Grumpy Bears 2015 Silverado 2WD

Grumpy Bear · May 7, 2019

Steward Warner. Glow Shift. Autometer. SPEEDHUT. This is like vetting oils. Information please.

Anyone else notice no one selling something is advertising what they sell while spending millions advertising and saying nothing?

The sell fear. They sell a lifestyle. Sell the appearance of wealth. The illusion of being "IN". They sell the illusion of being an illusion.

No facts. No figures. No data just noise packaged in color, motion and more noise. Then there is the cookie cutter approach to sales. I know this isn't exactly what you are looking for but it is exactly what we are willing to stock until consumer reviews say other. Then the 30% price difference without stating exactly what is driving that difference. Lastly the 3 to 4 week delivery of what we do have...maybe....??

My world spins on data and data is only good if accurate. This may take longer than I thought and cost more than I hoped.

Edited May 7, 2019 by Grumpy Bear

Grumpy Bear · May 7, 2019

Gauge Help!

Anyone have any experience with SPEEDHUT? They at least give some accuracy information. I've never used an aftermarket stepper motor gauge. Pricy but interesting and apparently quite accurate. They are also a good bit less expensive and yet handsomely built. I also am looking for a pillar mount that is already the gray color of the interior or close enough to pass.

Grumpy Bear · May 9, 2019

Ordered a new oil fill cap, pressure transducer and VLOM filter. Unlike the 5.3/6.2 it is right up front and separate. Filter and transducer that is. I'll snap a shot when I switch them out. The oil cap is for fabricating a return for the bypass system.

Still waiting on replies from Autometer and SPEEDHUT on harness length. Guess I missed the button that asked me if I really wanted an answer. Really?

Grumpy Bear · May 12, 2019

Got my reply from Autometer. Harness can be spliced if needed. Good to know. Stepper motor gauges. Still waiting on SPEEDHUT. Think I'm settled on the later as I can get custom faces and ranges more in line with the needs. When I took instrument school they stressed the idea that a gauge is most accurate when the nominal indicated value is 50-60% of the sweep but enough to cover the peaks. As these motors tend to deliver only a bit over 20 psi of oil pressure the 100 and 150 psi gauges have compressed lower scales make reading no better that the factory. I found one with a 5-60 psi 240* sweep. Ditto on the oil temperature. I choose a 60 - 260 F gauge instead of the more common 140 - 300 F. Claimed accuracy is 0.5% of full scale.

Oil pressure switch AC Delco# and GM# are the same GM#55488247 $28.87 Made in Mexico

This part replaces GM# 1263735. I find that interesting.

VLOM Filter Screen is indeed different than the ones for the V8's GM# 12623757 $9.31 Really? And how is this not on the routine maintenance schedule?

Oil fill cap drivers side valve cover GM# 12662196 $11.00

If it ever dries out here. Parts piling up, truck sitting idle.

Edited May 12, 2019 by Grumpy Bear
Spelling

Grumpy Bear · May 13, 2019

89,343 Miles

Windshield Wiper Blade GM# 23417074. That number is good for both sides. First wear item to be replaced. Made in Mexico.

Rain X Extreme Clean and a razor followed by Invisible Glass. Alcohol wipe of the blades. Should Rain X while clean, right? Okay, off to it.

Edited May 13, 2019 by Grumpy Bear

Grumpy Bear · May 16, 2019

Rambler American

I posted a link to an article in the 2.7 Turbo Fan Club thread on BSFC and it's relevance to fuel efficiency. I get hammered allot by people who can't get their heads around the idea that good fuel efficiency is more than driving moderately. For example I have made the note that while my on road speeds are low compared to the main stream that my actual logged average exceeds Joe Average by 4 mph and still climbing. No hints there eh? If my motor is turning so are my wheels. Ford Fleet Services reckons a universal average speed of 38 mph based on total mile / by total hours. It's a choice boys and girls. One that has nothing to do with my lower average road speeds and yet yields a very large dividend in life time average fuel economy. How is it I drive slower and yet log higher actual speeds? I just told you.

My choice of lubricants yield dividends that are also not road speed related. My choice of operating temperatures of major components. e.g. motor oil and transmission lubricant. Thermostat settings and filtering schemes. Data driven choices.

The choice not to elevate but lower. The choice to run road highway tires not all terrains. Choice to leave the air dam in tact and the winglets in front of the rear times. Cool is mpg not what my neighbor thinks about it. The choice to check an adjust tire pressures as temperatures and conditions dictate. The choice to modify the factory alignment settings. Cover the bed. Run without AC at times when most wouldn't. Take the Honda to town instead of the truck. Not drive in the salt when not absolutely demanded. Planning my trips, and the list goes on and on. Time of day and destination routes. Weather related operating adjustments.

Speed matters yes but...there are a hundred things you do every day that become your 'go to' default operational conditions and situations that have nothing to do with speed. And yet! All we can focus on is my speed? Focus on commitment to a goal.

I've shared every details of this build and it's operation with everyone. Friend. Foe. Stranger. Responses range from liar to freak to ambivalence. If I were four that might get to me...I'm not four.

Every modification or situational operating condition has been data driven and I rarely guess wrong on the next step to make. Not my first rodeo.

90K service coming up Friday.

KARNUT · May 16, 2019

Rambler American

I posted a link to an article in the 2.7 Turbo Fan Club thread on BSFC and it's relevance to fuel efficiency. I get hammered allot by people who can't get their heads around the idea that good fuel efficiency is more than driving moderately. For example I have made the note that while my on road speeds are low compared to the main stream that my actual logged average exceeds Joe Average by 4 mph and still climbing. No hints there eh? If my motor is turning so are my wheels. Ford Fleet Services reckons a universal average speed of 38 mph based on total mile / by total hours. It's a choice boys and girls. One that has nothing to do with my lower average road speeds and yet yields a very large dividend in life time average fuel economy. How is it I drive slower and yet log higher actual speeds? I just told you.

My choice of lubricants yield dividends that are also not road speed related. My choice of operating temperatures of major components. e.g. motor oil and transmission lubricant. Thermostat settings and filtering schemes. Data driven choices.

The choice not to elevate but lower. The choice to run road highway tires not all terrains. Choice to leave the air dam in tact and the winglets in front of the rear times. Cool is mpg not what my neighbor thinks about it. The choice to check an adjust tire pressures as temperatures and conditions dictate. The choice to modify the factory alignment settings. Cover the bed. Run without AC at times when most wouldn't. Take the Honda to town instead of the truck. Not drive in the salt when not absolutely demanded. Planning my trips, and the list goes on and on. Time of day and destination routes. Weather related operating adjustments.

Speed matters yes but...there are a hundred things you do every day that become your 'go to' default operational conditions and situations that have nothing to do with speed. And yet! All we can focus on is my speed? Focus on commitment to a goal.

I've shared every details of this build and it's operation with everyone. Friend. Foe. Stranger. Responses range from liar to freak to ambivalence. If I were four that might get to me...I'm not four.

Every modification or situational operating condition has been data driven and I rarely guess wrong on the next step to make. Not my first rodeo.

90K service coming up Friday.

I just got back from another southern trip ( Texas to south- North Carolina. This time I set the cruise at 74 instead of 72. Dropped the Camry from 35 to just under 34 MPG. Still getting passed, not much passing except a few tractor trailers. There's that one section from Baton Rouge to lake Charles I get two MPG more, just weird. Not to knock anyone's driving speeds. Down here 55-60 MPH on these interstates would have vehicles even tractor trailers stacking behind you. I wouldn't want a train of big trucks passing me. Then you mix in angry four wheelers being held up by tractor trailers in the left lane passing you. Sometimes it's safer speeding up and not be bunched up. Secondary roads down south speeds are almost as fast as the interstates. I wouldn't want to use those to avoid the interstates. Too many driveways, small towns, blind spots and old ladies on those. Sometimes faster is safer.

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Grumpy Bear · May 16, 2019

8 hours ago, KARNUT said:

I just got back from another southern trip ( Texas to south- North Carolina. This time I set the cruise at 74 instead of 72. Dropped the Camry from 35 to just under 34 MPG. Still getting passed, not much passing except a few tractor trailers. There's that one section from Baton Rouge to lake Charles I get two MPG more, just weird. Not to knock anyone's driving speeds. Down here 55-60 MPH on these interstates would have vehicles even tractor trailers stacking behind you. I wouldn't want a train of big trucks passing me. Then you mix in angry four wheelers being held up by tractor trailers in the left lane passing you. Sometimes it's safer speeding up and not be bunched up. Secondary roads down south speeds are almost as fast as the interstates. I wouldn't want to use those to avoid the interstates. Too many driveways, small towns, blind spots and old ladies on those. Sometimes faster is safer.

You could run 80 and get passed in a school zone. I have a section of road by Clarence Iowa like that where mileage gets all freaking high for about 5 miles. That road from Tucson to Organ Pipe AZ is like that too. 100 miles of it.

I'm not going to buy into the 'if you can't beat them join them' mentality. If I run the speed limit I'm still 15 mph slower and in the jockey box where the majority of accidents happen. I tick off no fewer doing 60 as 75 and get better mileage doing it.

Then again Stan I've never asked anyone to joint me either. I'm lawfully between the min and max and the only ones getting their panties in a bunch are those disregarding both the law and everyone's safety. How dare anyone who disregards law and life attempt to school me on the topic. (Not targeted at you Stan...a general comment)

We have Interstates. We have Federal Highways. State Highways and county blacktops and gravel and dirt roads. It's the Midwest. They all have speed limits and everyone but the Interstate has a 55 mph limit on it. I drive it. Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin...ditto. About my range.

Curious. Of all the things I've done to improve mileage why is speed the only bone the dog wants to chew?

Why do the other half dozen bones get totally ignored?

KARNUT · May 16, 2019

You could run 80 and get passed in a school zone. [emoji3] I have a section of road by Clarence Iowa like that where mileage gets all freaking high for about 5 miles. That road from Tucson to Organ Pipe AZ is like that too. 100 miles of it.

I'm not going to buy into the 'if you can't beat them join them' mentality. If I run the speed limit I'm still 15 mph slower and in the jockey box where the majority of accidents happen. I tick off no fewer doing 60 as 75 and get better mileage doing it.

Then again Stan I've never asked anyone to joint me either. I'm lawfully between the min and max and the only ones getting their panties in a bunch are those disregarding both the law and everyone's safety. How dare anyone who disregards law and life attempt to school me on the topic. (Not targeted at you Stan...a general comment)

We have Interstates. We have Federal Highways. State Highways and county blacktops and gravel and dirt roads. It's the Midwest. They all have speed limits and everyone but the Interstate has a 55 mph limit on it. I drive it. Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin...ditto. About my range.

Curious. Of all the things I've done to improve mileage why is speed the only bone the dog wants to chew?

Why do the other half dozen bones get totally ignored?

Just relating my experience in the south where I travel the most. My comfort zone is 72-74 MPH. I would be bored to tears at 60 MPH and would not be as attentive. Those double nickel days were painful. I wouldn’t expect anyone to drive out of their comfort zone. I agree the speeds are too fast these days. Something I never thought I say.

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heymrdjCW · May 16, 2019

You could run 80 and get passed in a school zone. [emoji3] I have a section of road by Clarence Iowa like that where mileage gets all freaking high for about 5 miles. That road from Tucson to Organ Pipe AZ is like that too. 100 miles of it.

I'm not going to buy into the 'if you can't beat them join them' mentality. If I run the speed limit I'm still 15 mph slower and in the jockey box where the majority of accidents happen. I tick off no fewer doing 60 as 75 and get better mileage doing it.

Then again Stan I've never asked anyone to joint me either. I'm lawfully between the min and max and the only ones getting their panties in a bunch are those disregarding both the law and everyone's safety. How dare anyone who disregards law and life attempt to school me on the topic. (Not targeted at you Stan...a general comment)

We have Interstates. We have Federal Highways. State Highways and county blacktops and gravel and dirt roads. It's the Midwest. They all have speed limits and everyone but the Interstate has a 55 mph limit on it. I drive it. Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin...ditto. About my range.

Curious. Of all the things I've done to improve mileage why is speed the only bone the dog wants to chew?

Why do the other half dozen bones get totally ignored?

You wiped out everything you said when you mentioned Midwest and only the interstates being over 55. All I can say is get out more. Strongly suggest you look at Indiana and Ohio. Plenty of 60 and 65 speed limit STATE HIGHWAYS.

swathdiver · May 17, 2019

3 hours ago, Grumpy Bear said:

Curious. Of all the things I've done to improve mileage why is speed the only bone the dog wants to chew?

Why do the other half dozen bones get totally ignored?

Cause they just don't know about them. It's the only one they can relate to also. Oh, and few have actually done what you have, not even me!

Edited May 17, 2019 by swathdiver

heymrdjCW · May 17, 2019

Cause they just don't know about them. It's the only one they can relate to also. Oh, and few have actually done what you have, not even me!

Also incorrect. Transport teaches you a thing or two. Number 1 is balance of these hypermiling techniques. Ask any professional driver that’s been on the road a decade or two. Just a hint, GM’s JiT loads aren’t compatible with 45mph.

Grumpy Bear · May 17, 2019

3 hours ago, swathdiver said:

Cause they just don't know about them. It's the only one they can relate to also. Oh, and few have actually done what you have, not even me!

2 Timothy 3: 1-5

heymrdjCW · May 17, 2019

2 Timothy 3: 1-5

That is mighty narcissistic of you.

Haven’t heard a response to the act of balance.

FACT: Do you see big trucks throttled to 40mph?
FACT: Do you see low speed operators still accept the weight of fairings and damns on their payload.
FACT: Do you see all trucks with 2.39? Or do you see more midrange 2.70-2.90?
FACT: Do all farmers stick with a T6 because it has most of the line pull, or is sometimes the T7/8 without the hubs chosen because it can line pull the same weight much faster?

You won the hypermiling award, I don’t think anyone disputes that. However, we refer to real world use for a reason. If you’ve got nothing to do, your tactics all make sense. Some need to use their truck as a truck. I don’t raise or lower mine because it puts in work. It goes in the woods, it goes to the grocery store. It tows frequently.

You have claimed that people only concentrated on speed. Yet when rebutted you remain quiet in the other points. The problem was your ridiculous claim of mileage in the other thread. A claim WITHOUT disclosing that your truck is heavily modified to one purpose, fuel efficiency. Dishonest at best. Now if you want to give fuel numbers for a stock 19 V6 like I had, but with your driving methods, those numbers could be taken for debate.

KARNUT · May 17, 2019

There’s nothing hidden is Grumpy’s quest for gas mileage. There’s several threads explaining how and why. People on here have learned how to prolong the life of transmissions in one of his threads as an example. The fact he drives the speed limit shouldn’t be caused for bashing. Most people don’t realize the legal minimum speed on an interstate is 40 MPH. This isn’t a socialist state. Just because you want doesn’t require everyone to fall in line. I travel a lot. There are areas I want to hit before rush hour. I leave earlier. I don’t drive faster. We have to allow people to drive in their comfort zone. Not in force our will on them.

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