computer mods!??

OCBC · September 15, 2004

Ok, I have read throught he forums and I am left with confusion on the computer tuning thing.

Westers and Nelson offer high performance at a hefty cost.

Hypertech, etc make generic tunes that people seem to be happy with at decent prices.

I have an 04 5.3 with the volant intake and magnaflow exhaust. I want something for the mpg and power. I dont plan on ever taking it to the track, maybe a supercharger in the future.

My question is for my daily driver, is it worth the cash to drop on the wester vs. the hypertech????

Do I really need that custom of a tune?

ETC.

Enlighten me!!!

Thanks.

lrymal · September 15, 2004

..........Enlighten me!!!

Thanks.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Opinion.... so, no track. Daily driver. I'd let the motor loosen up some more as you grow more miles. None of these PCM enhancements that we do will pay for themselves with improved fuel mileage.

I'd jazz up the truck in other areas such as in the body, suspension, interior stuff, then go with the PCM upgrade, which really won't pay for itself as mentioned before.

Personally, I'd go with Westers, Nelson, or PCM-for-Less rather than the Hypertech. I don't see the point in saving...ummm, what, $100???? You'll be wanting to always upgrade if you go with the more affordable HyperTech. HyperTech certainly does a decent tune, but the top three above seem to be customizeable in their results, although you yourself can't do the tune on them.

In my case, I opted for the Westers with a tune mainly for in-town partial throttle acceleration power improvements, to handle the daily traffic on the 30 MPH hills here. The transmission was disciplined for this kind of driving and my gasoline mileage improved in town.

So, I ended up paying for a PCM tune that primarily improved my in-town driveability. Budget-wise, I didn't improve anything, but the driveability is just plain SWEET.

02denali · September 15, 2004

yes is the answer. nelson can tune for fuel mileage if that is what you want. he can get some performance out of her as well as gas mileage also/ yes they are expensive. but it is for the life of the vehicle that you own. i have and a lot others gained fuel mileage also. i get ok in town. last i checked i was getting 18 mpg highway.

OCBC · September 15, 2004

Thanks.

I do not expect the mpg gain to pay for the tune. I do desire performance and LOVE tons of power, but I do not plan on trying to turn my truck into a dragster.

Sounds like for any condition the top of the line tunes are recommended.

How are the results with PCM for less. They are considerably cheaper, which doesnt mean they are worse or better.....opinions?

Thanks again

02denali · September 15, 2004

they are cheaper at first but his updates cost 50.00 plus shipping after 30 days. nelson is just shipping for as long as you own the vehicle. and that is one way shipping for the consumer.

Bud · September 15, 2004

Hypertech tells me that their tuneing wii not

work with other big mods, headers, intake, etc.

Bud

OCBC · September 15, 2004

Really, that is suprising considering that almost everyone does intake and exhaust before the PCM.

02D. Thanks for pointing that out, that is one of those hidden charges I dont like. How often do you have to update?

Nick99Chevy · September 18, 2004

Really, that is suprising considering that almost everyone does intake and exhaust before the PCM.
02D. Thanks for pointing that out, that is one of those hidden charges I dont like. How often do you have to update?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

You don't update unless you get some new major mods to your truck, one of the reasons I went with pcmforless is because I don't plan on needing any updates.

02denali · September 19, 2004

you will only need updates if you do more mods. even then i like knowing that it is available for free. that's less to think about in the future. good luck.