To Tune Or Not To Tune?

gmchevroletruck · May 11, 2009

Hello all,

Just an opinion question, based on your experiences...I plan to keep this truck for a long time, and it already has 130k on it, motor is very clean inside and strong...the question is, will tuning affect negatively affect longevity? (by tuning, I mean probably chip / handheld programming only - motor and transmission timing tune etc).

I don't plan to totally mod the truck into a beast, just maybe a tune to use it's potential better with the stock parts, i.e., what most of you would consider very mild.

I'm guessing that keeping it stock could never hurt longevity, and may make it last longer because it's putting a tad less stress on the truck overall, but I've never done it, and many of you have, so that's why I'm asking. Anyone have a truck with a chip / programming change, with over 200k on it?

svensk · May 11, 2009

I put a custom tune on my truck when it had 130K. It now has 160K and no problems. Runs stronger than it did with less than 100K on it...that's for sure. Mileage is great too.

gmchevroletruck · May 11, 2009

I put a custom tune on my truck when it had 130K. It now has 160K and no problems. Runs stronger than it did with less than 100K on it...that's for sure. Mileage is great too.

Thanks for the reply...

Very interesting...do you have the 5.3 or 4.8? And, your mileage went up? Sounds awesome to me...mine is the 02 5.3, hence no ability to shut off 4 cylinders etc..is yours that type of engine as well?

gmchevroletruck · May 11, 2009

nevermind, if yours is a 2000 it must be...duh...sorry, just saw that lol...

gmchevroletruck · May 11, 2009

what kind of tune did you do?

txab · May 11, 2009

TUNE IT! Black Bear Performance FTW!

Stevens03 · May 11, 2009

I agree, tune it... Blackbear, nelson performance, gowheatley, and westers garage are all good tuners.

You give them a call, and they'll walk you thru what you need.

66nova · May 11, 2009

Nope. Not really any question here. Tune it!! Engine and transmission longevity have much more to do with you then it does with the tune. If you don't hotrod it the truck should last longer with the tune.

I also put another vote for black bear.

superjim · May 12, 2009

Tune it.

Black Bear.

I even have the Cadillac tuned by Justin of Black bear.

VMax2007 · May 12, 2009

Tune it.
Black Bear.

I even have the Cadillac tuned by Justin of Black bear.

Noooooo???? Really? How come you've never told us?

rvsahs · May 12, 2009

I also put another vote for black bear.

Tune it.
Black Bear.

I even have the Cadillac tuned by Justin of Black bear.

I sense a pattern here....

2000DV4.8 · May 12, 2009

I also put another vote for black bear.

Tune it.
Black Bear.

I even have the Cadillac tuned by Justin of Black bear.

I sense a pattern here....

People in Texas drive white vehicles?

VMax2007 · May 12, 2009

I also put another vote for black bear.

Tune it.
Black Bear.

I even have the Cadillac tuned by Justin of Black bear.

I sense a pattern here....

People in Texas drive white vehicles?

Racist bastards!

rvsahs · May 12, 2009

I also put another vote for black bear.

Tune it.
Black Bear.

I even have the Cadillac tuned by Justin of Black bear.

I sense a pattern here....

People in Texas drive white vehicles?

Racist bastards!

svensk · May 12, 2009

I put a custom tune on my truck when it had 130K. It now has 160K and no problems. Runs stronger than it did with less than 100K on it...that's for sure. Mileage is great too.

Thanks for the reply...

Very interesting...do you have the 5.3 or 4.8? And, your mileage went up? Sounds awesome to me...mine is the 02 5.3, hence no ability to shut off 4 cylinders etc..is yours that type of engine as well?

yup, 5.3 garden variety lm7. my first tune was a wait4me, then my most recent was a street tune done by Justin at black bear performance.