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McyMike
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2004
09:08:21

Subject: RE: Tail Pipe Soot - Rich Mixture?
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Message:
Rob - what have you done to get that mileage?



Truth
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2004
09:11:22

RE: Tail Pipe Soot - Rich Mixture?
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Just exagerated a bit.



Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2004
13:00:13

RE: Tail Pipe Soot - Rich Mixture?
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First of all I do a lot of driving on the interstate to get from place to place. I knew I was going to catch a bunch of trash from flamers that don't ever contribute anything on this forum but insults and criticism. I bought my WJ used and the dealer thought he was doing me a favor by throwing on a set of oversize tires before I picked it up. So, the first thing I did was trade the tires in for the stock size 245/70R-16. That was good for over 1 mpg average. Then I installed a K&N FIPK, HO cams, Dynomax Ultraflo cat-back, NGK Iridium sparkplugs, Fastman 68 mm and 2004 intake manifold. I haven't noticed any mileage increase with the last 2 items but, then again I don't think the PCM has completely adapted to the new parts yet. That plus I had my foot in the throttle a lot on the last tank of gas just testing throttle response and performance. I probably wouldn't recommend the intake manifold swap, I only notice a different (more racy) sound to the exhaust and the power seems to not drop off as much above 5000 rpm as with the stock manifold but I didn't really see where it was stronger in the useable range. The Iridium sparkplugs didn't seem to give me any performance increase (at least the butt dyno couldn't sense anything) but I did notice a mileage increase and after several thousand miles they still look new whereas the Autolite 3923s I pulled were already showing signs of electrode wear after about 6000-7000 miles. I don't ever tow anything so I don't know if mileage drops a lot when towing. I've got the towing package with the lower axle ratio so, I think that's hurting me because at 80 mph I'm doing 2,600 rpm. What ever the flamers say, I know that I use to only be able to go about 230 miles before I needed to fill up again. Now I can go about 280-290 before the low fuel light comes on. If I had the 545RFE tranny with the higher overdrive I figure it could be good for over 1 mpg average.
What is your mileage? Have you been able to make any improvements? I know that when I switched to synthetics in the engine and axles, it didn't make the noticeable difference I was expecting. But I still believe the synthetics provide better protection.



WipLash
R/T
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3/23/2004
13:47:33

RE: Tail Pipe Soot - Rich Mixture?
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Rob,
I'm not sure what transmission you are comparing the 545re to, but my 46re in my R/T has a .69 OD. The 545re has a .71 OD. You would be turning more RPM's on the interstate with the 545re than any of the 500's, 518's, 42re's or 46re's.



McyMike
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2004
14:01:02

RE: Tail Pipe Soot - Rich Mixture?
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I'm a loss for mods and so called gains. I put in the HO cams (no opinion on perf gained or lost), have a gibson cat back (loss of low end), bigger 265/75/16 tires (loss of more low end - but truck looks better) and K&N (more air flow noise). So my mileage is a about 13 in town and 15.5 on the hwy. Guess it don't get much better than this according to most posters. A mile or two more with a realistic cash outlay would make me happy.

03 QC 4X4 4.7 5spd auto/3.55

Mike



Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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3/23/2004
20:12:23

RE: Tail Pipe Soot - Rich Mixture?
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Wiplash, I saw a spec sheet that stated some 545RFE trannies had a .50 OD and most have a .67 OD, the 45RFE that I have uses a .75 OD ratio.
McyMike, Those big tires might look good to you but, they're costing you mileage. I try not to be hypnotized by advertising and manufacturers claims but, I noticed gains with most of the mods I installed. Did you reset the PCM after doing some of those modifications? I'm surprised at your mileage, with that 5 spd and 3.55 gears you should be getting more mileage than that, especially on the highway.



WipLash
R/T
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3/23/2004
22:25:49

RE: Tail Pipe Soot - Rich Mixture?
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My 2002 had a .71 OD.



Rob C
Dodge Dakota
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3/24/2004
02:35:51

RE: Tail Pipe Soot - Rich Mixture?
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McyMike, I asked my friend that's got a 2001 CC 4.7L w/45RFE and 3.55 gears. He's added a Gibson cat-back, Airaid airbox mod and larger tires. He almost never drives on the interstate and he said that he gets about 16 mpg. He works in town so, he just putts his way to work about 5 miles.



McyMike
Dodge Dakota
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3/24/2004
08:27:39

RE: Tail Pipe Soot - Rich Mixture?
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I know the tires cost some MPG due to weight, rolling resistance, AND they raise the truck about 2 inch higher into the wind. I think I'll run it by the Dodge dealer for another programming check. I only have 14K miles on it.

Mike





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