Which budget upgrade is worth the money?

dtspitcherguy · February 28, 2014

I know these are not the typical high dollar upgrades! I am looking to do some small budget upgrades on my 2009 GMC 1500 z71 SLE and wanted to get some opinions on a few options. I am going to need new tires and will need new brakes soon too, so my budget is only around $300 for right now and wanted to make my purchase worth the money. Options are listed below and any advice on value would be appreciated!

1. Denali style grille/grille insert (secondary question, would airflow be restricted to any significant extent?)

2. Range v8 - don't have oil consumption now, but thought it may help alleviate future problems

3. Airaid Modular Intake Tube/upgraded filter - wondering if it would lower mpg or does it just make it sound different!

4. Upgrade my Pioneer avh-x3500bhs to a avh-x4600bt - so I can have a 7" screen, 4v outputs, and better Siri integration with the rp5-gm31

intheburbs · February 28, 2014

Intake filters are a sham. Forget option 3. Keep you factory air box.

1 is totally cosmetic. Shouldn't affect airflow at all. To me, that's a waste of money, unless you're the shallow "look at me" type.

I detest AFM (one of the reasons I bought a 3/4 ton). 2 is probably a really good idea.

How much of a sound geek are you? Will the upgrade make you happy on a daily basis? Have no opinion on 4 - not the audiophile I used to be.

An alternative I'd offer is something like a Black Bear tune - a little above your budget, but I'm pretty sure part of the tune is that you can eliminate AFM. Consider it option 2 on steroids. I just did the Black Bear EFIlive on my 08, and it's made a huge difference. That, for sure, makes me happy every time I drive it.

TooTall1 · February 28, 2014

I'd get the Range AFM delete first. Turn off the AFM before you have oil consumption issues!

dtspitcherguy · February 28, 2014

Thanks, looks like a Range v8 it is

dtspitcherguy · February 28, 2014

Intheburbs,

I have heard of Black Bear before, but have not really done anything with custom tunes. What are some the benefits of a tune if I have not done any other modifications?

intheburbs · February 28, 2014

My setup is totally stock, too. GM programs the PCM/TCM for maximum smoothness. This includes a "lag" when you floor the accelerator, and softening of the transmission shifts. GM calls this "torque management."

A tune can eliminate these things, and it makes a big difference in the responsiveness of the vehicle. It's done 3 things for me:

1) Instant throttle response. I nail the gas, the truck jumps off the line.

2) Firmer shifts - you feel that little shove with each shift.

3) Quicker downshifts - when I'm cruising at speed, and wanted a downshift, the pedal had to be almost floored. Now, a gentle squeeze for passing, and it comes out of sixth much quicker.

And an added bonus, the 97-mph speed governor is removed. But we all drive the speed limits, right?

Overall, it's probably knocked a half-second off my 0-60 time, and the truck is much more responsive. No squishy feel to the accelerator any more. I didn't say anything, and my daughter noticed it the first time she drove it.

dtspitcherguy · February 28, 2014

Thanks for the input. Definitely something to think about. What has the tune done your fuel mileage?

Chris · February 28, 2014

Wont hurt it unless it is a bad tune

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intheburbs · March 1, 2014

Mileage is probably worse because I'm putting my foot in it all the time.

Mileage was 12/15 before the tune. Last time I checked the DIC, mileage was 11.8. But I've been doing quite a few WOT runs. I'm still in love with this thing. GM nailed the exhaust tuning on this truck, and I just love to hear that engine sing.

Frankly, I don't care about gas mileage. It's my third vehicle, and it usually sits in the garage 6 or even 7 days a week. I've also got a 91-octane hot tune, which I haven't tried yet.