Easy Upgrades that won't kill mileage

[dbrown4bbl]

OK, you Marauder phreaks out there:

What are the three (3) easiest mods that will increase HP anot not kill mileage. Looking around, it seems that headers and KN air cleaner might be two of the three. Lets limit this to mods that don't require other mods (new chip, etc.). I'm just looking for 3 easy mods, more HP, no negative impact on mileage.

DAB
'03 MM 612012

[MM2004]

Go out and purchase a "beater" 4 banger and drive it Monday - Friday. Jump in the MM Saturday morning and voila, . .

She feels twice as fast and you saved gas! :D

Mike.


OK, you Marauder phreaks out there:

What are the three (3) easiest mods that will increase HP anot not kill mileage. Looking around, it seems that headers and KN air cleaner might be two of the three. Lets limit this to mods that don't require other mods (new chip, etc.). I'm just looking for 3 easy mods, more HP, no negative impact on mileage.

DAB
'03 MM 612012

[2003 MIB]

Royal Purple 5W20.

[blackf0rk]

Royal Purple 5W20.
I've heard awesome things about Royal Purple. My next oil change; coming up extremely soon will be royal purple.

They claim that it can increase horsepower. This would definately be high up on the mod list for sure! :)

[Blackened300a]

UnderDrive pulleys, Denso plugs and keep your right foot off the floor with the throttle

[SergntMac]

I don't think there is such a thing as a mod that builds power without burning more gas, because the simple truth is that you will enjoy your new power more often, and that means more WOT stuff, which means more gas. Short list...

A Stallion torque converter will deliver more power, and perhaps build better MPG, depending on your self control.
Ditto underdrive pulleys, again depending...
Increasing your tire PSI for less rolling resistance.
Bauman shift kit.
Firm up suspension, if not with thicker sway bars, at least a polyurethane bushing treatment all around. A heavy car with a lot of body roll expends energy in controlling the roll. If you can swing the investment, Metco control arms and Watts link. When you're big and bad, stiffer is better.

I mentioned the Bauman kit, because it's independent of EEC programming. But, you may find a tuner somewhere who will give your tranny a new shift profile via an EEC flash without selling you a chip, HHP, or, a dyno tune, and just remapping the tranny program may improve MPG with more efficient shift points and effective lock-up. But, for what you may pay for this, you may as well consider the chip, HHP anyway, so, scratch this.

PS...Don't use the colder stat or Denso (colder) plugs without a custom tune, you won't get anything out of them, and may cause other problems, like heavy carbon buildup, as discussed by Dennis a while back.

[fastblackmerc]

I don't think there is such a thing as a mod that builds power without burning more gas, because the simple truth is that you will enjoy your new power more often, and that means more WOT stuff, which means more gas. Short list...

A Stallion torque converter will deliver more power, and perhaps build better MPG, depending on your self control.
Ditto underdrive pulleys, again depending...
Increasing your tire PSI for less rolling resistance.
Bauman shift kit.
Firm up suspension, if not with thicker sway bars, at least a polyurethane bushing treatment all around. A heavy car with a lot of body roll expends energy in controlling the roll. If you can swing the investment, Metco control arms and Watts link. When you're big and bad, stiffer is better.

I mentioned the Bauman kit, because it's independent of EEC programming. But, you may find a tuner somewhere who will give your tranny a new shift profile via an EEC flash without selling you a chip, HHP, or, a dyno tune, and just remapping the tranny program may improve MPG with more efficient shift points and effective lock-up. But, for what you may pay for this, you may as well consider the chip, HHP anyway, so, scratch this.

PS...Don't use the colder stat or Denson (colder) plugs without a custom tune, you won't get anything out of them, and may cause other problems, like heavy carbon buildup, as discussed by Dennis a yew years ago.
I vote for underdrive pulleys. Costs less than $200.00 and you can do it yourself.

[Bootlegger]

Don't know what the budget here your working with is, but i would recommend Nitrous, 35hp to 125hp shots, 4.10's , your MM stays close to normal during regular outings, and then if you need it, just hit the switch. close cost reference should be around 1K..You can go crazy from there.

[texascorvette]

AMEN BROTHER!!!!





Royal Purple 5W20.

[cyclone03]

Dennis' Standard retune (chip) set up for stock gears will give you about 30hp ,you will feel,and PICK UP the MPG about 1MPG if you keep your foot out of it.


The headers will also pick it up but mostly at highway speeds.

BTW with headers,retune,PI converter and pulleys I knocked down 27mpg last weekend on a road trip.