Aftermarket tune leaving torque management on (6.2L). Worth it?

BigRedd · February 1, 2016

Having read every tuning thread for info on 6.2L/8-speed tunes, there does not appear to be clear consensus that turning torque management off (or reducing it) is not damaging to the tranny and/or other "hard parts" - especially over the long haul.

If I have this correct, then I would probably just leave Torque Management "on" (i.e. at the factory settings) in a tune. If that's the route I choose, is it even worth it to get the tune?

I have a '15 SLT AT CCSB with the 6.2L/8 speed. My use case is split: (1) I work from home so all week my driving is limited to driving my kids to school, practice, etc. and an occasional longer run but still on local roads; but (2) on weekends, we take a lot of extended highway trips and, because I like to drive, I'll "get on it" from time-to-time. I am not a stranger to WOT.

The main reason I'm looking for a tune is that the drivability around town. It seems like when I'm between 30-40 MPH, the tranny is a slushbox/hunting for gears and the throttle response is pretty poor. While I drive fairly aggressively, though, it's not like I'm looking to spin the tires on every shift while driving around town. I would definitely appreciate firmer shifts on the highway as well because overall I find the shifts really soft, but I also don't want "thuds" every time the transmission shifts.

Will a tune be worth it for me?

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks.

crankman · February 1, 2016

Have you tried driving in Manual 4 or 5 in town? I used to do it all the time, it felt like it firmed up in Manual but mine was a 2011 6 speed .

fondupot · February 1, 2016

Is it for sure that torque management is either ON or OFF with the 8 speeds? I thought it could be stepped down to half. At least that's what it is in previous years.

Badass69 · February 1, 2016

I just opened my EFILive files I pulled off my truck. It's not on or off only..... it's just limited and missing a bunch of parameters still as compared to the 6 speeds and so on.

BigRedd · February 1, 2016

Thanks, folks, for the replies so far. Even if torque mgmt can be set at 50%, I think I'd probably still be reluctant to do that unless there were pretty solid consensus that that would not create meaningful add'l risk of a "hard part" failing. And I don't think there's solid consensus even on that, though I'd be happy to be incorrect.

So to clarify the question: is an aftermarket tune of a 6.2L/8 spd worth it if Torque Management is left fully "on"...irrespective of whether it can be reduced incrementally or has to be shut off entirely?

Thank you.

Ten4Lou · February 2, 2016

Thanks, folks, for the replies so far. Even if torque mgmt can be set at 50%, I think I'd probably still be reluctant to do that unless there were pretty solid consensus that that would not create meaningful add'l risk of a "hard part" failing. And I don't think there's solid consensus even on that, though I'd be happy to be incorrect.

So to clarify the question: is an aftermarket tune of a 6.2L/8 spd worth it if Torque Management is left fully "on"...irrespective of whether it can be reduced incrementally or has to be shut off entirely?

Thank you.

I have the same question as BigRedd. I have a 2016 Sierra Denali with 6.2L / 8spd. I was wondering if the performance gains would be noticeable enough with just ECM programming and leaving the tranny tune stock.

It's my first post, so a quick intro... I bought a new Sierra SLT in 2014 w/5.3 & 3:42 and it had vibration issues. GM bought it back after 1800 miles and gave me a new truck, same configuration. Have been completely happy with the 2nd truck until..... During a visit with family over the holidays, I mistakenly test drove my brother's 2015 Sierra with the 6.2 / 8spd. Long story short...I now have a 2016 6.2

Thanks in advance for any info on this topic!

Lou

BigRedd · February 2, 2016

For the record, I am open to changes being made to the TCM not just the ECM. My understanding is that there are other things that can be changed (shift timings, pressures, etc.) separate and apart from Torque Management.

Thanks.

Ten4Lou · February 2, 2016

For the record, I am open to changes being made to the TCM not just the ECM. My understanding is that there are other things that can be changed (shift timings, pressures, etc.) separate and apart from Torque Management.

Thanks.

Gotcha! I thought that Torque management was done in the TCM? I had a Diablo inTune on my 2014 5.3. There were two modules to choose modifications on. One was the ECM and the other was the TCM. The selection to turn off the torque management was in the TCM on that device. In the TCM, I selected the "firm" shift tune, not the "hard" shift. I also turned off the TM. I did NOT like the way it shifted, especially in the 4-5 and 5-6 shifts. Even when I was being gentle with the throttle, those gears would "bang" too hard. I went in to the program several times and reduced the shift pressures to -7 on gears 1,2,3 and -10 on 4 thru 6. Still had banging!

I plan to have Lew at Diablew build me a tune, however I don't think Diablo has TCM programming out yet for the 8-speed tranny like yours and mine so this might be a moot point.

All that being said...I would still like to know how much noticeable performance will be gained with just ECM programming.

Thanks,

Lou

Jennabear · February 2, 2016

If you don't tune the transmission, you are missing out on most of the benefits of a tune on the newer trucks.

Ten4Lou · February 2, 2016

If you don't tune the transmission, you are missing out on most of the benefits of a tune on the newer trucks.

Thanks Jenna. So there's no significant gains to be had in the ECM?

Jennabear · February 2, 2016

There certainly are gains in the ECM, but some of the biggest complaints/requests we receive regarding all 6 and 8 speed vehicles are related to transmission-based changes. This is also one of the big reasons we hear of individuals switching from Diablosport to our tuning and end up being surprised with the amount of improvement.

For the record, Torque Management isn't anything comparable in the 2014+ vehicles to the previous generations. The entire engine is constantly torque managed... power is made based on that torque management, it is not restricted by it. Thus, individuals wanting to "turn off torque management" want their engine to not run at all ;)

Ten4Lou · February 2, 2016

There certainly are gains in the ECM, but some of the biggest complaints/requests we receive regarding all 6 and 8 speed vehicles are related to transmission-based changes. This is also one of the big reasons we hear of individuals switching from Diablosport to our tuning and end up being surprised with the amount of improvement.

For the record, Torque Management isn't anything comparable in the 2014+ vehicles to the previous generations. The entire engine is constantly torque managed... power is made based on that torque management, it is not restricted by it. Thus, individuals wanting to "turn off torque management" want their engine to not run at all ;)

Thanks Jenna! However that doesn't line up to my thought process. Turning torque management "off" seems like it would allow full engine torque to impact the tranny unrestricted. That will definitely take life away from tranny! Torque management "on" manages the amount of engine torque allowed to impact the tranny through various methods like pulling timing, etc.... I wouldn't mind a small amount of TM to be reduced but not too much.

On my last truck with 5.3, I turned off TM and that engine really woke up! But I just didn't like the banging shifts.

unless by "wanting their engine to not run at all" you meant something different?

Just trying to understand better...

Thanks,

Lou

Jennabear · February 2, 2016

I think you are confusing things here, I will try to clarify.

Transmission torque management is largely irrelevant- it primarily affects shift feel. It essentially cuts engine power during a shift (that could be the banging you were referring to).

Most of the torque management that people were having adjusted in previous models, was in the engine. Many assumed it was transmission, but it is actually many different functions; for instance power being cut as you open the throttle and then slowly giving it back.

The 14+ don't have many of the same functions as the computer manages power output. For example: you are rolling at 10MPH, you apply 20% gas pedal angle, there is no direct correlation between that and what the throttle body does. The computer determines, based on your pedal angle and speed, how much power to make and as such, will open the throttle to make that power output.

Ten4Lou · February 2, 2016

I think you are confusing things here, I will try to clarify.

Transmission torque management is largely irrelevant- it primarily affects shift feel. It essentially cuts engine power during a shift (that could be the banging you were referring to).

Most of the torque management that people were having adjusted in previous models, was in the engine. Many assumed it was transmission, but it is actually many different functions; for instance power being cut as you open the throttle and then slowly giving it back.

The 14+ don't have many of the same functions as the computer manages power output. For example: you are rolling at 10MPH, you apply 20% gas pedal angle, there is no direct correlation between that and what the throttle body does. The computer determines, based on your pedal angle and speed, how much power to make and as such, will open the throttle to make that power output.

Thanks Jenna! I really appreciate you taking so much time to explain.That definitely makes things clearer for me...

Thanks,

Lou