No Low End Power

jonny72888 · July 24, 2011

My truck doesnt seem to have the power I would expect from a 5.3l v8 should. The motor really wakes around 3000rpms but until then its a dog. It pulls good once it gets to 3k. Its a 07 silverado 1500 5.3l with a 4 speed. I think its got 3.73s in it.

Is this normal? What could I do to "wake it up" on the low end?

jonny72888 · July 24, 2011

Its got new plugs and wires other than that its stock with 50k on it.

txab · July 24, 2011

Get a custom tune

jonny72888 · July 24, 2011

Get a custom tune

Would that be worth it? Someone told me to check the o2 sensors because they could be bad. does that sound like something it could be?

jdubub · July 24, 2011

its all of the restrictions GM puts on the newer trucks. All you can do to fix it is a custom tune....... then its a new truck

blackout07 · July 25, 2011

Agreed. Get rid of the TM and you're good.

Stevens03 · July 25, 2011

Get a custom tune

Would that be worth it? Someone told me to check the o2 sensors because they could be bad. does that sound like something it could be?

YES.. Def. Worth it. The TQ management is horrible on the GM trucks and really holds back the power. It will feel like an entirely different truck to drive once tuned.

Look up Blackbear performance. He's tuned 2 of my trucks

jonny72888 · July 25, 2011

Get a custom tune

Would that be worth it? Someone told me to check the o2 sensors because they could be bad. does that sound like something it could be?

YES.. Def. Worth it. The TQ management is horrible on the GM trucks and really holds back the power. It will feel like an entirely different truck to drive once tuned.

Look up Blackbear performance. He's tuned 2 of my trucks

Thanks guys!! Ill have to do this. I tow alot and it seems I never have the power where I need it.

A few questions on the tune. Do I need to send my ecu to them and wait or do they have core they send out? What about gas, will I need to switch from 87 to 94?

redjewel2ss · July 25, 2011

i'd also like to add installing a performance intake with the tune will help even more!

jonny72888 · July 25, 2011

i'd also like to add installing a performance intake with the tune will help even more!

I emailed them. How much do the tunes go for?

Carder09 · July 25, 2011

It all depends on the Gen. of the truck, the newest Gens cost more to do, the website should have info about the price. Also, Justin will email you the details on what to do but you will eventually send in your PCM but he gives you the new one first then you can opt to keep the old one (for 100.00) or send in.

jonny72888 · July 25, 2011

It all depends on the Gen. of the truck, the newest Gens cost more to do, the website should have info about the price. Also, Justin will email you the details on what to do but you will eventually send in your PCM but he gives you the new one first then you can opt to keep the old one (for 100.00) or send in.

I think I would just keep the old one.

So after reading I think I know what I want to do. 100% throttle reduction removed, I want to stiffen up the the shifts, Make it down shift sooner and hold a gear longer. I dont know what to do for the power side of it. Do they just mess with the timing?

jonny72888 · July 25, 2011

I just saw I put this in the wrong forum... sorry about that.

So have a 07 classic would I need to do the crank relearn? I emailed them but no reply yet.

Doug_Scott · July 25, 2011

It all depends on the Gen. of the truck, the newest Gens cost more to do, the website should have info about the price. Also, Justin will email you the details on what to do but you will eventually send in your PCM but he gives you the new one first then you can opt to keep the old one (for 100.00) or send in.

I think I would just keep the old one.

So after reading I think I know what I want to do. 100% throttle reduction removed, I want to stiffen up the the shifts, Make it down shift sooner and hold a gear longer. I dont know what to do for the power side of it. Do they just mess with the timing?

You don't need to tell Justin how to tune it, just specify what you want the truck to do, he does the rest. If you have 3.73 gears, it will really wake the truck up. A lot of the gain you feel is from improved drivability. So much smoother in delivery. And from my own experience, don't bother with the intake mod, it did nothing to help my truck, but did make a nice noise. You will get some that say it made a difference for them, but for me, no difference. Your truck already has a cold air intake system on it. The intake system that GM uses does not restrict flow, it does something with the resonance to offset the noise that the intake tube makes but there is nothing in there to restrict the flow.

Save the money on the intake, and spend it on the tune. Personally, I went with the Autocal version from BlackBear. You don't need spare ECM/TCM with it. See http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117866 .

jonny72888 · July 25, 2011

It all depends on the Gen. of the truck, the newest Gens cost more to do, the website should have info about the price. Also, Justin will email you the details on what to do but you will eventually send in your PCM but he gives you the new one first then you can opt to keep the old one (for 100.00) or send in.

I think I would just keep the old one.

So after reading I think I know what I want to do. 100% throttle reduction removed, I want to stiffen up the the shifts, Make it down shift sooner and hold a gear longer. I dont know what to do for the power side of it. Do they just mess with the timing?

You don't need to tell Justin how to tune it, just specify what you want the truck to do, he does the rest. If you have 3.73 gears, it will really wake the truck up. A lot of the gain you feel is from improved drivability. So much smoother in delivery. And from my own experience, don't bother with the intake mod, it did nothing to help my truck, but did make a nice noise. You will get some that say it made a difference for them, but for me, no difference. Your truck already has a cold air intake system on it. The intake system that GM uses does not restrict flow, it does something with the resonance to offset the noise that the intake tube makes but there is nothing in there to restrict the flow.

Save the money on the intake, and spend it on the tune. Personally, I went with the Autocal version from BlackBear. You don't need spare ECM/TCM with it. See http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=117866 .

Do you think it was worth the extra $250? So it come with a tune and then you just need to upload it to the truck? So as soon as it comes in just plug and play? I tried to order this and it does not ask any info about the truck. Do they all work with any truck?

And yes I do have 3.73s