about 40,000 miles and used 93 octane gasoline and in that period the overall MPG was lower at 14.4 MPG. Previous to the MPG PCM the MPG had been about 15.5 back then too, so I pretty confident that either the MP PCM or the higher octane gasoline gives MPG that is slightly worse, although I have read posts where people report the opposite. Obviously my 5.9V8 engine is getting on in mileage and although the compression on all 8 cylinders is still good I have been thinking about rebuilding it to 'high efficiency' standards. Since I am a fan of the 340 V8 I have thought about de-stroking it to lower the piston speed either to 3.31 or perhaps to the Mopar Trans-Am crankshaft stroke of 3.00 inches. I am thinking of a static compression ratio of 12 to 1 with a camshaft that will make the dynamic compression ratio about 9.5 to 1. Perhaps Edelbrock aluminum Magnum cylinder heads with a thermal coating and some combustion chamber millng. Pistons would be lightweight forged with flat tops with thermal barrier on the crowns and anti-friction coatings on the skirts. Rings I have not decided yet...perhaps Total Seal gapless although I have been told they cause faster bore wall wear. Bores larger by 0.020 with a coating for anti-friction. Since I am thinking of a custom stroke crankshaft I may have it made with Honda main and rod bearing like most NASCAR teams use. I have been thinking about a budget of about $10,000 for the engine rebuild, which I admit does not make economic sense for a truck that has a present day resale value of $3500...but I like my Ram pickup and it has sentimental value. I have also thought about transplanting a Jaguar V12 HE with an aftermarket EFI computer into my Ram.  It sounds crazy, but would probably cost equal or less money than spending $10,000 rebuilding the Magnum 5.9V8 like I want. If the original Lucas electric parts are gotten rid of, this is a sweet & smooth V12 engine and it already has a high compression ratio and a Michael May designed 'Fireball' cylinder head that can run on 87 octane.  The Jag V12 engine flange is set up to fit GM automatic transmissions including the new 6 speed auto in the 2008 Escalade this year and the Silverado next year. (in reply to NYPANAMA42) Post #: 18

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 11/27/2007 11:45:14 AM    Nicegy525   Posts: 304 Joined: 6/25/2007 Status: offline Very educational read. I will have to read this 5 times to really absorb it.  But from the start it seems to explain why my truck went down in MPG's when I switched from 215/75/15 all season tires to 225/75/15 all terrain tires.  I tried every basic tune up item I could think of and still no improvement. So I may be switching back to the stock size in an all season/highway tread design. (in reply to HankL) Post #: 19

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 3/10/2008 5:21:40 AM    HankL   Posts: 2719 Joined: 8/20/2005 Status: offline http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=125028 sample quote: Saab says the 9-X BioHybrid "explores the potential for using active aerodynamics to reduce drag — and fuel consumption — at cruising speeds." Among the more notable design cues are a roof spoiler that automatically extends to further lengthen the roof line and an underbody diffuser, which is deployed from the bottom of the rear bumper at speeds above 43 mph. In addition, the concept features "smooth fuselage bodywork," which is stripped of visible door handles and door mirrors to further cut drag. -------- The idea of a rear bumper that extends a diffuser above 40 mph would not be impossible to retro-fit to a Ram pickup. Such a bumper might even improve crash protection. Extending the roofline of a Ram pickup is easy to do on a temporary basis by using that magnetic sheet material that is sold for door signs. The 'tailgate thingie' of 3rd Gen Rams is a similar idea...called a RES or roofline extension spoiler by pro aero gurus. (in reply to HankL) Post #: 20

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 3/10/2008 5:30:32 AM    HankL   Posts: 2719 Joined: 8/20/2005 Status: offline even more on the Saab 9-X showcar aero: http://www.carpages.co.uk/saab/saab-9x-biohybrid-part-1-04-03-08.asp sample quote: "During heavy braking from over 62 mph, the rear spoiler is raised, adding downforce over the rear axle. This action also reveals a reflector that increases the visibility of the brake light underneath, as a further warning of heavy braking." (in reply to HankL) Post #: 21

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 3/12/2008 7:13:02 AM    oefootball_70   Posts: 1691 Joined: 4/26/2007 Status: offline Wow, there is a lot of information here. And like someone else said, it may take 4-5 times to absorb it all. _____________________________ (in reply to HankL) Post #: 22

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 3/13/2008 3:26:46 AM    HankL   Posts: 2719 Joined: 8/20/2005 Status: offline although this FAQ is long it is much shorter than reading these books: print out the FAQ and set it by the toilet and read a bit at a time ....seriously this is now new NC judges are advised to work their way through long law books (in reply to oefootball_70) Post #: 23

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 5/26/2008 7:12:33 AM    davb673   Posts: 30 Joined: 1/25/2007 Status: offline quote: ORIGINAL: HankL Removed May of 2008 as hits per month fell to zero. Enjoy your truck and enjoy increasing your knowledge of it. So long. Would you be able to send me an archived copy of the FAQ?  I'd like to read through it again...  Thanks. [edit] I found a similar copy over on dodge talk...thanks. Here's a picture of a 95mpg Honda Civic...mildly modified.  :) Attachment (1) < Message edited by davb673 -- 5/26/2008 9:02:16 AM > _____________________________ 2007 Inferno Red Quad Cab 4.7L Flex-Fuel 2wd w/dogamatic trans Peragon Tonneau cover (it folds) Filtermag SS375 4" sewer pipe intake AMSOIL EaA176/EaO42/0W-30 AIRRAM jetstream scoop (in reply to HankL) Post #: 24

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 5/31/2008 4:58:12 AM    aim4squirrels Posts: 2154 Joined: 7/23/2007 From: Texas Status: offline Wow, HankL must have taken that personally. You know, I think half the problem is this is posted in the general Dodge Ram part of the forum.   With the options on the search function, I usually limit my search to 2nd Gen stuff to get more accurate searches.  The general forum doesn't pop up under that search criteria. Oh well...at least I know Hank isn't dead anymore, he's just P.O.ed at us. < Message edited by aim4squirrels -- 5/31/2008 5:11:18 AM > _____________________________ 2001 1500 5.2L long bed: SCT 4.10s 50mm TB 1.7 HS RR 3" exhaust si/so Round A/C Modified Keg MSD ignition (in reply to davb673) Post #: 25

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 5/31/2008 5:34:25 AM    HankL   Posts: 2719 Joined: 8/20/2005 Status: offline i got an email to come look at this i am not 'po'ed' about anything but like most forum members we are free to come then go eventually too i removed the FAQ for the practical reason that i kept getting reports that the weblink here that I had been using was having trouble loading reliably ... i am not sure but it seems the forum has had some technical problems and I found that my browser kept getting ASP errors too the updated FAQ will soon be hosted at Dave Fritz's Virginia Tech Engineering Dept website or perhaps over at Edmunds in their dodge forum i have long been told that the FAQ was too long for many to read with short attention spans recently 4th Gen Ram designer Ralph Gilles gave a video talk around about the new Ram body, mirrors, airdams, tailgate, etc that touches on many of the aero improvements that the old FAQ talked about this short video is here over on the right of the webpage under 'Related Content' http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080530/OPINION03/805300348/1148/AUTO01 i have long been told by a dozen or so dodgeforum members (out of several hundred weekly visitors) that i am unwelcome for my candid opinions it is also possible that the dodgeforum owners might have lost a few advertisers who wanted me banned so that they could make a few more 'sucker sales' with the USA economy turning down and pickup sales and pickup accessories sales much tougher to come by perhaps it is best if they could pickup ad revenue .... i am not unsympathetic to their challenges to run their business and make payrolls so my change of viewing habits may be a win-win-win situation there are several very smart members here that know how to contact me if something worth correcting comes up enjoy your truck improve our country's security and your own job security by increasing your knowledge and testing ability .... develop a bs detector it can come in handy (in reply to aim4squirrels) Post #: 26

RE: updated FAQ on Ram MPG improvement (long) - 5/31/2008 5:47:28 AM    aim4squirrels Posts: 2154 Joined: 7/23/2007 From: Texas Status: offline Hank, Glad you're not POed. I don't know who's been riding you, but I know there's a few that'll debate you on several points.  I personally think that's great, that's usually how I learn best.  I've never seen you heatedly debate somebody without backing it up with facts and articles from others, I wish some of our other members would do that (myself included).   Regardless, I've always found myself feeling a little better informed (if sometimes not initially confused,) after reading some of your posts.  It's unfortunate to hear about the sales angle, but I understand that completely. Anyway, good to know that you're still out there.  I'll get back on topic now.  _____________________________ 2001 1500 5.2L long bed: SCT 4.10s 50mm TB 1.7 HS RR 3" exhaust si/so Round A/C Modified Keg MSD ignition (in reply to HankL) Post #: 27

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