Engine programmer chip

[vandeman17]

I wasn't sure where to post this so mods, feel free to move it wherever if necessary. I could have sworn there was a topic on this before but I can't find it. My question for you guys is if anybody uses power and fuel efficiency computer chips in your trucks? I have a 2005 Silverado 1500 gas powered truck. It has a 6 inch lift and 35" tires on it right now. I get about 14 mpg which isn't horrid but isn't great either. I have considered buying a chip to see if I can get a little better performance, better mileage as well as being able to recalibrate my speedometer to the correct settings. Any recommendations or experiences?

[Woodchuck]

On a gas powered truck you will have to drive it a loooooooong time to pay for the investment  Some places can just dowload a "custom tune" into the existing ecu to help some but you are still looking at $250 to $300.

[vandeman17]

Very good point. I was just thinking that I might be able to kill a few birds with one stone. I could get my speedometer to be accurate, increase a little power when towing and as a bonus, get a mpg or 2 better.

[jackelope]

Go to fullsizechevy.com and look around. There's a guy on there that will "rebuild" your pcm and trick it out. Apparently it's hot rod stuff. I almost did it with mine but lost the nerve to send my PCM to some dude I didn't know. I can't remember who the guy is but I suspect if you  look around there a little you'll find it.

  If you're getting 14mpg with that truck running 35's you're doing better than me with mine and mine's stock. Your odometer is off too if it's not been calibrated for the bigger tires.  I'm sure you're probably doing worse than you think.

[Woodchuck]

All that can be downloaded, tire size, timing curve, trans line pressures, shift points, etc. The guy we deal with will ask questions for about 15 min to make sure he gets you what you want, plug it in over the internet and done. At least for chev. We just built a 6.7l stroker motor out of a 6.0 and all the new info will be put into the stock ecu  

[jackelope]

p.s. I agree with the Woodchuck, don't spend a bunch of money on a programmer in an effort to save money on gas.

[CAMPMEAT]

Can't a chevy dealer at least reprogram your speedo to match your tire size, or vise versa to get it alot closer than it is now ?

[FC]

Only if it's a factory option for GM.

[vandeman17]

Can't a chevy dealer at least reprogram your speedo to match your tire size, or vise versa to get it alot closer than it is now ?

I think they can but what I hate is how they charge you like $200 to do it when all they do is hook it up to their computer, hit a few keys and it is done. I just was thinking if I am going to spend that much money to have them do it, why not pay another 100 or so and get a chip that does other things...  

[jackelope]

Factory tire size only.

[jackelope]

Can't a chevy dealer at least reprogram your speedo to match your tire size, or vise versa to get it alot closer than it is now ?

I think they can but what I hate is how they charge you like $200 to do it when all they do is hook it up to their computer, hit a few keys and it is done. I just was thinking if I am going to spend that much money to have them do it, why not pay another 100 or so and get a chip that does other things...  

Have you  even called to ask how much?
That comment makes me chuckle.

[Miles]

  If you're getting 14mpg with that truck running 35's you're doing better than me with mine and mine's stock.

Do you have the 5.3 or the 6.0? 

[jackelope]

5.3

[vandeman17]

I have the 5.3L and I just called over to see how much it would cost but they are out at lunch. I remember when I had a check engine light come on that I got charged like $95 for them to hook it up, get the code and tell me what it meant. I was just being sarcastic about the $200 but you get the idea.

[Miles]

5.3

 

It's stock and you're getting less than 14 mpg? 

I've got a 2006 and got more than that pulling a U-haul cross country.   (and yes I hit the trip and figured it out with a calculator after each fill up).