Pcm tune worth the $ ?

Ghost

Ghost

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Joined
Jun 1, 2012
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My 02 already throws me to the seat when I mash the pedal, just wondering if the strongest tune is worth the price and no truck for a week or two ( no pcm no drive)...? I am a speed junky (not drugs) and love my tb i6... also do I need to use premium with the max pcm tune ? I know answers can be found via there website but I want real people posting there results and likes/dislikes...
 
Yes it will give you a noticable improvement in power and throttle response over stock. Cost me less than $200 with shipping. With the loaner program I had zero vehicle downtime. Pretty much best bang for the buck improvement to the platform. I did not get any mpg improvement, and went with the 87 octane tune. Higher octane will only get you a few more HP - up to you if that is worth paying at the pump.

My complaint was I hate the 1-2 shift now. I went with shift level two, wish I had gone with 0 or 1. They offered to fix the shift setting for me for free, but I would have had to send the pcm back and pay shipping so its not a realistic option for me.
 
Lima Tango said:
Yes it will give you a noticable improvement in power and throttle response over stock. Cost me less than $200 with shipping. With the loaner program I had zero vehicle downtime. Pretty much best bang for the buck improvement to the platform. I did not get any mpg improvement, and went with the 87 octane tune. Higher octane will only get you a few more HP - up to you if that is worth paying at the pump.

My complaint was I hate the 1-2 shift now. I went with shift level two, wish I had gone with 0 or 1. They offered to fix the shift setting for me for free, but I would have had to send the pcm back and pay shipping so its not a realistic option for me.
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Care to explain the shift 1-2 vs 0-1 ?
 
Ghost said:
Care to explain the shift 1-2 vs 0-1 ?
Click to expand...

Sure, sorry could have been clearer!

PCM4L offers a shift setting choice when they tune - 0 is stock shift firmness, 1, 2, and 3 are increasingly aggressive shifts. 2 is recommended and is what I selected per their recommendation.

I found the 1-2 shift (first gear to second) to be inconsistent and often overly harsh, feels like it revs up past the power band then slams into 2nd gear. 2-3 and 3-4 are both great. This is usually only an issue during low to medium throttle, so if you drive less conservatively than I do, I doubt you'll have an issue. I have heard from other people who have the same problem with the 1-2 shift after the PCM4L tune with shift setting 1 or 2.
 
Lima Tango said:
Sure, sorry could have been clearer!

PCM4L offers a shift setting choice when they tune - 0 is stock shift firmness, 1, 2, and 3 are increasingly aggressive shifts. 2 is recommended and is what I selected per their recommendation.

I found the 1-2 shift (first gear to second) to be inconsistent and often overly harsh, feels like it revs up past the power band then slams into 2nd gear. 2-3 and 3-4 are both great. This is usually only an issue during low to medium throttle, so if you drive less conservatively than I do, I doubt you'll have an issue. I have heard from other people who have the same problem with the 1-2 shift after the PCM4L tune with shift setting 1 or 2.
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I was going to go with 3 .....but I don't always race around so if using 3 when just Sunday driving is very aggressive may just go to 2.(?)
 
Lima Tango said:
My complaint was I hate the 1-2 shift now. I went with shift level two, wish I had gone with 0 or 1. They offered to fix the shift setting for me for free, but I would have had to send the pcm back and pay shipping so its not a realistic option for me.
Click to expand...

Lima Tango said:
I found the 1-2 shift (first gear to second) to be inconsistent and often overly harsh, feels like it revs up past the power band then slams into 2nd gear. 2-3 and 3-4 are both great. This is usually only an issue during low to medium throttle, so if you drive less conservatively than I do, I doubt you'll have an issue. I have heard from other people who have the same problem with the 1-2 shift after the PCM4L tune with shift setting 1 or 2.
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing but after discussion in this post http://gmtnation.com/f25/fluttering-butterfly-tcc-4493/#post86583 about another tranny problem, I suspect it is the PWM Boost Valve. I'm getting the kit to fix all of the tranny problems which I believe will solve the hard 1-2 shift problem too.
 
Dad-O-Matic said:
I thought the same thing but after discussion in this post http://gmtnation.com/f25/fluttering-butterfly-tcc-4493/#post86583 about another tranny problem, I suspect it is the PWM Boost Valve. I'm getting the kit to fix all of the tranny problems which I believe will solve the hard 1-2 shift problem too.
Click to expand...

If you're talking about an SK-4l60E style kit it made no difference to the harsh 1-2 shift I got from my tune. I've learned to live with/work around it. Personally, the benefits outweigh that one annoyance. Removing TM alone is enough to justify the tune, IMHO.
 
Question: im going to go with level 3 tune....what is the benefit or losses going with premium vs regular gas ? If I chose 3 with reg gas am I going to loose power substantialy ? If I choose primium is there a huge gain ?
 
Just run reg gas, it is cheaper and won't make that much of a difference for you... And please for the love of god do not mess with your PCM on your own.... We've already been through your cruise control debacle and I don't think we have the resources to get you thru rewiring a new connector on the PCM or doing a CASE relearn... Ei yei yei.... :eek: :crazy:
 
McGMT said:
Just run reg gas, it is cheaper and won't make that much of a difference for you... And please for the love of god do not mess with your PCM on your own.... We've already been through your cruise control debacle and I don't think we have the resources to get you thru rewiring a new connector on the PCM or doing a CASE relearn... Ei yei yei.... :eek: :crazy:
Click to expand...

Wait what ? Connectors are easy...it was the damn plastic around the steering.column that I goofed on. Iv already had my pcm out once to clean it.....:cool:
I still have no clue what a case relearn is...:(
 
Ghost said:
Wait what ? Connectors are easy...it was the damn plastic around the steering.column that I goofed on. Iv already had my pcm out once to clean it.....:cool:
I still have no clue what a case relearn is...:(
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Please just read directions, all your questions on the cruise operation were in the manual you refuse to read and your looking into getting the PCM tune, if you would take the time to read on their website you would know what a CASE re-learn is and all. Sure, we are here to help along the way and give advice on fixes but FFS you still have to put a little effort into what you do. Read the manual, read the PCM4LESS page and use google or our site search, there are a lot of articles on here of how to do a CASE re-learn and what your options are for a PCM tune...
 
Ghost said:
Question: im going to go with level 3 tune....what is the benefit or losses going with premium vs regular gas ? If I chose 3 with reg gas am I going to loose power substantialy ? If I choose primium is there a huge gain ?
Click to expand...

read this thread and see if it helps...

http://gmtnation.com/f25/tune-premium-fuel-4760/

McGMT said:
Please just read directions, all your questions on the cruise operation were in the manual you refuse to read and your looking into getting the PCM tune, if you would take the time to read on their website you would know what a CASE re-learn is and all. Sure, we are here to help along the way and give advice on fixes but FFS you still have to put a little effort into what you do. Read the manual, read the PCM4LESS page and use google or our site search, there are a lot of articles on here of how to do a CASE re-learn and what your options are for a PCM tune...
Click to expand...

:iagree:

if you dont know what the mod will do to your vehicle, or if you dont know/understand the mod itself, then chances are, you shouldnt do it... literally TONS of info about tunes, what they do, the pros, the cons, and the most reputable vendors for them on the net, here, trailvoy, pcmforless.com, etc...
 
Boricua SS said:
read this thread and see if it helps...

http://gmtnation.com/f25/tune-premium-fuel-4760/



:iagree:

if you dont know what the mod will do to your vehicle, or if you dont know/understand the mod itself, then chances are, you shouldnt do it... literally TONS of info about tunes, what they do, the pros, the cons, and the most reputable vendors for them on the net, here, trailvoy, pcmforless.com, etc...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the link it answered my questions. And am going to read up at pcm4less. Thanks again:beer:
 
AtlWrk said:
Removing TM alone is enough to justify the tune, IMHO.
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Cosigned. :yes:
 
I got the tune back at the begining of August. Took less than a week to send it and get it back. I love the tune. I went with the shift 2 choice, I love it the wife not so much, but hey my ride!
 
My new tune is even better than my previous. Level 2 shifts were not that firm but now it is nice and solid. A tune is easily one of the best mods for the money.
 
When I got my tune (hp tuners) they guy completely removed TM (for shits and giggles) holy hell what a bad idea that was. Neck snapping not fun. It ran like shit. (I am stock ) he removed only 20-30% and I am happy with the results.
 
jrSS said:
When I got my tune (hp tuners) they guy completely removed TM (for shits and giggles) holy hell what a bad idea that was. Neck snapping not fun. It ran like shit. (I am stock ) he removed only 20-30% and I am happy with the results.
Click to expand...

SS vs 4.2L?
 
HARDTRAILZ said:
My new tune is even better than my previous. Level 2 shifts were not that firm but now it is nice and solid. A tune is easily one of the best mods for the money.
Click to expand...

What tune settings did you have compared to now? I know you went high octane on the new, but what else did you change? Not sure how to read that, you were at lvl 2 shifts but now are at level?
 
Lima Tango said:
What tune settings did you have compared to now? I know you went high octane on the new, but what else did you change? Not sure how to read that, you were at lvl 2 shifts but now are at level?
Click to expand...

Had 2 now at level 3. Removed more torque management. Removed a couple codes for fan clutch and 2ndary air pump. Changed octane. changed the tire size and gear ratio to match current and the speedo is back to spot-on.


Factory shifts...sloppy
Level 2...not bad, quicker and firmer. Was not dissappointed, but felt like it should factory, did not feel really modded.
Level 3...Solid. no slop, not rough, but more of the feel of an old school shift kit.
 
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