
	Already a member? Login here. If not, Register Today! \| Help

Newest | Active | Popular | RVing FAQ

Forum Rules | Forum Help and Support | Contact

Open Roads Forum > Do It Yourself Modifications and Upgrades (DIY)

Reply to Topic | Subscribe | Print Topic | Post New Topic |

Sponsored By:

retiredrafter

Southern New Mexico

Full Member

Joined: 03/04/2006

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline

Posted: 07/30/12 10:42pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

What is involved in installing headers on my class C E450 chassis large block ford engine I'm just investagating the possibility. The rig is now payed for in full and I'm looking at my options for better gas milage to help the overall operating costs of fuel usage.

Dillon, CO USA

Senior Member

Joined: 08/01/2002

View Profile

Posted: 07/31/12 04:19am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Have you calculated the payback mileage needed to pay for the cost of the headers?

How much increased mileage do you expect to get? One or two mpg gain would be my guess. Then calculate the number of miles you need to drive. How long will it take you to get to a net savings?

amxpress

Clayton, NC

Senior Member

Joined: 04/14/2007

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline

Posted: 07/31/12 05:27am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

From looking at other RV forums, there doesn't seem to be much of an MPG improvement. That being said, here is an excerpt from another post.

Quote:

...thought I would share my experience with others. I own 97 Pace Arrow Ford 460. Put over 25,000 miles on it only getting approximately 5 MPG the best 5.5. Recently took a trip to Florida 2600 miles and wanted to see if I could get better MPG. I hit the internet looking for cheap ways to get better mileage. All said exhaust but did not have the money. What I did do was change the oil to synthetic (mobil 1) and replaced the resignator with straight pipe 3" approx 33" long $35.00 and installed Magna Flow muffler $125.00. I consistently got between 6.5-7 MPG. I was very impressed with the results and wishing I had done this years ago. To start with the MH was completely stock. These mods can be done at home if you can weld. The one down side it that the MH sounds like a race car. When on the road it is also a little louder in the living area as well. not bad though.

2007 Dodge RAM 2500 Quad Cab w/6.7 Cummins
2013 Palomino Columbus 320RS
Reese 15K Pro Series manual slide
Prodigy
Firestone Air Bags
Champion 3500 genny
M.I.L denied parole! Yeah!

pianotuna

Regina, SK, Canada

Senior Member

Joined: 12/18/2004

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 07/31/12 05:56am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Hi,

Drop your speed. Reduce your weight. Pray for tail winds.

Regards, Don
Kustom Koach Class C 28'5" 256 watts Unisolar, 875 amp hours in two battery banks 12 volt batteries, 2500 MSW watt inverter.

retiredrafter

Southern New Mexico

Full Member

Joined: 03/04/2006

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline

Posted: 08/13/12 04:26pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

pianotuna wrote:

Hi,

Drop your speed. Reduce your weight. Pray for tail winds.

I drive at 55 with auto cruise on and try to stay in right lane. I get approx 9.5-10 MPG on flat terrain. Speed is set using my garmin to compare with chassis speedometer.

Dixon Mark

USA

Full Member

Joined: 06/05/2011

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline

Posted: 08/14/12 05:11am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

I own an 02 chevy 14' box truck with the 350 motor that weighs in at 10,000lbs I use it for a mobile marine buisness the truck was avg 8.5 mpg I switched the muffler for the largest manaflow muffler thay make for the 3'' pipe fuel milage went up 1 mpg. Bang for the buck this was worth it for me as the truck is driven 5-6 days a week.

schwartzworld

Lake County, Ohio

Full Member

Joined: 08/01/2008

View Profile

Good Sam RV Club Member

Offline

Posted: 08/14/12 10:35am

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Save your money on the headers and the Magnaflow mufflers. Get a Walker BTM (Big Truck Muffler). Less than $75, not loud at all and will improve the MPG's. Tossed one on my Ford 6.0 and added 2 to 3 MPG.

Greg 110OVI

SW Ohio

New Member

Joined: 01/16/2012

View Profile

Offline

Posted: 08/14/12 12:25pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

If you do buy headers, fget the longest tubes you can find. That will help both your low end torque and mileage. You also might want to spend the extra $ and get the headers ceramic coated, and also heat wrap them. The heat wrap will improve performance and noise abatement.

rehoppe

Denver & Nathrop Colo or somewhere else

Senior Member

Joined: 01/30/2009

View Profile

Posted: 08/18/12 09:45pm

Link | Quote | Print | Notify Moderator

Some years ago I had a 390ci in a Class 'A'. Did not do headers. Went to a single 3" pipe with Magna Flow muffler (souded like a tractor), put on new plug wires. Got it up to 7mpg,,, replaced the itty bitty FoMoCo 2barrel with a Holley 500, jetted down a bit. Miles went up to 7.5-8mpg. AND it added some HP as well, as it got more air into the intakes.

If you have the time and can do it. Put on the headers, but gasket match them to the heads, and gasket match the intakes while you have it open. Then you'll have lots of HP gain, and it'll be up to you as to IF you use it or not.

Ford always 'Governed' their motors by restricting the exhaust, not only the iron manifolds, but the heads are no gift either.

Word to the wise. I opened mine enough that it was mostly brakes going down the passes. NO appreciable engine braking! Always meant to add a remote restrictor to the exhaust, but I sold it instead. I did find out that my 'cheeks' would grab the seat, however.