After reading some of the rants (all spot-on) about high fuel prices, it got me to thinking about fuel economy and programmers.

Would it not be possible to design a programmer that would have an "economy" mode? Something that would open up the injector just long enough to keep the engine running? I don't know what kind of horsepower is required to push one of these trucks down the road, but I do know that when I had my Dodge with a meager 160HP, it could very EASILY make 20MPG. HOWEVER, that truck could NOT pull like this one.

I say build a tuner that delivers just enough HP to get the job done, and give ME THE CHOICE of better fuel economy and go fast when I want it.

Is this something that's even possible? Like several have said, I want economy and power, or at the least option to have both at hand as needed.

CADman_ks

PS: On a side note regarding all the comments about fuel prices. I've noticed as of the last week that diesel is getting close to the same price as gas. I wonder if the magical top end of diesel price has finally been reached? The reason that I say that is because the truckers are finally starting to do something, like the rally recently held in Florida. If they start parking those trucks, nothing in this country will move. The fuel companies will have a HUGE oversupply of diesel on their hands in short order, and be faced with a real mess. I'm hoping that the message is starting to get thru, but I doubt. Wishful thinking anyway...

ok my opinion is that it takes a certain amount of horsepower to move a certain amount of weight a constant speed with a givin wind resistance. Not saying nothing could be done to increase MPG. But it is not like you are using 300 hp to drive down the road. You are only using a fraction of it......whatever it takes to keep your vehicle at a constant speed. The only wat to make them get the MPG increase that you are wanting is to make them get the HP more efficiently and keep your foot out of it. Just my opinion.

Edge w/Attitude

1. stock
2. mileage
3. tow
4. race
5. extreme

they already have it

After reading some of the rants (all spot-on) about high fuel prices, it got me to thinking about fuel economy and programmers.

Would it not be possible to design a programmer that would have an "economy" mode? Something that would open up the injector just long enough to keep the engine running? I don't know what kind of horsepower is required to push one of these trucks down the road, but I do know that when I had my Dodge with a meager 160HP, it could very EASILY make 20MPG. HOWEVER, that truck could NOT pull like this one.

I say build a tuner that delivers just enough HP to get the job done, and give ME THE CHOICE of better fuel economy and go fast when I want it.

Is this something that's even possible? Like several have said, I want economy and power, or at the least option to have both at hand as needed.

CADman_ks

PS: On a side note regarding all the comments about fuel prices. I've noticed as of the last week that diesel is getting close to the same price as gas. I wonder if the magical top end of diesel price has finally been reached? The reason that I say that is because the truckers are finally starting to do something, like the rally recently held in Florida. If they start parking those trucks, nothing in this country will move. The fuel companies will have a HUGE oversupply of diesel on their hands in short order, and be faced with a real mess. I'm hoping that the message is starting to get thru, but I doubt. Wishful thinking anyway...
__________

CADman,
I my area, if diesel were approaching the price of gas, it would be falling as diesel prices have been above gas prices for a year now.

mudbug

The way I read the discussions in my boat design books is fuel used is directly related to work being done. The faster you push the boat thru the water the more fuel you will use, after a certain speed on a displacement boat you hit a wall. I know it's also true for my PU. The quicker I want to get somewhere the more I pay. I like to look at it in a ton/mpg that way I get the same or better milage than my daughter in her civic. Still costs me more but I feel better about it. The Edge chip does make a difference tho... On a trip to Pheonix last year I was striving for milage (or so I thought) Denver to Albuquerque I got 16.5 (had forgotten to set the chip to back and was running on 4) Alb to Phoenix I got 18.5 after I set it back to 1. I suspect the first half the trip I was blowing a bit of fuel out the pipe that wasn't being burned, oh well....
Does the above make any sense??? My milage last night at the Castle B&G was about 2 per hour and I don't think I am fully recovered yet..:beerchug:

I thought all you had to do to get better mpg is not press that pedal on the right so hard:duh:

Does anyone have any statistics on running in the "mileage" mode? How much difference does it make? I suspect that the answer to the question is that no one knows because everyone who has an "Attitude" is running in race or extreme. :)

CADman_ks

Edge w/Attitude

1. stock
2. mileage
3. tow
4. race
5. extreme

they already have it

hdd-max and others:

I totally understand the whole thing about it takes a certain amount of HP to go a certain speed, and that relates to power.

However, I do KNOW for a fact that my Dodge was capable of going the same LEGAL speed as my Duramax, and the fuel economy on it was a LOT better than my Dmax. There were two big differences: cubic inches, and overall HP. My Dodge was rated at only 160, and the Dmax at 300. The trucks weighed about the same, and had the same rear end ratio, and I believe that the Dmax has an even lower final OD ratio than the Dodge did.

I think that you could lower the HP and still obtain the LEGAL speeds. In my simple mind, that equates to more fuel economy.

PS: hdd-max: Whereabouts in Kansas are you located? (general location)

ok my opinion is that it takes a certain amount of horsepower to move a certain amount of weight a constant speed with a givin wind resistance. Not saying nothing could be done to increase MPG. But it is not like you are using 300 hp to drive down the road. You are only using a fraction of it......whatever it takes to keep your vehicle at a constant speed. The only wat to make them get the MPG increase that you are wanting is to make them get the HP more efficiently and keep your foot out of it. Just my opinion.

pm sent!

Does anyone have any statistics on running in the "mileage" mode? How much difference does it make? I suspect that the answer to the question is that no one knows because everyone who has an "Attitude" is running in race or extreme. :)

CADman_ks

Although I have an LLY I am testing this very thing right now. Previously ran the Mileage mode(1) and got 12.6 then I tried the Drive mode(3) and got exactly 14. Granted this isn't the best mileage, but it is an improvement and it IS proportionate to the weight of your right foot!! From what I have read and heard, the best mileage with Edge/*** is level 3 with low boost on 1. This may or may not be the same with LB7's since you guys seem to get better mileage anyways.

diesel engines and computer controled fuel inj. engines for that matter will only inject enough fuel to maintain rpm called for, more load(wind, hill, drive train) inj. system applies enough fuel to meet called for demand. from my reading the harness boxes advance timing at different rates from stock(more), more timing normally saves fuel if right amount, just like used to do with my cars. cylinder pressure works more effeciently against piston before valves open.

Edge w/Attitude

1. stock
2. mileage
3. tow
4. race
5. extreme

they already have it

Is it possible that you are missing a level here? Mine starts at 0=Stock, 1=mileage,2=tow,3=drive,4=race,5=extreme.:)

Mine is the same way. 2001 Chevy 4x4 Went to colo. and tried it on 1- got 13.7mpg changed to 2- and got 14mpg. never tried it on 3. I also was pulling a trailer loaded with a 4 wheeler loaded and hunting stuff. Truck bed was loaded too.

CAdman, I have the Edge EZ. In the paperwork it states. "Power level one is specifically designed to maximize fuel economy emprovements" I can vouch for this, if I can keep my foot out of it, I get 16mpg driving around our small town. Top speed is 35mph.

Although I have an LLY I am testing this very thing right now. Previously ran the Mileage mode(1) and got 12.6 then I tried the Drive mode(3) and got exactly 14. Granted this isn't the best mileage, but it is an improvement and it IS proportionate to the weight of your right foot!! From what I have read and heard, the best mileage with Edge/*** is level 3 with low boost on 1. This may or may not be the same with LB7's since you guys seem to get better mileage anyways.

Both of mine get the best in LVL3 low boost 1 but 5x5 is sooo much fun):h

Have an '02 LB7,Cool Duals.....Just added an Edge EZ,used level one on a road trip to New Jersey.Got 21 mpg.keeping it under 2K rpm's.About the same as without it.Seemed I started getting better fuel mileage after She hit about 30K miles.