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What is a "custom tune"???

5135 Views 12 Replies 6 Participants Last post by  GoFastPadre, 
G
I've seen several times throughout the forum the term "custom tune". I thought that was when you bought a programer and changed the parameters of the factory computer. Is that not the same?? I guess I an confused. :neutral:
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black jack
Custom tune is where you can fine tune your truck . hand helds will do just so much but a custom tune will do more.Its expensive but you can tune several vehicals where as a hand held will do only one. Heres a web site to give you more info.http://www.hptuners.com/
HPTuners.com >> Performance At Your Fingertips
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G
Thanks! I may look into it and see if there is a shop locally I can take it.
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O
GMTRUCKLOVER said:
Thanks! I may look into it and see if there is a shop locally I can take it.
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A mail order custom tune would work very well. Check out any of the well known guys, such as Wait4Me, Wester's, Nelson, Blackbear, Wheatley, etc. Just do a search, if you can't find it here, google will. :)
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ChevyFan
We've had a good relationship with pcmforless.com, they've got some good packages and you'll get a programmed PCM shipped to you overnight if you want.
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Steve said:
We've had a good relationship with pcmforless.com, they've got some good packages and you'll get a programmed PCM shipped to you overnight if you want.
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How much $ are we talking? What if you got your specific tune, then later wanted to make more mods, then what? I'm very curious.
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GMTRUCKLOVER said:
How much $ are we talking? What if you got your specific tune, then later wanted to make more mods, then what? I'm very curious.
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Oh yeah, PCMforless, I knew I forgot somebody. :) PCMforless and Wait4me are the 2 least expensive. I haven't used pcm4less, but based on the info I saw on their site, they'll do free updates, and prices are around $139 for the tune + shipping and core if you want one.

In fact, most of the other tuners also state on their site they'll give you free updates if you upgrade or have any problems. But if you can't find the info on their website, I'd just give them a call. That's normally the best way to reach any of the custom tuners.
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mvoss2576
What about www.gowheatley.com ?
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O
Sure, wheatley along with the others I listed in my original post are all fairly well known and trusted among the truck community. Everybody is rather happy with 'em.
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mvoss2576
omegafiler said:
Sure, wheatley along with the others I listed in my original post are all fairly well known and trusted among the truck community. Everybody is rather happy with 'em.
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Ooops... sorry, I overlooked the fact that you mentioned them.

I have a question though.. with the custom tune, you cant return the truck to stock for service, can you?
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O
If it's under warranty, make sure you order another PCM with the custom tune. That way you can keep the factory PCM in case you need to swap it out when it goes in for service. You could technically keep the tuned PCM in your truck, but then you risk them flashing it back to stock or a very slight chance they find out and try to void your warranty. Even though with their equipment can't tell the difference and I haven't heard of that happening on the forums, it is possible. But if it is reflashed, most tuners will reflash it for free... you've just gotta send it back.

That's actually why I personally went with the Wait4Me tune since they have the ability to put the custom tune (3 in fact) on a handheld. Just takes 5 minutes to go back to stock or re-tune again for frequent dealer vists. Not to mention this truck has so much more power along with the firmer shifts, I know they'd be suspicious if they went for a test drive. :) So it's very handy!
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mvoss2576 said:
Ooops... sorry, I overlooked the fact that you mentioned them.

I have a question though.. with the custom tune, you cant return the truck to stock for service, can you?
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What you have to do is pay the extra core charge and keep your original so you can swap them when needed
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G
OOPS my bad did not notice pg 2
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