3.42 Gears for Mega
DTR's 'Wrench thrower...' And he aims for the gusto...
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 3
From: Smith Valley, NV (sometimes Redwood City, CA)
I get well over 200 MPG in mine. All I have to do is let off the loud padal and coast on the highway and it's right up there. Happens over and over everytime I drive it. Of course, I then have to step on it again and the mileage drops to 18 or so. 
.
Not talking about you Gus, but some guys get up to speed and then reset the computer and report the mileage for a few seconds. Totally invalid! It's the calculated avarage over a whole tank or more that counts.
Mileage reports are the most ridiculous claims on this site. There is no standardization, inacurate computer readouts due to engine mods and other things and a lot of just silly claims like resetting the computer at 50 MPH with a tail wind and reading it for 10 seconds. Sheesh.
We need a DTR mileage run like I proposed in the past. Trucks run side by side to compare mods to find out what works and what doesn't. Everyone fills up at the beginning and at the end. Or just hand calc your mileage to find out the accuracy of the computer then let it average for a thousand miles or so and report the findings. Or, like some do and hand calc the mileage over a reasonable distance and report that. The mileage run would not be competition between the drivers but a chance to see what mods did what over a set course while driven at the same speeds. A way to evaluate the trucks.
I really could not care less what someone got while driving 45 MPH on a down hill for 30 seconds and then reported it as their "mileage".
All this he said she said means nothing. Even the dealers are lying about what to expect. And when someone really makes an effort to get the best they can and keeps track of their fuel for a long time they get slammed. Probably because most of us are so tired of claims that seem so out there, and most of us drive in the real world going to work, in traffic, and a little faster than we should. We all get used to what our trucks do. And the trucks are not that different.
My hat is of to those that value economy and try to get the best mileage they can. We waste way to much fuel and it's refreshing to see that not everyone blatantly tries to smoke out anyone they disagree with or brags about towing 10,000 lbs at 80 MPH.
John
. Not talking about you Gus, but some guys get up to speed and then reset the computer and report the mileage for a few seconds. Totally invalid! It's the calculated avarage over a whole tank or more that counts.
Mileage reports are the most ridiculous claims on this site. There is no standardization, inacurate computer readouts due to engine mods and other things and a lot of just silly claims like resetting the computer at 50 MPH with a tail wind and reading it for 10 seconds. Sheesh.
We need a DTR mileage run like I proposed in the past. Trucks run side by side to compare mods to find out what works and what doesn't. Everyone fills up at the beginning and at the end. Or just hand calc your mileage to find out the accuracy of the computer then let it average for a thousand miles or so and report the findings. Or, like some do and hand calc the mileage over a reasonable distance and report that. The mileage run would not be competition between the drivers but a chance to see what mods did what over a set course while driven at the same speeds. A way to evaluate the trucks.
I really could not care less what someone got while driving 45 MPH on a down hill for 30 seconds and then reported it as their "mileage".
All this he said she said means nothing. Even the dealers are lying about what to expect. And when someone really makes an effort to get the best they can and keeps track of their fuel for a long time they get slammed. Probably because most of us are so tired of claims that seem so out there, and most of us drive in the real world going to work, in traffic, and a little faster than we should. We all get used to what our trucks do. And the trucks are not that different.
My hat is of to those that value economy and try to get the best mileage they can. We waste way to much fuel and it's refreshing to see that not everyone blatantly tries to smoke out anyone they disagree with or brags about towing 10,000 lbs at 80 MPH.
John
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 785
Likes: 0
From: VA
...We need a DTR mileage run like I proposed in the past. Trucks run side by side to compare mods to find out what works and what doesn't. Everyone fills up at the beginning and at the end. Or just hand calc your mileage to find out the accuracy of the computer then let it average for a thousand miles or so and report the findings. Or, like some do and hand calc the mileage over a reasonable distance and report that. The mileage run would not be competition between the drivers but a chance to see what mods did what over a set course while driven at the same speeds. A way to evaluate the trucks. ...
John
John
By the same token, most just measure over one tank, and will generally report the best tank, which may include amoung other things fillup error. This will be presented as real, hand-calculated mpg, but is still not always accurate. For this reason, I always look at what others report with skeptism.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, TX
I get well over 200 MPG in mine. All I have to do is let off the loud padal and coast on the highway and it's right up there. Happens over and over everytime I drive it. Of course, I then have to step on it again and the mileage drops to 18 or so. .
Not talking about you Gus, but some guys get up to speed and then reset the computer and report the mileage for a few seconds. Totally invalid! It's the calculated avarage over a whole tank or more that counts.
Mileage reports are the most ridiculous claims on this site. There is no standardization, inacurate computer readouts due to engine mods and other things and a lot of just silly claims like resetting the computer at 50 MPH with a tail wind and reading it for 10 seconds. Sheesh.
I really could not care less what someone got while driving 45 MPH on a down hill for 30 seconds and then reported it as their "mileage".
Probably because most of us are so tired of claims that seem so out there, and most of us drive in the real world going to work, in traffic, and a little faster than we should. We all get used to what our trucks do. And the trucks are not that different.
]
John
. Not talking about you Gus, but some guys get up to speed and then reset the computer and report the mileage for a few seconds. Totally invalid! It's the calculated avarage over a whole tank or more that counts.
Mileage reports are the most ridiculous claims on this site. There is no standardization, inacurate computer readouts due to engine mods and other things and a lot of just silly claims like resetting the computer at 50 MPH with a tail wind and reading it for 10 seconds. Sheesh.
I really could not care less what someone got while driving 45 MPH on a down hill for 30 seconds and then reported it as their "mileage".
Probably because most of us are so tired of claims that seem so out there, and most of us drive in the real world going to work, in traffic, and a little faster than we should. We all get used to what our trucks do. And the trucks are not that different.
]
John
Exactly my point. It would be one thing if I did not own a CTD, and trying to tell someone their claim is crap. But when I have a DD CTD, I know what mine gets, and while there will be difference's from driver to driver and truck to truck, not that big of a difference. You are talking about a 33%+ increase over 18 MPG used as a standard. If you take the average truck, and if you think there is going to be a 33% difference between the two.
I am going to say that something is WAY off base.And again John, you nailed it on the head. MIleage reports on this site are the most ridiculous claim ANYWHERE on ANY site I have been to. Dieselstop, NMRA, Pirate, Pavements***s, Fordtruckworld, etc.....no where can you find the clams that you will find here.
DTR's 'Wrench thrower...' And he aims for the gusto...
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 3
From: Smith Valley, NV (sometimes Redwood City, CA)
Mark,
All we'd have to do is fill the trucks carefully right to the fuel cap. Then drive the route all in a row. The same route, the same speeds. Then fill again at the end in the same way we did in the beginning. Average all the odometers to come up with a "true" mileage and divide by the gallons used in each truck. Remember, this is not a competition so we want to eliminate the bragging and the meaningless way some readings are done. It's a way to compare trucks in a fairly accurate way and see what works. Such things as Smarty with timing, Rocktec, 1st gen, 3rd gen with 3rd injection event, huge tires, 4:10s, 6 speeds, Gear Venders, etc. Each individual could also use his own odometer reading for his own secondary calcs. For the readings that were way out of norm we could look for possible errors like a bubble in the tank, or the beautiful and outrageous burnout that someone did. If we repeated the whole process a couple of times the errors would begin to go away and average out. Point is, no computers or flow meters required. Strictly low tech, real world, fill 'er up and do the math stuff. Easy. Any errors in the true amount of fuel used by all will be cancelled out because they affect everyone. It's more important to compare accurately than to know the exact amont used. We'll begin to see the second gens trending ahead of the 3rd gens, the big tires falling behind, the sticks leading the auto, etc. I suspect, based on an average driving course with city, freeway and country roads, we'll see about 16 to 21 mpg.
This could be a fun event, and once and for all, could really give some real world numbers that people can use. Then we can make mods and compare again. Each person could run a similar course and then modify and do it again to see if things change on his own truck. When someone begins to claim an unreasonable number we can simply invite them to the next "annual" DTR milege, Walk the Talk event. Show us what you got!
What do you guys think?
John
All we'd have to do is fill the trucks carefully right to the fuel cap. Then drive the route all in a row. The same route, the same speeds. Then fill again at the end in the same way we did in the beginning. Average all the odometers to come up with a "true" mileage and divide by the gallons used in each truck. Remember, this is not a competition so we want to eliminate the bragging and the meaningless way some readings are done. It's a way to compare trucks in a fairly accurate way and see what works. Such things as Smarty with timing, Rocktec, 1st gen, 3rd gen with 3rd injection event, huge tires, 4:10s, 6 speeds, Gear Venders, etc. Each individual could also use his own odometer reading for his own secondary calcs. For the readings that were way out of norm we could look for possible errors like a bubble in the tank, or the beautiful and outrageous burnout that someone did
. If we repeated the whole process a couple of times the errors would begin to go away and average out. Point is, no computers or flow meters required. Strictly low tech, real world, fill 'er up and do the math stuff. Easy. Any errors in the true amount of fuel used by all will be cancelled out because they affect everyone. It's more important to compare accurately than to know the exact amont used. We'll begin to see the second gens trending ahead of the 3rd gens, the big tires falling behind, the sticks leading the auto, etc. I suspect, based on an average driving course with city, freeway and country roads, we'll see about 16 to 21 mpg.This could be a fun event, and once and for all, could really give some real world numbers that people can use. Then we can make mods and compare again. Each person could run a similar course and then modify and do it again to see if things change on his own truck. When someone begins to claim an unreasonable number we can simply invite them to the next "annual" DTR milege, Walk the Talk event. Show us what you got!
What do you guys think?
John
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
From: Omaha
Mileage variables:
speed
terrain
temperature
tire pressure
maintenance of vehicle
tire size/width/weight
altitude
wind
ac on/off
windows up/down
srw/drw
lb/sb
mc/qc/rc
year of 3rd gen
This and more are the reasons mileage varies so much on this site. I get an honest 16mpg average driving 4-6k a month in my DRW through IA/NE/MO/KS/SD. I have owned a QC/SB and a MC. I got the best mileage on my QC/SB.
I like the idea of the gear reduction. I think it will have a positive impact on mileage. It might not have as big an impact at 80mph, but I think it will really help mileage around 65-70mph. I am looking forward to reading your findings.
speed
terrain
temperature
tire pressure
maintenance of vehicle
tire size/width/weight
altitude
wind
ac on/off
windows up/down
srw/drw
lb/sb
mc/qc/rc
year of 3rd gen
This and more are the reasons mileage varies so much on this site. I get an honest 16mpg average driving 4-6k a month in my DRW through IA/NE/MO/KS/SD. I have owned a QC/SB and a MC. I got the best mileage on my QC/SB.
I like the idea of the gear reduction. I think it will have a positive impact on mileage. It might not have as big an impact at 80mph, but I think it will really help mileage around 65-70mph. I am looking forward to reading your findings.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 785
Likes: 0
From: VA
Mark,
All we'd have to do is fill the trucks carefully right to the fuel cap. Then drive the route all in a row. The same route, the same speeds. Then fill again at the end in the same way we did in the beginning. Average all the odometers to come up with a "true" mileage and divide by the gallons used in each truck. Remember, this is not a competition so we want to eliminate the bragging and the meaningless way some readings are done. It's a way to compare trucks in a fairly accurate way and see what works. Such things as Smarty with timing, Rocktec, 1st gen, 3rd gen with 3rd injection event, huge tires, 4:10s, 6 speeds, Gear Venders, etc. Each individual could also use his own odometer reading for his own secondary calcs. For the readings that were way out of norm we could look for possible errors like a bubble in the tank, or the beautiful and outrageous burnout that someone did. If we repeated the whole process a couple of times the errors would begin to go away and average out. Point is, no computers or flow meters required. Strictly low tech, real world, fill 'er up and do the math stuff. Easy. Any errors in the true amount of fuel used by all will be cancelled out because they affect everyone. It's more important to compare accurately than to know the exact amont used. We'll begin to see the second gens trending ahead of the 3rd gens, the big tires falling behind, the sticks leading the auto, etc. I suspect, based on an average driving course with city, freeway and country roads, we'll see about 16 to 21 mpg.
This could be a fun event, and once and for all, could really give some real world numbers that people can use. Then we can make mods and compare again. Each person could run a similar course and then modify and do it again to see if things change on his own truck. When someone begins to claim an unreasonable number we can simply invite them to the next "annual" DTR milege, Walk the Talk event. Show us what you got!
What do you guys think?
John
All we'd have to do is fill the trucks carefully right to the fuel cap. Then drive the route all in a row. The same route, the same speeds. Then fill again at the end in the same way we did in the beginning. Average all the odometers to come up with a "true" mileage and divide by the gallons used in each truck. Remember, this is not a competition so we want to eliminate the bragging and the meaningless way some readings are done. It's a way to compare trucks in a fairly accurate way and see what works. Such things as Smarty with timing, Rocktec, 1st gen, 3rd gen with 3rd injection event, huge tires, 4:10s, 6 speeds, Gear Venders, etc. Each individual could also use his own odometer reading for his own secondary calcs. For the readings that were way out of norm we could look for possible errors like a bubble in the tank, or the beautiful and outrageous burnout that someone did
. If we repeated the whole process a couple of times the errors would begin to go away and average out. Point is, no computers or flow meters required. Strictly low tech, real world, fill 'er up and do the math stuff. Easy. Any errors in the true amount of fuel used by all will be cancelled out because they affect everyone. It's more important to compare accurately than to know the exact amont used. We'll begin to see the second gens trending ahead of the 3rd gens, the big tires falling behind, the sticks leading the auto, etc. I suspect, based on an average driving course with city, freeway and country roads, we'll see about 16 to 21 mpg.This could be a fun event, and once and for all, could really give some real world numbers that people can use. Then we can make mods and compare again. Each person could run a similar course and then modify and do it again to see if things change on his own truck. When someone begins to claim an unreasonable number we can simply invite them to the next "annual" DTR milege, Walk the Talk event. Show us what you got!
What do you guys think?
John
Again, great idea. Logistics may be tough!
Banned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, TX
Yes, count me in. Let's get this going/organized, and I want some "put up or shut up" once and for all. Maybe do around or in conjunction with a DHRA event, or a dyno day or??????????? Heck, anything so I can sleep better at night.
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,118
Likes: 0
From: Winchester, TN
80 mph wind resistance etc.
I can tell you from my experience of getting 15 mpg without gear reduction @ 80 mph and now with a 500 rpm reduction over many tankfuls (hand calc'ed) averaging slightly better than 18 that yes, even at 80 mph lower rpms do help mpg's. My mpg @ 2000 rpms in 6th over at 80 mph are about the same as 63 mph @ 200 rpms in 6th. I'm just not seeing wind resistance as the big factor some of you seem to think it is. Like everyone else though I do see a big mpg drop off above 2000 rpms. Anyways I'm curious to see what his actual drop in rpms is with the 3:42's.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, TX
I can tell you from my experience of getting 15 mpg without gear reduction @ 80 mph and now with a 500 rpm reduction over many tankfuls (hand calc'ed) averaging slightly better than 18 that yes, even at 80 mph lower rpms do help mpg's. My mpg @ 2000 rpms in 6th over at 80 mph are about the same as 63 mph @ 200 rpms in 6th. I'm just not seeing wind resistance as the big factor some of you seem to think it is. Like everyone else though I do see a big mpg drop off above 2000 rpms. Anyways I'm curious to see what his actual drop in rpms is with the 3:42's.
I will look up what OD is on the 5600, and I will tell you what RPM's are at a given MPH. I need to know OD ratio first.
Wind resistance IS a big factor. If I pull a friend of mine's 3/4 open car hauler, and tehn pull my 44' enclosed triple axle (weight is almost identical) my enclosed kills my truck compared to the open carrier. The enclosed is like a parachute. Yes, I am comparing apples to orange's. BUT, the theroy is still the same. The mroe resistance, the less efficient one becomes.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, TX
OK, stocktires, 6th gear a .73
3.42 @ 72 MPH = 2000 RPM's
@ 76 MPH = 2100 RPM's
@ 80 MPH = 2200 RPM's
3.73 @ 66 MPH = 2000 RPM's
@ 70 MPH = 2100 RPM's
@ 73 MPH = 2200 RPM's
4.10 @ 60 MPH = 2000 RPM's
@ 63 MPH = 2100 RPM's
@ 66 MPH = 2200 RPM's
There you go, 6 speed OD .73 with stock size tires.
3.42 @ 72 MPH = 2000 RPM's
@ 76 MPH = 2100 RPM's
@ 80 MPH = 2200 RPM's
3.73 @ 66 MPH = 2000 RPM's
@ 70 MPH = 2100 RPM's
@ 73 MPH = 2200 RPM's
4.10 @ 60 MPH = 2000 RPM's
@ 63 MPH = 2100 RPM's
@ 66 MPH = 2200 RPM's
There you go, 6 speed OD .73 with stock size tires.
Banned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, TX
I also did one for 35" tires and 6 speed
3.73's
2000 RPM = 76 MPH
2100 RPM = 80 MPH
2200 RPM = 84 MPH
4.10's
2000 RPM = 70 MPH
2100 RPM = 73 MPH
2200 RPM = 77 MPH
And for thoe that want to run 3.42's with a 35" tire
3.42
2000 RPM = 83 MPH
2100 RPM = 88 MPH
2200 RPM = 92 MPH
3.73's
2000 RPM = 76 MPH
2100 RPM = 80 MPH
2200 RPM = 84 MPH
4.10's
2000 RPM = 70 MPH
2100 RPM = 73 MPH
2200 RPM = 77 MPH
And for thoe that want to run 3.42's with a 35" tire
3.42
2000 RPM = 83 MPH
2100 RPM = 88 MPH
2200 RPM = 92 MPH
Banned
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, TX
And for teh G56 crew, stock tires:
3.42
2000 = 67 MPH
2100 = 70 MPH
2200 = 74 MPH
3.73's
2000 = 61
2100 = 64
2200 = 67
And if anyone wants to figure out whatever, I found a pretty handy calcualtor on a Camaro website
www.f-body.org/gears/
It has defaults for most make and model trannies, so if you have an auto, just enter the trany you have, an it will do the work for you. Pretty cool.
3.42
2000 = 67 MPH
2100 = 70 MPH
2200 = 74 MPH
3.73's
2000 = 61
2100 = 64
2200 = 67
And if anyone wants to figure out whatever, I found a pretty handy calcualtor on a Camaro website
www.f-body.org/gears/
It has defaults for most make and model trannies, so if you have an auto, just enter the trany you have, an it will do the work for you. Pretty cool.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,239
Likes: 0
From: Eastern & Western Merryland
Last spring we took a motorcycle ride down to Myrtle Beach, we filled up evey 120'ish miles, and we had motorcycle odo readings that varied max +/- 15 miles over the course of that fill-up compared to my GPS. Most odo's read higher miles.
I was the only one who had a GPS and didn't have an opportunity to compare it to another one - but I think they'd be closer to reality than individual truck odo's.
DTR's 'Wrench thrower...' And he aims for the gusto...
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 3
From: Smith Valley, NV (sometimes Redwood City, CA)
John, I think you have a great idea. The toughest thing would be a bunch of guys to get together to do a milage run. The 'rules' would have to be explicit (AC on or off, shift @ x RPM, etc.), and everyone would have to run the same route, and fuel up at the same place. We all know how fuel from two different locations can 'contain' significantly different amounts of 'energy'.
Again, great idea. Logistics may be tough!
Again, great idea. Logistics may be tough!
Mark,
I think you're right about logistics being the problem. We're spread all over the country. Also the mileage will vary in different states because of the mountains, average elevations and temps so the results may not follow the drivers home very well. Also your point about about AC and shifting may not be an issue because we are not going for the best we can do but for a comparison and a general idea of what people are getting. People drive in the real world all the time but not in a mileage test all the time so maybe it's better to simply drive as you normally would. Now this is where it gets complicated because some drive very carefully all the time and are always trying to get mileage. Others don't think much about it and have a heavy foot. This will show up as one truck doing far better than the next identical truck and will bring out driving differences as a big factor. The problem becomes "what's the differnece between mods and driving style?". It sounds like a carefully controlled test and a drive it anyway you want test are both needed. So we run two passes on the same course and note the variables that occured during the run. Such as "AC on", or "smoked a ricer", or "towed a Ford to the junk yard", or "left it idling for an hour while getting a Latte", or........
Maybe it could be done simpler by just incorporating the test into any travelling that more than one member does to go to an event or on vacation. Anytime two or more trucks are together on a road trip use the mileage procedures and report what they got. Oh no, now we're almost back to where we are now with total chaos.
It's already getting complicated.
John
DTR's 'Wrench thrower...' And he aims for the gusto...
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,668
Likes: 3
From: Smith Valley, NV (sometimes Redwood City, CA)
I think rather than averaging the odometers, you should use a decent GPS to monitor the number of miles driven. It's accurate and it will take the guesswork out of it to level the playing field.
Last spring we took a motorcycle ride down to Myrtle Beach, we filled up evey 120'ish miles, and we had motorcycle odo readings that varied max +/- 15 miles over the course of that fill-up compared to my GPS. Most odo's read higher miles.
I was the only one who had a GPS and didn't have an opportunity to compare it to another one - but I think they'd be closer to reality than individual truck odo's.
Last spring we took a motorcycle ride down to Myrtle Beach, we filled up evey 120'ish miles, and we had motorcycle odo readings that varied max +/- 15 miles over the course of that fill-up compared to my GPS. Most odo's read higher miles.
I was the only one who had a GPS and didn't have an opportunity to compare it to another one - but I think they'd be closer to reality than individual truck odo's.
John