Filled Up After Running First Tank On Blackbear Tune!

bassadict69 · March 17, 2008

Before the tune, I was averaging around 13.1-13.5 mpg in my truck...this was daily driving mix of short hwy & mostly country roads, easy driving & not ever really getting on it at all.

I always fill up at about a half tank & always putting about 16 gallons back into it to fill up. Mileage driven on that was usually between 200-210 miles.

I installed the BlackBear tune last week & finally got her down to half tank yesterday after about 251 miles It took 16.1 gallons to fill back up which is normal so I ended up at about 15.6 mpg! Hell yeah! Better gas mileage on top of a much better performing truck.

Several WOT runs were made on that tank between running log scans for Justin & simply taking my buddies for a ride! I am thinking with normal easy driving, I may be able to hit 16 mpg!

2007silveradonbs · March 20, 2008

What octane are you running?

bassadict69 · March 20, 2008

I am running 87 octane.

mljenkins · March 20, 2008

I saw you had a 4.8L under your name and was surprised at what you are getting. I am getting 16.5 mpg in my '06 5.3L w/ 4.10 4x4. Do the newer trucks just get that much better mileage? I have seen a few posts about people getting around 12 and I was really surprised. I was wondering if a tune or other mods would help me get better gas mileage on the highway since I drive about 50 miles a day highway, and about 20 back roads. Thanks for the report.

onac255 · March 20, 2008

I have an 07 Classic RCSB 5.3L 3.42 gears Z71 and I get over 20 MPG (if I keep it under 70) and 15-18 MPG in the city depending on how much I get on it. I run my tires at max rated psi and everything else is in my sig.

EDIT: Oh and I run 91 Octane.

redstreetracer36 · April 4, 2008

ivan i am thinking about purchasing a diabloport for my 04 5.3l reg cab sierra and was wondering your opinion on the handheld and what kidnve results u had?..thanks in advance

C & A s Dad · April 5, 2008

I have an 07 Classic RCSB 5.3L 3.42 gears Z71 and I get over 20 MPG (if I keep it under 70) and 15-18 MPG in the city depending on how much I get on it. I run my tires at max rated psi and everything else is in my sig.

EDIT: Oh and I run 91 Octane.

Which tune are you running with the Predator? I would like to know about your overall experience with it if you would not mind sharing it.

bassadict69 · April 7, 2008

I went on a 2 1/2 hour road trip & back last week towing my boat. Unfortunately, the gas mileage was about the same as before but the drive was real hilly where we went. The truck does tow better than before without a doubt but the darn hills kicked the 4.8's butt!

Around here while towing the boat, I have been getting about 13.5 mpg which is about the same as what I was getting before with normal driving & NOT towing...so, I am definately happy with the increase in mpg.

On my second tank of gas without towing, I got 15.7 mpg...I would love to see 16 mpg, but I just can't seem to keep my foot out of it long enough!

I am debating on running a tank or two of 93 octane just to see if it makes any difference. It may not since it was tuned for 87.

sillyazz · April 9, 2008

I went on a 2 1/2 hour road trip & back last week towing my boat. Unfortunately, the gas mileage was about the same as before but the drive was real hilly where we went. The truck does tow better than before without a doubt but the darn hills kicked the 4.8's butt!

Around here while towing the boat, I have been getting about 13.5 mpg which is about the same as what I was getting before with normal driving & NOT towing...so, I am definately happy with the increase in mpg.

On my second tank of gas without towing, I got 15.7 mpg...I would love to see 16 mpg, but I just can't seem to keep my foot out of it long enough!

I am debating on running a tank or two of 93 octane just to see if it makes any difference. It may not since it was tuned for 87.

The most IMPORTANT question is did you catch any fish ?

bassadict69 · April 9, 2008

Caught lots of fish, but most were too small to weigh in...it was a pretty tough weekend for fishing with the changing weather every couple of days. Still had a good time though!

aldridgec · April 11, 2008

MPG varies SOOOOO much between vehicles and drivers. I for one don't get the best mileage. But I drive FAAAST, fairly heavy foot and usually over the posted speed on the highway. The high speed highway driving is what can kill MPG just as much as quick starts. Trucks have a lot of frontal area and mass to maintain speed. Over 55mph, drag from air resistance really goes up.

Even in my GTP, if I'm really nice on really flat roads, I can get 30mpg. Anywhere else, 21-22mpg, avg mix, 25mpg.

For me, I know it's not possible for me to get 20mpg in ANY truck. It's just the way I drive.

j.roffel · April 11, 2008

SLIGHTLY off-topic but the way it was explained to me is the 4.8 is great for people who leave the truck stock and drive it like a car, never really using the truck as a truck. Once you start towing and hauling the 5.3 will actually get better mileage, and reasonably so. For me the price was right so I went with a 2wd 4.8 even though in reality a 4x4 with at least a 5.3 would work best for me, so like Chris said, when it comes to mpg, it depends a whole lot on the driving situation.

Now that I've rambled on... Chris you on here to switch to a Duramax??

Oh and James, all this praise for Justin is making me wanna switch out my Jesse tune...

bassadict69 · April 12, 2008

Oh and James, all this praise for Justin is making me wanna switch out my Jesse tune...

I am pretty sure you WOULD NOT be disappointed!

aldridgec · April 12, 2008

Now that I've rambled on... Chris you on here to switch to a Duramax??

No, I'm quite happy with my 7.3.

I work on/have a lot of friends with GM Trucks (fwiw, I wouldn't drive a ford car anyway ). Figured it was about time to start hanging out on some of those boards too . Breaking move was a good friend wants a tune. Started researching . He has headers on a 07 NBS Max and the ring in the donut gasket fell out and beat up the passenger side cat . GM wouldn't cover it b/c of the headers . So he punched them both out . He had a hypertech tuner, took it off for the service visit, now it won't reload . Even sent it back to Hypertech and it still won't work . Dealer says they didn't flash it . Wanted a custom tune even before the programmer , but it was quick and easy .

I just did a Allison overhaul on an 05 Dmax. Big improvement . Guy loves it now ! But that's a whole nother story. Back to your regularly scheduled topic already in progress.....