Should I step up to a custom Dyno Tune?

[71chevystep4x4]

My trucks been running for almost a year now, and Im always very pleased with how nice she runs since I finished the 5.3L swap. Only now I'm really starting to wonder how much BETTER it can get? It's bone stock, in a 4x4 with the original 4 speed manual tranny, with 33 inch tires. My original goal was just efficiency and reliability, which I have now, but I've been running on the $75 mail order tune from LT1swap.com. So how much will a custom tune improve her from here? Will it really wake her up? because I am pretty limited as long as I have the 4 speed in it, which will be replaced at a later time.

[jamesjones]

IMHO being as your engine is stock it wouldn't really be worth it.

[BR3W CITY]

If you have any plans to make further upgrades, I would wait until then and go ahead for a dyno tune. Right now on a stock motor with the 4spd, there really isn't going to be a TON of room to get more out of it. Since tq is what you'd want (and the stock config favors low end and ease-in), the stock setup if fine.

Should you decide to updgrade some performance stuff, or maybe step up to a cam upgrade...or if you were to change the a lockup auto, then you'd want to go for a dyno tune.

Its always money well spent, but your gains right now won't be as satisfying as those who are really "leaving something on the table" so to speak.

[pwradder]

i agree- you'd be hard pressed to get any more power out of it with a tune, spend you're money on some upgrades then tune it- you won't be dissapointed!

[JNJchev77]

.... On the contrary, I've personally seen guys gain 40-50hp on a stock motor 5.3 with a dyno tune... For $350 or whatever you're being charged... For 50hp, it's WELL worth it. The factory almost always handicaps the motor.

[Super73]

Let me tell you how "tuners" get 50rwhp in stock form.

They download the stock tune from your pcm.
They pull 10* of timing and upload the new tune before they even make a pull.
First pull shows super weak numbers.
They clean up Air/Fuel
Then they add back in the initial timing they robbed from you in the first place..

Seen it happen.

Now, a real tuner will be upfront and honest with you. They will tell you they can't promise a gain. They can only make sure it is safe. It could make 0-20+ but there are way to many variables to promise anything.

[71chevystep4x4]

That's basically what I wanted to know. I sure as hell don't want to put $400 down on something that really isn't going to improve much. Like I said, I am happy with the way she runs. Now I can happily spend that money on paint supplies, spring is right around the corner.

[pwradder]

the only way you'd gain 40-50 hp is if there is something wrong and they fix it- like a bad maf. real world gains on a stock combo is more like 10-20, that's only if the air/fuel is way off or you're cat over-temp is still turned on. low octane gas makes it even harder to play with timing with out knock retard kicking in. i speak from experience!