Got a '04 6.0L. I know programmers don't give us gassers the same "bang for the buck" as the oilburners, but its what I got. Always looking for more easy power.

Which is best:
Hypertech
Jet
Superchip
Comp Cams
Gratelli Diablosport
(any others I'm missing?)

I want ability to easily return to stock for warranty work, adjust for tire size, and run 87 or 89 octane gas w/o needing to re-program.

Thanks

Don't know where all the gasser guys are today. But if they were here they would tell you to get a custom tune from Westers or pcm-for-less, they will give you much more bang for your buck. Don't waste your money on "off the shelf" programmers.

Wester's............Don't bother with the ones you have listed.

DEWFPO

Wester's is a replacement PCM correct (doesn't plug into the OBDII port)? How easy to return to stock? Do I have to buy a spare PCM to get reprogrammed so I can keep the stocker? I got a free ext'd warranty on this thing, so I'd like to keep it useful.

Yes you would need to buy a replacement ECM.:( Don't know how much they are for gassers, but for diesels they are about 300$

I went through this a little while ago. As far as 87-89 octane, don't even waste your time with anything. You won't get a lot for all the trouble. As for handhelds, I was inclined to go with the Predator by Granatelli Motorsports because the NEW models have a torque management adjustment, which is what is really holding your truck back. But at the end, I went with a PCM's for Less PCM. I got a tuned PCM for premium fuel and tire size for 250.00 and paid the core charge of 125.00 and kept my factory PCM. Tooks 10 minutes to install and am pretty happy with it. More power and much smoother too. As far as Wester's, they are also a great tuning outfit... IMHO,a tuned PCM is the only way to go. There is so much more that can be adjusted over a handheld programmer.

my last truck was a '03, 6L, 2500HD, 5 spd. I put the Hypertech on it and it fried my PCM. Had to send both the PCM and programmer back to Hypertech, they reflased both at no charge (i was stuck walking for 4 days). There was not that much power gained with the tuner that i could tell, (already had 2 1/4" duals on it) so i traded it for what i have now. seemed the week link was the clutch, it would slip when i wanted to smoke the tires.
with the new set up i have now, 6.6 LLY, predator installed yesterday, i now have mathing black stripes on my driveway.

I got the 89/93 tune from Lyndon at Wester's and only wished I had done it sooner. The truck accelerated much faster and my gas mileage went up almost just over 3 mpg in all city driving.


Simple install and can be reversed quickly. You can talk to Lyndon directly and tell him want you think you want and he can help you decide on what is best for your needs. Very nice to deal with and prompt with refund for core exchanges.


I bought a used core and kept my original. Once you pay for a tune, you can send your PCM back for changes for the vehicle it was in, or for a new vehicle you buy later.


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Here are a few other benefits of the Wester's -

30 day free trial, you don’t like it, they’ll either modify it, or send it back and owe nothing!

Lifetime warranty (no cost or fees)

Lifetime updates for all future mods ($45 shipping and handling fee)

Lifetime full price paid credit toward your next custom tune for your next vehicle ($45 shipping and handling fee) - VERY good benefit

Standard with all performance tunes -

Complete reflash of the PCM to your VIN, with all factory updates.
Dyno developed performance tune optimized for your exact engine and transmission combination.
Raised and optimized shift points
Firm, but not harsh shifts
Elimination of all torque management that can be safely removed
*
Some of the more common modifications to ask for -

Raising the top speed limiter to any speed you specify
Specifying the exact shift points you want in every gear
Firmer (or softer) shifts.
Specific tuning for your modifications, like larger than stock tires, gear ratio change, aftermarket MAF sensor, supercharger, headers, cam change, engine modifications, etc.


Good luck with whatever you choose to go with. I think you will be happy with a PCM tune, the cost, the results and the ease of install.

My brother got the PCM-For-Less tune on his '99 5.3L after he did a gear change (3.73s to 4.11s) and a tire change (up to 265s). The truck runs great and has even picked up about 1.5 miles per gallon around town, however his ABS light is on all the time and PCM-For-Less couldn't tell him why. We are still trying to figure it out six months later.

JP
On Edit (1 April 05) The problem turned out to be a dealer issue. The GMC tech had made a Brake Control Module change and didn't tell anyone....doh! Anyways, it had nothing to do with PCMSFORLESS programming.

If you go the Westers route make sure you get something that you feel is worth it before the 30 day "free trial" runs out. On my truck the PCM did very little, and wasn't even close to being a good upgrade for me.

about to do my own tuning with hptuners , but sounds like your going to keep it stock so mail-order tune (i.e. westers, nelson)is best. But If you have any desire to mod, and are do-it yourselfer, you be wanting edit software bad. I took the dive, and got laptop and hptuners software. Now i can tune the motor for any mod even boost, I can switch to a speed denstiy tune for even more radical mods.

I have enjoyed my westers tune though, got me into the 14's

Lots of tuning choices out there, but I agree that custom tunes are the way to go. I run a Westers in my truck and have been for over 60,000 miles. My truck runs great and I'm about to hit 100,000 miles on the OD.

An independent firm dynoed the Hypertech (set at 93 octane tuning) on a 6.0L GM gas motor running premium fuel. Don't be fooled by Hypertech's claim of some +30hp on the 6.0L and 8.1L motors. They gained +14hp and +10tq. The K&N intake system they installed gained nearly as much as the programmer, +10hp and +12tq. I don't know how these programmer manufacturers come up with these inflated claims on gas motors. Diesels are another story.

My wife has a 5.3 in her 04 yukon what can i expect out of a wester pcm mpg, hp etc. thanks dave

I can't comment on Westers, as I have no experience with them.

My wife has a 5.3 in her 04 yukon what can i expect out of a wester pcm mpg, hp etc. Well, if my truck is any indication, not much... :)

I have read in several magazines that 27 HP is about all that is available in the 5.3, 6.0, and 8.1 motors, and that's 27hp on a dyno. Most of this can be attained through a better exhaust system (to include headers). However, there are other benefits to the programs such as shift point adjustment, torque converter lockup, etc. In my opinion, deeper gears (i.e. 4.10s), exhaust system and an 87 octane tune to recalibrate for the changes are the way to go for a mild performance upgrade to these gassers.

JP