OT mileage and power from 2002 chevy with 6.0L

Brad in WI · Jul 8, 2009

I just purchased a 2002 chevy 2500HD with the 6.0L gas engine. This truck is my daily driver and I need to try to get some extra MPG out of it. I already have a K&N air filter (about +1 MPG) installed. Thinking of doing dual exhaust and a chip or tuner. Does anyone have any experience with a chip that would just give me a simple change between having good power to pull 15,000 lbs of tractor and trailer but also a setting for maybe squeaking 15MPG empty. The truck is an automatic and has the 4.10 axle ratio. thanks
Brad

Jeff in TX · Jul 8, 2009

Good luck. I have been driving my '02 since I bought it new in Jan of '02. I have the K&N filter, dual straight exhaust, and have tried anything else you can think of. 14 is the absolute best it will get, and that is only if I drive it like a turtle. $450 gear swap to 3.73 or 3.56 with computer reprogram will help a lot.

Bspauld · Jul 9, 2009

I bought a new 2003 2500 hd and never got over 13,usually 11 mpg,pulling a 35 ft 5th wheel I get from 7 to 11 depending on the temp outside and wind,but it sure pulls the trailer nice.I checked on a chip but so far havent found any that will get more mpg,just changes the shift points

Jared M · Jul 9, 2009

I wouldn"t do a gear swap you will want those 4.10s pulling a trailer. Dad is all into the mpg thing, things he has done that have worked include a fuel heater that jackets the fuel in coolant, the magnets that clamp around you fuel line, and adding Lucas fuel injector cleaner every couple of tanks. He has also had luck with hydrogen generators but i don"t mess with that stuff. The thing to ask is at what point do you stop because the price of all the gizmos can buy a lot of gas. I would think the exhaust with computer would help and get you more power but it is still a 6000lb square hunk of steel you are hurling down the highway.

happy hooker · Jul 9, 2009

I have a 03 chevy 2500 hd with the 6.0L and 4.10s in it. I took the mufler off and put two glasspacks on it, crane cam in it, and a set of dart pro 1 ls1 heads on it. Empty will get about 17mpg but with a full load (11,000-15,000 lbs) it gets about 17

Jeff in TX · Jul 9, 2009

If you change to 3.73s it will still do really good pulling a heavy trailer and get a couple miles more per gallon. Any higher than that is just a waste of time if you do any pulling. I haven't done the change, yet.

Brad in WI · Jul 9, 2009

I think I will be buying a chip soon and I can check back with the mileage updates

centralilbaler · Jul 9, 2009

I'd appreciate seeing what changing the chip would do. I bought mine new, and it set alot, due to hogging gas. I've been driving it alot lately, getting about 14.5 . I dont even want to know what it gets hooked on my trailer.

mnbob · Jul 9, 2009

Well mine got lousy milage too. Had all the power needed for my fifth wheel and pulling farm equipment around. Traded it in on a 03 deisel Duramax with Allison tranny. Works great, get 12.5 to 13 with the fifth wheel and up to 24 empty at 55/60 MPH local. 22 on the highway at 70/75. Power is great pulling loads on hills.

Brad in WI · Jul 9, 2009

when I first got it 2.5 weeks ago, I got 10-10.5 empty and 10.7 pulling a 2800lb trailer with a k1500 GMC on the trailer. Now with the K&N filter I get about 12 with my foot in the grill. Need to change that for better mileage though 8)

Ultradog MN · Jul 9, 2009

Bought that same PU new in 01. Put 147K miles on it and never checked the mileage once.
Tax lady told me it was time for a new one so I bought the same thing again in 06. Got about 55K on it now and have never checked the mileage.
If you need economy buy a half ton.

OT mileage and power from 2002 chevy with 6.0L

Brad in WI

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Jeff in TX

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happy hooker

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Jeff in TX

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