Interesting Information For Nbs/ Nnbs Owners...

Black.is · June 8, 2009

I don't mean to post another topic regarding my post-blackbear mpg results. But I couldn't resist. First off, so my topic won't be hijacked:

1. This topic has nothing to do with the never-ending discussion of warranty issues related to a tuned truck, so I don't want to hear what you have to say

2. I have a spare ECM that was purchased from Justin and was used during the tuning session

3. I had to perform the *EDIT* security re-learn on the new ECM and the instructions provided by Blackbear that came in the box were nothing short of perfect. I had no problems whatsoever, very very simple.

4. Justin performed the *EDIT* crank re-learn during the tuning session, once again no problems at all

5. The stock ECM is still in working order and is used for service appointments and for days when I feel like driving my truck around just to see how crappy the stock parameters are haha

6. The tune is for 93 octane, active fuel management was turned OFF, and it's geared toward performance but not so much that it has hard shifts

I just completed a 120 mile highway road trip over flat Ohio and western Pennsylvania and hilly northern West Virginia terrain. This trip was driven VERY conservatively, I accelerated slowly, didn't stomp on the gas pedal, and had the cruise set anywhere from 65-75. My average economy was 19.1 mpg. This is a CONSIDERABLE improvement over the stock, which was right around 15-16 mpg highway.

Hopefully this helps ya'll in your decision on whether to go for the tune or not. As you all know, the drivability is so much better with the tune, much more fun and I can't imagine the truck without it. I do suggest purchasing the spare ECM so you can swap for service visits. I keep mine in the truck should I need an emergency dealership visit, something ya'll should keep in mind! I hope that you all appreciate my input and results!!

Question:

What do ya'll think the average economy would be if I had left the active fuel management on?......something to think about

Darkanion · June 8, 2009

I just completed a 120 mile highway road trip over flat Ohio and western Pennsylvania and hilly northern West Virginia terrain. This trip was driven VERY conservatively, I accelerated slowly, didn't stomp on the gas pedal, and had the cruise set anywhere from 65-75. My average economy was 19.1 mpg. This is a CONSIDERABLE improvement over the stock, which was right around 15-16 mpg highway.

Hopefully this helps ya'll in your decision on whether to go for the tune or not. As you all know, the drivability is so much better with the tune, much more fun and I can't imagine the truck without it. I do suggest purchasing the spare ECM so you can swap for service visits. I keep mine in the truck should I need an emergency dealership visit, something ya'll should keep in mind! I hope that you all appreciate my input and results!!

Question:

What do ya'll think the average economy would be if I had left the active fuel management on?......something to think about

You forgot to add-in the "don't bother calling me a liar because I get better mileage than you do, so I must be lying about it." I've seen that one thrown around a lot on here.

If mine had AFM, I would probably play around with the AFM tuning on it some, at least for road trips, to see if adjusting it to stay on longer would get much benefit. My suspicion is that it wouldn't. But, you don't know if you don't try.

Congrats on the MPG improvement!

Black.is · June 8, 2009

Darkanion,

It would be interesting to try turning the AFM on and off, but Justin is too far away for that...logistics would be hard. haha.

Everyone,

Next time I make that same exact drive, which is next weekend, I plan on driving one way with the STOCK ECM installed, and the other way with the TUNED ECM installed. I will be sure to stick to the same driving style both ways, I'll let you know my results as long as I remember to do this!!

georgecdisc · June 8, 2009

Next time I make that same exact drive, which is next weekend, I plan on driving one way with the STOCK ECM installed, and the other way with the TUNED ECM installed. I will be sure to stick to the same driving style both ways, I'll let you know my results as long as I remember to do this!!

What about wind... the current usually flows in one general direction. If you get 10mph tail wind one way and 10 mph head wind the other... then that is a huge difference. Just a thought to consider. Perhaps just driving with the stock ECM the entire way would be better to compare to your 19.1 MPG?

Stevens03 · June 8, 2009

I don't think you'd see much difference. I know in my truck I've tested consistent driving back and forth to work with it enabled and disabled.. and only noticed .4 mpg more with it on. To me, that wasn't worth having it enabled. That's with the 6.0 so not sure how much better it might effect your 5.3.

VMax2007 · June 8, 2009

You forgot to add-in the "don't bother calling me a liar because I get better mileage than you do, so I must be lying about it." I've seen that one thrown around a lot on here.

I don't think anyone has ever called anyone else a liar for claiming 19.1 MPG highway mileage with a 5.3. That is well within reasonable MPG's for that truck. It's when someone claims something absurd such as 25 MPG with a 5.3/6.0 driving 75 MPH that gets those accusations, and justifiably so I might add.

Darkanion · June 8, 2009

You forgot to add-in the "don't bother calling me a liar because I get better mileage than you do, so I must be lying about it." I've seen that one thrown around a lot on here.

I don't think anyone has ever called anyone else a liar for claiming 19.1 MPG highway mileage with a 5.3. That is well within reasonable MPG's for that truck. It's when someone claims something absurd such as 25 MPG with a 5.3/6.0 driving 75 MPH that gets those accusations, and justifiably so I might add.

There are some who seem to think anything over 15/16 is "exaggerating the truth." Exaggerating is just a form of lying.

I should'a known Captain Correcto would come out of retirement for that post.

VMax2007 · June 8, 2009

You forgot to add-in the "don't bother calling me a liar because I get better mileage than you do, so I must be lying about it." I've seen that one thrown around a lot on here.

I don't think anyone has ever called anyone else a liar for claiming 19.1 MPG highway mileage with a 5.3. That is well within reasonable MPG's for that truck. It's when someone claims something absurd such as 25 MPG with a 5.3/6.0 driving 75 MPH that gets those accusations, and justifiably so I might add.

There are some who seem to think anything over 15/16 is "exaggerating the truth." Exaggerating is just a form of lying.

I should'a known Captain Correcto would come out of retirement for that post.

City mileage yes, highway mileage no.

Matt_ · June 8, 2009

I'd like to see your results on the same trip with the stock ECM.... I'd imagine you could get better than 16mpg stock with the same test...

My truck with the 6.2L and stock tires was getting just over 17 mpg doing 'easy' highway driving... Granted it does have 3.42s, it doesn't have AFM

Your truck has the 6 spd too right? That higher OD gear will also give you a highway mpg advantage over previous 5.3s that are coupled with the 4L60E

SLESierra · June 8, 2009

You forgot to add-in the "don't bother calling me a liar because I get better mileage than you do, so I must be lying about it." I've seen that one thrown around a lot on here.

I don't think anyone has ever called anyone else a liar for claiming 19.1 MPG highway mileage with a 5.3. That is well within reasonable MPG's for that truck. It's when someone claims something absurd such as 25 MPG with a 5.3/6.0 driving 75 MPH that gets those accusations, and justifiably so I might add.

My 5.3 got a little over 3000 miles to the gallon on a trip from Mexico . But I cannot get the hauler to drive me around where I want to go since I took delivery

Ryan00TJ · June 8, 2009

My truck was a month old and I did the same drive. Morgantown to Columbus, OH. I-79 to I70. Unloaded I averaged 19.8MPG on the DIC cruise set at 68mph. Towing a 3500lb boat back I averaged 13-14mpg cruise at 65mph. 4th gear T/H on. Once in Ohio I stayed in V4 for 10-12miles at a time on those flat roads unloaded. Truck had less than 1K miles.

Draenor · June 8, 2009

You forgot to add-in the "don't bother calling me a liar because I get better mileage than you do, so I must be lying about it." I've seen that one thrown around a lot on here.

I don't think anyone has ever called anyone else a liar for claiming 19.1 MPG highway mileage with a 5.3. That is well within reasonable MPG's for that truck. It's when someone claims something absurd such as 25 MPG with a 5.3/6.0 driving 75 MPH that gets those accusations, and justifiably so I might add.

...Or when someone adds a TB spacer and a K&N and claims a 5mpg increase.

fbachman · June 8, 2009

You forgot to add-in the "don't bother calling me a liar because I get better mileage than you do, so I must be lying about it." I've seen that one thrown around a lot on here.

I don't think anyone has ever called anyone else a liar for claiming 19.1 MPG highway mileage with a 5.3. That is well within reasonable MPG's for that truck. It's when someone claims something absurd such as 25 MPG with a 5.3/6.0 driving 75 MPH that gets those accusations, and justifiably so I might add.

...Or when someone adds a TB spacer and a K&N and claims a 5mpg increase.

or TWO throttle body spacers is series that gets 10mpg across the board. Heck, I just ordered two tornados....

BTW, I don NOT have a Blackbear tune, but a different tune. I can routinely expect around the 19mpg +/- mark on the highway at around 75, cruising.

If I could keep the lead out and cruise at 65, I could see getting close to 20mpg. Doesn't seem to "out there" to me.

Neutron · June 8, 2009

I am looking to get the BB tune. Just a note: I installed the Airaid MIT and did a drop in K&N filter. On an 80/20 trip, 75 miles one way, I was able to do 19.7 MPG which is on the stock tune with AFM working properly, going between 60-70MPH.

ryan_hermanutz · June 8, 2009

You forgot to add-in the "don't bother calling me a liar because I get better mileage than you do, so I must be lying about it." I've seen that one thrown around a lot on here.

I don't think anyone has ever called anyone else a liar for claiming 19.1 MPG highway mileage with a 5.3. That is well within reasonable MPG's for that truck. It's when someone claims something absurd such as 25 MPG with a 5.3/6.0 driving 75 MPH that gets those accusations, and justifiably so I might add.

...Or when someone adds a TB spacer and a K&N and claims a 5mpg increase.

or TWO throttle body spacers is series that gets 10mpg across the board. Heck, I just ordered two tornados....

BTW, I don NOT have a Blackbear tune, but a different tune. I can routinely expect around the 19mpg +/- mark on the highway at around 75, cruising.

If I could keep the lead out and cruise at 65, I could see getting close to 20mpg. Doesn't seem to "out there" to me.

Really Frank, I have 2 of them and I'm only seeing a .0000001 increase. I bought mine from the shampow dude at the county fair last year, did he sell me a knock off?