Topic: What's the best programmer / Chip for increasing gas mileage?

[TORK39180]

Whats goin on CACheads!

I'm Jessie, and I just wanna start off by saying this site is the SHIZZZZZZ!  If I would have been paying attention in class instead of surfing I would have neve found y'all.  OK, I have the 2003 4x4 2500, 8.1, pewter grey with the plastic, 6 inch Pro Comp suspension lift running 35 inch Cooper Discover mudd tires, Dynomax exhaust, air bags on the back, and a few other "comfort" additions (audio, backup cam, etc).  I am thinking about adding dual exhaust, a cold air intake, and I want to get a chip that will help me get better MPG.  The truck was fine when I was full time in the Marine Corps, but nowadays I am a full time student working towards my Masters to be a Physicians Assistant, full time paramedic, and I also serve part time in the Army National Guard as a military police officer.  As you can imagine that tends to be pretty hard on the contents of ANY gas tank, especially one like mine.  Once you add in the regular gym, errands, and making time for my wife of ALMOST 2 years to keep her from choking me out, well, y'all probably get the point.  If there are any other things that would help in addition to what I have listed PLEASE let me know... Any help will be greatly appreciated.....  I realize there are no bolt on miracle MPG superparts out there either, any increase in MPG would be beneficial, and it also helps to be able to sell the better MPG story to my wife so I can get them! Y'all have a blessed day!

J.

[oHIobellboy]

Thanks for the compliment on the site. It's the members that make it what it is.

Also, thanks for the service for our country. 

Now about that mileage....I have a really nice lightly used Harley that gets 38mpg I'll make you a deal on

From my personal experience I added electric fans and use a Diablosport Predator for tweeking the system. I have an 04 1500 z71 and was able to achieve 20 MPG Highway with the cruise set around 2100 rpms. Factory Sticker for my Avy says 18 highway so you get the picture there. Your Big Block will never see that unless you have some kind of solar power motor to help out. Yup, I'm jealous. A 2500 would be a blast to mod

Since then I've done a 3" Bodylift with 33"s on it. I immediately noticed a drop in MPG and did a mild Magnaflow muffler and a Spectr CAI. I haven't bothered to check mileage in it yet as we're currently running "winter blend" fuel up here which is terrible and I don't quite have my odometer zeroed back into being accurate with the larger tires.

There's lots of choices out there but I thought I'd tell you what I've personally experienced.

[TORK39180]

Thanks for the quick reply, I will definitely check that stuff out ASAP.  I know what you mean about the big block not getting great mileage, but I wouldnt trade it for any other engine, I LOVE THIS THING!  I will have to post some pics up for you, but only if you do the same, I'd like to see it, sounds purty nice.

[oHIobellboy]

Thanks for the quick reply, I will definitely check that stuff out ASAP.  I know what you mean about the big block not getting great mileage, but I wouldnt trade it for any other engine, I LOVE THIS THING!  I will have to post some pics up for you, but only if you do the same, I'd like to see it, sounds purty nice.

let others chime in as well so you're better informed. Don't take just my on it. Click on the gallery link under my avatar for my pix album. I'd link it for you but I'm on my phone right now. Also a thread about it called "overspray on my cladding" tells the story on it.

[TORK39180]

I just put up my truck pic as my profile avatar.... its the only one i have on my PC for now, Ill get some more to send soon!

[bluedevil]

Running 35's its pretty hard to save fuel on a 2500.

You could get the handheld and set the speedo based on the tire size. The gain may not be much but sure it's better than what you currently run.

How's your speed? Are you really going 30mph? I bet not.

[thomsen05]

I use a superchips flashpaq it can adjust for tire size,shift points etc..... although I havent seen any improvement in gas milelage, I use it mainly for the towing tune and it has helped out quite a bit power wise but mileage again on my 5.3 still sucks in town. 

Good luck and nice looking Avy!!!

[MyBigToy]

Running 35's its pretty hard to save fuel on a 2500.

You could get the handheld and set the speedo based on the tire size. The gain may not be much but sure it's better than what you currently run.

How's your speed? Are you really going 30mph? I bet not.

Blue pretty much hit the nail on the head. You won't have much luck with mileage as long as you are running heavy-a$$ed 35s. Even a custom tune basically optimizes the fuel-air ratio and bumps timing up. The best you could hope for is a couple of mpg.

Take a look at my signature to see my mods. With all of the mods I've done I'm averaging around 15 mpg, which is about 2 mpg less than when the truck was stock. I consider this pretty good, considering everything that's been done that detracts from mpg - higher-stall converter, cam, supercharger, heavy 20" wheels and 32" tall tires.

[TORK39180]

Thanks for all of the ideas, I think some of these will definitely work out for me.  Like I said before concerning my truck, I'm not expecting to magically go from 12 to 25 MPG, but if I could increase it just by 3-5 mpg, that would be great for me.  Even if I do these mods and I get a big ol goose egg on the MPG when it's all said and done I wouldn't mind at all.....

[bluedevil]

Correcting the speed due to large tires, keep tires inflated to specs and easy on the right foot, should be a good start.