160 Powerstat and Tornado

racerkyle · July 7, 2004

Hey I have a 1996 GMC Z-71 with 6 inch lift and 35 inch tires. Just bought Hypertech Programmer. Seemed to help some. But what will a 160 degree Powerstat do for me? Power, MPG? Also what about those tornado gas savers? Buddy of mine has a little ford car that he drives back and forth to work. Said he got almost 2 mpg better with it. Then I hear some people say "no good" What do you all think? Thanks!

snoman · July 8, 2004

As you decrease engine temp you decrease its thermal efficeincy (heat lose to cylinder walls) so a 160 in theory should have a little less MPG. I am running a Hypertech programmer on my 2000 K3500 with a 5.7 and I am using the 93 octane tune with stock stat without the slightest hint of knock. I am going to try the 160 tune with the stock stat sometimes for grins.

racerkyle · July 9, 2004

Since I have the Hypertech Programmer. Should I run 93 octane, right now I run 87. But my programmer never said anything about 93 octane. I guess because my truck is a 1996 it don't have that option. Running 93 what will that really do, is it worth .20 more a gallon? What about a tornado? Also I got a price on changing out my gears in my truck, front and back for 360.00 labor. Is that good? Where is a good, cheap place to buy like a package deal for the gears and stuff? Thanks!

snoman · July 9, 2004

My year truck (2000 / 5.7) they offered both tunes and when you use a 160 setting on it, it just sets a bit more aggresive spark advance timing. As far as fuel prices, I never use 87 anyway in any of my cars (I use at least 89) and have for years. My 89 burb that I have had since new is a slug on 87 and knocks too. As far as price, around here you can get it for 8 to 12 cents more a gallon for 93 vs 87 and a station in a small town near me (I live in country) has one price for all gases every tuesday and has for years so it is not a big issue for me anyway most of the time.