Wester's, and...

MrQuadrasteer · February 7, 2004

(that title sounds a little cynical (or something) to me ... sorry, can't seem to go back and edit it ??)

Hey, y'all. So my new 265's have knocked .2mpg off, got the tranny hunting for gears, lock-up ain't working right.... My tax-refund should be here in less than 10 days- no brainer !!

I've had this planned all along, just not now (life's tough decision !!). What should I add to compliment the package ?? Ultimately, I want a Whipple or Radix, so I don't want to waste money on components I won't need or won't be up to snuff. Here's my idea, please guide me, o'gurus of big numbers .

-160 stat

-Westers tune (heh-heh... like in two weeks !!!!!!)

-cold air (thinking volant, but would rather run a dry filter and change it every-other oil change than risk the probs of the oil filters- what says you ?? Maybe mod the stock box ??)

-electric fans

-pulleys (would this be okay for a heavy-traffic driver with a lot of electronics ??)

-exhaust (I hear the stock system is good, what about headers ?? I kinda like the way it sounds now and they say the tune makes it sound even better ??)

Any other suggestions would be appreciated. The first few items I'll do real soon, might have to wait on the fans and pulleys. Exhaust is probably a good year-off, blower at least two !! (my wife laughs !!!)

Also, I guess swapping puters at the strip really isn't recommended ?? Is this learning-business for real ??

Thanks for any help.

smoke

o4yukonxl · February 7, 2004

I've never seen any dyno numbers on the thermostat swap. That is probably the only thing I would leave off your list. The concept has been around for a long time without any substantiated results.

Definitely go with the intake, westers, and exhaust. The Westers is the big dog here but the tuning is different if you only have stock intake and exhaust. Save yourself a redo and do those now.

And, yes, the computer relearns all the engine parameters everytime you unplug it and it can take a few hundred miles for it to get optimized. Also, a new PCM will set you back another 900. Probably not worth it.

tmf6902 · February 7, 2004

Also, a new PCM will set you back another 900. Probably not worth it.

My Wester's only set me back 495, and it was definatley worth it. I had a superchips before....the onyl thing I KNOW it did was adjust for larger tires.

Butch 02 Denali · February 8, 2004

Smoke,

The PCM actually learns in two stages, long term and short term. When you first put in a newly reflashed PCM the computer will need about 50 miles, maybe 100 to learn all the other sensors in the truck. That is the long term memory. Disconnecting the battery does not lose the long term memory. Short term memory relates to how you drive, local temperature and other variables. This will be reset every time you disconnect the battery. It only takes minuets to establish most of the short term parameters. To answer your question, yes you can swap pcm's at the track, so long as both PCM's have already been in your truck to learn the long term parameters for the 50-100 miles(or more) I swap them all the time!

For the stat stick with a 180, it will run way too rich with a 160 because the computer will think the engine is still cold and warming up. (if your stock fan could get it to 160)

Get the Wester's first! You can always upgrade it for the SC later! Best bang for the buck!

If your SC is 2 years away, get an air intake now, you can always sell it when you do get the SC and recoup 50-75% of what is costs you. Don't be concerned about the oiled filters, worst case you have to clean the Mafs once in a while, no big deal.

Hedders are a definate improvement, especially long tubes. The SC will benifit greatly with the hedders. A free flowing exhaust will help too.

Pulleys are a personal choice. If you are big on sterio equipment or live in a hot climate I wouldn't use them. There is power to be gained, but at the expence of comfort. They will affect alternator and air conditioning output.

A new PCM core will cost about $900 for an 03, but they can be found on ebay and from recyclers for under 100 bucks. These are ok to send back to Wester's as your core.

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

MrQuadrasteer · February 8, 2004

Thanks, Butch. I've done a ton of searches in the last few days and have read a bunch of your posts- good stuff.

About my stuff, I intend to get the Westers and cold-air together and have him tune for it. I just thought a 160* stat in the tune might help ward-off detonation...

I've tried to plan this with as little waste as possible- everything complimenting current or future mods. I'm not totally sold on pulleys for my app, but e-fans are definitely a soon-to-do item. I might have used the wrong term for the puter-swap, ain't that were the tune is ?!!?

Appreciate y'all's input . I'm going nuts with anticipation !!!!!!!

Butch 02 Denali · February 9, 2004

Thanks Smoke,

Nice to know my ranting gets read and appreciated!

You shouldn't have any detonation problems with a Wester's tune and the right gas.

I did forget to mention the e-fans...Good mod, a little pricy for the HP they produce, but they will keep the engine at the thermostat setting on a hot day, your stock fan can't! I plan on doing them myself! Real nice to have when you go to the track. I'ts hard to cool it down between runs, then it gets all hot again in the staging lanes. The e-fans can be wired with a manual switch to cool it down after shutoff which is nice too.

You were correct, the tune is in the PCM, and it can be swapped like I said after the learn cycle.

The nice thing about the Wester's is no matter what you do to your truck in the future, a new PCM with the new tune is a phone call away, with only a shipping charge!

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

MrQuadrasteer · February 9, 2004

I plan to take it to the strip and dyno it before and after- should be fun !!

Everything you said were the selling points to the wife- the warranty and upgrades. How could she say no !!!! (I've turned her into a hp-junkie too !!)

I'll wire the fans auto/manual myself- nice to have control. I really like this mod because it's stress-removing hp !!!! And it looks cool !!

Thanks, Butch. I'll post it here when I get it !!! Woooooo-hooooo !!!