Is a custom tune worth it?

[skmoore22]

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

Hey man,

 

I installed the Corsa cat back system today. My question to you is, did you have a muffler shop delete the third cat and re-weld a piece of straight pipe in? I planned on deleting the third cat today while installing the Corsa system but realized after I got it up a lift everything was welded on both sides of the third cat.

 

V/R,

Sean

[mzodarg]

Hey man,

 

I installed the Corsa cat back system today. My question to you is, did you have a muffler shop delete the third cat and re-weld a piece of straight pipe in? I planned on deleting the third cat today while installing the Corsa system but realized after I got it up a lift everything was welded on both sides of the third cat.

 

V/R,

Sean

Yes, that is exactly what I had done.

[skmoore22]

Yes, that is exactly what I had done.

 

Sweet, thanks for confirming.

 

The weather is finally breaking here in Maryland... time to get the streetglide out for some exercise.

[14'SilveradoLT]

Yes, that is exactly what I had done.

 

Did you notice much of a gain my deleting the third cat?

[mzodarg]

 

Did you notice much of a gain my deleting the third cat?

Hard to say, as I was tuning at the same time. I'm sure it didn't hurt. I do know it helped the truck exhale better but by how much I couldn't say.

 

Mike

[14'SilveradoLT]

I haven't ran stock in my last four vehicles 2002 Dodge Ram, Mazda 6, 2005 Silverado SS and the 2013 Ecoboost. However, I've been trying to leave this one stock until I see someone "really" unlock this new motor----it has to have more in it then I've seen.

 

Overall how much better and where is it better with your tune?

 

EDIT: I guess I've never been "stock", lol...but the 1994 Dodge Stealth and 2000 Celica GTS weren't really tuned...the GTS had some parameter changes but nothing drastic.

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

I haven't ran stock in my last four vehicles 2002 Dodge Ram, Mazda 6, 2005 Silverado SS and the 2013 Ecoboost. However, I've been trying to leave this one stock until I see someone "really" unlock this new motor----it has to have more in it then I've seen.

 

Overall how much better and where is it better with your tune?

 

EDIT: I guess I've never been "stock", lol...but the 1994 Dodge Stealth and 2000 Celica GTS weren't really tuned...the GTS had some parameter changes but nothing drastic.

90% of your gains with a tune will be the removal of engine torque management and knocking the edges off in the trans torque management so that it shifts more like a car than a bus/motorhome. With that alone, you will see more improvement than a good tune on your old LQ9. Then there is the 20-25ish horsepower to be gained with a premium fuel tune. I cant confirm that yet and am going off my buttomometer...as I haven't been to the Dyno but I'm going to try to get in one today since I took some me-time this weekend. Oh, mine is a 5.3.

[14'SilveradoLT]

20-25 on premium would make pretty happy. If I could put down 340whp and around 365lbft tq w/ some slight supporting mods, I might end up tuning this one, too. "A Custom Tune would be worth it" to me then. I'm also 5.3L with 3.42 rear.

 

My LQ9 was AWD....Zippy Tuned, Bored TB, True Dual magnaflow, 2nd and 4th gear synchros, 170* (I think) Thermostat and K&N intake....all of that made that MY favorite truck. The fastest one was the ecoboost tuned with solo exhaust and AFE stage 2 intake....it was around a consistent 13.4-13.5 truck.

 

Without a doubt my favorite vehicle to date was the Silverado SS.

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

I have had 2 SilvySS's, i loved the truck but couldnt get past how slow they were stock which is why the second one ended up boosted... 6lbs made for a lightening eater, especially off the line, for a while anyway, until I was rebuilding transmissions, again, and again and again.

[14'SilveradoLT]

Yeah, they were marginally better when they went to the 4L65E....So far this transmission seems like it is pretty solid for light builds. And yes, the Silvy SS was slow stock lol.

 

I think the best thing I ever did was the 2nd and 4 th syncros!!! The Tune was right there, too.

[iCryWheniGoPoop]

Yeah, they were marginally better when they went to the 4L65E....So far this transmission seems like it is pretty solid for light builds. And yes, the Silvy SS was slow stock lol.

 

I think the best thing I ever did was the 2nd and 4 th syncros!!! The Tune was right there, too.

Corvette servo and crank the crap out of the trans line pressure and cut the shift time down to a 10th second. Under boost I could break the tires loose at shift on the right pavement. When I put Nittos all the way around and a Yank 2500 convertor, I was launching on boost and that's why I always had an extra tranny for backup.

[GM MAN VINCE]

 

 

Did you notice much of a gain my deleting the third cat?

 

Did you change the shift firmness in your trans man or did lew do all this for you?

 

Got just the regular 87 tune installed right now and it gave me the option on changing the shift firmness I haven't messed with it though. Doing my first 150 miles right now.

 

Hard to say, as I was tuning at the same time. I'm sure it didn't hurt. I do know it helped the truck exhale better but by how much I couldn't say.

 

Mike

[mzodarg]

 

 

Did you notice much of a gain my deleting the third cat?

 

Did you change the shift firmness in your trans man or did lew do all this for you?

 

Got just the regular 87 tune installed right now and it gave me the option on changing the shift firmness I haven't messed with it though. Doing my first 150 miles right now.

 

Hard to say, as I was tuning at the same time. I'm sure it didn't hurt. I do know it helped the truck exhale better but by how much I couldn't say.

 

Mike

 

Lew did it all for me, sent me a starter tune and adjusted from there. I did a 91 octane tune, I'm contemplating purchasing HP tuners. I'm interested in learning the process myself. A member here (TDT) has offered to assist me if I do purchase it.

Best of luck.

 

Mike

[MotoMedic]

87-89 Oct Engine Tune: cleans up throttle response and adds a little pep. I give it 6 out of 10.

Trans Tune: cleans up shifting and no more pesky auto dropping two gears every time you barely let off the gas! I give it 10/10!

 

If I could only choose one, I'd tune the trans again in a heartbeat!

 

FYI- Black Bear now has trans tune available

[krzyd]

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?

I did a custom tune with Diablolew at Diablosport, night and day....night and day.