So what should my real expectations be for this setup? Y'all think 15 is doable?
CK5
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can it be done? 20mpg 5.3 swap
- Thread starter MAX89K5
- Start date
MajMike
1/2 ton status
15 doable?
I would say yes, again depending on your rt foot. If you want better mileage I agree with Zane in that another econobox is your best bet (don't forget a used Honda Fit/Prius/Camry in addition to those mentioned already.
My wife's '06 Prius got 44 in town and 40 on the hwy, her new Avalon matches those numbers with beaucoup more comfort and style, the Avalon is just a stretched Camry with better interior.
I would say yes, again depending on your rt foot. If you want better mileage I agree with Zane in that another econobox is your best bet (don't forget a used Honda Fit/Prius/Camry in addition to those mentioned already.
My wife's '06 Prius got 44 in town and 40 on the hwy, her new Avalon matches those numbers with beaucoup more comfort and style, the Avalon is just a stretched Camry with better interior.
y5mgisi
1 ton status
My 2012 gmc crew cab, all stock with 3.42 gears, all aluminum 5.3 and 6 speed Trans gets 15.5 around town. Empty on the highway at 60mph or less it will do 22. With a trailer with 3quads and a dirt bike on the highway it does 15.
Mikey von
1/2 ton status
My wife drives a 2005 1/2 ton AWD Suburban with 5.3L, 4L60E and 3.73 gearing. She gets about 18-19 on flat straight highway (72 mph) and 15 everywhere else.
if going drive by wire ( dbw ) maybe best not to have computer reprogramer remove the throttle limit needs .
oem the throttle body opens 49% until more is needed . even if you push on the gas pedal 100% . lots of people remove this limit for full throttle when they push all the way .
this would be a simple way to help keep you out of the red in mpg .
oem the throttle body opens 49% until more is needed . even if you push on the gas pedal 100% . lots of people remove this limit for full throttle when they push all the way .
this would be a simple way to help keep you out of the red in mpg .
15 is reasonable. I think a lot of people get fixated on MPG and don't think about the larger economic picture. You see people paying 35K for a 50MPG hybrid to replace a 30 MPG car, not taking into account how much they have to drive that new car to offset the additional purchase price, depreciation, and higher insurance rates. That being said, expecting an old truck to get decent MPG is a losing proposition. Even if your overall MPG goes from 8 to 16 with an LS swap (probably best case scenario), you still have to do a bit of driving to offset the cost of the motor and the swap, to say nothing of the potential costs of not having a vehicle while the swap is performed.
I'd say go with what others have recommended and just get a cheap commuter car. You can find decent ones 10-15 years old for 1-3k, that still have plenty of life left, get 35+ MPG, and are cheap enough to throw away later on after getting your money's worth.
You just need to buy a Cummings
That's both hilarious and irritating at the same time.
Definitely. But, OTOH, if the OP isn't trailering, what's wrong with a 6.2/6.5 commuter truck set up for mid-20s MPG on the highway? I don't have any problem hitting above 20MPG every time I'm not heavily loaded (getting even 20MPG sounds terrible, in my book). Seems like that's the place to be if you can live with the downsides (listed above). If the truck is mostly for commuting, why not? Seems like a K5 should be able to beat my truck's mileage if they were set up comparably.
I'm also pretty sure my truck still could be improved with the addition of some more modern technology. Although I would expect my mileage to start tanking if I was running the OP's 35" tires & the lift I assume goes along with them.
That's both hilarious and irritating at the same time.
(I own one and am well aware that there isn't a "g" in that word)
(I own one and am well aware that there isn't a "g" in that word)
I figured as much. But it amazes me how many folks mess that up! Are people unable to read?
I figure it's outside the scope of the OP's question, but I hear good things about 6BT mileage from the few folks disciplined enough to avoid creating a cloud of wasted fuel out the tailpipe. And a 4BT should do better yet, for all of its personality quirks.
So, to the original question, yes, a 20MPG K5 can be done, but a 5.3 prolly isn't the ticket to get there unless you are seriously undergearing it...
I would absolutely love a 6bt. But I honestly would probably spend 10k on the swap because I overkill everything. The k5 would end up with a boxed frame lmao
Got a line in a 5.3/4l60e combo a couple hours away. 69k miles on a 05. Guy is asking 2k but I imagine I can get it for ~1700. I don't know about where y'all are located, but these motors are not found cheap around here. Wreckers want anywhere from 1000-1700 for a 5.3 with over 100k miles. And most individuals on craigslist think they're made of gold as well.
5.3 and matching tranny all same ride 2k ? if it has wiring harness and computer / gas pedal & gas pedal box / maf sensor / few other odds and ends it be good at that low low miles.
but I am a firm believer in hear it run any more you cant trust 99.8% of the people of this world anymore. unless its a stand up good rep parts yard .
but I am a firm believer in hear it run any more you cant trust 99.8% of the people of this world anymore. unless its a stand up good rep parts yard .
amen to that! If it's already pulled, I'd pass personally. Got to hear it run for sure.
Its already pulled, I plan on doing a compression test and take a boroscope with me. I'll pop a valve cover off as well. It won't be bought sight unseen thats for sure.
Good news, just put a deposit on the motor with 69k. Hasn't been pulled yet and has a 4x4 4l60e. He is gonna take a vid of it running and of the mileage. I just gotta wait two weeks...... bummer
May not be all that bad - it gives you a chance to get your ducks in a row on the installation end...
I'd say it's worth the wait if you get to see it run. Are you going to inspect it personally before it's pulled?
Absolutely that is part of the deal, gonna try to check it out this weekend.
Just to update this thread:
Getting a consistent 14mpg with mixed highway/town driving. Moderately aggressive driving.
Getting a consistent 14mpg with mixed highway/town driving. Moderately aggressive driving.
