Definitely interesting! What's the deal with the trucl? V6, V8? Stick
or auto? 4WD or 2?
BadDakcuda@webtv.net wrote:
>
> Project MPG is something that I've done to other vehicles I've owned
> but, I've never tested & documented the results. Although the
> discussions concerning the results have gone on between two of closest
> friends( both are ASE Master Technicians) for quite some time now (years
> !) Both of my friends are very skeptical when it comes to synthetic
> lubricants, lubricant additives, coolant/antifreeze additives, expensive
> spark plugs & plug wires, high-flow air filters or Cat back exhaust
> systems. There are some people in discussion groups (NG's) who seem to
> get very angry when a newbie tries to start a discussion concerning any
> one of these mods. So, I decided to test & document the results on this
> Dakota, soon after I bought it.
> The initial goals of Project MPG are;
> 1. The Truth concerning improvements with these mods.
> 2. Improve the gas mileage by installing carefully selected lubricants
> and aftermarket parts.
> 3. Retain the use of 87 Octane gas.
> 4. Retain the factory emissions standards.
> 5. Keep the costs low !
> The first things I did when I got this truck home (@ 22,524 mi.) were
> changing the motor oil, oil + air filter and PCV valve. The former owner
> had used Pennzoil conventional 10W-30 motor oil and Wix oil (changed
> every 3,000 mi.) & air filter (changed @ 15,000 mi.) the PCV valve was
> stock.
> I changed it to Valvoline SynPower full synthetic 10W-30 motor oil
> ($20.85) , AC/Delco Ultraguard Gold Premium oil filter ($9.39) and a
> Purolator Premium air filter ($6.78) & PCV valve ($1.72).
> I also added enough Valvoline SynPower Fuel System Treatment to treat 25
> gals. of gas to the gas tank ($12.50).
> I changed the transmission fluid (Valvoline +3, Chrysler 7176
> spec.)($21.00) and filter (Wix)($10.00), and had a Thrust Angle wheel
> alignment ($40.00) performed at 23,053 miles.
> So, unfortunately there won't be any data using conventional motor oil.
> I want to clear up the myth/misconception about using full synthetic
> motor oil in a new engine. It IS perfectly o.k. and beneficial to use
> full synthetic motor oil from day one in a new engine. For example; ZR1
> Corvettes and Lamborghini's both leave their factories with full
> synthetic oil in their crankcases.
> Muscle Car Review also reported this fact in a 1999 issue to dispell
> this myth.
> I wanted Project MPG to accurately display the MPG results of each
> modification I made. So I picked out a 50.5-mile test route on a freshly
> paved 4-lane highway. I would begin each test drive by filling up the
> gas tank, to the brim, at the same Texaco gas pump and station. I'll
> drive the 50.5 miles uninterupted/undisturbed (turning around after
> 25.25 mi.) with the cruise control set @ 55 MPH and refill the tank, to
> the brim back at the same pump at the Texaco station. This test route
> will only provide "100 % highway driving" gas mileage results, as
> accurately as I can provide !
> After driving approx. 2,700 miles after performing the scheduled
> preventive maintenence described above, then rotating and setting the
> air pressure in the tires @ 35 psi, I performed Test # 1.
> Test drive # 1. Conditions: 25,400 mi. on truck. 68`F, 99 % humidity.
> Test drive # 1. Results: 20.89 MPG.
> I changed the motor oil & filter again @ 25,600 mi.
> I decided to perform an upgrading tune-up as my first modification. I
> ordered a "Standard Ignition" distributor cap ($7.80) and rotor ($4.76),
> 8 "Champion" Double Platinum Spark Plugs (part # 7071) ($26.60) from
> www.carparts.com (prices using 1/3 off coupon & including s & h) and, a
> custom fit set of Taylor Spiro-Pro (part # 74676, Blue wires) 8mm spark
> plug wires ($41.73 including s & h) from www.summitracing.com . I
> removed and inspected each of the original parts and, every part and
> spark plug was still in very good condition. I then installed the new
> tune-up parts myself. I did not disconnect the battery to reset the
> computer because it's unnessesary to do so after a tune-up and, after
> driving 100 miles after the tune-up, I performed Test drive # 2.
> Test drive # 2. Conditions: 26,000 mi. on truck. 60`F, 85 % humidity.
> Test drive # 2. Results: 21.86 MPG. A 0.97 MPG increase !
> I know the spark plugs were due to be changed in another 4,000 miles
> but, the dist. cap, rotor & wires were not scheduled to be replaced
> according to Dodge's maintenance schedule.
> Test drive # 3. will be performed after a cooling system
> flush/backflush, then installing a 35 % coolant/antifreeze-65 %
> distilled water ($12.00)-1 bottle Red Line Synthetic Oil "Water Wetter"
> Super Coolant ($9.50) mixture.
> Draining the differentials and installing Red Line Synthetic 75W-90 LSD
> gear oil ($33.54 / 4qts.) with 1 bottle of Mopar Limited Slip Gear Oil
> Additive ($6.95) added to the rear differential oil.
> Test drive # 4. will be performed after installng a K & N O.E.M.
> replacement air filter (part # 33-2084)($44.69).
> Test drive # 5. will be performed after installing a DynoMax UltraFlo
> Cat Back 3" exhaust system (part # 17359)($221.69 est. installed /
> including welded installation).
> Test drive # 6. will be performed after installing a "Checkmate" Soft
> Cover-Hinged Tonneau cover ($175-$180.00 ?) I haven't purchased this
> yet.
> Test drive # 7. MIGHT be performed after installing a JET Stage II,
> Hypertech or MP PCM/PTM, if I ever decide to install one of these.
> I know this post is a long one but, I hope it has interested you !
>
> Larry Echols
> Burkeville, VA
-- -andyhttp://home.twcny.rr.com/andylevy/ --- andylevy@bigfoot.com ----------------------------------------------------------- Let's all get GNU'd together! -----------------------------------------------------------
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