Mileage on 5.3L vs. 6.0L vortecs
Charlie Hicks
I am about to buy a new Suburban to replace my old one. I am seriously
considering getting the 3/4 ton 2500 with the 6.0L vortec since I do quite a
bit of towing and hauling.
What kind of mileage to you folks get with your 5.3 and 6.0 Vortecs? (City
and highway).
Thanks,
Charlie
Richard Bonnett
engine. Also it has the autotrac and tow/haul mode for hauling.
My boat/trailer/cargo loading runs about 7000 to 9000 depending on
liquids [gas and water]. The boat is 25 foot walkaround cabin with hard
top,etc..
and is considered heavy for it's length.
Also, consider that people and stuff other than the driver are to be
budgeted separately from the the max. trailer load in specs...
I started with 11 mpg and get about 12.5 to 13.6 overall .
My travel is mostly highway and generally 55 to 75 mph.
---------------------------------------------------------
I have an old silver 5 liter 1990 reg cab and 3.73 rear 2 wheeler and get about
15 to 18 mpg. It's limited to towing over flat roads and poor on
accelleration.
______________________________________________________________
Charlie.... look at your loading requirements and determine the best rear
axle gear ratio option.
Consider the special requirements for weight distribution
hitch configured with the
sway and leveling bars. There is a disclaimer for over 5000
pound loads...to add that
hardware. Notice that 5th wheeling has same specs. as
weight distributing.
The tow/haul mode works in OD for my loads. Is it allowed?
donn't know.
If you do OD your gas mileage will be better than locking it
in 3rd gear.
Yes? I think it would.
This is my first gas guzzler.. I kept the 5 liter 1990 for
economy and as a work truck.
If you need help on selections... we need details from you on what
you haul/tow.
Chris Spiess
4.10s. Total weight is just short of 5K. I've done some engine mods to
improve performance, and it also helped the mileage, I am getting around
16-17 city and highway. I recently got my wife a 2000 Tahoe 5.3/3.73 and am
getting 12-14MPG. My father has a '99 Suburban 5.7 with 3.42s and gets mile
age a bit worse than my wife's Tahoe. See the pattern? My truck also drive
much nicer than either of the other two, w/ less hunting on hills and better
power.
-Chris
"Charlie Hicks" <chi...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:8o4ego$tql$1...@slb0.atl.mindspring.net...
Charlie Hicks
What engine mods did you do? Different computer chip? Exhaust? I was told
you can get extra power from the 6.0L by putting on dual exhaust.
On my heavy trailers (travel trailer and 16' tandem enclosed) I use a weight
distributing hitch.
I will get the 3.73's since 85%+ of my driving is city/rural. But when I
need the power is when I pull into the mountains with the travel trailer.
At that point, I'd love to have the 4.10's! I'm anxious to see how the
tow/haul mode works.
I wish they put the new diesel in the Subruban this year. Next year, I'm
told.
My last two Suburban's (94 + 98) both had 3.73 and 5.7L. I wasn't too
impressed with the performance in the hills. That's why I am choosing to go
with the 6.0L. I have heard the 5.3 Vortec is stronger overall than the
older 5.7 but am concerned about the overall power and don't want to get the
5.3 only to find out I would rather have had the 6.0.
Charlie
jed
"sweet spot" as far as RPM is considered. Even when driving empty. It will
make a huge difference when pulling, and not much when empty. Seriously.
GM sasy (and I have the engineering paperwork), that the 'new line of Vortec
engines need to run about 200 rpm faster than the previous Vortec engines,'
requiring a need for the upgraded axle ratios. This is also why you CANNOT
even get a 3.42 in a 4x4 1500 anymore. It would suck.
Give this some consideration. In total, I have only sold and ordered about
4 trucks (out of about a hundred 2500's) with the 3.73's and customer
comments on fuel economy is that there is very little difference in fuel
economy. The 454's are even doing well with 4.10' - so long as you are not
driving 100 mph!
IMHO,
jed
"Charlie Hicks" <chi...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
news:8o4nir$7sg$1...@slb6.atl.mindspring.net...
Chris Spiess
Please reconsider. I believe you will be much happier with the 4.10s. As I
stated earlier, my father has a 99 'burban with 3.42s and the mileage is not
very good, even on the highway, which was his rationale for going that
route. The slightest grade requires a downshift and more fuel to muscle the
thing up, and this is w/o having something in tow.
For my truck (5.3 remember) I replaced the exhaust and added some bolt-ons
to the air intake side; I'll email you off line with the specifics. I am
also using a Hypertech programmer which made the biggest difference in my
mileage.
Replacing the exhaust on (just about any) stock vehicle will improve your
power and mileage. Today's drivetrain designs typically do not benefit from
using dual exiting exhaust over single exits, aside from using a true dual
set up. This disadvantage to most aftermarket dual exits for full size
trucks is that they exit out the rear, which is not real desirable for
towing.
R. Pitcher
Chris Spiess wrote:
> I am also using a Hypertech programmer which made the biggest
> difference in my mileage.
Chris, what kind of an increase in mileage or performance did you get
with the Hypertech programmer? I've got the 6.0 in my '99 Silverado
(3.73 gears).
I'm getting around 15 combined hiway and city driving, just under 10
when pulling a 26 foot 5th wheel. I've wondered if the mileage or
performance increase is real enough to spend the $350 that these
programmers cost.
If the power increase was substantial I wouldn't mind paying for the
higher octane fuel when pulling the trailer, then re-flash the module
back to stock when using the truck without the trailer. I'd use 92
octane when pulling and 87 octane when running solo.
thanks,
Rick Pitcher
john smith
it tell you the changes you need to make or do you guess? Also is it easly
to set back to factory spec's if you need? I'm pulling a 32' Fifth wheel and
get around 7.5 mpg. Yesterday I canged to a flowmaster muffler and added a
K&N air filter hoping to help.
Thanks---------------Scotty
"R. Pitcher" <rpit...@qnet.com> wrote in message
news:39A6D134...@qnet.com...
Chris Spiess
I originally tuned for 92 octane and got about a 10% bump in mileage, and a
noticeable performance difference (5.3 w/ 4.10s). I recently dropped down
to tuning for 87 octane b/c of gas prices, but have not noticed a real
difference in power or mileage yet. $350!!? I'm a dealer and can take at
least $30 off that, let me know if you're interested.
Your muffler change should help your mileage at list a bit. There are some
air intake changes you can make to help the engine breathe in better. This
would compliment the exhaust change. Headers would be a good options as
well, for both power and mileage. Contact me off-line if you'd like
additional info.
Chris
"R. Pitcher" <rpit...@qnet.com> wrote in message
news:39A6D134...@qnet.com...
Chris Spiess
fuel and ignition curves. There are then options for low temp thermostat,
tire size and gear changes, shift firmness, and altering auto transmission
shift points.
Chris
"john smith" <sm...@fidnet.com> wrote in message
news:39a6d2fc$1...@skycache-news.fidnet.com...
> I have been thinking about getting a Hypertech programmer ------------Does
> it tell you the changes you need to make or do you guess? Also is it easly
> to set back to factory spec's if you need? I'm pulling a 32' Fifth wheel
and
> get around 7.5 mpg. Yesterday I canged to a flowmaster muffler and added a
> K&N air filter hoping to help.
> Thanks---------------Scotty
Charlie Hicks
I do have a very basic question: what mileage can I expect (city + highway)
with the 6.0L with 3.73 vs. 4.10 ? Assuming normal driving conditions, not
towing, etc. What's the RPMs at 75 MPH with 3.73 vs. 4.10 in OD?
I fully understand the increased towing power with the 4.10 gears. I'm just
wrestling with the idea of the 4.10's and fuel mileage for the other 85% to
90% of the driving I do.
Thanks again,
Charlie
Claude Marcil
My 2000 Silverado 2500 HD ext. cab 8' box 6 litre, 4.10 has 3000 miles on
the odometer.
I'm very satisfied. It runs very smooth, silent ride and tows very well my
30 foot 5W which weights approx. 9-10 K in traveling trim.
Now, for MPG.
Not towing, 2/3 highway 62 MPH, I get 13.3 MPG
Towing in mountain, curvy, secondary roads trying to maintain 55 MPH: I get
8.5 MPG
Towing on flat highway cruise control at 55 MPH: I get 10.3 MPG
Whenever I'm city or curvy and hilly driving, I put it on haul mode but
for flat highway driving, I leave it at normal mode but always ( or almost )
in OD.
Engine temp has gone up a bit in one instance only and tranny oil varies a
little to a maximum of slightly above the mid-gauge position towing.
Of course, the truck is still new and the engine not broken in yet, but
very accurate data from my previous 91 Astro 4.3 litre has shown no
improvement whatsoever as the engine got more miles in it.
To tell you the truth, if I could have find a 3.73, I would have bought it
but at the time I got it, I could'nt find one and it was too late to order.
I feel that compromising a little in the towing power is worth while for
saving $$$ in gas on a yearly basis. My opinion is that MPG not towing could
be improved by approx 10 % with the 3.73.
With my 91 Astro, I had decided to keep a lower rear ens ratio even if I
was towing approx 5500 pds and with proper driving ( manually shifting ) and
good maintenance, I just sold the van still in excellent working condition
after 140 K miles on it of which 25% of those were towing.
Just my 2 cents.
Charlie Hicks <chi...@ix.netcom.com> wrote in message
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Jim Hinds
I've got a '99 GMC Sierra 3 door pickup with 3.73 gears and the 5.3L eight
coil wonder.... smooothest ride you ever felt. Haul a 19' open boat and
get about 13 mpg then...(got a spreadsheet so I KNOW)...Average mileage
overall since March when new is 16.5 mpg. Some boat towing in there. All
in all I'm happy with the fuel mileage but have read some of the other
responses you got. Hmmmmm...I wonder about this Programmer thingy.....j
Good luck..
Jim
Chris Spiess
-Chris
"Jim Hinds" <jhi...@compuserve.com> wrote in message
news:8oc30q$ncl$1...@sshuraaa-i-1.production.compuserve.com...
jed
tires.
jed
"jed" <jed...@makesnosenseyahoo.com> wrote in message
news:Bjnp5.10397$u21.3...@news0.telusplanet.net...
The Game Man
available lower than 4.10 rear end.
No more 3.73 : (
My current 2000 Chev 2500 (8600 GVW) Crew Cab 5.7 auto has 3.73 and I get 11
(+- .5) in Atlanta Ga expressway/street driving, unloaded or loaded with few
vending machines.
My hopes are to receive more MPG with new model and 6.0 / 4.10 auto
configuration.
Brett
Jim Hinds
"pushbutton" 4WD system.....
-rick-
new '00 burb 1500, ~1500 total miles. 5.3L, 4wd, 4:10 rear
end.
Got 12.63 mpg in OD-tow/haul pulling about 4500 lbs up and
down the Columbia river gorge at 65-75 mph with the A/C on.
Pulls pretty good and shifts appropriately. Only dropped down
to 50mph and 2nd gear up one steep hill.
If you haul much more weight I'd recommend the 6L.
-rick-