My SSR: 2003 Redline, SuperChip, OBX Headers, High Flow Cats, Dynomax VT, K&N Cold Air, 4:56 gears
Performance upgrade that will not decrease fuel mileage
On my pole, which one would impact the fuel mileage the least and still give me about 50 - 100 hp increase? I'm only looking to get my 5.3 to 400 hp. I have already upgrade to the superchip, headers are on the way and the exhaust has been changed to Dynomax VT's. So, after the header install it should be at about 350hp.
Would I be better off just swapping in a LS2 intake (I think thats the one that fits) to get closer to 400 hp mark?
Last edited by slicks2003; 10-22-2010 at 08:49 AM.
My SSR: 2003 "Ilsa" True Duals w/Jones Glasspacks, Eibach Springs, Addco Sway Bars, 4.56 Gears
The fuel mileage isn't much different with my new supercharger - that is, until I jump on it. A heavy foot on a supercharger definitely has an adverse effect on gas mileage. So far, I'm failing in avoiding the lead foot, but it sure is fun to wind it out once-in-awhile.
Honestly … How can you have a performance upgrade that will not decrease fuel mileage? I know if I were to get some extra performance, my right foot would be unstable for the most part.
My SSR: 2003 Redline, SuperChip, OBX Headers, High Flow Cats, Dynomax VT, K&N Cold Air, 4:56 gears
Quote:
Originally Posted by Achias
The fuel mileage isn't much different with my new supercharger - that is, until I jump on it. A heavy foot on a supercharger definitely has an adverse effect on gas mileage. So far, I'm failing in avoiding the lead foot, but it sure is fun to wind it out once-in-awhile.
Thats what I thought, I did not have anyone to verify that with, thanks.
My SSR: 2003 Redline, SuperChip, OBX Headers, High Flow Cats, Dynomax VT, K&N Cold Air, 4:56 gears
Quote:
Originally Posted by Topspin
The nitrous does not impact fuel mileage at all, unless you arm and use it. The other two are always "on" and working to one degree or another.
I'm leaning in the Nitrous direction.. I think a safe shot of up too 125hp would be fine for a 5.3. For about $900 I can get an entire setup including a remote bottle opener and a window switch.
My SSR: '03 RED vin1337, '06(lastoneinblack) vin 24107..Sadly sold '04UV,'05SILVER,'06PACBLU FPR
Providing you stay out of it, the supercharger is still the best over all add on.
It gives you smooth performance across the entire hp/tq curve. And increases fuel burn efficiency, helps engine to cooler(with inter cooler feature.
All this adds up to better fuel mileage. The cost is higher, and if you do the headers and exaust package, a different tune will have to be installed (not the generic tune that comes with the Maggie). If you get the Maggie through JOE, I'm sure he can set you up with that.
Nitrous is cheap, on demand and will give you the 100 hp your looking for, but you will still need a tune that can adjust for the shot.
I have used various NOS systems in the past on my '67 Chevy II. From the "single shot" to the "fogger/pro fogger," the systems that are available today are a lot more sophisticated then the one's I stopped using 15 years ago. I had enought of the "gas", I just built bigger and stronger engines with out the aid of it. There were alot of varibles back then that I'm sure that are still present with today's systems. I.E. timing, fuel pressure, fuel/air mixture, comp ratio, cam lift/duration, engine temperture and so on.... Not to mention the strength of the lower end that take's the hit of the "gas" when the switch is activated.
It's called "Cheap H.P." for a reason, I can't tell you how many "Saturday night" drag cars I saw explode their engines after a few passess down "Bailey Ave" NOS is not just something you toss on and go. There's also a lot to do with the plumbing of the system and the temperture of the bottle it's self, I.E. meaning the temperture of the gas as it is delivered to the engine. then there's the purging of the system before it's use. For a drag racer it's part of the gig when using the "gas" But... For a street ride it can become a big headache for it's owner, then throw in the computer that controll's your ride and the headache can get even bigger! Yep ....After you get a taste of your new found H.P. You will be hitting the button more and more and then POOF! I for one would MAKE sure that whoever is tunning your engine, know's what he is doing with the "gas"
On my pole, which one would impact the fuel mileage the least and still give me about 50 - 100 hp increase? I'm only looking to get my 5.3 to 400 hp. I have already upgrade to the superchip, headers are on the way and the exhaust has been changed to Dynomax VT's. So, after the header install it should be at about 350hp.
Would I be better off just swapping in a LS2 intake (I think thats the one that fits) to get closer to 400 hp mark?
Its not on your list but what about 4:56 gears. They will give you better mileage city driving but less on the highway.
My SSR: 2003 Redline, SuperChip, OBX Headers, High Flow Cats, Dynomax VT, K&N Cold Air, 4:56 gears
Quote:
Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN
Are you kidding? LTs SSR has those 4.56 & her gas mileage is horriable compare with my SSR.
From what others have told me who went with 4:56's in their SSR's, their gas milage went up around town and down about 1 -2 MPG on the highway. More then one person said this.
From what others have told me who went with 4:56's in their SSR's, their gas milage went up around town and down about 1 -2 MPG on the highway. More then one person said this.
Is there anything written about gas mileage and gear change in JimG book? I don't know, just asking.
My SSR: 2003 Redline, SuperChip, OBX Headers, High Flow Cats, Dynomax VT, K&N Cold Air, 4:56 gears
Quote:
Originally Posted by RUN ROD RUN
Is there anything written about gas mileage and gear change in JimG book? I don't know, just asking.
If you really need to know, ask like I did.. Others here on THIS forum have told me that around town their mileage INCREASED.. That's all I care about.
And by the way, its only a 500 rpm deference between the 3:73's and the 4:56's at 70mph (2,100rpm vers 2,570rpm)
Last edited by slicks2003; 10-23-2010 at 08:20 PM.
The difference between 3.73 and 4.11 is 10.19%. Changing to these gears means:
1) At any given speed, your engine rpm will be ~10% higher.
2) At full throttle, regardless of speed, you will have ~10% more torque at the rear wheels
3) Without recalibration, your speedo will read ~10% fast
4) At 84 mph, you will be spinning the engine at 2780 instead of 2500
The difference between 3.73 and 4.56 is 22.25%. Changing to these gears means:
1) At any given speed, your engine rpm will be ~22% higher.
2) At full throttle, regardless of speed, you will have ~22% more torque at the rear wheels
3) Without recalibration, your speedo will read ~20% fast
4) At 84 mph, you will be spinning the engine at 3056 instead of 2500
The photo below is 84mph (true speed) with 2500rpm on my '06 automatic with OEM tires. There is parallax error on the tach, because of the camera angle, but you can see the shadow of the needle..... I'm calling it 2500.
Life is full of choices......... You just need to have all the information possible before you make one.
Regards,
Mike
__________________ Trust and Generosity are contagious.
My SSR: 2003 Redline, SuperChip, OBX Headers, High Flow Cats, Dynomax VT, K&N Cold Air, 4:56 gears
Thanks Mike
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike in AZ
The difference between 3.73 and 4.11 is 10.19%. Changing to these gears means:
1) At any given speed, your engine rpm will be ~10% higher.
2) At full throttle, regardless of speed, you will have ~10% more torque at the rear wheels
3) Without recalibration, your speedo will read ~10% fast
4) At 84 mph, you will be spinning the engine at 2780 instead of 2500
The difference between 3.73 and 4.56 is 22.25%. Changing to these gears means:
1) At any given speed, your engine rpm will be ~22% higher.
2) At full throttle, regardless of speed, you will have ~22% more torque at the rear wheels
3) Without recalibration, your speedo will read ~20% fast
4) At 84 mph, you will be spinning the engine at 3056 instead of 2500
The photo below is 84mph (true speed) with 2500rpm on my '06 automatic with OEM tires. There is parallax error on the tach, because of the camera angle, but you can see the shadow of the needle..... I'm calling it 2500.
Life is full of choices......... You just need to have all the information possible before you make one.
The photo below is 84mph (true speed) with 2500rpm on my '06 automatic with OEM tires. There is parallax error on the tach, because of the camera angle, but you can see the shadow of the needle..... I'm calling it 2500.
Life is full of choices......... You just need to have all the information possible before you make one.
Regards,
Mike
It should go in the official record, that picture was taken in Montana during daylight hours, where 84mph is legal.
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SSR Fanatics.....Knowledgeable friends, just a click away.
There are very few performance mods that you can perform without a decrease in gas mileage.
That said, most performance mods such as gearing, cam, and supercharger make very little difference in gas mileage until you go WOT, that's what eats gas.
I'm going to step way out on a limb here. If you are looking for an SSR with a higher level of performance, why didn't you buy an 05 or 06? If that was the limit of your budget I understand. I would just like to note that by the time you add all of the performance enhancing bolt-ons to get it to perform as you wish, if you took the money necessary to do so, and added it to what you paid for your 04, ($24,000 if I am correct) you could probably have purchased an 05-06.
Again I will take a step even further out on the limb. Time after time we have people come to the site for guidance as to "What should I purchase?" "Is there really such a big difference between the 03-04s and the 05-06s"?
If you are looking for a fun driving experience in a unique vehicle, that will make you grin from ear to ear, it makes no difference. If you are looking for the best performance, along with owning a vehicle that had been "updated and fixed" by GM as they continued to build SSRs through their life cycle, then buy the best 05-06 you can afford. That is the advice that was given to me by several members of this board while I was looking.
I would suggest that before someone buys an 03-04 and then immediately starts thinking about bolting on a $$$ supercharger may have bought the wrong SSR. JMHO. Let the flaming begin...
P.S. I am certain I will have inadvertently insulted someone on the board and please let it be known, that was not my intent.
I'm going to step way out on a limb here. If you are looking for an SSR with a higher level of performance, why didn't you buy an 05 or 06? If that was the limit of your budget I understand. I would just like to note that by the time you add all of the performance enhancing bolt-ons to get it to perform as you wish, if you took the money necessary to do so, and added it to what you paid for your 04, ($24,000 if I am correct) you could probably have purchased an 05-06.
Again I will take a step even further out on the limb. Time after time we have people come to the site for guidance as to "What should I purchase?" "Is there really such a big difference between the 03-04s and the 05-06s"? Yes and No!
If you are looking for a fun driving experience in a unique vehicle, that will make you grin from ear to ear, it makes no difference. If you are looking for the best performance, along with owning a vehicle that had been "updated and fixed" by GM as they continued to build SSRs through their life cycle, then buy the best 05-06 you can afford. That is the advice that was given to me by several members of this board while I was looking. I waited until I had saved more so I could get what I was told would be the best years to purchase. I appreciated their advice and have never regretted taking it.
I would suggest that if someone buys an 03-04, and then immediately starts thinking about bolting on a $$$ supercharger, or a NOS system, may have bought the wrong SSR. JMHO. Let the flaming begin...
P.S. I am certain I will have inadvertently insulted someone on the board and please let it be known, that was not my intent.
Thank you for NOT being politically correct. It is refreshing. But maybe a new thread would have been a better starting point, just saying........
Jeff, I did not suggest that the 05-06 owners are not looking for better performance (myself included). One of the great joys of SSR ownership is making it our own (like your fantastic paint job)
I just noticed that the original poster has already added a Superchip, exhaust change, headers, and has asked about heads, cams, NOS, and a supercharger. His goal is to bring it up to 400 HP. Factor in the cost to get it there and I think it will end up costing more than an 05 which already has a 400hp baseline on which to build.
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