bcarlton0158

Hello guys,

I am a new owner of a 2006 1500 Z71 with the 5.3l and was wondering if any of you had any suggestions on what has been successful in increasing fuel economy. The truck appears to be bone stock with 87k miles and runs great. It has been leveled with the torsion bars and has a set of 32" BFG TA/KO AT tires. I travel approx 450 miles one way to work once a month and yesterday was my first test. The truck got approx 15 mpg all interstate at 73 mph. I have always been told that Z71's get better gas mileage than FX4's and even at 15 mpg I agree. My 2007 FX4 only got 11 mpg after leveling and putting some MT ATZs on it.......

Is there anything that I can do to increase the gas mileage? What can I expect from what mods? Is 15 mpg at 73 mph average or below?

Thanks ahead of time for any and all replies.

B

nauticstar87

Cold Air Intake, Exhaust. Look into www.blackbearperformance.com I've heard great things. And I am getting one, just got put on hold though cuz I'm moving in a few months.

cam3439

Have you looked into getting some electric fans, a tune, or a good tune-up (like 8+mm wires and better spark plugs)? What about a Fitch-Fuel Filter? It was tested on POWER BLOCK TV and proved to be effective for fuel-economy.

in2pro

Idonno about all the other stuff but the tuner and for sure the electrical fans will help fuel economy, I think the electrical fans GM used on the 07 or NBS is what got the 21 mpg highway rating... spinning a mechanical fan can use up gas same as spinning an alternator when the battery is charged.

bcarlton0158

Thanks guys. All of these make since. I will look in to the economics of each and let you know what I do. I appreciate your time and comments.

bad2006z71

he has an 06, came with eletric fans stock. Fitch fuel filter is crap, just like 99.9% of everything else power block pushes.

also try keeping your speed to around 65 or so, it will help. Blackbear tune will help but it ultimately depends on how hard you hit the skinny pedal

bcarlton0158

Thanks.

cam3439

ok...which is why i gained at least 1 mpg off of it

racerx55

LOL so you think increasing fuel flow capacity increases mileage? Now thats funny. 1mpg is condition variation. ambient air temp and wind can change that. Anything "tested" and "proven" on TV is paid advertisement,just like royal purple junk. dont fall for that garbage.

My 05 Z71 with a better tune i can average around 19-20 MPG and 15 towing, but thats my own personal tune and a light footed driving style. My normal 50/50 town highway daily drive im normally around 15-17 depending, and ill admit i beat on the thing pretty bad sometimes.
at least removing the little air snorkel, K&N and a better flowing muffler in the stock exhaust has helped mine, although the stock intake tube is a POS. the different tune and slightly higher shift points increases the most, but you can only do so much with a 4800lb truck.
All the money you spend on things isnt gonna do enough to make it worth it, grab your bicycle to make up the difference
If i dont NEED my truck, i will surely drive one of my talons for a long trip, even being AWD i get 35mpg. Makes the difference of $60 in gas compared to $30

cam3439

who said anything about increasing the fuel flow capacity?...and that's AT LEAST 1mpg added when going 85 mph on the highway. If I drive the speed limit (70 mph) I will get 20-21 mpg with my mods on the highway...and that's on a Z71 Tahoe (5k+ lbs with 169k miles). City I get about 14-15. If you haven't tested a fitch fuel filter yourself how can you attest against it? I only advise it myself because I have tested it and found it to be legit. I don't just add anything that's been promoted on the TV. Stock I was getting ~17 mpg on the highway and that was with bald highway tires.