2002 LS 5.3 Z71

[Navy Chief]

As you can see in my topic, 02 Z71 w/5.3. I drive 45 miles one way to work and would like to know what the easiest and effective mods are to gain Gas Mileage. I have a 40 series flowmaster muffler and K&N filter. These are the only things I have done to the truck. It has 45,000 miles and runs great, I run Mobil 1 in the engine and royal purple in the rearend. I would like to know what else to add that will gain mileage by bolt on. I currently get 15-18 MPG on the highway, 70 mph all the way to work and back. Please give me some insight, not looking for major mods that are expensive to do, but any information would be helpful. And what i can expect by doing the mod. I have been going around looking on here, but being underway on a ship, I don't get much time on the internet, so if you could email the info, that would be even better.

Thanks,
Chad Lukehart
USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)
lukehart.chad@lincoln.navy.mil

[RedHeartbeat]

You're getting pretty good mileage already. Run as narrow tire as possible and keep them inflated to the maximum rating to cut down rolling resistance. Get a fuel mileage tune, it pulls a little extra timing advance down low so you get more power at lower rpms. Keep up on your spark plug changes. A good cold air induction system, preferably with a ram air effect. Don't run 4.10 gears and expect good mileage like me. Keep the truck as light as possible, don't add accessories that add weight or wind resistance. Don't run the a/c or defroster unless entirely necessary. The defroster uses the a/c compresser to dry the air. Don't run with your fog/driving lights on unless necessary, alternator will put a heavier load on the engine to provide power for the electrical load. High power stereo amplifiers are going to put a real load on the alternator. If you suspect your catalytic converters are defective or plugged, have them checked and replace, if bad, with high flow converters.

Oh, number 1 hint to best gas mileage....drive downhill every where you go.

[RedHeartbeat]

Oh, forgot. Date only skinny women. They don't weigh so much and when you go out your truck won't have such a heavy load to haul.