Wester's initial impressions...

kazuaki · August 23, 2003

So, I've been anxiously awaiting the Wester's PCM for my 2003 Suburban K2500. I've got the 8.1L and 4.10 gears, so I was expecting great performance. I finally had time to install the PCM this afternoon. Install was a breeze. On the first startup, the thing idled perfectly. This was good news as I did not have any of the idling issues some have had in the beginning. So, I took it for a drive. I notice a little difference in the shifts and MAYBE a little difference in midrange power, but that's it The bottom end power is no better than before. From a standing start I cannot spin the tires at all. With 450+ ft/lbs of torque and 4.10 gears, I would think it would lay some rubber. Now, there are two catches here...First, I have 285/75 tires which makes the tire spin a little more difficult, and second I only have 15 miles on the PCM.

No, I'm not slamming Wester's, I'm just concerned. Up until now, I've only seen people complaining about pinging and they have had that go away in the first 50 miles. I haven't heard of anybody that had crappy performance, then got significantly faster over the first 50 miles. I do have a very slight ping now and then, which I'm sure will clear up. My concern is that right now, the performance is no better than stock. I expected this thing to kick ass from a standing start with all that displacement and the low gears, but it just won't do it

So, is this thing going to get faster? I kind of doubt it since the PCM 'learns' how to avoid pinging and run smoother, but doesn't necessarily learn how to go faster. I obviously plan to put some miles on it before passing final judgment, but so far, this is not what I expected for $595+

Did anybody else have a similar experience in the beginning?

mhoward · August 23, 2003

Where are you located? I just had my truck done (custom programming), and my friend just had his 8.1L done today too (hahhahahah Ryan, if you're reading this, don't ever doubt me again LOL!!!!!!!!!). He went straight home, hooked his 8000lb trailor up, and called me laughing about how he could hardly tell he was pulling anything. I was told that the 8.1's are reallly sensitive to changes and need to be programmed for what you're going to use them for (towing, city cruising, etc.).

Dunno though, maybe you just got a bad program?

kazuaki · August 23, 2003

I'm in Simi Valley, CA (LA area). I went out for another 10 miles tonight and had the same results. If somebody had snuck the PCM in there without me knowing, I don't think I would even notice. My understanding was that the 8.1 was seriousl torque managed and the difference with the PCM would be big time. The ultimate test for me will be hooking up my 10,000 lb trailer and making a short trip. However, if it isn't any better unloaded, I doubt towing will improve much. I'm seriously disappointed right now...

mhoward · August 23, 2003

Tow that trailor up to Las Vegas and to Combination Motorsports! LOL. That's where me and my buddy got our trucks tuned today. I wonder why you're not feeling any difference? Have you had the truck scanned at all to see what is going on?

kazuaki · August 23, 2003

No haven't had it scanned. Do you think there is a problem with the PCM? Should I try disconnecting the battery overnight and letting it reset before trying again?

vortec4800 · August 23, 2003

Call Lyndon and see what his take on everything is. Then let us know what you find out!

kazuaki · August 24, 2003

Lyndon replied to my email and said to give it a full week, but there may not be anything he can do. I just don't understand how one truck can react so differently. I've got close to 100 miles on now and I'm still 100% unimpressed. The only thing I've noticed is a very slight increase in the mid to upper range and a slight firming of shifts. Lyndon is supposed to take another look at the program he used on mine and see if anything jumps out at him. He says I am the second person of the 48 8.1L PCMs he's done that has not felt a difference. I'm so diappointed, I was looking forward to this for the past month...

Sandman1 · August 26, 2003

Kazuaki,

My experience so far is dead on with your original description. If someone had slipped the Westers PCM in without me knowing I would not have noticed. I have about 400 miles on it now and my truck does run good but my seat of the pants meter is not telling me anything.

I have a road that I had run my truck (1999 w/5.3) on multiple times from a stop light to a street sign. I would always pass the sign around 72-73MPH. With the Westers PCM I am still passing that sign at 72-73MPH.

Some of the descriptions I had read about others installing the Westers (i.e smoking tires, feels like a big block, etc.) definatly led me to believe I woud feel more of an improvement. I am going to give Lyndon a call this week.

Shaners · August 26, 2003

Lyndon told me on the phone that a customer had sent his PCM back once because he wasn't happy with it. Lyndon looked at the codes and they were not what he had sored on his PC. He said he reprogrammed it and sent it back to the customer, and he was happy with the performance gains. Lyndon said he thought it was probably an accident on his part and that somehow the codes weren't downloaded to the PCM by mistake.

I'm not saying that this is the case for you guys, but I would call Lyndon and ask him for suggestions/opinions.

Kazuaki, my buddy got a Westers for his '02 8.1L Avalanche (which is the same engine/tranny as your truck). He has 3.73 gears and the stock 245/75/16 tires. He feels his truck launches better at 7/8 throttle and he has had to scrape the rubber out of his rear wheel well.

Good Luck guys...