Hey guys, posting this for my dad, just wondering what you guys think he could do to get better gas mileage? He's already replaced the air filter with a K&N, put in new spark plugs, new spark plug wires, new fuel filter and cleaned his injectors. Just wondering what you guys think, he said his truck is eating him up in gas and just trying to help him get better mileage. It's a '00 Silverado with a 5.3, 90,000 miles, Z71.

 

Swap in a weld in muffler I picked up about 1.5-2mpg with my exhaust when I could keep my foot out of it.

Custom tune will get him about 2.5 mpg. I have a Nelson tune and he is great at what he does. Wait4me is cheaper but IMO Nelson is better just a personal opinion though.

 

he can do alot of mods to get awesome gas milage but it will cost alot more than changing driving habits, and wont get much better results

the best thing he can do is make sure all filters are clean, tires properly inflated and drive like a grandma. keep the rpm's UNDER 2000RPM. thats where my truck starts to waste gas. i try and keep it right at 1800 on the freeway. set the cruise control as much as possible and coast as far as you can to redlights. thats my advice.

 

I heard a report saying that while cruising at highway speeds you burn $.17 more for every 5mph you increase. Dunno how well that fits our trucks, but it's something to think about.

edit:you could swap me your 5.3 for my 4.8

 

custom tune is good for a couple mpg.

 

If the milage has decreased since new a costly gamble could be the O2 sensors need replacing.
If he is running a larger heavier LT (light truck) tire he could try an OE sized P (passenger) rated tire on the next set. Properly inflated as well.
Since installing the Radix and having a Vacuum\Boost gauge I have found the most monitored function of the unit is my vacuum. When driving for mpgs I find throttle positions and speeds with 8 inches of vacuum or more have the best economy.
You can really get to know your motors load habits with a vacuum gauge.

 

Cool, thanks guys. I'll give him some suggestions about some of these and see what he thinks. How much are some of the custom tunes for these trucks?

 

Yea, I was thinking of the O2 sensors, which ones do you guys suggest replacing the stock ones with? Do you guys think that after 90,000 miles the cats could be partially clogged?

 

get the stock acdelco o2 sensors dont buy autozone or ne ones like that they will not work very well

 

Replace the entire exhaust with free flowing mufflers and cats. Better hp and more mpg, just keep your foot out of it.