I have a 1997 Chevy Silverado 5.0 305.3.73 gears. What shift points should I change to, to get better gas mileage?

5

Asked by TDchevy Dec 11, 2013 at 07:43 PM about the 1997 Chevrolet C/K 1500 WT RWD

Question type: Car Customization

I have a cold air intake, throttle body spacer, magna flow exhaust, new spark plugs, hypertech max energy programmer and I get about 13 in town. But I haven't and don't know what to change my shift points too.

2 Answers

51,265

If you have a tachometer, keep above 1500 RPM sop it will not lug, and shift at 2500 rpm, but cruise around 1800 to 2300 rpm which is mid range, where the best power curve is and the fuel is not being poured into the motor for high rpm running. On the freeway at 65, what is your rpms? That may be an indicator the top end of the fuel saving range.

12,655

the shift points usually aren't changed except for drag racing. to optimize them for that, you would have to spend time at the dragstrip and record how each change affects your 1/4 mile time. your truck is built for performance, so don't get your hopes up about fuel economy. changing the rear gears out to a numerically lower set will help fuel economy, but hurt acceleration.

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