Hello, I looked around a bit but couldn't find my answers...
I want to increase my MPG but have been told that chips, throttle body spacers, and headers are not good ideas for my truck.
I already put a K&N cold air intake and magnaflow muffler on it, but want more.
I drive a 2001 RAM 1500 single cab short box with the 5.9 360 V8
Any help would be much appreciated.
thanks in advance.

Also, I'm a college student and don't have a ton of cash to spare but am willing to pay if you really think it's worth it...

 

Headers are a GREAT idea for your truck ... who told you otherwise?

 

New plugs and wires. Seafoam? Drive slower lol.

 

Headers: I was originally told the same thing, that headers "never seem to fit the block right" and "leak all the time", therefore "not a good idea."

If they're done right, that, of course, is nonsense. A better flowing exhaust, which is basically what you already somewhat did with the Magnaflow, is the best thing you could have done to help. These are big, heavy trucks, and love to drink.

Chips: Yes, usually not a good idea with these trucks. The best thing is a tuner, like the Superchips Flashpaq 3815 or, if you really want to get serious, the SCT.

Throttle Body Spacers: If you want to get an expensive paperweight, this is the thing to buy. Our trucks are designed in such a way that adding a TB spacer can actually decrease performance, or best case, not hurt or help in any way.

Best thing for gas mileage: tires... less aggressively treaded, lower rolling resistance, and smaller; drive slower; don't date really fat chicks.

Most performance upgrades don't help your MPGs at all, and some even hurt it. Don't believe manufacturer claims, they always manipulate the numbers.

I've spent a total of approximately $1500-$2000 so far on upgrades, and I have by far no where near the number of stuff that some people on the forum have here. Want to know my MPG increase over what I was getting stock? 9-10 MPG in town winter, 10-12 in town summer, was stock. Now I get 10-10.5 winter, 11.5-13 summer. Granted, I drive like a bat out of hell most days, so I could increase that if I would drive more slowly. I also have the largest stock tire size they offered (and plan on going bigger later), and a pretty aggressive tread for an A/T tire.

 

I love these threads!

Loose the K&N and get a 14x3. I did and I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

If he already spent the money on the K&N, he might as well keep it. You accomplish the same thing in the end, for the most part, and some report no difference between the two, especially at his elevation.

 

Your right. But now I love the classic look of the 14x3 with the AEM Dryflow filter I put on.

 

I got ya Purpl, not dissing the 14x3 either, just saying since he already spent money on that kit, might as well use it.

 

lmao, thats the best piece of advice on that whole post. in many ways

 

Clean out the bed and cab of yr truck. Mine is full of tree bark sand brick mud for wheelin I need a under carage wash.