Test Drove New 2009 Last Night.....

b00001 · March 18, 2009

2009 Silverado LTZ "white diamond" crew cab 3.42 rear end, 6 speed trans

I really liked the ride! So smooth and quiet inside with the smell of new leather, whew! It was great! I was on a test drive alone so I was able to get on it a bit. I did not hold it to the floor or anything as I dont want to hamper break in, but I did get on it a couple times, including one on ramp entrance. I have read where some people were saying these new trucks just have no giddy up to them and I must say that I agree. I dont know that this truck would even spin the tires. I know it has traction control of some sort, but that never engaged that I could feel or know of. I never tried to spin the tires and that is not the point, but just from the feeling from driving and accelerating, the truck just felt "heavy". Handling was smooth and predictable, the "heaviness" was felt during acceleration. Not to sure on making the purchase now. There are times when you have to smash that gas and get moving, not sure this truck would really do that. I have seen lots of people doing the "tune" on these trucks, but I dont want to go that route on a brand new truck. Any thoughts from owners greatly appreciated!

VR021302 · March 18, 2009

The might be the 3.42 gears

DofD · March 18, 2009

The heaviness and acceleration issues are all the TM and abuse nannies found in all the trucks. Only a tune will fix it really.

I know with mine (5.3, 6 speed) if you mash it, it will get going. I know it would beat my stock '97, after a nanny lag of course.

If you're wondering about performance pulling out or across traffic, I can understand this. It does take a little getting used to how the truck performs stock. But I haven't found the TM or nannies to actually be a hazard. I guess it depends on what your current truck performs like though. There will be an adjustment period.

Also, I am going to do a PCM tune, still pondering the TCM tune as that module isn't replaceable in the 6 speed.

b00001 · March 18, 2009

The heaviness and acceleration issues are all the TM and abuse nannies found in all the trucks. Only a tune will fix it really.

I know with mine (5.3, 6 speed) if you mash it, it will get going. I know it would beat my stock '97, after a nanny lag of course.

If you're wondering about performance pulling out or across traffic, I can understand this. It does take a little getting used to how the truck performs stock. But I haven't found the TM or nannies to actually be a hazard. I guess it depends on what your current truck performs like though. There will be an adjustment period.

Also, I am going to do a PCM tune, still pondering the TCM tune as that module isn't replaceable in the 6 speed.

Thanks for the input!

Stevens03 · March 18, 2009

Best bet is the gears. Different gears would make it feel alot better. As mentioned, the throttle delay (lag) is another issue that makes them seam slow.

I want a pearl white with the 6.2 and 6-speed...

VMax2007 · March 18, 2009

The might be the 3.42 gears

Not likely with the 6 spd. 1st gear is VERY low, which makes the 3.42 gears more like 4:56 gears in a 4 spd.

Nick The Great · March 18, 2009

The might be the 3.42 gears

Not likely with the 6 spd. 1st gear is VERY low, which makes the 3.42 gears more like 4:56 gears in a 4 spd.

What kind of vehicle is the OP coming from? I can't imagine it's any worse than any of our GMT900's were pre-tune. i think a 6.2L / 6spd would be sweet. But I would like to be able to tune the TCM.

DofD · March 18, 2009

His info says 2000 Silvy 1500.

On the 6 speed you can tune the TCM, you can't swap modules though as it's internal. Also until the EFILive handheld arrives a TCM tune will need to be done in person for the same reason.

b00001 · March 18, 2009

The might be the 3.42 gears

Not likely with the 6 spd. 1st gear is VERY low, which makes the 3.42 gears more like 4:56 gears in a 4 spd.

What kind of vehicle is the OP coming from? I can't imagine it's any worse than any of our GMT900's were pre-tune. i think a 6.2L / 6spd would be sweet. But I would like to be able to tune the TCM.

Forgot to mention that the one I drove has the 20" wheels as well.

Currently in an older truck, 2000 Silverado, base with 5.3.

Nick The Great · March 18, 2009

His info says 2000 Silvy 1500.

On the 6 speed you can tune the TCM, you can't swap modules though as it's internal. Also until the EFILive handheld arrives a TCM tune will need to be done in person for the same reason.

I see.

That makes sense about the TCM. I'm just paranoid so I like the idea of being able to remove the modules. I'm sure someone out there can tell I've been swapping modules anyway.

Matt_ · March 18, 2009

My 6.2L 6spd 3.42 truck feels like a low 15 second truck and its not tuned.... It sure doesn't feel 'heavy'., especially when pulling onto a highway and I'm doin 80 before I have to merge

One of the reasons I bought it was the performance I felt on the test drive

huero626 · March 18, 2009

Did u test drive a 5.3 or a 6.2?

Stevens03 · March 18, 2009

Maybe it was the 4.8?

Steven

VMax2007 · March 18, 2009

Maybe it was the 4.8?

Steven

Nope, can't get the 6 spd with the 4.8.

DofD · March 18, 2009

I know with mine once the RPMs hit 3k the truck will take off like a bat out of hell. Between 2k and 3k performance is okay, with more nanny pauses.

The rough gauge I use is this. There is a stretch of highway with a light, beyond the light at about 100m is an 80kmh sign. So I gauge performance on how fast I am going when I get to that sign.

With my 97 I would be doing about 85km/h at the sign and pulling decently.

With me 09 I am doing about 90km/h and pulling hard, and that is not from a wot start.

So far when pulling out into traffic, etc, it really depends on how long the truck stays in 1st as to how quick it gets going.

I find the shift points at little odd at times. I tried manually shifting one day and that was a big wow, in a good way.