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Car Forum / Driving, Maintenance, Tuning / RVs / January 2006Seeking advice for MPG enhancements, 1993 GMC 2500 Suburban
I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my Suburban. I am considering a K&N filter kit (FIPK - Fuel injection Performance Kit) for the intake side, and am looking for suggestions for exhaust. Borla does not make a system for this truck, any suggestions would be welcome. I'm looking for mileage increases, however small, and hoping not to make it sound like a teenager's hot rod (I'm 43 with a family, my wife wouldn't appreciate radical sound). I realize I'm going to get some sound increase and tone change with he K&N and any performance exhaust system, just trying to keep that to a minimum. I've looked into programmers and aftermarket ECM chips, but they appear to generally improve performance, not mileage, so I've set those aside for now. I've also toyed with the idea of changing the final drive ratio. The rear end is a Dana full-floating axle with locking differential (factory stock), if anyone knows how big a job it is to change the gears, I might consider swapping gears when switching between towing and non-towing jobs. I looked at aftermarket Over/Underdrive auxiliary transmissions, but they're $3,000 and up, and the payback is really long. Vehicle specifics: 1993 GMC 2500 Suburban, 8,600 GVWR 5.7L (350cid) TBI 4L80E transmission, 3.73:1 final gears Thanks in advance for any help,  SignatureSandman 93 GMC 2500 Suburban, 78K miles 02 Tahoe, 80K miles > I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my > Suburban. [quoted text clipped - 28 lines] > > Thanks in advance for any help, You won't like this short answer, but here it is: Forget it. You will almost certainly spend more on any mileage-improving hardware than you will realize in fuel savings. Therefore, the best thing you can do is to alter your driving habits to try to save as much fuel as possible. It will cost nothing (except perhaps in travel time) and will show some (probably rather small) improvement in mileage. Sorry. SignatureD.J., N8DO; FMCA 147762 dj[underscore]osborn at yahoo dot com >> I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my >> Suburban. [quoted text clipped - 42 lines] > > Sorry. Also, in my opinion the money you spend trying to improve your mileage would be better spent on a newer more fuel efficient vehicle rather than trying to upgrade one that is 13 years old. Ron >I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my Suburban. There's only one 100% certain way to improve mileage on any vehicle. Slow down. Free-flowing exhaust kits, replacement chips, rejetted carbs, high price air filters and fuel line magnets will only improve the sales of whoever sells them to you. In order of increasing price your options for improved mileage are as follows: 1) slow down 2) trade the vehicle on something newer. NOTE: option 2 **MAY** improve your mileage. Option 1 **WILL** improve your mileage. R.J.(Bob) Evans (return address needs alteration to work) I see where "Sandman" <REMOVE_lanbldr@REMOVEyahoo.com> contributed: >I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my Suburban. There is only ONE surefire "accessory" that will improve mileage enough to pay for itself: your right foot. SLOW DOWN. Virtually ALL of the other stuff you mention either flat will not produce the implied improvement or will cost you way more than their worth in reliability, drivability and of course $$$$$$$$. By the time your rig was built, makers had figured out the benefits of low-restriction exhaust & intake plumbing (neither of which make a big difference at moderate engine speeds, hype to the contrary notwithstanding), had adopted EFI, and put in the tallest gears they dared to use. Slowing down can easily save you 10-20% on fuel, depending of course on many factors. Will Sill The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill Thanks for the quick, and I would say rather expected, responses. I have, of course, already implemented Option 1, slowing down. 65MPH vs 75MPH and very easy acceleration (to the irritation of leadfoots that tailgate off the start line) yields 1 or 2 MPG, and I have been doing that for years. As for trade-in, the vehicle has only 78,000 miles and works perfectly well and will do so for 200,000+ more miles. It's hard to spend $40K ($30K after trade-in) on a new one that will save me $8K worth of fuel over the same time period (assuming the new one gets 20MPG) and dramatically increase maintenance costs. My 02 Tahoe costs triple to do anything compared to the 'Burb and gets 19MPG with the same gear ratio. Fuel filters, cabin filters, thermostats, everything costs WAY more than the parts for the '93. I'll continue going easy on the throttle and keep reminding myself that gas is cheaper than a new 'Burb...... Thanks again for saving me $250 on the K&N. Sandman I see where, Sandman managed to write: >Thanks for the quick, and I would say rather expected, responses. > [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > >Sandman A filter test done recently showed AC Delco to be the best filter, comparing "flow" and size of trapped particles. The Baldwin filters were next. K&N rated at the bottom. Sure it has high flow, but at the expense of the size of the particles trapped. I ran one for years, but each time I opened it to clean it, I found sand in the intake side of the filter. I stopped using it. SignatureFrank Tabor You'll never see ANY savings or improvement on ANYTHING with the K$N product. It's a scam that only lets more dirt into the engine. SignatureSteve Barker > I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my > Suburban. [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Thanks in advance for any help, > You'll never see ANY savings or improvement on ANYTHING with the K$N > product. It's a scam that only lets more dirt into the engine. The filter itself sure is. However, improving the air duct on some vehicles can help. It's not the filter, its the more open duct work and cold air intake that MIGHT help in some cases. > I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my Suburban. First ask yourself this question; What am I willing to sacrifice? First will always be money, then choose what you want to sacrifice and this group should be able to come up with some options, but there will be a sacrifice. In most cases it will longevity. But there is one modification you can do that is dirt-cheap and will probably increase longevity and that is Adjust Your Driving Habits. I have learned to adjust my driving habits since I bought my 05 Suburban last year. My wife swears that I should take it in for a tune-up because she can't get above 12 mpg locally but I get 14-15 mpg locally. I have tried K&N and other performance intake systems on other vehicles and unless you drive with a wide-open throttle there is no advantages except noise. Good Luck >> I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my >> Suburban. The best modification is your right foot. Slow down. Time lights so you do not have to come to a complete stop. Keep the tires filled with air. Signature--- Charles Quinn "Choosing the lesser of two evils, is still choosing evil" - Jerry Garcia >>>I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my >>>Suburban. > > The best modification is your right foot. Slow down. Time lights so you do > not have to come to a complete stop. Keep the tires filled with air. We just drove, again from Austin TX to South Carolina. The first tank of gas, with my wife driving, we got 16.8 MPG. This was up TX 79, backroads, and small towns. Then I drove the next 300 miles on the interstate at 75 MPH and I got 18.9. It's driving habits, cruise control, and steady speed. You too can get better mileage.... JH >>>> I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my >>>> Suburban. [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > JH July the 4th a year ago I traveled TX 77 with a 19 mpg. Last year I traveled from Shreveport to Austin area on TX 79 and still got not less than 19. The rest of the way was on I-20 with no change. Some of those roads in TX is just as good as the interstate, in some states are better. SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME >>>>> I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my >>>>> Suburban. [quoted text clipped - 17 lines] > than 19. The rest of the way was on I-20 with no change. Some of those > roads in TX is just as good as the interstate, in some states are better. If 79 went all the way to SC, I'd have used it for the whole trip. >>>>>> I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my >>>>>> Suburban. [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > If 79 went all the way to SC, I'd have used it for the whole trip. There are several high ways in Texas that I dub Texas Interstate System. A hell of a lot more scenic and just as smooth. Another good one is 281 north out of San Antonio. SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME >> I'm seeking advice on accessories or kits to improve mileage on my Suburban. > [quoted text clipped - 16 lines] > > Good Luck I too have tried the K&N filters (or are you talkign about hte induction system?) and have ALWAYS had an increase in power AND economy. In addition, I use 0-30 synthetic Mobil1 oil and synthetic gear lube for the axles and synthetic tranny fluid. Can't say anythign about any imporvements with teh tranny or gear lube except that the tranny shifts as quick and hard in sub 0 weather as it does in 90 degree weather. Mike D. <snip> > > I have tried K&N and other performance intake systems on other vehicles > > and unless you drive with a wide-open throttle there is no advantages [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Mike D. The way I understand it, the trouble with the K&N air filters is that the increase in performance is due to the increase in the volume of air that it allows to pass. This increase also allows more dirt to go through and into the engine due to the design, shortening its life. Short term gain for long term pain. Tomes I see where "Tomes" <askme@here.net> contributed: >The way I understand it, the trouble with the K&N air filters is that the >increase in performance is due to the increase in the volume of air that it >allows to pass. This increase also allows more dirt to go through and into >the engine due to the design, shortening its life. Short term gain for long >term pain. K&N makes good filters but their ads are wildly exaggerated. Some day before I die, I hope to see some _credible_ evidence that an air filter - ANY air filter - actually increases power or economy. So far, all I see is bafflegab and hype. It is not real hard to convince me that a filthy or badly-designed filter will limit power at very high rpm, but I personally think there are hundreds of things you can buy with an equal or better chance of improving performance. ... such as fuel magnets and louvered tailgates. Will Sill The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill >but I personally think there are hundreds of things you can buy with an >equal or better< >chance of improving performance. ... such as fuel magnets >and louvered< >tailgates.< Those fuel magnets are REALLY a good investment. I have a question, though. If a magnet will give you a 10% increase in mileage, if you line up 10 magnets in a row, will the RV stop burning gas, all together ? SignatureJerryD(upstateNY) >>but I personally think there are hundreds of things you can buy with an >>equal or better< >chance of improving performance. ... such as fuel magnets [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > If a magnet will give you a 10% increase in mileage, if you line up 10 > magnets in a row, will the RV stop burning gas, all together ? YES! But only if you put them *inside* the gas line. You will develop a "0" miles per gallon as well as "0" gallons per mile (if you push a little). SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME > Those fuel magnets are REALLY a good investment. > I have a question, though. > If a magnet will give you a 10% increase in mileage, if you line up 10 > magnets in a row, will the RV stop burning gas, all together ? It's like the old long distance commercials: The LONGER you talked, the CHEAPER it got. Heck, talk LONG ENOUGH, it got so cheap that Ma Bell would have to cut YOU a check! > there are hundreds of things you can buy with an > equal or better chance of improving performance > such as fuel magnets and louvered tailgates. After three travel trailers, my late parents fourth and final rig was a nice fifthwheel. I got to use it the summer after mom died. The pickup, a 3/4-ton F250 Ford pickup with standard cab and 8-ft box, was retrofitted with a LOUVERED tailgate. I never gave it much thought until years later upon reading the occasional barbs of an obvious detractor. I have never heard your sermon about louvered tailgates. Would you please repost? TIA. Signature:) JR 2000 Skamper Ultra 249 TT 2002 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD Vortec 8100 - Allison 1000 >>I have never heard your sermon about louvered tailgates. Would you please repost? TIA.<< I read and article that said, when driving an empty pickup, the best mileage they got was with a regular tailgate in the up position. It seemed the air in the box, stayed in the box and air rushing by kinda bounced off it. The louvered tailgate caused more air turbulence, as did running with no tailgate. SignatureJerryD(upstateNY) >>>I have never heard your sermon about louvered tailgates. Would you please > [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > The louvered tailgate caused more air turbulence, as did running with no > tailgate. I also read the results of a study on that and it said the same thing. I did not run any thing that you could consider to be a scientific study, but I drove from Dallas to Mississippi testing it with my on board computer. A friend of mine drove several trips back and forth to Texas. We both come up with information that was contrary to their study. That study results is on the internet. SignatureBILL P. Just Dog & ME >>>I have never heard your sermon about louvered tailgates. Would you >>>please [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > The louvered tailgate caused more air turbulence, as did running with no > tailgate. Yahbut the BEST mileage was with a Tonneau Cover + raised, solid, tailgate. <G> I see where Jim Redelfs <jim.redelfs@redelfs.com> contributed: >I have never heard your sermon about louvered tailgates. Would you please >repost? TIA. Louvered tailgates are on a long list of items the suffer from hype, mythology, and blatantly false advertising. They are often advertised to "improve fuel mileage by 15%" - an outrageously spurious claim unjustified by ANY credible data. In fact, this issue has been often addressed by GM, Ford, and others in connection with the ancient argument of tailgate open vs closed. See http://www.cartalk.com/content/columns/Archive/1997/October/05.html for one of many dissertations on the subject. The zany Myth Busters show brought up the myth that dropping the tailgate on a truck will improve gas mileage. They drove two identical new trucks from San Francisco to the desert and back - one with the tailgate down, the other up. The tailgate down truck died 30 miles before the tailgate up truck - all else being equal. They then made their own wind tunnel test to show why. Rest assured you can find arguments both ways on the open/closed issue, but in the rv world. _notched_ tailgates provide some advantage hooking and unhooking fifth wheel trailers, but it has nothing to do with mileage improvement, since (louvered or not) the tailgate represents a minuscule percentage of the total drag. YMMV, especially if your mind is made up. Will Sill The Curmudgeon of Sill Hill |
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