There are things you can do to the head to increase VE. Also boosting it, but never running past 0 lbs boost is also supposed to increase VE drastically. i can drum up some articles if you wish.
I can vouch.
When I turbo'd my single cam, I noticed a significant increase in gas mileage, when I stayed out of it of course. Usually, pegging full, I'd drive 52 miles before it moved at all, but after turbo was introduced to it, took 79 miles before it would move.