Fuel economy: NA vs. Turbo - Diesel Forum

Phillipmc1268 · 07-18-2008, 02:35 PM

For those who have added a turbo, what has been the difference in fuel economy after you got over the heavy right foot fun factor?

LMJD · 07-18-2008, 03:06 PM

Absolutely zero difference in fuel mileage when not towing. I installed my ATS kit at 30,000 and now have 239,000. Highway driving with no wind to effect fuel mileage I have got 18.7 MPG from the day I bought the truck new to the present. When towing I saw maybe a 1MPG increase probably due to better engine efficiency when pulling a heavy load after turbo installation. Unlike one of their competitors, ATS never did make any phony claims regarding an increase in MPG after installing one of their kits.

dale w · 07-18-2008, 03:33 PM

Zero, I had a old style banks non-wastegate turbo, removed it and replaced it with a new style ATS( best move I ever did) no increasewith one or the other. I like the way the ATS fits the truck. Much more enjoyable to drive with either turbo installed. Way more fun when diesel was 1.75/gal.

LMJD · 07-18-2008, 04:24 PM

Quote:

I like the way the ATS fits the truck.

I agree, I researched both systems to death before I bought my ATS kit. When I laid my kit out on the garage floor my first thought was, man, this thing is well engineered from air box to tailpipe. It didn't surprise me that Ford chose to go with them later after I installed mine. B.S.ing in RV parks years back, more than one guy with a Banks told me after they'd nosed around under the hood of an ATS they wished they'd gone with the ATS. An injection shop owner that installed both brands also said there was way less sheet metal bashing with the ATS. And contrary what gets posted here by the "experts", the ATS kit includes a 3" exhaust system.

Quote:

Way more fun when diesel was 1.75/gal.

Ain't that the truth! Seems like it was maybe 5 years ago I paid $1.09 at the Rock Springs Flying A. Sickening state of affairs for sure.

nelsoncat · 07-22-2008, 07:23 AM

Did the firewall insulation have to be removed with either install? I would hate to increase the interior noise level. I have a used Banks turbo that I was planning to install but now I'm not so sure I want to butcher the firewall.
Anyone install a body lift to get around the hacking?
Thanks
Craig