Pushing the limit

catken · February 13, 2012

It sounds like getting a tune are for those who want to push their truck to the max rather than one who wants to improve the performance as is my motivation.

Carder09 · February 13, 2012

Lol tune push these trucks to the limit? No says I! Pushing to the limit to me sounds like you took the truck slapped some major internals in, twin turbocharged the motor, beefed the tranny then took the truck out on the open road to see if you could compete with the Bugatti veyron super sport which can go up to 278mph, at least that's what top gear u.k. said or did. That's pushing the limit

j-ten-ner · February 13, 2012

What is tuning for anyway?

IMO there is no need for it if I buy the right car for my needs in the first place.

In my case it is a 5.3 liter V8!!! That's a huge engine compared to European standarts. 315 HP and 338 lb-ft of torque. I'll never need it. But it gives my truck some dignity. I don't have to rev the engine to get the truck moving.

When I need power to tow or what ever there is the option to buy a 6.2 liter or even the Duramax.

How much power do I need? Is it not enough to have a truck with 397 HP and unbelievable 765 lb-ft?

Ok I'm talking about John Does like me. If you wanna go to a race track or tractor pulling that's a different story.

I would think about tuning my engine when it would improve the fuel economy. If there come along some more HP or lb-ft, fine with me.

My goal would be a smoother ride, better economy, less stress on the engine.

so long

j-ten-ner

kstruckcountry · February 13, 2012

Not really... I don't have experience with it on gassers, but it'll really make a diesel engine come alive.

j-ten-ner · February 13, 2012

another ignorant post...

Why?

so long

j-ten-ner

music · February 13, 2012

because for some reason beyond me you think tuning is useless....how laughable

He didn't say it was useless, he said *he* doesn't need it. Nothing wrong with that...

catken · February 13, 2012

The reason I started this topic was due to a reply in my Just curious thread where I asked the question why GM does not back the warranty if you altered the tuning. The replies appeared to say that tuning applied excessive stress to the engine components making them more vulnerable to failure. Am I correct in my assumption or am I blowing this way out of perspective.

music · February 13, 2012

The reason I started this topic was due to a reply in my Just curious thread where I asked the question why GM does not back the warranty if you altered the tuning. The replies appeared to say that tuning applied excessive stress to the engine components making them more vulnerable to failure. Am I correct in my assumption or am I blowing this way out of perspective.

Depends. If you built a motor to specific tolerances and specs, and then someone changed it after you sold it to them, would you warranty it? They really don't know whether the change was "better" or "worse"... only that "they don't know". You can trash a transmission or gear set with bad programming, but it doesn't mean you can't improve the programming for specific reasons without doing harm. It all depends on the tuner and driver, but GM can't possibly gauge either.

jdubub · February 13, 2012

The reason I started this topic was due to a reply in my Just curious thread where I asked the question why GM does not back the warranty if you altered the tuning. The replies appeared to say that tuning applied excessive stress to the engine components making them more vulnerable to failure. Am I correct in my assumption or am I blowing this way out of perspective.

A good tuner will wake your truck up and adjust it to your driving habits. A good tuner will not put anymore stress on your truck.

It's all in your hands from the day you roll off in a new truck. You can rag on a stock truck 24/7 and eventually things are going to break. You can do the same with a tuned vehicle.

I tune mine because I want a little more power, but mainly because I want better driveability and when I get on it for whatever reason I want it to move the way it should.

If people get a good tune, and things break because they drive like an idiot, it's on them.

Moral- get a tune from a good tuner like Justin at blackbear, you will love it and it does not shorten the life of your truck. With the Autocal you can putti back to stock.

Stevens03 · February 13, 2012

The reason I started this topic was due to a reply in my Just curious thread where I asked the question why GM does not back the warranty if you altered the tuning. The replies appeared to say that tuning applied excessive stress to the engine components making them more vulnerable to failure. Am I correct in my assumption or am I blowing this way out of perspective.

You are incorrect. If the stock tunes are that close to the engines limits, then everyone tuned would be having their motors blow up. There is no "excessive stress being put on a gas motor that tuning could hurt if the performance tune was done correctly. The performance tuners are "enhancing" the tune thats already there to have the motor run more optimum. A vehicle at sea level will run alot different than one at 2000' above sea level. By monitoring engine performance, the tuner can optimize performance.

The reason GM doesn't warranty the tune is because they didn't do it. It's as simple as that. No different than you changing your stock tires, then wanting GM to warranty them when you have an issue.

Mike@Diablosport · February 13, 2012

Yeah, there is no stress placed on a stock engine from a good tune.

In fact, then engine will be happier at a slightly leaner than stock AFR at WOT, and improving shift pressures will extend the life of the transmission.

Also, a well tuned 5.3 with DoD should be able to pick up an easy 1-2 if not 3 MPG on the highway through optimizing the DoD settings.

Thanks

jdubub · February 13, 2012

Yeah, there is no stress placed on a stock engine from a good tune.

In fact, then engine will be happier at a slightly leaner than stock AFR at WOT, and improving shift pressures will extend the life of the transmission.

Also, a well tuned 5.3 with DoD should be able to pick up an easy 1-2 if not 3 MPG on the highway through optimizing the DoD settings.

Thanks

I agree with the DOD. I can even gain speed while in v4

BlackZ71Silverado · February 14, 2012

It sounds like getting a tune are for those who want to push their truck to the max rather than one who wants to improve the performance as is my motivation.

Getting a tune is not even close to pushing your engine to the limit.............Now going to an engine builder, your boire and stroke changed, block lightened, port the heads, modifying the valve spring pockets so they accept larger springs to allow you to run at a higher RPM, now that engine would be pushing some limits.....Those are things we have done to our dirt cars and you are very lucky to get a season out of it.....Having a tune done does not even compare.

catken · February 14, 2012

Thanks for all your replies and for shedding some light on the subject. I'll take all of your comments into consideration before making my decision whether to go through with the tune . Again thanks

BlackZ71Silverado · February 14, 2012

Thanks for all your replies and for shedding some light on the subject. I'll take all of your comments into consideration before making my decision whether to go through with the tune . Again thanks

No reason not to get a tune really. It will allow your engine to operate properly and more efficient.....Just make sure to have the AFM tuned out. You'd be suprised at the difference in how much more fun it is to drive.