Anyone running PCM for Less?

GlennRMK · June 23, 2004

Ok, I need to do some performance upgrades.

I have an apointment to get a Flowmaster 40 Series with dual outlets put on Monday.

I am going to order a K&N FIPK this week.

Any other suggested upgrades?

I really, really like that the PCM For Less ECU is priced at $250 plus $125 for the core.

Westers is $595 plus a $450 core.

Nelson is $490, and I'm not sure on the core.

I don't see how these other guys can be that much better?

I'm assuming Bryan @ PCM for Less can disable the torque management, correct? Any other features he doesn't offer that Westers does, besides dual fuel tuning?

Will running a 180 t-stat hurt fuel mileage(with the correct tuning of course)?

I can get a Hypertec Programmer for $268, but after doing a lot of searching, sounds like custom tuning is the way to go.

My question is, are these other guys $250-350 better at tuning?

I've searched a lot, but there is not a lot of threads on PCM for Less. Lots on Westers though.

Thanks

GlennRMK · June 23, 2004

Also, what are reasonable RPMs the rev limiters an shift points should be changed too?

Seems like I am getting shifts in the 5200-5400 RPM range.

What is a safe RPM to set the rev limiter at? Stock is 5600 RPM, correct?

Thanks

1 Bad Burb · June 23, 2004

can't tell ya first hand accounts of any tuning, but from what i've read (u might want to search "westers vs nelsons") westers or nelsons is the way to go. hypertech and all the other similar products will not yield as much as a power increase than westers or nelsons. search for the threads, read the pages or arguement, decide for urself.

also, PCM4less is a good sight. my buddy lives near the guy and got his camaro tuned by Brian and he got a lot more performance out of it. Brian is an awesome guy too i hear!

at any rate, if u want all out performance, go westers or nelson, u won't regret it!

But thats just my .02.

Aj

burgundyz71 · June 23, 2004

I'd like to hear about the pcm also.

Butch 02 Denali · June 23, 2004

All of the 3 tuners do a very good job and give excellent customer service! Much of the price difference is due to the warranty offered. Wester's has a Lifetime warranty for defects, a lifetime upgrade (like when you add a supercharger!)for only a $45 ship and handling charge, and a LIFETIME full price credit toward the tune for your next car or truck!!! That is why I chose Wester's, they are available for 10-15% off through many of the dealers too!

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

GlennRMK · June 23, 2004

Thanks

GlennRMK · June 24, 2004

Can anyone verify that Bryan can remove most or 99% of the torque management? I find this very annoying.

EDIT: Nevermind. Saw in the preferred vendor part that he can. I will be calling him sometime in the near future.

June 24, 2004

All of the 3 tuners do a very good job and give excellent customer service! Much of the price difference is due to the warranty offered. Wester's has a Lifetime warranty for defects, a lifetime upgrade (like when you add a supercharger!)for only a $45 ship and handling charge, and a LIFETIME full price credit toward the tune for your next car or truck!!! That is why I chose Wester's, they are available for 10-15% off through many of the dealers too!

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

hmmm, full price credit towards next car tuning? Does that mean if I buy a Westers for my Yukon, I could get another for the T/A for just a handling charge?

Butch 02 Denali · June 24, 2004

LOL

If that were the case, I'd have a tune in my other two trucks too!

BTW, all 3 tuners can and will remove all the torque management if you ask. I personally feel a little bit should be left in, but that's just my opinion. If you feel you want 100% removed, just ask your tuner!

Butch 02 Sierra Denali

DSZ71 · June 24, 2004

Are you sure that PCMforless even offers a tune for the latest trucks? I know GM is very inventive and changes the codes all the time from one year to the next. That must be a reason for the differences in prices from year to year, because the code is harder to tap in to. I have heard that the 2003 - 2004 truck's codes are very hard to break and tweak. Wester's does offer them for those years, but not sure about Nelsons and PCM4less. And the LS1 edit alone is not the same tune Westers Garage can offer. Might be something to consider when deciding.

GlennRMK · June 24, 2004

Says on his website he can.

DSZ71 · June 24, 2004

Says on his website he can.

Are you sure its not just the LS1 Edit programme? Other PCM tunes are derivatives of the LS1 tune, but tweaked even more for maximum performance. I am not saying that he cant do it, but just be aware of what you really get because this has been an issue in the past with others. (not necessarily from pcmforless, but in general an issue).