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Preliminary testing
The van is in need of alignment and maybe a front end part and we need a new NOX #1 sensor, but I did have a chance to run a few miles with the new airdam/valance in place. I appear to have gained about .75 to 1 mpg @ 68 mph in 8th gear from 33.3 to 34+. What was more interesting is at about 62 MPG in 7th gear I used to run about 31 to 32 mpg and now was running 34mpg. I think at least the change did no harm. I would expect the factory air dam to be higher than optimum ( it has steadily gotten lower over the years), since GM wouldn't want it getting ripped off on jobsites. I've still got 7 1/2 inch clearance with the van loaded. I suspect getting the front belly pan in place and tied and sealed to the back of the airdam will cut the vacuum drag behind the dam and I should see further gains with increased cooling air flow through the grill... allowing for some grill block. ( the van comes with a factory grill cover for winter use).
It's a couple weeks before the repairs get done, so further testing then.
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