What Are My Options For A Tune?

jonnyslim · March 31, 2008

Okay guys here's the deal,

I just got a new job, and have just freed up a little bit of money. I have a 2002 6.0 2500hd LS CC LB. I'm assuming that considering it's a 6L AT CC that it has the 4.10 gear? 78k miles.

looking to bring more power out of the engine without hurting it's towing capabilities and not losing mpg, I'm not too concerned with gaining mpg but that would be a nice bonus too. Basically I am looking for enough power to let the rear wheels break loose at will and getting rid of some of the torque managment.

I have never done any performance upgrades on any vehicle so this is all new to me. Who should I be looking at and does anyone else out their have the same set-up with a tune, I'm looking to here what you have to say.

Also, I am looking for a little more attitude from the exhaust then what comes from the stock one. Nothing droning as i do a little lite towing.

Looking to spend $1000 bucks max.

Thanks in advance.

Killerbee · March 31, 2008

Okay guys here's the deal,
I just got a new job, and have just freed up a little bit of money. I have a 2002 6.0 2500hd LS CC LB. I'm assuming that considering it's a 6L AT CC that it has the 4.10 gear? 78k miles.

looking to bring more power out of the engine without hurting it's towing capabilities and not losing mpg, I'm not too concerned with gaining mpg but that would be a nice bonus too. Basically I am looking for enough power to let the rear wheels break loose at will and getting rid of some of the torque managment.

I have never done any performance upgrades on any vehicle so this is all new to me. Who should I be looking at and does anyone else out their have the same set-up with a tune, I'm looking to here what you have to say.

Also, I am looking for a little more attitude from the exhaust then what comes from the stock one. Nothing droning as i do a little lite towing.

Looking to spend $1000 bucks max.

Thanks in advance.

There is nothing in that price range that is going to describe your desires. You may find 5 hp here, and 10 hp there. A supercharger is a significant expenditure, but it will transform the performance, but not economy.

ws6_guy · March 31, 2008

For exhaust, Magnaflow dual in/out muffler.

Gears, you most likely got 4.10s with the locking rear since its a long bed. my Short bed has them too but it was an option.

Tunes, you have many options, from the people that tune them such as Westerns, Wheatley, Blackbear Performance, and some others. Options like more torque gain, better economy, or other power gains. In your case if all you do is tow i'd get the power tunes. Discuss what you are looking for with someone who will be tuning your truck.

jonnyslim · March 31, 2008

Killerbee, I'm not looking to create a drag truck with 500hp. Im looking to gain around 50hp and 80lb. ft of torque. From what I have been reading, this seems possible from a number of tuning companies. I'm just looking to see if anyone has done this with a crew cab long bed.

2000DV4.8 · March 31, 2008

50hp from a tune? I want some of what those guys are smoking...

dewfpo · March 31, 2008

With a gasser, it's going to take allot more than just a tune to get 50/80. I wish it were that easy.

DEWFPO

Killerbee · April 1, 2008

Killerbee, I'm not looking to create a drag truck with 500hp. Im looking to gain around 50hp and 80lb. ft of torque. From what I have been reading, this seems possible from a number of tuning companies. I'm just looking to see if anyone has done this with a crew cab long bed.

you are being taken in. Unless you are confusing diesels with gas.

You'll need more than a supercharger for 500 HP. But 50-75 is reasonable with a charger. Sorry for the let down, it's just not there for the gasser, without more air.

Hulk1999 · April 1, 2008

Okay guys here's the deal,
I just got a new job, and have just freed up a little bit of money. I have a 2002 6.0 2500hd LS CC LB. I'm assuming that considering it's a 6L AT CC that it has the 4.10 gear? 78k miles.

looking to bring more power out of the engine without hurting it's towing capabilities and not losing mpg, I'm not too concerned with gaining mpg but that would be a nice bonus too. Basically I am looking for enough power to let the rear wheels break loose at will and getting rid of some of the torque managment.

I have never done any performance upgrades on any vehicle so this is all new to me. Who should I be looking at and does anyone else out their have the same set-up with a tune, I'm looking to here what you have to say.

Also, I am looking for a little more attitude from the exhaust then what comes from the stock one. Nothing droning as i do a little lite towing.

Looking to spend $1000 bucks max.

Thanks in advance.

Just do a search on this forum/website for PCM tuning. I think you'll find what your looking for.

Hulk

wellinghurst · April 1, 2008

Killerbee, I'm not looking to create a drag truck with 500hp. Im looking to gain around 50hp and 80lb. ft of torque. From what I have been reading, this seems possible from a number of tuning companies. I'm just looking to see if anyone has done this with a crew cab long bed.

We have basically the same truck it sounds like.

My tune will break my 285 tires loose now, and I can get sideways if I really want to play with it.

I think you are confusing the HP gain with the TM removal. HP only goes up about 25-30 at best, but it FEELS better because the TM is gone. Mine is set to run on premium gas because I wanted the most out of it. I would recommend Justin. I have stock everything else. The exhaust does hit a different note with the tune once you get above 3500 rpms-you can tell the biggest difference at immediate takeoff and above 3500. Worth every penny.

I will not be adding any other mods until I have 20 grand to get my dream lift and supercharger.

Freyguy · April 2, 2008

My truck is pretty similar to yours, and I went with PCMFORLESS. Mostly because they were local and could do a dyno tune. I went with a 93 octane tune for the added power. I did get about 1.5mpg better, which covered the extra cost for gas, so I'm really paying the same cost per mile. I gained 29hp and 18ft/lbs torque. Here's the sheet, but look to the bottom for the max numbers, the line was in the wrong spots on the graph. It's an amazing difference and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I also have a MIT intake tube with Amsoil filter, and a Magnaflow exhaust on mine.

dewfpo · April 2, 2008

My truck is pretty similar to yours, and I went with PCMFORLESS. Mostly because they were local and could do a dyno tune. I went with a 93 octane tune for the added power. I did get about 1.5mpg better, which covered the extra cost for gas, so I'm really paying the same cost per mile. I gained 29hp and 18ft/lbs torque. Here's the sheet, but look to the bottom for the max numbers, the line was in the wrong spots on the graph. It's an amazing difference and I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I also have a MIT intake tube with Amsoil filter, and a Magnaflow exhaust on mine.

Why do the dyno results 'start' at 3,700 rpm? Most I've seen start at 2,500 rpm or even some a little lower. Just curious.

DEWFPO

jonnyslim · April 4, 2008

Thanks guys this is more of the information that i am looking for. Stratosman, your sig says that you went with Black Bear Performance. Were they realy easy to work with?

davzog · April 4, 2008

Let me give you the straight scoop from a 207 Classic 6.0L owner...

Short of rebuilding teh engine with a bunch of performance parts and putting lower gears and spending thousands of dollars, you are pretty much stuck with the power and mpg you get from the factory.

I did the CAI....nothing but noise.

I did the Flowmaster exhaust...sounds cool, but nothing else.

I did the Diablo Predator tuner....some one got $400 of my money. It did correct the speedometer error from the bigger tires.

I uninstalled the predator program last week, and I honestly think the truck runs better (or at least as good) as with the programmer, and I get over 1 mpg increase without it...ha

NOw, my speedometer is off by 4%...so at 60 mph, I am actually going 62.4 mpg....I can live with that

Enjoy your truck as GM built it and save your money for gasoline....it you have to have more power, you probably need a diesel....

Again, I am out over $1000, and very little if any gain at all....ugh

bassadict69 · April 4, 2008

Let me give you the straight scoop from a 207 Classic 6.0L owner...

Short of rebuilding teh engine with a bunch of performance parts and putting lower gears and spending thousands of dollars, you are pretty much stuck with the power and mpg you get from the factory.

I did the CAI....nothing but noise.

I did the Flowmaster exhaust...sounds cool, but nothing else.

I did the Diablo Predator tuner....some one got $400 of my money. It did correct the speedometer error from the bigger tires.

I uninstalled the predator program last week, and I honestly think the truck runs better (or at least as good) as with the programmer, and I get over 1 mpg increase without it...ha

NOw, my speedometer is off by 4%...so at 60 mph, I am actually going 62.4 mpg....I can live with that

Enjoy your truck as GM built it and save your money for gasoline....it you have to have more power, you probably need a diesel....

Again, I am out over $1000, and very little if any gain at all....ugh

I don't have any experience with the Diablo tuner but from months of researching tunes before going with BlackBear, you took one of the worst routes & are now telling someone they are stuck with what GM gave them in the truck. Do the research & you will see that many of the tuners out there can tune your PCM, even on the 2007's like yours, & really wake it up!

As far as BlackBear being easy to deal with...it was a piece of cake! He quickly answered all questions via email or phone, quick shipping & the best part was the way he does the tunes sending you a cable & software to log your PCM & email it to him. He then can actually see what he is tuning rather than doing it "blind".

wellinghurst · April 4, 2008

Thanks guys this is more of the information that i am looking for. Stratosman, your sig says that you went with Black Bear Performance. Were they realy easy to work with?

YES! He sends you the stuff to log your truck's current performance, and you email it back to him. You will have his phone number and email for any questions along the way. He will then ask you what you are looking for in terms of shifting/octane/tow-haul button usage/everything. He sets it up and send you a replacement PCM. You either send yours back for the 100.00 core or keep it. I sent mine back because mine's not a DD anyway. Mine is set up as aggressively as you can since I only pull a bass boat and only drive 4000-500 miles a year.