Best programmer for the 6.0 engine?
CF Pro Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 997
Likes: 21
From: SE MI
I'm pretty happy with what Justin @Blackbear did on my '08 2500 Burb.
Better throttle response, removed some TM, and raised the speed governor. For a 6500-lb truck, she's pretty quick, and loves to run.
When I need a code read, I just go to O'Reillys.
Better throttle response, removed some TM, and raised the speed governor. For a 6500-lb truck, she's pretty quick, and loves to run.
When I need a code read, I just go to O'Reillys.
CF Beginner
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Hello All,
check link with a good review
I would like to start out by saying that I am only making this post to help inform all those who are wondering/pondering around these questions about improving your trucks. I'm not by any means bashing a purchase anyone has already made. I am only trying to help the forum with what I have learned with my own money and experience. And I WILL NOT, throw a specific person or company under the bus, I will only use generic terms.
So let me say I have purchased both the handheld programmers and custom tunes. Just like majority of us, I started off with a handheld programmer. It was even a programmer that had the capability to log your ecu/tcu while driving, not just a programmer that already had set tunes on it. So I did what you're supposed to do: log a few days of driving, send the file to the tuner for adjustments and then take another log (so on and so forth). After a few exchanges of emails, and loading a few tunes...I finally had a fast truck! (or so I thought). Also note, at the time my truck had FBO (full bolt ons, intake, headers and exhaust).
Shortly down the road, I needed more speed. So I purchased a 3k stall converter, and had a buddy re-tune my truck with the software HP Tuners. Now this time my truck was being tuned, it was live in a friends driveway via a laptop. And so I got to see all the changes being made right in front of me. To note, the stall converter itself did not require much adjustment, just moving a few shift points around. But what I could not believe the most was, my tuner showed me that my truck at WOT (wide open throttle) was actually pulling LESS timing than a Stock tune...that obviously made me feel dumb and felt like a slap in the face because all this time the placebo effect must have fooled me. In fact, 14 degrees of timing is a lot less than 20+ degrees (from a stock tune). If I remember right, we were able to get about 26 degrees of timing safely.
Now with a true custom tune, HOLY COW. My truck was a SLUG before getting a street tune in person. Granted the stall converter did help a lot being under-geared with an old 4L60e trans, the custom tune was very noticeable up top and throughout the rpm band. Fuel mileage improved slightly, shift points were near perfect (would need a dyno to perfect), shift firmness was set to my liking and the truck jumped at any speed (no more hunting gears).
I did go on to put a custom cam in this truck from BTR, and increased the compression too. Was a fun daily driver for a year that's for sure, but unfortunately the truck rings were toast because it was burning a quart every 3 days. So I traded the 08 in for a 14 Silverado 5.3 LTZ. I see a lot of Chevy owners wondering if this tuner or that programmer is worth it, and just wanted to make one post we can all refer back to for reference.
To conclude: in my honest opinion, a handheld programmer/tuner that is not being adjusted in person on your vehicle specifically is almost never worth it. They are usually more expensive and just another set of safe variables for your vehicle to run on vs getting a true custom tune. Think about it, at the end of the day, a company doesn't want you to be calling them about your trans or engine blowing up, so it will never be pushed to its capability without being there in person. Because elevation, temperature, mileage, carbon buildup...all these variables lead to every engine needing something different to perfect its efficiency. Especially to the owners like me who are still within warranty on your truck, if you're going to risk breaking the warranty and spending the money...why not get the most for what you're already paying! And I understand that location may not be convenient for everyone, but for those of you within reach of a tuner...DO NOT PASS UP THE OPPURTUNITY! These DI 5.3l engines have a lot to be gained, I think its safe to say people are seeing an average of 20-25whp gains with a tune, and 30whp+ with 93 or e85. I almost have 80k on my 2014 right now, so if the lifters and everything is still good next year, I will not hesitate to tune it the second my warranty is up!
Hope I helped at least 1 individual!
check link with a good review
I would like to start out by saying that I am only making this post to help inform all those who are wondering/pondering around these questions about improving your trucks. I'm not by any means bashing a purchase anyone has already made. I am only trying to help the forum with what I have learned with my own money and experience. And I WILL NOT, throw a specific person or company under the bus, I will only use generic terms.
So let me say I have purchased both the handheld programmers and custom tunes. Just like majority of us, I started off with a handheld programmer. It was even a programmer that had the capability to log your ecu/tcu while driving, not just a programmer that already had set tunes on it. So I did what you're supposed to do: log a few days of driving, send the file to the tuner for adjustments and then take another log (so on and so forth). After a few exchanges of emails, and loading a few tunes...I finally had a fast truck! (or so I thought). Also note, at the time my truck had FBO (full bolt ons, intake, headers and exhaust).
Shortly down the road, I needed more speed. So I purchased a 3k stall converter, and had a buddy re-tune my truck with the software HP Tuners. Now this time my truck was being tuned, it was live in a friends driveway via a laptop. And so I got to see all the changes being made right in front of me. To note, the stall converter itself did not require much adjustment, just moving a few shift points around. But what I could not believe the most was, my tuner showed me that my truck at WOT (wide open throttle) was actually pulling LESS timing than a Stock tune...that obviously made me feel dumb and felt like a slap in the face because all this time the placebo effect must have fooled me. In fact, 14 degrees of timing is a lot less than 20+ degrees (from a stock tune). If I remember right, we were able to get about 26 degrees of timing safely.
Now with a true custom tune, HOLY COW. My truck was a SLUG before getting a street tune in person. Granted the stall converter did help a lot being under-geared with an old 4L60e trans, the custom tune was very noticeable up top and throughout the rpm band. Fuel mileage improved slightly, shift points were near perfect (would need a dyno to perfect), shift firmness was set to my liking and the truck jumped at any speed (no more hunting gears).
I did go on to put a custom cam in this truck from BTR, and increased the compression too. Was a fun daily driver for a year that's for sure, but unfortunately the truck rings were toast because it was burning a quart every 3 days. So I traded the 08 in for a 14 Silverado 5.3 LTZ. I see a lot of Chevy owners wondering if this tuner or that programmer is worth it, and just wanted to make one post we can all refer back to for reference.
To conclude: in my honest opinion, a handheld programmer/tuner that is not being adjusted in person on your vehicle specifically is almost never worth it. They are usually more expensive and just another set of safe variables for your vehicle to run on vs getting a true custom tune. Think about it, at the end of the day, a company doesn't want you to be calling them about your trans or engine blowing up, so it will never be pushed to its capability without being there in person. Because elevation, temperature, mileage, carbon buildup...all these variables lead to every engine needing something different to perfect its efficiency. Especially to the owners like me who are still within warranty on your truck, if you're going to risk breaking the warranty and spending the money...why not get the most for what you're already paying! And I understand that location may not be convenient for everyone, but for those of you within reach of a tuner...DO NOT PASS UP THE OPPURTUNITY! These DI 5.3l engines have a lot to be gained, I think its safe to say people are seeing an average of 20-25whp gains with a tune, and 30whp+ with 93 or e85. I almost have 80k on my 2014 right now, so if the lifters and everything is still good next year, I will not hesitate to tune it the second my warranty is up!
Hope I helped at least 1 individual!
