Programmers

05 1500HD · April 12, 2011

When I was talking to my cousin he was sayinig he bought a bullydog programmer that helped on his gas mileage on his 2500hd gasser. What are some good programmers and what am I actually looking for? Can you post a link to some. I was on 4wheelparts.com but didn't know what I was actually looking at. He said he got I think he said 2-3 more MPG. Are they worth the money?

NickS · April 12, 2011

I've never heard of anyone getting 2-3 out of a programmer except for a diesel because of how much they are tuned down. Everyone (well, 95% or so) on here will tell you to get a custom tune. Blackbear is the most common one, and there's also wheatly and others. I had the edge evolution on mine and for the $400 it cost, I was glad to sell it for close to what I paid after a few months and get a custom tune from Justin at BLackbear. I didn't see jack shit from te edge except a little firmer shifts. I might be wrong, but I don't think any programmer can do as custom of a tune like blackbear (removing torque management, removing AFM, etc...). A programmer is just a set tune that will put the same tune on whatever truck it is hooked up to. A customs one like blackbear is different on every truck tailored to how you drive/how you want it.

Me for instance, I have 85% of my torque management removed and my tow haul button taken off and set to and "extreme" setting. Truck will run like hell.

Like I said, I didn't see anything but firmer shifts from the edge. And I bought it mainly to try to help with gas mileage, which I didn't see. I saw 1-2 MPG better out of the blackbear though. They are a sponsor on here and have probably some of the best customer service you can find. Check out their website and FAQ.

Stevens03 · April 12, 2011

I'd be highly surprised if he actually got 2-3 mpg more out of a programmer. I could see 1-2 possible. IF your set on a handheld, I'd look at Diablo sport Preditor or Superchips for your year of truck. If you want the most bang for the buck, I'd consider a custom tune from Blackbear performance. The custom tune will yield more power and better possibility for better mileage. Keep in mind, not everyone sees a mileage increase.

And yes..Hands down, They are worth the money. I've had a tune of some kind on my last 4 trucks.

jimbrown1 · April 12, 2011

I'd be highly surprised if he actually got 2-3 mpg more out of a programmer. I could see 1-2 possible. IF your set on a handheld, I'd look at Diablo sport Preditor or Superchips for your year of truck. If you want the most bang for the buck, I'd consider a custom tune from Blackbear performance. The custom tune will yield more power and better possibility for better mileage. Keep in mind, not everyone sees a mileage increase.

And yes..Hands down, They are worth the money. I've had a tune of some kind on my last 4 trucks.

+1 Had a Superchips Flashpaq for the 2005 Sierra, didn't see much improvement of anything other than firmer shifts. Got a Blackbear tune on the 2011 and remove the Torque Mgmt and it runs like a wild man! Love the fact that the daily driveability is so much better now. Wish GM had programmed it this way from the factory. I haven't changed tire sizes or lifted the front end yet on the new truck, but Justin can accomodate tire and/or gear changes with a lot better precision than a handheld like Superships or Diablo. I know this because when I changed gears and tires on the 2005 Sierra and compared the speedo to my GPS it was still a little off (~1 mph). After finally deciding to get rid of the 2005 Sierra for the 2011 Silverado and since I already had the unused Auto Cal(couldn't decide whether I was going to keep the 2005 and reprogram or get the 2011 Chevy), Justin at Blackbear offered to reprogram for the gear change so I could sell the Flashpaq and make sure the new buyer had a correct speedo. It was spot on after Justin made the change.

BostonGMC · April 16, 2011

On avg what does a blackbear tune run for a 5.3 silverado?

NickS · April 16, 2011

Something like $250 to tune your current Modules, and $400 to send you new ones and tune them so you keep your stock ones.

Keeping your old ones is good if you have any bumper to bumper or powertrain warranty left because if you need to take your truck in, you just put your factory ones back in and they never know you had anything done to it. Then you change them out with your tuned ones, and use them the rest if the time.

Just go to their website. They have all of the info.

jimbrown1 · April 16, 2011

Get the autocal so you can have multiple tunes (i.e., 87 octane tune, 93+ octane tune, sport tune, etc) and swap them out when you want. I think it's around $549 for the auto cal which includes the tunes and updates from Justin when needed if yuo decide to change tires or gears later on. Well worth it especially if you have multiple GM vehicles. You can keep your tunes on the PC at home and swap out on the Auto Cal.