Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - 1999 Chevy K2500 Suburban 6.5 Diesel (Automatic)

101Volts · 02-26-2015, 03:00 PM

(Last Updated Jan 4 2020)

Details:

1999 Chevrolet K2500 Suburban
6.5 Turbo Diesel Engine (Originally 194 HP and 430 Lb. Torque.)
4l80E Automatic Transmission
Weight (with 3rd seat removed) is roughly 6,200 Lbs.

Fluids & Filtration:

Amsoil Premium Protection 10w40 Oil.
Viscosity: 95.9 at 40c, 14.6 at 100c.

Amsoil EaO26 Oil Filter; filters to 20 microns at a 98.7% absolute capture rate.

Amsoil EaBP90 Bypass Oil Filter; filters to 2 microns at a 98.7% absolute capture rate.

Gear Oil: Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 Synthetic.
Viscosity (as of 2019; I have oil from 2015 in my Suburban now which may differ: ) 102.4 at 40c, 15.9 at 100c.

Power Steering: Amsoil P.S.F.;
Viscosity: 33.8 at 40c, 7.5 at 100c.

ATF in Transfer Case: Amsoil OEM.
Viscosity: 36.5 at 40c, 7.5 at 100c.

Transmission rebuilt, fluid changed with part synthetic or full synthetic. I plan to change completely to Amsoil ATF if I can do so without issue.

Fuel Additives:

Opti-Lube Boost (1 oz. per 10 gallons; 100% treat rate)
Opti-Lube XL (2 oz. per 10 gallons; 80% treat rate)

Mods:

Cold Air Intake (Homemade. Could be bigger but would that help?) - Added 12 November 2015 (improved later.)
Roof Rack Delete - Removed on 23 September 2016;
Tires: General Tubeless Radial LT245/75R16; Front kept at 65 PSI Cold, rear at 80 PSI Cold.
ScanGaugeII (Version 4.13) - et at -75% (give or take.)

The car has a coolant/engine block heater which works but won't reach operating temperature. I haven't seen it get hotter than 123 Degrees F on a warm day. If the outside temperature is in the high 20s the heater can get the coolant to the mid 70s before starting. With that temperature and Shell T6 oil (which I'm not using anymore) I didn't get lots of engine rumbling on starts.

Mods done and removed:

Front (Partial) and Rear (Full) Side Skirts Made of Duct Tape: 30 December 2015 - May 2016; worked but Mom hated how it looked. I plan to do better.

I may also do these:

Other Aerodynamic Upgrades
Alternator On/Off Switch and/or removal, replacement with Deep Cycle Batteries
Oil and Transmission Heaters
Manual Transmission

(Old 2018 Pic added on Jan 4, 2020; the air dam now curves around the sides.)

02-26-2015, 03:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
101Volts Master EcoModder Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 506 Woody - '90 Mercury Grand Marquis Wagon LS Last 3: 19.57 mpg (US) Brick - '99 Chevrolet K2500 Suburban LS Last 3: 12.94 mpg (US) M. C. - '01 Chevrolet Impala Base 90 day: 18.73 mpg (US) R. J. - '05 Ford Explorer 4wd 90 day: 16.66 mpg (US) Thanks: 936 Thanked 34 Times in 28 Posts	1999 Chevy K2500 Suburban 6.5 Diesel (Automatic) (Last Updated Jan 4 2020) Details: 1999 Chevrolet K2500 Suburban 6.5 Turbo Diesel Engine (Originally 194 HP and 430 Lb. Torque.) 4l80E Automatic Transmission Weight (with 3rd seat removed) is roughly 6,200 Lbs. Fluids & Filtration: Amsoil Premium Protection 10w40 Oil. Viscosity: 95.9 at 40c, 14.6 at 100c. Amsoil EaO26 Oil Filter; filters to 20 microns at a 98.7% absolute capture rate. Amsoil EaBP90 Bypass Oil Filter; filters to 2 microns at a 98.7% absolute capture rate. Gear Oil: Amsoil Severe Gear 75w90 Synthetic. Viscosity (as of 2019; I have oil from 2015 in my Suburban now which may differ: ) 102.4 at 40c, 15.9 at 100c. Power Steering: Amsoil P.S.F.; Viscosity: 33.8 at 40c, 7.5 at 100c. ATF in Transfer Case: Amsoil OEM. Viscosity: 36.5 at 40c, 7.5 at 100c. Transmission rebuilt, fluid changed with part synthetic or full synthetic. I plan to change completely to Amsoil ATF if I can do so without issue. Fuel Additives: Opti-Lube Boost (1 oz. per 10 gallons; 100% treat rate) Opti-Lube XL (2 oz. per 10 gallons; 80% treat rate) Mods: Cold Air Intake (Homemade. Could be bigger but would that help?) - Added 12 November 2015 (improved later.) Roof Rack Delete - Removed on 23 September 2016; Tires: General Tubeless Radial LT245/75R16; Front kept at 65 PSI Cold, rear at 80 PSI Cold. ScanGaugeII (Version 4.13) - et at -75% (give or take.) The car has a coolant/engine block heater which works but won't reach operating temperature. I haven't seen it get hotter than 123 Degrees F on a warm day. If the outside temperature is in the high 20s the heater can get the coolant to the mid 70s before starting. With that temperature and Shell T6 oil (which I'm not using anymore) I didn't get lots of engine rumbling on starts. Mods done and removed: Front (Partial) and Rear (Full) Side Skirts Made of Duct Tape: 30 December 2015 - May 2016; worked but Mom hated how it looked. I plan to do better. I may also do these: Other Aerodynamic Upgrades Alternator On/Off Switch and/or removal, replacement with Deep Cycle Batteries Oil and Transmission Heaters Manual Transmission (Old 2018 Pic added on Jan 4, 2020; the air dam now curves around the sides.) __________________ Last edited by 101Volts; 01-04-2020 at 07:34 PM..