Towing with 1994 Suburban SLE

Countrysinger

New member
Joined
Feb 12, 2010
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Points
0
I have to tow my 16 ft tandem axle enclosed trailer that weighs about 3000 lbs. The last time I towed it in drive, not overdrive and saw about 7mpg on a 1400 mile round trip. I am wondering if there is anyway to improve this? I had a bad fuel filter that never showed its ugly face till a month later, but may have been partially clogged. No idea if that would make a difference.

What about the Jet chips for the transmission?
 
I have to tow my 16 ft tandem axle enclosed trailer that weighs about 3000 lbs. The last time I towed it in drive, not overdrive and saw about 7mpg on a 1400 mile round trip. I am wondering if there is anyway to improve this? I had a bad fuel filter that never showed its ugly face till a month later, but may have been partially clogged. No idea if that would make a difference.

What about the Jet chips for the transmission?

Change your air intake with a cold air intake and as for your transmission, replace the servo with a Corvette servo to swap out the one in your transmission and buy a http://www.bmracing.com/SPECIALS/ShiftPlus-electronic-Shift-Improver-for-GM for a better and improved transmission shift and life if your going to tow. :rolleyes:

Good luck and welcome to the sight. :D
 
Change your air intake with a cold air intake and as for your transmission, replace the servo with a Corvette servo to swap out the one in your transmission and buy a http://www.bmracing.com/SPECIALS/ShiftPlus-electronic-Shift-Improver-for-GM for a better and improved transmission shift and life if your going to tow. :rolleyes:

Good luck and welcome to the sight. :D

Thanks for the info and the welcome! Would that allow me to safely use overdrive when towing? Any idea what kind of mileage increase I may see? Where does one find a Corvette servo? Is it hard to change?
 
Will that allow me to tow in overdrive? Sounds pretty easy. What kind of mileage increase have people see from the cold air intake in these trucks?
 
B&M Shiftplus Electronice shift improver

Will that allow me to tow in overdrive? Sounds pretty easy. What kind of mileage increase have people see from the cold air intake in these trucks?

Yes your can drive the Suburban in OD and actually better for your Torque Converter. The system helps keep the heat down produced by locking up the torque converter clutch faster.

"ShiftPlus simply recalibrates your transmission's hydraulic system electronically. The ShiftPlus shift firmness not only makes driving more fun and pleasurable, but slippage and heat are reduced - extending the life of your transmission! Anyone can install a B&M ShiftPlus in minutes with a few simple hand tools. This design allows you to improve the transmission's shifting performance without removing the transmission pan or valve body. The B&M ShiftPlus electronically enhances shift quality and is adjustable. A simple flip of the switch allows the transmission to operate in the performance mode. Flip it back and you are back to stock!" :D

Two two wires piggyback into the Pressure Solenoid wire, and the ISS Sensor wire in your transmission. This modifies the signal to your TCM about the line pressure, which the TCM, in turn, boosts to a higher lever. This shortens the time between the changing of gears. The B&M has three positions on the switch (Stock, Stage 1, Stage 2) Stock is stock line pressure, stage 1 is slightly increased pressure, and stage 2 is extremely high pressure.

Stage 2 will completely remove the downtime between gearshift and will probably even cause your tires to chirp between 1-2 and 2-3 upshifts.

For GM rear wheel drive and 4wd trans code MT1 or M30 (RPO code found on sticker in glove box) '93-'98 Suburban, Tahoe, Blazer (C/K, S/T), pickup (C&K) 1500, 2500, 3500, Impala, Camaro, Firebird & '94-'98.

You can install the Shiftpluse on later transmission 1999 and newer, the only thing is, if your have a factory tow button. It does the same thing so you don't have to install one, if you don't you can install one. I have installed on in my wifes 03 Montana to help with the transmission shift pattern, too soft causing the 4T65E in the Montana's to only last just over 150,000 miles. (A GM PCM nightmare, there program to slip until the engine and transmission reaches it's operation temperature.)

On 1999 and new cars and trucks, or even on some 1998. Your going to have to turn the engine off to have the ECM reset so you can turn the Shifterplus back to stock again, you can go up on the stage from stock to stage 2 but you can only go from stage 2 to 1 but will not go back to stock until you trunt your engine off and restart. :(

Hope this helps answer a few question. :eek:
 
That answers a few questions thank you! I was actually going to sell the suburban as I was unhappy with the expense of towing. Now I am going to try these few things to keep it, as I like it much more than my 1 tonne Ford 15 passenger Van. Just a little more style!
 
That answers a few questions thank you! I was actually going to sell the suburban as I was unhappy with the expense of towing. Now I am going to try these few things to keep it, as I like it much more than my 1 tonne Ford 15 passenger Van. Just a little more style!

The other thing you can also do is repalce the Servo in your transmission, with the Corvette Servo and there not that expansive ($45.00 or less) and you don't even have to drop the transmission pan to do it. Best thing is when it's time to service your transmission, you can have them install it and only take no more then an extra 30 min tops to replace the servo, so they can do it while they drain the transmission fluid.

This will even firm up the 1-2 shift more, I have a 1996 jimmy with over 365,000 miles with the original transmission. After the first transmission service at 45,000 miles I replace the servo, and boost valve with a 0.490" boost valve. I had put in the 0.50" boost valve, but was to crazy for a light SUV but the 0.500" boost valve would be good on your Suburban. And yes i have the B&M Shiftplus too. :D Here is a link that you may be interested in.

http://www.keystonekrawlers.com/Mods/GM/4L60E/4l60e_transmission_mods.htm

http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/700R4_4L60E_Corvette_servo_piston_p/350-000035952.htm just to give you an idea on the price so a shady transmission shop will try not to sell you a parts for more then there worth. :eek:
 
I love our 90 model. If I already had that much in it, and you like it, just do a tranny swap to the 700R4 with OD....of course driving style is a factor. OD wont help any in town.


Or, even easier yet, do what I do when I have a big 4x4 truck dont check the mpg, put gas in it, and have fun. Yours sounds nice...pics??
 


Back
Top