Feasibility of getting better than 20mpg out of an E-series - Diesel Forum

The Warden · 08-29-2003, 04:39 PM

Hello! A friend on "the other site" is thinking about getting a diesel E-series as a family hauler. He's currently driving a minivan, and I get the impression that he wants the full-size, but a higher authority okayed it only if he can get it to get better mileage than the minivan. So, it has to get 20mpg or higher.

Given that he'll be only using this as a family hauler (no trailer or anything), how feasible is this? I'm presuming that a PSD or a 7.3l IDI with 3.54 gears could pull this off, but figured I'd ask for sure. Another thought would be if 3.07 gears were ever available? Again, other than people, the van would be empty, but he said hewants to be able to go at a good speed (85 to 90 down the open highway according to him) and still get that sort of mileage.

Thoughts and comments would be appreciated. Thanks in advance! [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

DieselDeaf · 08-29-2003, 04:58 PM

Tell your buddy to dream on. Why would one expect a van that weighs twice as much as a minivan to get even better mileage? I would think the mpg tradeoff when compared to the safety issue would be more than enough reason to move up to an E-van. Just have him tell the wife it only has a 25 gallon fuel tank, then the mpg's would add up just the way she wants it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

msnunes · 08-30-2003, 07:44 PM

I averaged 18 on a freeway trip with about 10k on the truck. I would think that could improve as it breaks in more. Also, do the fuel mods and it should get better yet...

Yardbrew · 08-30-2003, 07:53 PM

I can get 20 on the highway running empty without my trailer and keeping the speed below 65 and being careful with the foot.

It's not easy. You can't get that kinda mileage at 70 or above.

My rearend is 3.55.

Mine is stock as a rock. There are possibilities with the correct chip and opening up the air and exhaust.

20 MPG at those speeds is not going to fall into his lap like a gift from heaven. He'll have to work on it. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Yardbrew

MADVAN · 08-30-2003, 08:29 PM

Yardbrew is correct. Keep at 65mph or less and you will see 19 to 20 unloaded on hwy. I have averaged low 18's in the 75mph range with a 33 inch tall tire. If i run 65mph with 33in tire and sip in the propane i have seen as high as 26mpg. I have not done enough testing of the propane to see if it is cost effective. But so far not cost effective. Also my van suffers less mpg due to it has to cut a bigger hole in the air. The van is 6inches minium higher than the standard van.

BILL

roaddog · 08-30-2003, 08:32 PM

Ditto on Yardbrew. I can get 20 mpg even with the Quigley,but, I can't do it above 65 and I must be empty and a pretty flat highway. (well, Cooper the road dog is always in the van). Head winds, forget it, foothills or small mountains, forget it. City driving, not good, probably around 14 mpg.
So, compared to a mini anything, a E350 PSD will never match mpg.

Paul

Cat320 · 08-30-2003, 10:12 PM

too bad they can'r be getting better than 22mph like the new sprinter vans .

ponart · 08-30-2003, 11:08 PM

Sprinter van -
2.7 Liter, 5 cylinder, 154 HP, 244 ft-lbs @ 1600 RPM. > 8500 lbs GVW, 22 MPG

2004 E series van
6.0 Liter, 8 cylinder, 235 HP, 440 ft-lbs @ TBD. ??? GVW, ?? MPG

If the Ford promotional literature is correct then 10% better MPG then the 7.3. Unless that was derated too! Guess we shall wait and see. The 6.0 Super Duty pickup show a large range of MPG depending on build date, flash level and other voodoo factors.

Yardbrew · 08-31-2003, 10:30 AM

Hey, I think it is wonderful that we can get this kind of fuel mileage out of an engine that we use because it has the power when we need to do the heavy duty stuff.

My wife's new Sienna gets in the mid 20's but it won't pull my trailer.

Doesn't sound like the sprinter will either. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

Yardbrew

keethw · 09-03-2003, 08:56 AM

Tell your friend to take her for a test drive in a 15 pass van. However before loading up the Children, tell him to take out the front and rear seats (any dealer wanting to sell their vehicle should be able to do this for him). Then pretend it's raining. She'll be amazed at how easy it is for all of them to enter the vehicle at once and then fasten saftey belts and seats. Next make her drive it on the interstate. She'll really like being able to see over most all the other vehicles. Finally, load it up. Go get some groceries and a laundry basket or two. The mileage isssue will start to become a secondary concern. But if not, consider that traveling in a fully loaded mini-van will greatly decrease the mileage whereas the same load on a PSD or V-10 will barely affect it's mileage. I've been where he is, and will never own another minivan under any circumstance. The versatility of the big van far outweighs the extra $40/month in fuel.

Just my experience,

Keeth W

Warwagon_s · 09-07-2003, 05:27 PM

Warden,
I just filled the front tank on my van and it averaged 18.5mpg. 6500# empty, 4x4, C-6, 3.55gears and 32" digger tires. This was a "commuter" tank. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I drive 38.8mi one way to work up and down the "hills" in the Alleghenny Plateau. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] No turbo (yet to be installed), no O/D and no computer. I'm doing this with GOOD fuel and a 6.9L IDI. The trick is good synthetic lubricants on new bearings, a properly set-up I/P and injectors, ziggster's type of ram air, and a true running rig from an alignment standpoint. I'm sure it would do better on the highway, in flat land, or with gearing/power mods.
Just my $.02.
Mark

PJC99 · 09-10-2003, 07:45 AM

I've noticed something a little different....my MPG's go up if I keep the speed up. If I do long trips with the speed up near 70 and maybe a little over that I can get around 18 MPG. That's unloaded or mildly loaded....no trailer.

sixiron · 09-10-2003, 08:01 AM

Yes, you can get 20 mpg out of the PSD ...I check every tank and if it falls below 20 it's usually a strong headwind combined with mountains or winter diesel...tire pressure's a biggie-run 75-80#...open up the exhaust and intake's(see signature)...run a good fuel additive(I now run amsoil after trying P/Svc etc)..Now if you drive 75-80 don't expect 20 mpg but if you drive speed limit or a little over then yes it will give you that milage BTW I tow a 18' cargo trailer and get 12-14 mpg...my .02 bd

msnunes · 09-11-2003, 10:01 AM

FWIW, Larry Yates of Quigley mentioned that I should (could?) get anywhere from 18-23 in my style van with 3.55 gears. So I think somewhere in the middle is doable, considering what I've already seen with for myself...