Question for Chevy dually guys.

T Hall · 03-27-2010, 09:22 PM

I have a 1994 Chevy dually with a 454, throttle body, stock exhaust. I want to put a different exhaust on it to get a little better milage and best performance for towing I can get. This thing needs all it can get!.
What is the best way to do it without putting headers on it? Cat Back? From cat converter back, duals ?
Thanks for your help.
Tony

Bob Verwold · 03-28-2010, 09:38 AM

Well Tony, I think that's the nature of the beast.
I get about 6 mpg with mine and have duel exhaust no converters but don't have the headers if that helps............

T Hall · 03-28-2010, 09:41 AM

I am looking for more power than I am mileage. It is a pig.

Greg Hill · 03-28-2010, 03:18 PM

Trade it in for a 97 or later. Something with a vortec motor.

Shake & Bake · 03-29-2010, 05:44 PM

Go with the duramax in an 06' or newer GMC or Chevy with the 6-speed allison transmission and you'll get more power plus better mileage.

Rich Biebel · 03-29-2010, 07:25 PM

I had a '96 GMC single rear wheel pickup.....Vortec 454. It had decent power and towed fine. I bought it new and it served me well untill last Sept. I towed a box trailer with various cars inside and also have a pickup camper I used. Mileage was about 10+ towing just the trailer....add the camper and it would get about 9.....

I sold it and bought a 2007 Duramax.......Wow what a difference!......No comparison.....power and mileage.....It tows my trailer like it's not even there....and that is not an exaggeration......Gets 12+ towing and back and forth to work......and better on the highway......I loved my old truck but my Duramax is way better....

JJ3159 · 03-30-2010, 03:26 PM

it was 96 and up for the vortec ,it is a big diffrence ,in my 89 i had some k&n stuff and a tornado it helped

T Hall · 03-30-2010, 09:15 PM

OK guys, I am stuck with this one for a while. Its not that bad, I dont do a lot of traveling with it, just want to help it out, not trade it just yet, but thanks anyway.

Ron Finney · 03-30-2010, 09:51 PM

Tony,

You can make some minor mods such as better exhaust, K&N filter, etc. However, your truck is a speed density system which means it does not measure the airflow, it is calculated based on cu.in x rpm and then factored for load, air temp and barometer. The newer stuff has mass airflow so it is physically measuring the air coming in and can adapt for increases in airflow. What this means is that on a speed density system if you modify it too much, the calibration can't adjust because it is still assuming a pre-programmed amount of airflow. Example, early mustang GT's guys put the offroad H-pipe on them doing away with the cats and the cars would have idle issues, surging, dying etc. they ran good at WOT because it goes into open loop and max fuel delivery. In your case you need to maintain driveability.

Hope this helps. See you at the track!

Ron & Meridee
396V S/C

03-27-2010, 09:22 PM	#1
T Hall Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus,Ohio Posts: 390 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Question for Chevy dually guys. I have a 1994 Chevy dually with a 454, throttle body, stock exhaust. I want to put a different exhaust on it to get a little better milage and best performance for towing I can get. This thing needs all it can get!. What is the best way to do it without putting headers on it? Cat Back? From cat converter back, duals ? Thanks for your help. Tony __________________ Tony Hall 3545 S/ST

03-28-2010, 09:38 AM	#2
Bob Verwold Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Fayetteville Ohio Posts: 656 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Question for Chevy dually guys. Well Tony, I think that's the nature of the beast. I get about 6 mpg with mine and have duel exhaust no converters but don't have the headers if that helps............

03-28-2010, 09:41 AM	#3
T Hall Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus,Ohio Posts: 390 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Question for Chevy dually guys. I am looking for more power than I am mileage. It is a pig. __________________ Tony Hall 3545 S/ST

03-28-2010, 03:18 PM	#4
Greg Hill VIP Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Louisville , KY Posts: 1,994 Likes: 63 Liked 270 Times in 68 Posts	Re: Question for Chevy dually guys. Trade it in for a 97 or later. Something with a vortec motor. __________________ Greg Hill 4171 STK

03-29-2010, 05:44 PM	#5
Shake & Bake Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 299 Likes: 35 Liked 32 Times in 28 Posts	Re: Question for Chevy dually guys. Go with the duramax in an 06' or newer GMC or Chevy with the 6-speed allison transmission and you'll get more power plus better mileage. Last edited by Shake & Bake; 03-29-2010 at 05:54 PM.

03-29-2010, 07:25 PM	#6
Rich Biebel VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern New Jersey suburbs Posts: 2,275 Likes: 25 Liked 510 Times in 200 Posts	Re: Question for Chevy dually guys. I had a '96 GMC single rear wheel pickup.....Vortec 454. It had decent power and towed fine. I bought it new and it served me well untill last Sept. I towed a box trailer with various cars inside and also have a pickup camper I used. Mileage was about 10+ towing just the trailer....add the camper and it would get about 9..... I sold it and bought a 2007 Duramax.......Wow what a difference!......No comparison.....power and mileage.....It tows my trailer like it's not even there....and that is not an exaggeration......Gets 12+ towing and back and forth to work......and better on the highway......I loved my old truck but my Duramax is way better.... __________________ Rich Biebel S/C 1479

03-30-2010, 03:26 PM	#7
JJ3159 Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: WEST SENECA N.Y. Posts: 140 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Question for Chevy dually guys. it was 96 and up for the vortec ,it is a big diffrence ,in my 89 i had some k&n stuff and a tornado it helped __________________ jj h/r 1399 s/r 1399 s/g 1399

03-30-2010, 09:15 PM	#8
T Hall Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Columbus,Ohio Posts: 390 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Question for Chevy dually guys. OK guys, I am stuck with this one for a while. Its not that bad, I dont do a lot of traveling with it, just want to help it out, not trade it just yet, but thanks anyway. __________________ Tony Hall 3545 S/ST

03-30-2010, 09:51 PM	#9
Ron Finney Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Greenwood, IN Posts: 168 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Question for Chevy dually guys. Tony, You can make some minor mods such as better exhaust, K&N filter, etc. However, your truck is a speed density system which means it does not measure the airflow, it is calculated based on cu.in x rpm and then factored for load, air temp and barometer. The newer stuff has mass airflow so it is physically measuring the air coming in and can adapt for increases in airflow. What this means is that on a speed density system if you modify it too much, the calibration can't adjust because it is still assuming a pre-programmed amount of airflow. Example, early mustang GT's guys put the offroad H-pipe on them doing away with the cats and the cars would have idle issues, surging, dying etc. they ran good at WOT because it goes into open loop and max fuel delivery. In your case you need to maintain driveability. Hope this helps. See you at the track! Ron & Meridee 396V S/C __________________ Ron Finney 396V S/C