Power Programmers

vortec4800 · July 30, 2003

I'm looking for an inexpensive option for gaining extra horse, I have a cold air intake and magnaflow dual outs, so it looks as if a computer tuner is the next thing to do. I can get a used hypertech programmer for around 200 bucks it seems, where as a Westers would be 350+. I've heard only good things about the Westers chip, but its much more expensive. How much more of an increase would I see with the Westers chip than with an HPP3, or would I not really even notice a difference between the two?

Also, maybe a computer isn't the only extra mod I can do short of something drastic (a la supercharger), if you guys can think of some other horse-gaining toys I can get for it let me know what they are and how much they will cost around, and how much power I might expect to gain from it. 5 - 10 HP might not even be worth it, not noticable in the least. Or maybe it is worth it. This is where you guys come in, leme know what you have and what you think!

ridnlow · July 30, 2003

A friend of mine put the Hypertech in his 4.8l and all it was good for was raising the speed limit.. i drove it before and after and i didnt notice that much feel from the butt dyno... but my dad has a westers on the other hand.. boy what a joy... it is like night and day..

Wingnut · July 30, 2003

You could always go have your heads done.

greyghost03 · July 30, 2003

1 word - WESTERS!

If you don't think it's worth the $$$ just call and talk to him and I think he will change your mind. 1-888-WESTER-1

I called him and aksed him lots of questions. Bottom line - He said I should see a gain of 25 - 28 HP on my 4.8L with his PCM! I think that's worth the $$$. See link below.

My conversation w/ Lyndon

You might also want to consider an underdrive pulley. I think they can free up 10 - 15 HP and you can get the crank and alternator pullies with belt and harmonic balancer bolt for about $270.

Hope this helps!

BCNU · July 30, 2003

Has anyone here with a westers done a Dyno Test after installing their Westers PCM. I am curious to the horsepower gains and also how much gain in torque do you get? Also dose it make the transmisson shift any smoother? What about fuel mileage? Thanks in advance for any info !

ridnlow · July 30, 2003

I posted some Dyno Results earlier from a guy who used a g-tech with a 6.0... Lyndon will firm up your shifts and people seem to be getting 1-2mpg better with the increased performance...

BEFORE :

GMC 1500HD Crew Cab 6.0 liter w/ K&N, Flowmaster, 3" mandrel bent tail pipe.

Test weight 5620lbs plus Bee Jay 220 lbs and Gary 160lbs: 6000lbs test weight. Rear view mirror temps 66-77 degrees

2 horsepower runs (262 average)

1. 262

2. 262

7 0- 60 runs (9.027 seconds average)

1)9.37 2) 9.50 3) 9.19 4) 8.42 5) 8.65 6) 9.42 7) 8.64

3 1/4 mile runs (16.82 sec@ 89.2 mph average)

1) 16.63@ 90.2 mph

2) 17.21@ 86.7 (I think I lifted a little on this run)

3) 16.61@ 90.7

Best 0-60: 8.42 seconds Best 1/4 mile: [email protected]

AFTER

2 Horsepower runs

1) 309

2) 324

316.5 HP average

7 0-60 runs (8.07 average)

4 1/4 mile runs (16.32 @ 91.155 average)

best 0-60 7.63 seconds, best 1/4 mile [email protected]

- Drew

vortec4800 · July 30, 2003

You could always go have your heads done.

That sounds expensive...

Shaners · July 30, 2003

vertec4800,

Westers is having a sale through the end of the month... He is offering 20% off, so the PCM for your truck which has a normal price of $395 would be $316. I ordered my new PCM from Westers on Monday, and my buddy with a 8.1L Avalanche ordered his yesterday!!! We can't wait till they come!!!

EMPIRE231 · July 30, 2003

electric fan

Extreme · July 30, 2003

If you have $3,000.00 to $3,500.00 you could always put a

supercharger on it.

vortec4800 · July 30, 2003

If you have $3,000.00 to $3,500.00 you could always put a
supercharger on it.

I'd love to put a supercharger on it, but I really don't have the resources to do it... But about the electric fan, how much would one of those cost and how much do they free up? Also, how hard are they to install? What's a good brand electric fan to get?

I think I'm gonna try to order a Westers by the end of the week, seems like I'm running out of time though if the sale ends at the end of this month

BCNU · July 30, 2003

Ridnlow, I had noticed were you had posted the G-tech results, thats why I was wondering if anyone had done a dyno test with one of these. 50 horsepower gains seem like quite a lot from a reprogrammed PCM. I guess I am from the old school were I would have to see it on a dyno to believe it. Dose anyone know if Lyndon Has a dyno himself so he could post some results. From what i have been reading everyone is really pleased with the westers but I would like to see some horsepower and torque numbers.

ridnlow · July 30, 2003

He does dyno himself.. that is how he tells you how much gain you will get... he also posted on pickuptrucks.com about how much he liked the g-tech and how accurate it was....

tmf6902 · July 31, 2003

you could always go the ricer way and add a 10 inch spoiler somewhere on your truck.....it'll make it look A LOT faster!!!!!

Shaners · July 31, 2003

BCNU,

Lyndon Wester has a Sun Chassis dyno which he has had for over 4 years...

He claims 25-28 HP for a 4.8L, which in my opinion is very good using 87 octane...

The only flaw I see with using the G-Tech is that it is mostly a seat-of-the-pants dyno... for example a true 35HP dyno gain may feel like 50+ HP with the torque management programmed removed running on the street...

I think you are comparing apples and oranges when you compare a G-tech with a Chassis Dyno...

From what I've read and from the questions I've asked, Lyndon Wester seems to be able to tune your computer to get the most out of it, running cheapo pump gas. I'll be sure to report more when I get my new PCM from him in a week or so... (give or take a few days)