6.4L performance and efficiency improvements?

[Ratket]

Try to get the dealer to install 4:56 gears and warranty it for you.
That is the only draw back is the gear ratio selection.

 

[SHOOT2KILL]

LOL...Obviously no one in this thread has ever owned a 1990's era H.D. truck...You would not be complaining about the MPG's of the 6.4 motor when compared to the likes of a 7.4 or 8.1 big block...Never got better than 8 mpg city...10 mpg highway...Hook a 5-6000# trailer to either one and watch the 34 gal tank go dry in less than 200 miles...LOL...

 

[mohemipar]

Did this guy not read my post. I clearly said these motors actually do well for what they are with the new technology. No **** the old big blocks sucked gas like no ones business. You dont say?

 

[gustheram]

LOL...Obviously no one in this thread has ever owned a 1990's era H.D. truck...You would not be complaining about the MPG's of the 6.4 motor when compared to the likes of a 7.4 or 8.1 big block...Never got better than 8 mpg city...10 mpg highway...Hook a 5-6000# trailer to either one and watch the 34 gal tank go dry in less than 200 miles...LOL...

Had a 1995 2500. It was in my family since 1995 (it started as my dad's) until I sold it due to too many maintenance issues in 2015. It had the 360 in it. The 360, while clearly nowhere near the performance of the 6.4, got close to the same MPG.

 

[04ctd]

old thread, but this is the only decent 6.4 thread I could find on the whole innerweb.


what have you guys done to increase the MPG in the year since you posted on this thread?


i have a 2018 4x4 with 4:10's, it does ~16mpg hiway, but averages out to 12mpg by the time you do some stop n go on either end of the trip. (all by EVIC on dash)

here's what I have found:
-fold mirrors in: 1mpg increase
-turn off AC: 1 mpg increase
-draft a big truck: 20mpg steady
-draft smaller vehicles: 19ish mpg

decreasing speed increases MPG, but it never seems like a good time to slow down.

heres the real problem: 8mpg when towing a V-nosed trailer (really thought the Vnose would be the saving grace)

i really want to be around 10mpg when towing, and I can do that IF i find the proper vehicle to draft. but it's hard to draft at night, because your headlights annoy whoever you are trying to draft.

what are the results, on a 6.4 4:10 truck of the following mods:
-CAI (which brands?)
-Cat Back?
-Off road Y-pipe (do they exist?)
-tuners/programmers/dyno tune?
-tonneau cover
-camper shell/topper?

what do you guys recommend?

read a LOT about a horrible drone with aftermarket exhaust, is there a way around the drone? V4 mode is when you get the best MPG

 

[Ratket]

Tell us more. is your truck lifted? what size tires? Do you plan to lift?

My opinion - Gears, if you are going to stay on stock tires go to a 4:56. It will activate MDS and hold MDs longer. The truck will not work as hard to hold speed either.
Getting that Mog up while towing is going to be tuff with the 6.4. If mileage is a must while towing, I suggest a diesel.

 

[Bobbo]

I don't have a 6.4 or a 2500 but I have found tire choice made the biggest impact on MPG. I believe that's why they put those terrible tires on the trucks from the factory. I used to pretty easily get 20-22 MPG on the highway with my 1500. I changed to very slightly larger BFG KO2 AT tires and now can't seem to get above 18 MPG. Definitely believe it's more about the tire rubber and possibly tread pattern than it is the size in my case.

 

[04ctd]

I don't have a 6.4 or a 2500 but I have found tire choice made the biggest impact on MPG. I believe that's why they put those terrible tires on the trucks from the factory. I used to pretty easily get 20-22 MPG on the highway with my 1500. I changed to very slightly larger BFG KO2 AT tires and now can't seem to get above 18 MPG. Definitely believe it's more about the tire rubber and possibly tread pattern than it is the size in my case.

exactly, i got a DEAL on some 35/20's for my last CTD, and those tires/rims destroyed the MPG (and the ride, lexani's would not hold balance)

this truck is all stock, no lift, no nothing. I was thinking about rims/tires, but can't take the MPG hit.
i wonder if there is a better tire for MPG than the OEM Transforce tires (i know they are horrible in the snow)


FWIW, I put a hard tonneau on the truck, and at decent speeds, it seems to have picked a MPG or two on flat land, esp if I folded the mirrors in & cut off the AC (only momentarily possible). it was showing 18 steady state about 65mph, which is pretty good. I def think the problem is aerodynamics, and not the 6.4

i have to drag a trailer a few hours next week, will advise later if the hard tonneau helped. (I put a soft tonneau on my 04, and it seemed to hurt due to all the flapping)


-------------------------------------

different thought train: Leveling Kit

if the truck is slightly "nose down" by OEM suspension, is it acting like a wing, and being pushed down by the airstream?
and will "leveling" the truck make the upper surfaces flat, and let some air flow under it?

IDK, i leveled my last truck, and never paid no attention to the MPG, since it was a CTD

everything you read on LIFTING def hurts MPG.

 

[RAM_Designs]

spending 80 bucks per week on mid grade - the 80 per week would easily cover the price diff between the gasser and the diesel

cheers comrades!

Not when diesel is ~30% more, it's basically a wash with the gas vs mpg argument. The upkeep is a lot more on the diesel, as well as any repairs that may be needed. Unless you tow frequently or just want one to have one, the diesel is a waste of money.

 

[whitelightning64]

Ok so here is my 2 cents. I have the only arrington magnason 6.4 built. I daily my truck back and forth to work. I average 18-17 mpg on my 61 mile a day commute. The only thing that has been done is the supercharger, intake, tune. Still running the stock manifolds, cats, muffler. I removed the resonator from the muffler and dumped exhaust down. Now most of my commute is hwy, about 47 miles of it. But I drive through 2 towns and 1 city each way. So I call that mixed. These 6.4 do hog gas at idle. I mean hog it!!!! But with the Maggie it will stay in overdrive and throw boost to it. Rarely does it have to drop out of 6th gear. I bought this truck to replace my corvette. The truck threw down 435hp to the wheels.

 

[wgreggking]

I find for me the biggest way to save especially when on a trip, is to use an app like gas buddy, prices on a map. Sometimes on I-5 in CA .70 cents different in rural areas between LA and SF. Today I got gas in my area of rural Yavapai co AZ, 2.49. stations within 10 miles radius 2.51 ,2.53 2.69 2.89 some were less than a mile away. usually get about 25 gal, fill,Save .40 per gallon x 25gal adds up. 10 bucks to me, pays for lunch or a couple of liquid refreshments. That and resisting the urge to nail it. (sometimes I just cant help it) there is something wrong with my right foot, seems to need a stretch so I don't get a cramp.

 

[jmaxe444]

2016 CCLB Tradesman 4x4 6.4 4.10 gears. Like everyone has pretty much said already. These trucks are built for towing without having to pay for diesel headaches. Expect around 10 towing on flat ground, low to mid teens mixed and mid to high teens highway. It is what it is. I have noticed that I do better and more consistent keeping the eco turned off (tow/haul mode or drop it down to manual shift and leave it in 6). I am on stock size all terrains and noticed a 1 to 1.5 mpg drop when I put them on so now average 14-15 all the time with 46K miles.

 

[dhay13]

I am averaging just under 12 MPG in mine after about 2000 miles. Probably about 80% in town driving and about 5% of that towing my boat getting about 9 MPG. This is all hand calculated. My son just bought his truck (same as mine, 2018 2500 CCSB 6.4 4.10's). He drove it 200 miles to his jobsite and another 400 miles or so out there this week and said his EVIC reads 14 right now. He will be leaving Sunday to tow his 8000lb camper 1500 miles so we will see how his mileage is for that trip.

 

[sandawilliams]

I am averaging just under 12 MPG in mine after about 2000 miles. Probably about 80% in town driving and about 5% of that towing my boat getting about 9 MPG. This is all hand calculated. My son just bought his truck (same as mine, 2018 2500 CCSB 6.4 4.10's). He drove it 200 miles to his jobsite and another 400 miles or so out there this week and said his EVIC reads 14 right now. He will be leaving Sunday to tow his 8000lb camper 1500 miles so we will see how his mileage is for that trip.

The evic reading doesn't mean much.

 

[dhay13]

The evic reading doesn't mean much.

yeah i know that but he won't check it manually. his company pays for fuel so he doesn't really care what his mileage is but i ask him and he just reads it off the dash....lol.

FWIW my EVIC is usually pretty close, withing .2-.3. it does seem like the easier i drive it the closer the EVIC is to actual

 

[WY.Ram]

Ok so here is my 2 cents. I have the only arrington magnason 6.4 built. I daily my truck back and forth to work. I average 18-17 mpg on my 61 mile a day commute. The only thing that has been done is the supercharger, intake, tune. Still running the stock manifolds, cats, muffler. I removed the resonator from the muffler and dumped exhaust down. Now most of my commute is hwy, about 47 miles of it. But I drive through 2 towns and 1 city each way. So I call that mixed. These 6.4 do hog gas at idle. I mean hog it!!!! But with the Maggie it will stay in overdrive and throw boost to it. Rarely does it have to drop out of 6th gear. I bought this truck to replace my corvette. The truck threw down 435hp to the wheels.

View attachment 153123

View attachment 153124

How much boost is your Maggie producing and is the truck holding up well to the super charger configuration? If you're averaging 18 mpg, you must be very disciplined when it comes to standing on that throttle, I'm not sure I could that. I might average a little closer to 3mpg. Lol



'16 RAM 2500 pw with a Badass Greene tune feeding & Firing 6.4L w 6spd
CAI / ARH LTs / Solo / 5.13 AAM / 35" Mickey MTs / DOR / Alfa / Custom Graphics / 4% VLT Tint