Ford Box Trucks
- Thread starter zip
- Start date
zip
I prefer social distancing.
Pretty sure it is.
CaptainBuilt
Well-known member
5.4's, or any Triton, love to rev. Fuel mileage doesn't change with them whether you rev or lug. This has always been the case. The V10 is just like the V8's. They are designed to rev and perform in all circumstances at higher RPMs where they make the most torque, fuel mileage irrelevant.
The difference in V10 vs 5.4 is that you can go faster but you'll get the same mileage, generally. The V10 drinks more but works less, 5.4 works more moving a brick through the air.
I've never gotten more than about 13 on a built out camper van with a 5.4 and I've had several. I've also had several V10s and 10-11 is the norm with 12 being on the high end.
The best fuel mileage I ever got was with a V10 was with a 2wd ClassB+ (read lower and more aerodynamic). It was a 24', 8' wide and 11' tall and weighed in at about 13k. It still managed about 12 mpg driving 70+. The advantage was it's aerodynamics.
Here's another interesting point, one that is true though I still have trouble believing what the calculator told me. I once pulled a Jeep Wrangler on a 5k mile trip around the country with a 2wd 5.4l camper van. Fuel mileage was 1 mpg less for the entire trip! I don't know how but it's true. I can only surmise that as stated above it's more about aerodynamics than anything else. The Jeep sat in the shadow of the van where a box with lots of frontal area would've changed things.
I would love to do as much field testing with the 7.3 gas as possible to compare to all the V8's/V10's I've owned. If one of you could drop one off it would be helpful. PM for address.
Because we're not talking about SUV's, we're talking about big boxes that you can walk around in. Completely different animal.
The 5.4 does love to be ran at a little higher RPM. At first I used to try to keep the RPM's low, but then realized, it doesn't matter for that engine. I actually think I get better MPG's if I stay in it a little more.
The 5.4 isn't a bad engine. My old van was a 7.3L diesel, that made 500hp. I just miss that LOL.....
If I got a Godzilla, I'd swap the heads/cam and add a supercharger asap.
I've actually been thinking about putting a turbo on my 5.4. It's a 2V, so it can handle it. I've seen it done, and as long as you don't give it crazy boost can be very reliable.
zip
I prefer social distancing.
Why do you feel the Godzilla needs an upgrade?
86scotty
Cynic
I totally agree with your first two points but personally would never do the second two. I just prefer the reliability of mostly stock engines.
I have enough to worry about when I travel in my van (or insert whatever vehicle you have), I don't want to think about the engine doing anything other than what the OEM spent tons of R&D designing to be most reliable. I know that's kind of a loaded statement, the OEMs don't always do a great job (read Ecoboost) but stock V8 engines from any brand are pretty hard to kill in stock form. I prefer to just put my foot in it a little more if I want more oomph.
zip
I prefer social distancing.
I’m kinda on the same page here.
I believe the Godzilla comes in two different HP ratings.
On a video from UJOR, I think Chris said a customer brought in a vehicle with the lower HP, and a local shop did a “tune” on it that added 100 HP.
Do you think this modification impacts the engine in a negative way?
86scotty
Cynic
No, I'm perfectly fine with tunes from a reputable tuner on any engine. These are software and reversible. I've never heard of anyone blowing up an engine just from a tune.
Also, vans/chassis cabs always get short changed on HP compared to trucks, mostly due to cooling and partially due to lack of interest. Or to put another way, plumbers and delivery companies don't care about the highest performance numbers when they buy a van, they want economy and reliability. If you can get an F250 off the lot with the same engine and tons more HP/torque then I want my van with that drivetrain to match it if it will also match it in stock reliability.
Also, vans/chassis cabs always get short changed on HP compared to trucks, mostly due to cooling and partially due to lack of interest. Or to put another way, plumbers and delivery companies don't care about the highest performance numbers when they buy a van, they want economy and reliability. If you can get an F250 off the lot with the same engine and tons more HP/torque then I want my van with that drivetrain to match it if it will also match it in stock reliability.
zip
I prefer social distancing.
That sounds reasonable to me.
I have seen these with both 35” and 37” tires wheels.
Why do you recommend 35”?
What is the benefit of going with a 37”?
Trail Talk
Well-known member
2020 F350 C&C here with 7.3 ’zilla commercial tune and 4.30 gearing. Hauling a camper full of goodies, we are seeing 10.5 mpg. I have never, ever felt the need for more power from this engine and will leave it stock. Curious to learn why the E350 returns worse fuel economy….
zip
I prefer social distancing.
You state that you don’t feel the need for more power and will leave it stock, but you have a commercial tune. Doesn’t the tune add more power?
Trail Talk
Well-known member
At least for my model year all C&C‘s were supplied with Ford’s commercial tune de-rated 50hp/43lbft for economy and longevity, an appealing feature to fleet customers I suppose. Seat of the pants, it pulls like a freight train when needed, surprised more than a few diesel cowboys who thought they would fly by on an uphill
A quick look online shows an Economy tune available on the E350 7.3 gas as well.
A quick look online shows an Economy tune available on the E350 7.3 gas as well.
rruff
Explorer
Hoping you can provide more info regarding what you are trying to achieve. How and where will it be used, living requirements, 4x4, budget? etc
If you are doing a 4x4 conversion it becomes far more expensive vs a truck. EDIT: after looking up Ford's pricing, they charge ~$8k more for the F350 vs E350, so maybe not so much.
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Hello,
As a point of reference I averaged 11mpg (based on onboard computer) from Austin, Texas to southern California in a new E450 with a 14x8 Rockport Cargoport box. Running empty with cruise control set at 75 on the open stretches. Dropping to 60 mph computer was saying 14 mpg. Not sure how accurate the display is vs actual numbers.
John
As a point of reference I averaged 11mpg (based on onboard computer) from Austin, Texas to southern California in a new E450 with a 14x8 Rockport Cargoport box. Running empty with cruise control set at 75 on the open stretches. Dropping to 60 mph computer was saying 14 mpg. Not sure how accurate the display is vs actual numbers.
John
Moyshe Kapoyer
Active member
The stock heads and cam flow fine. Unless you're trying to race it, you'll never see an ROI that's reasonable.
I don't know about the vans, but in the super duties they claim 750tq and 700hp at the crank with the Whipple.