Is a custom tune worth it?

[GM MAN VINCE]

I apologize if this has been covered but I've tried searching. I love my truck but hate the afm system so I picked up a range afm disable device a few weeks back and installed it. All was fine till around 1000 mile mark running the range unit. One morning when I got in the truck my service stabilitrak and service hill assist light was on I didn't think to much about it so I drove to town once in town the truck shut off at a red light it started back up and I've driven it 200+ miles since without issue. Done some digging and looks like a few of you guys are having the exact same problem from the range unit.

 

So Ive been talking with lew about a custom in tune so I can get a little more out of the truck and turn off the afm.

 

Is the tune really worth it though I'm aware of warranty work issues. I guess the real question is how many of you guys are doing it?

 

And are you guys tuning for 87 or 93 octane?

 

 

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

It is worth it to me, but I am a driver. Most people can get in their truck/car and be perfectly happy with mediocre (that's why ford is still in business, lol) If you come up to the Tulsa area for any reason, hit me up and you can drive my truck and see for yourself, it would be an understatement to say that it is like driving a different truck.

I have tuned mine to just about everything, and am still playing. I was focusing on E85 tuning until that crap recently jumped up to almost gasoline prices.

[Carder09]

Run 93 and live prosperous. Also, give BlackBear a ring as well. Best to check all your options on tuners.

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

Run 93 and live prosperous. Also, give BlackBear a ring as well. Best to check all your options on tuners.

Black Bear is a very well respected tuner, but they haven't been able to tune on the transmission yet so be sure and ask if they can tune the TCM. The transmission tune makes up for about 90% of the drivability issues and as far as I am concerned is a deal breaker until EFI Live (Black Bears tuning software) is capable of tuning the TCM. Black Bears quality and ability to put the tune in a hand held programmer is a very attractive feature and may be worth the wait though.

[GM MAN VINCE]

Installing a magnaflow 18" muffler installed today with a turn down. For the price I don't think you could go wrong with this setup. Hopefully I will like it.

 

The tune will be next I just don't trust the range unit. 93 octane is not a problem to get around here but is pretty close to $4 a gallon.

[fondupot]

It was definitely worth it on my last truck. I cant tune this one tho for now...

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

Installing a magnaflow 18" muffler installed today with a turn down. For the price I don't think you could go wrong with this setup. Hopefully I will like it. The tune will be next I just don't trust the range unit. 93 octane is not a problem to get around here but is pretty close to $4 a gallon.

You don't have to have a 93 octane tune, you will see more power but just cleaning up your current 87 octane tune and adjusting transmission so that it shifts more like a car/truck rather than a bus, will make a huge difference. My tune current tune is 87 octane, I only tuned on the 93 for a while, and went back to an 87 octane tune because if I ever wanted more power, I would just start running e85.

[GM MAN VINCE]

Got the 18" magnaflow muffler installed I cut out the stock muffler and resonator it sounds really good for the amount of money I have tied up in it. I also just ordered a custom diablosport Intune from lew I'm looking forward to see what he can do for me. Hopefully the truck won't blow up on me now lol.

[Carder09]

With average prices for reg to premium, its a 7 dollar difference. 3.60-3.95.

[mzodarg]

Got the 18" magnaflow muffler installed I cut out the stock muffler and resonator it sounds really good for the amount of money I have tied up in it. I also just ordered a custom diablosport Intune from lew I'm looking forward to see what he can do for me. Hopefully the truck won't blow up on me now lol.

Lew tuned mine and I'm all smiles! If you really want to wake her up, remove the third cat. I did mine mid tune that along with the tune is amazing!

[66nova]

I don't think I have ever heard of someone regretting a custom tune.

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

I don't think I have ever heard of someone regretting a custom tune.

Well.. I have had several people come to me to fix their so-called custom tune. Just be sure you go to a good, well known, reputable tuner, especially since your warranty is at risk.

DO your research and you picked a good place to start.

 

You might also post where you are located, some of your local users on here may also chime in with a local tuner

[66nova]

I don't think I have ever heard of someone regretting a custom tune.

 

Well.. I have had several people come to me to fix their so-called custom tune. Just be sure you go to a good, well known, reputable tuner, especially since your warranty is at risk.

DO your research and you picked a good place to start.

You might also post where you are located, some of your local users on here may also chime in with a local tuner

 

This is very true.

 

There are a lot of "tuners" out there.

 

I will correct my previous post. I don think I have ever heard of any one regretting getting a custom tune from a reputable tuner. (Black Bear, Nelson, Lew, etc)

 

 

[GM MAN VINCE]

I'm located in Madison ms. I started to remove the 3rd cat but I can always go back and do that later.

[mzodarg]

I'm located in Madison ms. I started to remove the 3rd cat but I can always go back and do that later.

Yes you can always do it later. If you decide to get a tune, I would submit that once you remove the third cat to do a data run done and send it off to your tuner shortly after removal. I removed mine mid tune, drove roughly 150 to 200 miles and did a data run. Removing the cat leaned me out and Lew had to fatten the mixture up.

 

My experience may be on the extreme as I not only removed the cat I replaced my 18" magnfake with a 14" Magnaflow and changed the piping after the muffler to 3" as the muffler shop that put the knock off on also ran 2.25" pipe after the muffler.

 

Wish you the best in your tuning endeavors, like I said previously Lew does a very nice job.

 

Mike