Any downside of an engine tune?

cmoore74 · March 9, 2007

I've been debating a tune for a while and haven't bit the bullet (still not sure which one yet, but Wait4Me and Wester's seem to be popular here).

I understand you can tune an engine for performance, removal of torque management, shift points, shift firmness, gas mileage, etc.

I can see why GM wouldn't want to have some of these adjustments in a stock motor such as shift firmness and torque management removal, but why wouldn't they optimize for gas mileage if there was still some efficiency to be gained?

I guess I'm just wondering what the downside is of a tune. Does a tune hurt the durability of the drive-train in any way?

Please help me decide.

Thanks,

Chris

bartlanz · March 9, 2007

Bite the bullet and go for the westers tune. I got my first one a few years back, and have NEVER regretted it. I just rec'd my second tune from them and it shaved 2 seconds off of my 0 to 60 time.

thecraft · March 9, 2007

I can see why GM wouldn't want to have some of these adjustments in a stock motor such as shift firmness and torque management removal, but why wouldn't they optimize for gas mileage if there was still some efficiency to be gained?

I'm pretty sure your stock tune is optimized for best fuel efficiency as possible (at least with 87 octane), the tune is just BS.

bartlanz · March 9, 2007

I can see why GM wouldn't want to have some of these adjustments in a stock motor such as shift firmness and torque management removal, but why wouldn't they optimize for gas mileage if there was still some efficiency to be gained?

I'm pretty sure your stock tune is optimized for best fuel efficiency as possible (at least with 87 octane), the tune is just BS.

are you saying that performance tune's are bs or the factory tune is bs?

uh6077 · March 9, 2007

BS? Then please explain to me why my mileage just went up so much. I usually get about 320 miles per tank. I just added a w4m tune and I am at 310 miles so far with 1/4 tank still left. I have made no other changes and I have been driving it the same, maybe even harder just to see how the tune affected perfromance.

StoneyPgh · March 9, 2007

uh6077,

What octane did you use, before and after the tune?

Mark_in_Tulsa · March 9, 2007

Factory tune is designed for best emissions in the worse of conditions. Not for performance or mileage.

Combatvet0311 · March 9, 2007

Anyone know off the top of their heads what they paid for the complete tune...from your door, round trip and install.

bartlanz · March 9, 2007

I bought my wester's tune from Tbyrne motor sports when they ran a group purchase. I want to say it was around $550. I installed it my self, It is really easy. All it takes is removing a plastic cover, a metal clip two screws, and 30 min to train the pass lock system in the new computer. All in all its about a 40 min job that i would dare say any one can do.

Wingnut · March 9, 2007

I can see why GM wouldn't want to have some of these adjustments in a stock motor such as shift firmness and torque management removal, but why wouldn't they optimize for gas mileage if there was still some efficiency to be gained?

I'm pretty sure your stock tune is optimized for best fuel efficiency as possible (at least with 87 octane), the tune is just BS.

Nope.

Heck, I got a performance tune and STILL gained MPG along with a faster truck.

pwall · March 9, 2007

Anyone know off the top of their heads what they paid for the complete tune...from your door, round trip and install.

Jesse from http://wait4meperformance.com charges $158 for a tune which includes a PCM, so you can keep your 'factory' one.

Or send your's in and it's $75 if I remember correctly.

silveradoHO · March 9, 2007

Anyone know off the top of their heads what they paid for the complete tune...from your door, round trip and install.

I paid the $158 and got a new pcm. Install took about 10 minutes.

RobD · March 9, 2007

I ordered my PCM from Jesse last week, just before he left. He was tough to get ahold of then, he was focusing on getting orders filled before leaving. It arrived Wednesday, and I just stuck it in last night. I've only driven it about 2 miles into work today, but I did notice the shifts are a bit snappier. Seems like it shifts more like my Caravan now, instead of that long smooooooth shift. I thought I read somewhere on another forum that the quicker shifts are actually better for the 4L60E transmissions to help them last longer.

I did not get the Security light, and the truck stayed running. So at least I didn't have to do the 30-minute relearn for the PCM. But yes, you still need to do the Crank Relearn procedure. The light will eventually come on, so it is better to just get it done now. I'm having it done Saturday when I go race my R/C buggy. There is a fellow racer with a Tech2 that is going to do it for me inbetween heats.

I too did the $158 shipped PCM, so I could keep my stock as a backup. I figured $75 was worth keeping my PCM and being able to still drive the Suburban if I had to send this one back for a re-tune. I just asked him for a mileage tune, using 89/91 octanes. I don't know what he did tune-wise, and it'll be Easter before I can run a good highway tank to see how it performs mpg-wise.

bartlanz · March 9, 2007

I have never had to do the crank relearn on any of my trucks. What do you have to do, to do it?

cmoore74 · March 9, 2007

OK, no one so far has chimed in with any definite negatives of a tune and it sounds like anyone who has one is very happy with it.

Anyone out there done both a Westers and a Wait4Me tune? If so, which was preffered? Any other tunes recommended?

I noticed the Westers is more expensive. Sounds like a crank re-learn is required with the Wait4Me, why not with the Westers?

For the most part I'm looking for a bit better control of the shifts when towing and improved gas mileage. I'm not into racing and usually drive the truck pretty easy (maybe 5-10 MPH above the speed limit).

I'm currently running 93 octane so it sounds like there's a decent amount of mileage to be gained from a tune.