Highway cruising RPM's?

[longracing25]

I have a 1997 chevy 3500 , 454cu, automatic, 4.10 gear (i believe) crew cab. It seems to cruise on I-70 at 2500rpm's and about 1900-2000rpm's at hyw speed. Is this normal? Ii was wondering what RPM's other cruise at. THIS...is no load. I have not hooked up yet. My 2001 tahoe has the towing overdrive button on the gear shift,...this does not. I'm a little unfamiliar with these transmissions. I understand there isn't the best mileage with these,..but I think my RPM'S are a little high. I was thinking about the JET performance programmer, not sure yet. It has a good dual exhaust, but stock engine.

[GL1800Rider]

Seems about right for 4.10 gears with most likely a four speed automatic. You are correct in the statement it won't get the best mileage and it is unlikely a perfromance programer will help. A good ole vacuum gauge will help in keeping your right foot out of it. Good thing with a 454 is it probably won't get much worse if you drive aggressively. Be glad gas prices are down and just keep feeding it.

[longracing25]

was wondering if a ring and pinion change would help

[bob caldwell]

It would, but how long you keep the truck would need to figure in as to total cost....stay away from US Gear gear sets....most of 'em won't set up. Richmond is the best. Trans uses a lock-up convertor....next time on hwy., at steady cruise speed , watch the tack, and tap the brake petal...should see rpm increase.

[lbrjet]

If it was my truck I wouldn't change a thing.


2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

[KenHwy61]

I had the same truck. I usually left mine in 3rd when towing my TT. I found the towing mileage with the 454 (7.4L) basically the same as towing with my 2012 Chevy 6.0. I got about 8 mpg with either. As it makes good torque at fairly low rpms, the 454 rarely ran over 3000 rpms. My 6.0 made more HP but was much higher revving especially while accelerating or on inclines. I usually towed at about 60 mph. Like others have said, I wouldn't change anything.

[yetavon]

Your in the right area as far as RPM with the 4.10 gears, great for towing but effect your gas mileage. Without the Tow/Haul mode you can drop down into 3rd if the trans shifts back and forth, putting less stress on the transmission, your torque converter should still lock up in 3rd. I highly recommend you have a good trans cooler, change your fluid out to a good synthetic.
Forget the JET and if you want to make it tow better research the 0411 computer swap and add the Tow/Haul mode.
BTW what are you towing?

[The Big Toe]

Leave it alone.

Don't listen to people who tell you, "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is"

That thing is a work truck. A seriously HD work truck for its day. Fuel economy was nowhere on the designers' minds when they made it. Keep in mind, it's almost 20 years old. Yesterday's technology. Nothing wrong with that, It just is what it is

Drive it until the doors fall off then bury it.

Deep.

[drittal]

Of you know speed, rpm, and tire size you can figure gear ratio.

[bob caldwell]

Crawl under it ......there should be a tag held on by the rear cover bolts...will have ratio on it.....there even could still be a data sheet in the glove box.....unusual to find 4.10 with an automatic

[yetavon]

Originally Posted by bob caldwell

.....there even could still be a data sheet in the glove box.....unusual to find 4.10 with an automatic

Look for your G codes
G80 limited slip diff
GT4 3.73 ratio
GT5 or GT 8 4.10 ratio
GU6 3.42