Cat Power and MPG?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by 13letter, Feb 8, 2009.

  1. 13letter

    13letter Light Load Member

    109
    16
    Oct 19, 2008
    Fulton, IL
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    Have a 99 3406E rated at 550, 13 spd, 3.58s on tall 24.5, its an IH 9300, pull a stepdeck. Have done a few things in the quest for a bit more power and mpg. Boost wire. Then fuel temp wire, which I noticed a real increase in power and mpg up easy .3 and more. Then yanked the under bunk muffler and put on a Grandrock 'performance' replacement. Noticed higher pyro temps with that muffler so replaced it with a resonator only. Pyro temps back down.

    It seems as power and mpg are down in comparison to when I added the fuel temp wire. Now, just changed injector codes to 5232. Did not really notice a power increase. Boost is up a bit though. Saw 32 psi. Goes to 28 on the cruise. This first run I'm running with only about 15000# on the deck and not a tall load. Power hard to compare with a light load, but, just doesnt seem as strong as it should, or as it did back when doing the fuel wire. And, fuel mileage seems horrible for being this light. Under 6 mpg, running from IL to Amarillo, TX. Had some wind to run into, but still a very easy load! Was getting mid 6's with around 35k# loads in most areas. It was in mid November when I did the fuel wire, so a little warmer weather. But does the cold weather and winter fuel kill that much mpg and power too? What change in mpg is usually noticed with injector codes?

    Seems power and mileage both are lacking. This truck never really felt as strong as it should to begin with either, before changing anything. Also, had the overhaed done in Nov. too. Everything seems in correct working order and it seems to run fine. Boost good. Fuel pressure good. Just noticed on the engine tag, FLS/FTS settings of -1/ -4. Looking for ideas and insight please. Really appreciate any help.
     
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  3. DDS

    DDS Medium Load Member

    519
    177
    May 20, 2008
    Toronto
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    Have you checked your turbo wastegate, 1999, is that a 2ws engine? If so you may have the actuator for the wastegate opening early. You can buy just the actuator and set it at 20 psi at .039 of movment. The stock turbo from the factory was set at 16 psi, cat changed to 18 psi with this actuator update. The update has a shield to help prevent heat from affecting the spring. You said you exhaust temps were high with the new muffler, may be the actuator was affected at that time.
     
  4. 13letter

    13letter Light Load Member

    109
    16
    Oct 19, 2008
    Fulton, IL
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    This one is a 1LW. If the actuator is not working right will boost still be fine?
    Thanks DDS
     
  5. cat from the valley

    cat from the valley Medium Load Member

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    Dec 8, 2008
    jamaica
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    can the actuator be manually adjusted if so how
     
  6. DDS

    DDS Medium Load Member

    519
    177
    May 20, 2008
    Toronto
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    I have used the update actuator on older 3406e turbo. Its alot cheaper than buying a complete turbo. It set's up a little higher at 22 psi stock. The spring rate should not be a factor. Yes, the wastegate opening early will have a major affect of turbo performance. You should take the exhaust off the back of the turbo and look in to the back with a small flash light, look for signs of leakage around the valve or even stuck open. I have seen the seat burned so bad the valve not seat. I find this then the customer says he pinched his wastegate hose and the boost did not change.
     
  7. 13letter

    13letter Light Load Member

    109
    16
    Oct 19, 2008
    Fulton, IL
    0
    My boost is still up like it has been. A little higher with the 5232 codes in. So, would the actuator be a possibilty?
     
  8. C16KIWI

    C16KIWI Medium Load Member

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    Jun 14, 2008
    New Zealand
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    When my actuator was going soft I would loose boost and EGTs would rise.
     
  9. 13letter

    13letter Light Load Member

    109
    16
    Oct 19, 2008
    Fulton, IL
    0
    If there is a restriction in one of the fuel lines, will fuel pressure still read ok? And would boost still come up ok if fuel was actually being restricted? Power and mileage sure seem to be going away on this thing. Seems to run ok though, no misses or anything. Any help is sure appreciated.
     
  10. cat from the valley

    cat from the valley Medium Load Member

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    Dec 8, 2008
    jamaica
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    i dont think restriction in 1of 2 tanks would cause a broblem and u would know cuz 1 tank would be sucked low and the other would overflow
     
  11. PaulE

    PaulE Medium Load Member

    413
    145
    Jan 15, 2009
    Verona Wi
    0
    you can have correct PSI but not enough volume if somethings restricting it. collapsed lines etc
     
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