Improve 454 towing performance

**Taggart** · 07-02-2008, 12:04 AM

I have now decided to hang on to my '99 454 2500 4x4. I use it for towing only...pulling a 7300# travel trailer anywhere from 6000 to 10000 miles a year. Lots of 6-8% grades in my travels. I have a 15 mile 8% grade right out my back door, and by the time I get over the top, I'm down to about 20-25 mph. I'm still in 2WD.
Can anything be done to improve my hp/torque beyond normal maintenance (tune up, etc.)? Thanks for any help.

**tbplus10** · 07-02-2008, 08:25 PM

What gear ratio are you running?
Performance wise theres a few items that would give some help, headers and better exhaust, airfilter/intake system, performance tune and shift kit on the trans. and a good tune-up, but the biggest help is probably gonna be found by changing your gear ratio.
The only other thing that may help is lightening the load.

**Taggart** · 07-07-2008, 02:04 PM

That's pretty much what I thought. Running 4:10s. Flowmaster. Had K&N, but removed, went back to stock. The K&N made no difference. Lightening the load is not an option. Thanks for the input, however.

**finalday7** · 07-07-2008, 03:30 PM

I'd have to agree with tbplus10. I'd go with the hypertech max energy programmer-I think the model # for your truck is 32000HYP and it sells for about $380. As far as headers Dougs makes a decent set for a good price at $480 model # d3397-R. I've got the Hypertech and I love it. It gave me great throttle response from a start that would help with towing and also gave me a nice fuel mileage increase.

**phoebeisis** · 07-07-2008, 04:37 PM

Are you running stock sized tires/wheels? If you have gone to a taller tire or wheel , you could switch back to OEM size. If you are using stock tires , track down some shorter tires. Going from a 30.5" tire(a 265/70 16 is about that ) to a 28.5" like a 235/75 15" is a 7% drop and will be like going to a 3.8 from your 4.1.

The above are 1500 sized wheels/tires used just as a demo. This is cheaper than regearing , if you need tires , it is a lot cheaper.

Luck,
Charlie

**FireRed** · 07-08-2008, 02:03 PM

I have a buddy with a truck washing biz, he has 6 dually Chevies. He was getting 10+mpg, he put a chip in one truck the mpg went to 12 and he swears it has more go. He is in the process of chipping the rest.