Morning folks, I have a couple of performance & mpg questions if anyone can help. We have a 3500 ram van camper conversion w a 5.9 gas engine. Running a super heavy duty 410 rear end evidently a ton an a quater. Would a dual exhaust set up help power and or mpg any???? Next would a turbocharger be avaliable for such?? If so would it help and where would I look for one??? Thanks
Grumpy

 

Grumpy -

With all respect, asking about gas mileage and then a turbocharger. I have to say I got a kick out of that

Seriously, dual exhaust does not give you better gas mileage. Some people claim it does, but backpressure usually is what helps with gas mileage. So YMMV.

Dual exhaust doesn't help until over 3k RPM HP wise. So in a large van where you want torque, it really wouldn't help.

If you want a turbo set up, I would consider just blueprinting and building a 360.

Have fun!

 

I have an '01 B2500, built on a 3500 chassis, 160,000 miles on the odometer with the 5.2 and a 4.10 rear end. It was sold as a work van, no windows in the rear. I have installed a bed in the back, and a sofa seat from a previous van behind the driver and passenger seat. I use it to haul my camper, lots of camping gear and go on road trips around the middle part of this country.

After fooling with MPG suggestions for a year or so, I have finally resigned myself to getting 10 MPG when driving into a strong headwind, and maybe 12 or 13 MPG if I have a stiff tailwind while doing 65-70 on the interstate. It does not seem to matter if I am pulling my lightweight, low profile camper, or an aluminum boat. There seems to not be much penalty if I tow or not in MPG. I used Stev's suggestions from this post.
https://dodgeforum.com/forum/dodge-r...rovements.html

I'm sure none of the things I did hurt my MPG, just did not improve it as much as I would have liked. After reading this forum now for going on 3 years, I think many people are stuck in the 10-13 MPG range. Some are lucky and get into the higher teens... but NOT with a 4.10 rear end I think.

I do see a slight difference, maybe 1 or 2 MPG better if I fill up with 100% gas Vs the E-10 stuff. I would use 100% gas all the time, but my home area only sells the E-10 blend which gives me the worst mileage range.

The van has plenty of power, and for that I am grateful. I keep my load range E tires pumped up to 65-75 pounds and they are top of the line Goodyears.

Let us know if you find a magic bullet for your ++ MPG goal.

 

I no Im always good for a laugh, thats why they call me grumpy Guess what I was getting at w the turbo idea is I was taught perfect perportion gets best performance, ie to little power or to much cause same thing, bad mpg. Like a 3.23 rear and a 318 in a ton truck instead of a 4.10 or 4.56 . Maybe im all wet just the way I learned it may have to settle but one trip 800 mi I got 14.9 , so why cant I get the results regularly or ever again?? I did change therm. An seemed to do 1 mpg better. Thanks and glad I can make u chuckle. Grumpy

 

Yes, the thermostat rated for 195 is a plus. The rear axle oil can go to a synthetic 75W90 vs. the 80W90.

As for exhaust, dual will not help one bit since the van is a 2000. You would need a PCM that would work with four O2 sensors. ouch!

Talking about the O2, never use the Bosch, they give horrible MPG with the Ram Van Magnum engines. Either NGK or Delphi are the two OEM from the factory that were used.

As for plugs, the Autolite AP5224 or the NGK FR5-1 #739. The cap-n-rotor are to be copper/brass contacts and 8mm ignition wires. The 7.5mm wires only if you can't get the 8mm.

The 4:10 rear is a Dana Spicer 60 if I recall. The Chrysler Corporate is the 3.92. The Chrysler does much better for MPG. There is a 3.55 (B1500SWB) but the width from tire to tire needs to be modded a little and 5-lugs to 8-lugs. Some in the Ram Truck forum just swap out the rear gears, but they research this out a good deal first. Also the drive shaft gets tweaked too.

 

If I can finger out this computer ill reply Ok I have done the plugs, cap ect. I will change the 02 sen just for my on curiosity then I will change the gear oil, I doubt it has ever been done,, got 50k.
Would the tranny oil help any ? It is 4 sp auto.
Thanks Grumpy

 

For the trans oil, only use ATF+4. No other.

NEVER use and thing that has the word Dextron on the bottle. PERIOD. Unless you like to have trans problems and a frequent overhaul.


As for the O2, check out RockAuto for pricing. I had looked and looked, they had the Delphi type in stock and the best price. NKG are good too. Never Bosch. Read the Ram Truck forum about the Bosch O2 headaches and thrown codes.

For the rear oil, the REDLINE Synthetic 75W90 matches the Chrysler specification to the T since it's the right friction modifier and the right amount. Go to Geno's Garage and read the TSB about this.



.

 

MPG wise, I have a 94 B250 with 5.9 and 4sp auto, but with 3.55 rear. Highway I get 15-15.5 (even with 1500 lbs in the back) Normal driving is around 13. Towing a 28ft travel trailer = 8 My best was a highway run with cruise set at 65, fairly flat trip, I pulled off 17.8. Love the van, but the towing MPG is forcing me to sell and go with a diesel.

 

I am losing coolant somewhere between the transmission and the engine can anybody point me to the cause. 1999 ram 2500 van w/5.9L engine

 

Rear freeze plugs on the back of the engine. Have to pull the transmission to get to them for replacement.