ls based engines are 300k mile units for the most part from lots of peoples input all over the internet.
CK5
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can it be done? 20mpg 5.3 swap
- Thread starter MAX89K5
- Start date
ls based engines are 300k mile units for the most part from lots of peoples input all over the internet.
michael0584
1/2 ton status
my 2000 GMC Z71 with 5.3, stock 265 tires, 3.73 gears and 238k averages 17mpg with mixed driving and I have a pretty heavy foot. It has a tuner, cold air intake and magnaflow exhaust. I have a feeling with a lighter foot and all highway I might get could get close to 20, maybe 19. I think it would be really difficult in a square body with 35s.
How is that the best MPG? I get 98 MPGe in my Volt running on electricity at 1/3 the cost of gas. When I have to run on gas I get 50-60 mpg on the highway.
MajMike
1/2 ton status
Or . . .
Or a later 6.2 w/ turbo, either should get you close to that 20 in town and around 24 hwy, assuming you are driving it reasonably.
Or a later 6.2 w/ turbo, either should get you close to that 20 in town and around 24 hwy, assuming you are driving it reasonably.
digitalepiphany
1/2 ton status
I forgot about the volt. You got me there. This is still cheaper though.
The Volt is made in the USA with one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings available. A base model can be had for about $27K after federal and factory rebates (assuming you have enough tax liability to get the full $7500 credit). It is surprisingly cheap to own when you look at the long term numbers over 5-10 years compared to a gas (under)powered car.
Oil changes are 1.5-2 years apart for the average owner. Not to mention how fun the car is to drive in Sport mode when running on the battery Edmunds 5-year total cost to own:
2012 Honda Insite $30,587 ($14,285 cash price)
2012 Chevy Volt $29,864 ($21,367 cash price)
Now, comparing a 2001 model year Insite to a car that wasn't available until 2011 doesn't work.
digitalepiphany
1/2 ton status
I was referring to the 1st gen insight. They're about twenty grand cheaper than a volt.
I understand that... there is no rational comparison between cars with a 10 year difference in age. Anyway, this is probably far enough on our thread derailment... 
digitalepiphany
1/2 ton status
I understand that... there is no rational comparison between cars with a 10 year difference in age. Anyway, this is probably far enough on our thread derailment...
I didn't make that comparison. And, this isn't off-topic. He was debating building up his K5 or getting an econobox. A 1st gen insight fits that perfectly. Cheap and great gas mileage.
CGT80
1/2 ton status
My mom drives an 05 chevy 1500 pickup, short bed and crew cab, with the 5.3, and it is 2wd and stock. The best she has ever seen is 17 mpg when it was new. It averages 16mpg. The power is great, but the trans is lazy and doesn't like to go all the way to first when you slam the skinny pedal. I could never baby an engine. I want to get there while driving right at the speed limit, and I will accelerate at a decent rate rather than grandpa like. My 79 C20 has a 406 sbc and it doesn't matter much how I drive it........8-10 mpg. My 88 k5 on 10 bolts, 35's, and 6" lift gets 10mpg even on the highway with 4.88 gears and overdrive, with a new stock 350 tbi.
I don't see a 5.3 easily doing 20 mpg in a K5 blazer. I also don't buy the story of 20 mpg while towing with a 5.3 in a 2000+ model chevy.
I don't see a 5.3 easily doing 20 mpg in a K5 blazer. I also don't buy the story of 20 mpg while towing with a 5.3 in a 2000+ model chevy.
Finally some rational thought in this thread. I just have to laugh when guys are claiming better MPG in 10-15 year old trucks ('99+ model years) than what some of the new trucks are getting with over a decade of extra R&D and countless dollars poured into improving MPG.
And all along I thought the Cummins fan boys were bad about MPG claims.
Finally some rational thought in this thread. I just have to laugh when guys are claiming better MPG in 10-15 year old trucks ('99+ model years) than what some of the new trucks are getting with over a decade of extra R&D and countless dollars poured into improving MPG.
And all along I thought the Cummins fan boys were bad about MPG claims.
Vehicle configuration has a large effect as well. My truck (for example) is set up nearly perfectly for grandpa-style driving, and I get better mileage than most modern truck configurations. I also have half the power (or less, depending on which new model you look at), much lower acceleration rate, and a trailering capacity that is on par with a Ford Ranger. Perfect for commuting, terrible for competing in any normal truck class (or perfect, if you happen to be just the right kind of driver
).So...there are certainly old configurations that achieve better configurations than your typical modern truck, at the cost of other things.
I'd love to see what mileage a modern truck would have if it was set up as anemically as my K10 (I don't really get above 110HP according to the engine curve, so even a modern small 4-banger would do just fine...
)So don't be too surprised if some configurations of newer truck do better than the "normal" trucks in their class. It wouldn't be the first time anemic gearing and gentle driving has beat the pants off the EPA estimate...
Trailering while achieving great mileage, OTOH...I think that counts as magic. I wish to see this marvelous truck, and copy all its secrets...
When my truck is done I'm hoping to get 12mpg in town. This is with a 82 long bed, cammed 6.0, BUILT 4l60e, 3.73's, and 35's.
Trailering while achieving great mileage, OTOH...I think that counts as magic. I wish to see this marvelous truck, and copy all its secrets...
You just need to buy a Cummings
Who makes that?
y5mgisi
1 ton status
Subscribed.
I have decided that to get a real life 20 mpg it takes a late model 5.3 and 6 speed Trans with a tune.
I have decided that to get a real life 20 mpg it takes a late model 5.3 and 6 speed Trans with a tune.
Trailering while achieving great mileage, OTOH...I think that counts as magic. I wish to see this marvelous truck, and copy all its secrets...
I have measured my XL dropping a true 3MPG with an EMPTY utility trailer. Usually the configurations that are best for highway MPG are the ones that suffer most from towing. The (gas) rigs that don't give up much MPG with a trailer are usually getting poor MPG to begin with.
