I have a 01 2500, 6.0 that i use to haul mowers with. The truck is completely stock. I'm only getting 10 mpg now and need for it to do better then that. Whats a good programmer to go with? I'm not really looking for any more power. The 6.0 is sufficient for my needs. thanks

 

Hate to tell ya but even with a good programmer you're only going to get maybe up to 13with it. My 6.0 with 4:10 gears gets 10 -12 and thats not pulling a trailer and that is fine by me cause I didn't buy the truck for good gas mileage.

 

I have to agree with Sirius018 on this one, I got a Predator, and while it's a decent OBD II interface, it didn't improve my overall gas economy a significant amount. It's been more useful for reading and clearing trouble codes and resetting parameters.

The 410 gears are great for low end torque and dash/speed, but they're going to kill ya on mileage.

Unfortunately, the bottom line is a programmer just isn't going to do what you want it to do.

 

I gained about 1mpg so far with my blackbear tune unloaded. but i have a half ton. a tune will help out with more than just mpg.

but basically the 6.0's are thirsty and there is nothing you can really do about it other than get a diesel for towing.

 

ive got 3.73's and it is 2wd so that helps some. i noticed a fair increase with a hypertech that i have on my 2000 4x4 with 35's, but it also has a 5.3. I just didn't know what was out there that was new or better. I know that im not going to get a big increase, any little bit helps though.
What about duels, airfilter etc.... I know making horsepower also burns gas that is why i haven't done anything to it. thanks again for the help.

 

intakes help but for what they cost it will take forever to break even on the price vs gas savings.

id say get a blackbear tune and tell him to try to tune it for better mpg.

 

What everyone is saying is dead on. The programmer on a stock truck, when it comes to fuel mileage, is just a band aid. the problem will still be there. The way to go is to work on gearing and since it is a two wheel drive, it will be cheaper due to the fact that you only have to work on one diff and not two. Fuel economy, speed and torque all lay in gearing.

Now, the programmers can do wonderfull things, on a built truck, meaning not so stock. Then thats when the ability to tweak parameters and switch up your tune is very valuable.

Sorry to say bud, but you can try the programmer for the band aid fix, switch your gearing or just eat the issue and keep driving her.

Eric

 

dude i cannot disagree with you more.

A tune not a sh*tty programmer is not a band aid in anyway on a stock truck. you will see the best performance (and mpg gains if you keep your foot out of it) gains with the least amount of money spent. a properly tuned vehicle will get better mpg because it is more efficient. people usually see less mpg because of a heavier right foot to have fun with the new found power.

changing gears from the factory 4.10's to a higher ratio will suck. that truck is heavy and needs the gears to help get it moving. it would take a long time to recoup the cost of a gear change for mpg benefits, even if it is a 2wd. plus towing with that truck (if he does or ever wants to) will suck with 3.42/3.73's vs the 4.10's he has now.

get the blackbear tune and keep your foot out of it will be your best and cheapest way to go.

right now after 2 tanks im getting about 13.5-14mpg out of my 6.0 vs the 12-12.5 pre tune mpg.

 

your right. good point!

GO FOR IT!


wait wait.. I thought he said he had the 373 gear set. Im not sure if the 3/4 ton came with that. i thought they were all 410 LSD's.

 

the duramax's & 8.1's got 3.73 so did the 1500hd 6.0's. the gas 2500hd 6.0's got the 4.10's. for the most part anyways, GM does have the tendancy to make some oddball combinations sometimes.

yea i didnt read to well his later post, he does have 3.73's. so i guess my above statement would mostly refer to 4x4 trucks LOL