What is best for economy?

[glovemeister]

I'm running 3.55 gears, with a 5spd and 35 inch duratracs. On the freeway I set cruise at whatever gets me around 1500-1700 rpm, generally around 60 or so. Has no problem whatso ever maintaining that speed and will rarely if ever hit any boost. This highway leading to my house has a bit of a grade to it nothing serious. I can stay in 4th and rev it out to about 2k or so and do 55 up the hill, or I can shift into fifth and run about 5-10 pounds of boost and do 60+ at 1700. I noted my egts with 5th gear and keeping the rpms low increases my egts, but no real issue with that as I have an intercooler. So what is the best option? To keep the rpms low and be in a higher gear, or keep the rpms high and be in a lower gear with no boost. 1500 is where I heard a 7.3 is more efficient but most run it at 2k, so is there any truth to this 1500 number?

As it is now I get 15 and I am damn impressed with my combo and my mpgs.

[rolsmojave3]

I'd leave it in 5th and let it get warm. Do you ever hook a trailer to it? It's good for it to be worked

[glovemeister]

No trailer at all.

I did go into a retirement home yesterday that my aunt manages and her co manager was outside (never seen me before). She was adamant about seeing who drove my truck. Guess she wants me to drive my flatbed in the parade with old folks on the back throwing candy. Just about the only think I've towed lol.

[backwoodsboy]

Originally Posted by glovemeister

Guess she wants me to drive my flatbed in the parade with old folks on the back throwing candy. Just about the only think I've towed lol.

Something about that sounds like it could get dangerous in a hurry...

[glovemeister]

Originally Posted by backwoodsboy

Something about that sounds like it could get dangerous in a hurry...

Lol yeah easy way to burn out my clutch doing mach slow with 35's and a 5spd lol.

[BrianH]

My truck has the best mileage at around 2k rpms. 20mpg last road trip @65 mph.

[glovemeister]

Good to know. Do you get into the boost to do 2k? My thoughts are I can grab 4th and stay at 2k, or grab 5th and stay at 2k with some boost. Not sure which is best. I guess 5th would be a better option.

[351fifty]

in 5th at 2k rpms your moving faster, therefor increasing distance gone at said rpm, and subsiquently increasing the miles in miles per gallon

[glovemeister]

Originally Posted by 351fifty

in 5th at 2k rpms your moving faster, therefor increasing distance gone at said rpm, and subsiquently increasing the miles in miles per gallon

Lol wow mister smart guy over here.

Appreciate the help guess I will keep her at 2k.

[351fifty]

yeh i get about 18+ average staying at 2k, if its all highway i can get over 20 tho