20+ mpg with Kennedy economy tune

[Mark Rinker]

I have read for years on TDP about 20mpg trucks, but rarely been out of the mid-teens myself.

This last weekend I drove a 400 mile roundtrip to deer camp, loaded with gear, but no trailer. A rarity! Got 20.2mpg for the trip, and that included a few stretches with cruise set at 76mph, some full throttle blasts on the haul/ass setting, and 6 miles of muddy wooded roads!

I think the truck would do 24 if you drove 400 miles under 65mph with no heavy foot.

Amazing - especially for 170K miles on the odometer!!! The fresh set of injectors certainly helps.

[Kennedy]

Yes it can be done...

[rob from bc canada]

Anyone reporting similar results on an 05??

I was able to get just under 19 out of my 3500 empty stock on a long trip BC interior recently.

Should I realistically expect to gain 1 or 2 more mpg?

Also, what is the effect on performance/mpg when hauling a load as shown above??

[ToddMeister]

I also get 20mpg with J/K's economy tune in my 05 GMC

[Kennedy]

Todd, I have a few minor tweaks to make for your tuning. Not necessarily related to mpg, but more to driveability of an already super smooth tune.

[LanduytG]

Been testing JK's econo tune since Aug and I have over 10K on the tune. My best was 20.1 at 62. JK is going to do some tweaking for drivibility and then it should be done. This is all with stock 245 tires as well. What I like is the get up and go without have a cloud of smoke.

Greg

[cowboywildbill]

Does this tune work on 06 lbz's ? And if so does it add more power also. And do I need gauges for it? Thanks

[Kennedy]

The LBZ tuning will be coming soon. All tuning SHOULD have gauges, but in general, my tuning is as safe or safe than stock...

[beeler]

I have a '02 that gets about 17-18 with my normal driving. I ussually run at 70-75 and don't baby it. Is an increase to 19-20 mpg a realistic possibility?

[cowboywildbill]

Thanks John, I'll be waiting for your tune. How much more towing power does it make? I hope it works OK with a stock exhaust, I just can't bring myself to give up the quiet mode in this 06.

[Kennedy]

I have a '02 that gets about 17-18 with my normal driving. I ussually run at 70-75 and don't baby it. Is an increase to 19-20 mpg a realistic possibility?

Quite possible, quite likely, not guarranteed. You will definitely like the way that the truck drives though that is for certain...

[YZF1R]

John, I would very much like to have the KD tow/mileage tune. I myself am not interested in the go fast tune. I want the engine to be tuned where it is happy and healthy, not for smog. What impresses me is a healthy engine that can run flat out, up hill pulling, for an extended time without hurting it, just like the big ones. Are there any cost savings in getting just the one tune? Do you sell horse power like the big three or is the pricing fairly close no matter what the tune? (Except for the extreme tunes.) I realize it takes basically the same amount of work on testing and tuning to make 20hp or 200hp. All the products I have recieved from you are always top shelf.

Steve

[JASON GARDNER]

Could anyone kick me back some specs like [Horse/Torque/millage] on the tunes? Perhaps even some dyno charts? I would really lke to get into one of the ECM's but not sure which tunes I would want. With only two to choose from tough choice.

[Kennedy]

It all depends on what you want and transmission setup. There will be 5 position tunes shorty, BUT when you consider that the base economy tune adds about 40 HP and the stock transmission only handles about 80 HP there's not a lot of room in between for tunes.

2 tunes is really all a guy should need, in fact my base economy tune is all 90% of the stock transmissioned Dmax owners really need...

[LanduytG]

I have towed with JK's tune but nothing heavy only about 8K. It runs well at that load.

Greg

[Mark Rinker]

I will have more accurate data (averaged over longer data sample) soon for towing results. My early observation is that there is a marked improvement in both towing power and fuel economy with loads up to 10K.

As loaded weight increases beyond 10K, the margin of improvement over stock decreases, but never dips below the stock ECM.

Its hard to quantify and measure the increase in lowend power, but its definately a benefit. Low end towing power is much stronger than stock. Truck runs much smoother and quieter, not choppy power surges at different RPMs like the Predator I was running before on the 2001 LB7.

[YZF1R]

Sounds like just what the doctor ordered Mark. Sounds like your motor loves the tune. Healthy happy and strong. And, not hurting a stock trans. I think this will be on the short to-do list.

Steve

[2tough2park]

The LBZ tuning will be coming soon. All tuning SHOULD have gauges, but in general, my tuning is as safe or safe than stock...

I you need a ginuea pig, let me know.

[Fred Ficarra]

The LBZ tuning will be coming soon. All tuning SHOULD have gauges, but in general, my tuning is as safe or safe than stock...
I'm a guy that is perfectly happy with his 05 GMC Duramax crew. It's a 2500HD. It came with the power package (315hp, 600-something torque) It doesn't know our 2 ton camper is there and gets about 14+ with it loaded. Even at 8000+ feet altitude of Yellowstone. Around home it gets 17.3 with my traffic patterns and driving habits. On the freeway (moving) at 60 it gets 21mpg. With a 30mph tailwind it gets 25mpg empty. I just changed the fuel filter for the first time. The truck is still perfect. Nothing to tell the dealer and it's so loaded that its even got the rear-seat DVD theater. Remote control too. Is that silly or what? No, I didn't order it that way. It was the only truck available that was close to what I wanted during the friends and family sale. Obviously I'm impressed. Just like most owners of the GM HD trucks according to national polls.
Can this rig be made better by your tune?:confused:

[Kennedy]

Absolutely, but if you love it and it's doing fine, you could always spend your money on better things. It's up to you I guess.

[nlp]

How much does this "econotune" cost????

[Kennedy]

I'd rather not get into a pricing discussion here. Please take a minute to look at my web site and you'll find what you are looking for and then some. Duramax Performance/Kennedy Custom Don't forget to read the descriptor page outlining the product and then select your engine.

[JohnC]

The LBZ tuning will be coming soon.

I'm gonna guess this means EFI Live for the LBZ is coming soon. Is it safe to assume it'll also cover us '06 LLY bastards?

[Kennedy]

I'm gonna guess this means EFI Live for the LBZ is coming soon. Is it safe to assume it'll also cover us '06 LLY bastards?

The best thing you can do is forget that your engine is called LLY and consider it a detuned LBZ. This will ease the confusion. Yes there will be programming coming for the 2006+ trucks soon.

[JohnC]

The best thing you can do is forget that your engine is called LLY and consider it a detuned LBZ.

That's what I've been doing. I'm just glad to see you agree with me!

I still believe they were holding back 'till the end of "employee pricing for everyone"....

[JASON GARDNER]

Alright Im a little confused. If I understand what you are saying the allison 1000 mated to the d-max 6600(my case LB7) can only handle an additional 80 hp which would be about 186 ft/lb of tourque? I thought Edge had tested that allison 1000 to over 900ft/lb. I must be missing somthing beceause I thought one of the ecm tunes was a 100 HP daily driver. I was considering the tow tune with the 100 HP daily driver but wondered what the millage effects would be with the tow tune. I am definitely looking for a tune to put on the truck this year; guess I need some advice!!