TedH

The kit is about $600 and I have yet to find a shop that offers the removal service. I'm assuming it will be $2,500 to remove all signs of the DOD plus parts since you practically have to remove the top end and entire cooling system. My question: When do I need to become concerned? Wait 1-2 more years? It runs fine and no apparent issues. I'm missing my 2003 LS Silverado with 4.8L and 4L60E. (trade-in in 2016). I want to keep my 2014. But, I want to also be prepared for the potential expense to remove the damn DOD/AFM. Just want to be realistic. At this point in my life, I prefer to drive the wheels off my truck than finance and pay off in 5 years. I need to get ready for my retirement years (over 55).

By accident, I did a search on my Diablo i3 tuner and found it has a 'Flex fuel' tune in addition to the 87, 91 and 93 octane gas tunes. So, I filled with Ethanol twice (currently, about 65% ethanol per my Diablo sampler) and tuned it for Flex. I added a slightly firmer shift (trans is too sloppy and I'm always pressing harder to push it along and now happier since the new tune... I still press the go pedal but for better reasons) and ensured the DOD/AFM is OFF. Overall, no noticeable change other than the better shifting. But, it is early and I hope to enjoy it regardless. NOTE: I'm not concerned with mileage as I am WFH since March 2020 due to the 'lockdown' and my once-weekly 1-hour drive each way (beer and wings with my buds) is my one long trip I get to enjoy listening to the flowmaster Force II exhaust note. I am tuning now for enjoyment. Also, I am looking seriously at potential for delete of DOD/AFM due to my 70K mileage... a separate thread/topic.

Comp Cams offers this kit: ahttps://liftkits4less.com/catalog/product/view/id/537020/s/premium-dod-delete-kit-for-gm-gen-v-l83/?gclid=CjwKCAjwzaSLBhBJEiwAJSRokglwDspeh2iaswIP_KwSA6FCmFoBblgpnDXIPZg1VfMRWHI8OS1VzRoCI_wQAvD_BwE ms I am seeing a lot of 'press' about the 2014 L83 5.3L having serious wear from the DOD/AFM system. Mostly, it is around the lifter wear on those cylinders that are subject to AFM. In 2016, I purchased my 2014 Silverado with 5.3L with about 20K miles. I QUICKLY disabled AFM shortly after adding an exhaust and HATING the exhaust sound. Today, after COVID and isolation, I am approaching 70K miles. started with Range AFM disable but it drained my battery. I then found the Diablo i3 tuner that allowed me to disable full-time with no battery drain. I recently started running E85 to benefit from the higher HP/TQ and decided to read up on DOD/AFM. That is when I was hit with all the press about the permanent delete kits. What is your experience? Since I have disabled (using software) for much of the last 50K miles, is it a non-issue. Do I need to sell/adapt by 100K miles? What are the telltales that it is 'about time'? I have some clicking but I assumed that was the injectors as I have had it since purchase (only audible when window is down and I am driving through my favorite fast food window for my fries/burger fix.

Good info. Thanks for sharing. Will give it serious consideration.

I bought the Diablo tuner several years ago and disabled the DOD and applied the 87-octane tune. From the Diablo site, the 87-octane tune gives a decent power and torque boost: 1999-2015 Silverado / Sierra 5.3L V8 Performance/Diablo Tune: +20 HP, +25 TQ 87 Octane Tune: +13 HP, +18 TQ Mileage Booster Tune: 2 MPG Should I save my fuel $$$ and forego applying the Performance/Diablo Tune? It appears to offer 7hp/7tq boost over the 87-octane tune. Other 'performance' mods I have are the K&N air filter and stainless Flowmaster Force II dual exhaust (cat-back).

Are aftermarket flapper valves available?

I bought the Range AFM disabler after I swapped in a Flowmaster Force II dual system. Without the in-pipe flap, the 4-cyl drone is awful. I tried the Range several times. Each time, I removed it after it threw codes or the truck refused to start. The last time, I was lucky to clear codes when I removed it after the truck would not start (it would start immediately once I removed it). I think the Range AFM disabler has flaws that are not worth the aggravation. For now, if I want it in 8cyl, I use M5 transmission setting. I still have the OEM single exhaust and bought the good Borla muffler. So, I may reinstall the stock system (has the flap/valve after the stock muffler) with the better Borla muffler and let the system flip between 4 and 8 (no more drone).

2, 5-gallon jugs of Mobil 1 0W-20 @ Walmart with the premium Fram synthetic filter. Under $60 before taxes. I 'heard' 8 qt was the new 'full'. That was after I just put 8 qt in with my change as I figured it was right at full. Watching and seeing that I have LESS 'consumption' this time (my first change). I suspect either dealer or PO (purchased GM Certified used in April '16) did not fill properly. Hoping anyway...

What is the 'Range' device you mentioned? Sorry, I found it. It is the V4 disabler. Was hoping for an in-line exhaust flap for the pipes.

AFM with my Flowmaster Force II system is so annoying that I am going to re-install my stock exhaust (with the flap) but with a Borla muffler. I have resorted to using M5 setting on transmission when driving around town (mostly city traffic) as the AFM switching happens too often and is very noticeable. The 4Cyl mode really has a DRONE that bugs me. Added an exhaust system to improve the sound/performance and not sure it was worth it with AFM.

I wondered at the 8.5 cap since I drew so much less out. Figured I would put 8.0 in and keep an eye on it. It is right about the full mark currently.

Not really. I only put 8.0 in. But I got MAYBE 6-6.5 out.

I made my first oil change on my 2014 HC last month (bought used in April). Replaced it with the Mobil 1 0W20 Full Syn. One observation I had when I was draining the oil back into the empty container was that it almost had the consistency of WATER. The oil is very 'runny'. Is this more due to its composition for 'cooling' vs 'wear prevention'? I was almost inclined to add a qt of my 5W30 6-pack that I had on the shelf from when I had my 2003 Silverado (4.8L) but decided against. I have approx 2 qts remaining from the second 5-quart bottle. One other thing: I put more oil in than I took out. It seemed to be down about 1-2 quarts (from the 8.5 qt capacity). Is this all from the AFM and the oil that is sprayed on the undersides of the pistons (burnt?) to keep the pistons cooler? This engine is different from my 4.8L in many ways (not just power).

This is the kind of performance I hope to approach on a long trip. With Cruise and some coasting downhill and approaching stop lights. The truck seems to know when it should be in v4 and v8 mode.

On a recent round trip from Clearwater, FL to Sarasota, FL, I averaged 23.2 mpg. This is outstanding mileage. I tend to tap the brakes when I see the stop light is red to let the truck coast (not excessively) a bit before I brake to slow. Around town, my commute mpg is 18-20 mpg (with some stop-and-go). I hope to achieve better mileage on a longer trip with max speeds 70-75mph. 2014 Silverado High Country, crew cab, 5.3L. Only mod is a K&N filter in the stock air box.