How to improve gas mileage on 5.3L?
Sep 10, 2002 | 11:13 AM
#11
TECH Addict
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Re: How to improve gas mileage on 5.3L?
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by dutch 99 chevy:
<strong>IT'S A TRUCK. GOOD GAS MILEAGE. <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" /> . you want good gas mileage get a geo metro or one of those electric cars. lol.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">you can't tow with a geo metro.
but if yur getting 18 MPG i wouldn't complain. i'd prolly get a lot better gas mileage if i could keep my foot out it. i'll just deal with the extra gas <img border="0" alt="[devil]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" />
<strong>IT'S A TRUCK. GOOD GAS MILEAGE. <img border="0" alt="[jester]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_jest.gif" /> . you want good gas mileage get a geo metro or one of those electric cars. lol.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">you can't tow with a geo metro.
but if yur getting 18 MPG i wouldn't complain. i'd prolly get a lot better gas mileage if i could keep my foot out it. i'll just deal with the extra gas <img border="0" alt="[devil]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" />
Sep 10, 2002 | 06:47 PM
#12
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: Chatham, NJ
Re: How to improve gas mileage on 5.3L?
Oh, I'm not complaining, I'm just looking for a little better mileage. I just sold my 97 Z28 that had a number of common bolt ons, HPP+ and 4:10 gears that weighed about 4200 pounds. I guess that it was making something over 300 HP and turned 13.57 on the 1/4. On a recent trip from NJ to Boston with the A/C on doing 85 MPH I got over 28 MPG. My LT4 Corvette with all the bolt ons, LT1 Edit, and 4:10 gears gets 29 MPG on the highway.
So, whats wrong with wanting a little better mileage from my truck? What's dragging down the mileage with these puppies? They aren't as areo- dynamic as either the Covette or Camaro, they're a little heavier than the Camaro - but does that explain the difference between 18 MPG and 28 MPG?
It's not the way I drive either; as pointed out 18 MPG on a Silverado is actually pretty good. I can honestly say that I have never even tested the acceleration on my Silverado.
So, whats wrong with wanting a little better mileage from my truck? What's dragging down the mileage with these puppies? They aren't as areo- dynamic as either the Covette or Camaro, they're a little heavier than the Camaro - but does that explain the difference between 18 MPG and 28 MPG?
It's not the way I drive either; as pointed out 18 MPG on a Silverado is actually pretty good. I can honestly say that I have never even tested the acceleration on my Silverado.
Sep 10, 2002 | 06:55 PM
#13
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 656
Likes: 0
From: H-Town
Re: How to improve gas mileage on 5.3L?
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Seagull:
<strong> I can honestly say that I have never even tested the acceleration on my Silverado.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />
You should give it a try...I think you will forget about the gas milage when the mod bug hits <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
<strong> I can honestly say that I have never even tested the acceleration on my Silverado.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif"><img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" />
You should give it a try...I think you will forget about the gas milage when the mod bug hits <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Sep 10, 2002 | 07:03 PM
#14
TECH Addict
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Re: How to improve gas mileage on 5.3L?
its like driving a brick with a parachute on the back. and i think that Z71 is quite a big heavier than your cars.
and yeah, test out the acceleration. its pretty nice for a truck.
and yeah, test out the acceleration. its pretty nice for a truck.
Sep 10, 2002 | 07:06 PM
#15
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
Re: How to improve gas mileage on 5.3L?
Just to throw in my 2 cents, I have a 99 4x4 5.3 with 3.73's but a regular cab, short box. I put exhaust on it (custom catback with a 3 1/2" glasspack split into 2 1/4" pipes all the way to the back with 4" chrome tips, nothing special), and the HPP tuning, although I only adjusted for 87 octane fuel and changed the speed limiter. I also have a hard tonneau cover, which weighs around 100 pounds if I remember right. With that setup, I got a best of 20.3 mpg on a trip from Minneapolis to Indianapolis (all freeway).
I later put in the 160 degree T-stat, Bosch Platinum+4 plugs (now replaced with regular Bosch Platinums), the K&N FIPK II, and Taylor plug wires. On a trip to Colorado (all freeway), I got 18.2 mpg. That was with the Platinum+4's and I really didn't like those at all - I haven't checked mileage since I pulled them out.
Anyway, that seems to pretty much follow what everybody else is saying.
Travis
I later put in the 160 degree T-stat, Bosch Platinum+4 plugs (now replaced with regular Bosch Platinums), the K&N FIPK II, and Taylor plug wires. On a trip to Colorado (all freeway), I got 18.2 mpg. That was with the Platinum+4's and I really didn't like those at all - I haven't checked mileage since I pulled them out.
Anyway, that seems to pretty much follow what everybody else is saying.
Travis
Sep 10, 2002 | 09:45 PM
#16
Re: How to improve gas mileage on 5.3L?
My truck before this was a 98 Dodge Dakota SCSB 2wd auto V6 with JBA headers, dual exhaust MP wires and K&N drop in. On the highway it got 16.5 mpg and it had a 15 gallon tank. My Chevy will practically pay for itself in gas savings over that piece of crap.
Sep 10, 2002 | 09:53 PM
#17
TECH Addict
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 0
From: Baton Rouge, LA
Re: How to improve gas mileage on 5.3L?
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by CashDudeHomie:
<strong>My truck before this was a 98 Dodge Dakota SCSB 2wd auto V6 with JBA headers, dual exhaust MP wires and K&N drop in. On the highway it got 16.5 mpg and it had a 15 gallon tank. My Chevy will practically pay for itself in gas savings over that piece of crap.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">dodges, they guzzle gas AND they're slow <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
at least my gas guzzler isn't slow
<strong>My truck before this was a 98 Dodge Dakota SCSB 2wd auto V6 with JBA headers, dual exhaust MP wires and K&N drop in. On the highway it got 16.5 mpg and it had a 15 gallon tank. My Chevy will practically pay for itself in gas savings over that piece of crap.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">dodges, they guzzle gas AND they're slow <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
at least my gas guzzler isn't slow
Sep 11, 2002 | 12:06 AM
#18
Re: How to improve gas mileage on 5.3L?
The 4wheel drive also causes more drag. But I talked to a guy that yould travel to Louisina and back to Texas and he said by leaving the tailgate down he got 2 miles to the gallon better. I dont know though. I am not happy with my 15-16 miles to gallon in a 4.8 scsb but the tack has to a laest hit 5500 rpms every time you leave a stop.
Sep 11, 2002 | 01:38 PM
#19
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: UK
Re: How to improve gas mileage on 5.3L?
I found this link on Chevytalk BB.
http://mars.acnet.wnec.edu/~ehaffner/did.htm
It shows wind tunnel tests on tailgate up; down; bedcover.
WARNING!!!!!!!: They tested a Dodge (sorry)!
http://mars.acnet.wnec.edu/~ehaffner/did.htm
It shows wind tunnel tests on tailgate up; down; bedcover.
WARNING!!!!!!!: They tested a Dodge (sorry)!
Sep 4, 2015 | 04:20 AM
#20
Registered User
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Tailgate UP! Not down..
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Seagull:
<strong>I have a new Silverado extended cab Z71 with a 5.3L and 3.73 gears that will be used for boat towing and part time communting. The best gas mileage I can do is just under 18 MPG on the highway without the boat. I'm not interested in drag racing the truck, but I would like a little better mileage. Does anyone have a receipe for tweaking gas mileage? Do any of the cat back, cold air, 160 degree thermo mods do anything to improve mileage on these puppies?
chuck</strong></font></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It wouldn't hurt, but try driving around with the tailgate down and compare your mileage then. I bet you will see a difference. Then if you are impressed, you can go get a bedcover and also do the intake and cat-back mods. The mods would be like icing on the cake.
I know for a fact that the wind resistance that is created by the bed of the truck, does not help gas mileage at all.
Carlos
<strong>I have a new Silverado extended cab Z71 with a 5.3L and 3.73 gears that will be used for boat towing and part time communting. The best gas mileage I can do is just under 18 MPG on the highway without the boat. I'm not interested in drag racing the truck, but I would like a little better mileage. Does anyone have a receipe for tweaking gas mileage? Do any of the cat back, cold air, 160 degree thermo mods do anything to improve mileage on these puppies?
chuck</strong></font></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">It wouldn't hurt, but try driving around with the tailgate down and compare your mileage then. I bet you will see a difference. Then if you are impressed, you can go get a bedcover and also do the intake and cat-back mods. The mods would be like icing on the cake.
I know for a fact that the wind resistance that is created by the bed of the truck, does not help gas mileage at all.
Carlos