Wester's 8.1 tuning

tmf6902 · January 15, 2004

I know that the westers topic has been beat to death, and I know that it kicks ass on the 6L and the 5.7. But I searched westers and looked for responses from the 8.1 guys but I must have missed them. So with that said If you have an 8.1 and you have a westers chip, how is it? I think I am finally gonna take the plunge since the supercharger ain't gonna be hear anytime soon. No offense to anyone else but I don't want to hear from the 6.0's or any other engine, the horse is dead and has been beaten enough, besides I get confused very easily when I don't take my ADHD pills.

Lemme have it.............................

TMF

Shaners · January 15, 2004

My buddy has the Westers PCM in his 2500 Avalanche with the 8.1L/4L80E. I know it isn't the same as the 8.1L/Ally, but none the less it really brought his truck to life and improved his MPG's to boot!!! He's got the 150' black marks in front of his house to prove it!!! LOL!!!

tmf6902 · January 15, 2004

Well I went ahead and took the plunge. I told Lyndon(sp?) that I was more worried about performance that I was milage, I mean crap I only get 11.5 mpg anyway, so I went with the 93 tune. Said it'll be here early next week. uggghhh now I just gotta wait.

Shaners · January 15, 2004

You'll notice a difference!!!

Now you just have to get all that old gas burnt out of your truck, and fill her up with 93 Octane so you're ready when the package comes.

I would recommend installing the PCM in a cold engine, so it has some good base numbers to start from. My engine was run about 5-10 minutes before I installed mine, and I think it initially hampered its' gains a little. I could still tell a difference, but it was much better after I went through several driving cycles.

tmf6902 · January 15, 2004

thanks for the tips, I already have 93 in it, because I am running the superchips program.

N900WM · January 15, 2004

TFM,

You won't be disappointed!

It's amazing what Wester's did for my truck. Torque Management is gone, the truck is FAST, uses less fuel, shifts better, it's all good.

I have no complaints what-so-ever.

It's well worth the money.

And what Shaners said about the black marks is all true. She'll smokem on command, and I'm running 285's!

QUIKAG · January 15, 2004

Is Westers available for the Duramax?

Shaners · January 16, 2004

Is Westers available for the Duramax?

Yes it is... with either the Ally or Manny tranny.

Price is... $495 for 50HP and $695 for 90HP.

I don't know how his price compares to the "Juice" box...

o4yukonxl · January 16, 2004

I've considered the westers but I'm concerned about voiding the warranty. Since I have to swap the PCM, I cannot return it to stock if there are problems.

QUIKAG · January 16, 2004

Is Westers available for the Duramax?

Yes it is... with either the Ally or Manny tranny.

Price is... $495 for 50HP and $695 for 90HP.

I don't know how his price compares to the "Juice" box...

Thanks for the info!!

8100HD · January 16, 2004

Will be interesting to see his experience with this, going from Superchips to Westers, should be interesting to say the least.

Shaners · January 16, 2004

I've considered the westers but I'm concerned about voiding the warranty. Since I have to swap the PCM, I cannot return it to stock if there are problems.

If you want you can pay the "core" charge and keep your stock PCM.

Lyndon Wester claims his updates are undetectible and your new PCM will appear as the stock PCM when the tech guys connect to your truck with their computer.

You can talk to Lyndon to clarify this more...

The only reason my Tech guy would know mine is not the original PCM is because my new PCM has a label on it from a "label Maker" that I never peeled off... so I guess that if the PCM were pulled from the truck, then the label with my last name on it might be a clue!!! LOL!!!

tmf6902 · January 16, 2004

I'll make sure I follow the install instructions to a T, and give a full detailed report.

Shaners · January 16, 2004

I'll make sure I follow the install instructions to a T, and give a full detailed report.

It's a simple install.... the hardest part is getting the black plastic case open. A small flat screwdriver may help you out there... there is a small slot in the case that will help you pry it open/ release it.

The PCM isn't a tiny item. I'm guessing it's 5x9x2 and maybe 2-3 lbs.

Other than that, I think it's just a couple of small metric bolts (I can't remember the size -- maybe 5 or 7 mm) that hold the wire harnesses in place. Just be careful that the rubber gaskets around the harness stay where they should... You'll know what I mean when you change yours out.

This install is one of those things that takes about 20-30 minutes the first time, and 5-10 minutes if you had to do it again!!!

awdvkd · January 16, 2004

The dealer can't tell. I had a constant error on mine last week and they later found out it was the cam sensor. They went through the whole process and never said anything. They even did the cam relearn. I love mine it really woke the truck up. Westers also bumped the line pressure up a little and the allison really shifts better. Not to mention the removal of the rev limiter and torgue management is very nice. I figured that even a 1.5 mpg increase the upgrade would pay for itself in a year to a year and a half.