Diesel Engine Upgrades That Can Improve Gas Mileage

Diesel Engine Upgrades That Can Improve Gas Mileage

If you’re like many diesel enthusiasts, you’ve probably toyed with the idea of upgrading your equipment's engine to give it more speed and power. Whether you want to improve efficiency or have more serious maintenance that is needed, there’s no shortage of ways to beef up a diesel engine. Unfortunately, many popular upgrades that are designed to enhance engine power come at the cost of decreased gas mileage and let's face it; we're not made of money.

Luckily, there are a number of ways to upgrade your diesel engine that don’t require sacrificing fuel efficiency. In fact, with the right strategy, you can give your equipment a bigger, badder engine that actually saves on fuel.

In this post, we'll explore some of the ways you can upgrade your engine to maximize its mileage. We'll also touch on a few other factors that can help improve efficiency and overall performance.

ECU Tuning

Upgrading your heavy-duty diesel engine with an ECU (Engine Control Unit) diesel tuning can provide major improvements in fuel economy and performance. With an ECU upgrade, you can adjust the parameters of your engine to work more efficiently and reduce fuel consumption. This is done by optimizing the air/fuel ratio, timing and boost pressure settings for optimum combustion efficiency. The result is improved power output, better throttle response, lower emissions and improved fuel economy.

New fuel injectors

After increasing the airflow and setting up the ECM for optimal timing, the next bottleneck for most engines is the performance fuel injectors.

Older diesel truck engines have lower injection pressures and less precise timing, which can lead to increased fuel consumption.

There are several ways to upgrade your stock injectors. The most common is installing aftermarket high-pressure injectors. These can increase injection pressure by as much as 50% over stock levels, allowing for a more complete burn of the fuel in the cylinders.

Another popular diesel performance upgrade is to install aftermarket injectors with larger nozzles. This allows more fuel to be injected into the cylinders, again leading to a complete burn and increased efficiency.

Turbochargers

A turbocharger is an exhaust gas-driven air compressor used to increase the power output of an internal combustion engine by compressing air that is entering the engine. This increases the amount of available oxygen. The main advantage of turbochargers is that they give you a noticeable increase in power but add only a small about of weight.

There are two main types of turbochargers:

• Wastegate turbochargers have a valve that bleeds off exhaust gases when it reaches a certain pressure, preventing the compressor from over-speeding.

• Variable geometry turbochargers (VGTs) have vanes in the exhaust housing that open and close to control the amount of exhaust gas temperatures flowing through the turbine. This allows for more precise control of boost pressure, resulting in increased power and efficiency.

Turbochargers or turbo upgrades can provide a significant increase in power, often doubling the output of an engine. They can also improve fuel economy by up to 20% , making them an attractive option for those looking to save money at the fuel pump.

Exhaust Manifolds

Exhaust manifolds can improve engine performance by improving flow characteristics and increasing power output. By upgrading to a high-flow aftermarket manifold, you can expect improved gas mileage due to reduced back pressure on the cylinders, which allows for better combustion of fuel at lower RPMs.

Another great example of this is the 5.9L Cummins diesel engine, which can benefit significantly from an aftermarket exhaust manifold. OEM-cast manifolds were built to work, not to perform, so they are often too restrictive and inefficient.

A 300-hp output is great, but it needs more than that to have a better flow. This is why aftermarket exhaust manifolds are the way to go, providing better gas mileage and improved performance.

Diesel fuel additives and tuners

Diesel fuel additives can help improve your gas mileage by keeping your fuel system clean and preventing clogs. Diesel tuners can also help by optimizing your engine's timing and fuel delivery for increased efficiency.

When it comes to diesel fuel additives, there are a few different options to choose from. The most popular are those that contain cetane boosters, which help to improve combustion quality and prevent knocking. There are also additives that contain detergents, which keep injectors clean and prevent clogs.

Diesel tuners are devices that attach to your engine's computer and optimize its performance. They can often improve fuel economy by 5-10%, making them a great option for those looking to save money at the pump.

Conclusion

There you have it; making any diesel engine performance upgrade is a heavy decision that you should consider carefully. However, if your truck is starting to show its age or you're just looking for a way to get better gas mileage, a few diesel engine upgrades can help.

But also remember to check your local and state laws before making any modifications. Improperly modified engines can cause serious safety issues and may not be allowed to operate on public roads. There are laws regarding emission control systems as well, so be sure to research and understand your local regulations before performing any modifications.

Also, be mindful of the quality of the parts and services you are using. Heavy Duty Pros offers a wide range of aftermarket performance parts that meet or exceed OEM standards, so there's no need to take any risks with your engine upgrades.

FAQs

How can I make my diesel engine stronger?

There are a few ways to make your diesel engine stronger, but the best way is to upgrade your ECM. This will help improve your truck's fuel economy and performance.

Do diesel engines get better with age?

Diesel engines actually get better with age. As they run, the engine breaks in and becomes more efficient. However, this process can take years, so upgrading your diesel engine is the best way to go if you're looking for immediate results.

What will ruin a diesel engine?

Diesel engines can be ruined by a number of things, but the most common cause of engine failure is contamination. This can come from water, fuel, or oil. Contamination can cause your engine to seize up and fail.