Just purchased a 06 2500hd to pull my 30ft fifth wheel travel trailer. After the past weekend I was not impressed with the performance of the 6.0. Was looking at a handheld programmer but after reading some of the forums I have decided to go with a custom tune. Now my question is does anyone have personal experience with a custom tune on this particular set up like mine and is it worth the $350 the performance shop is gonna charge me to do it? I know its not a performance vehicle but I would like to see a little more pep. I would like to get all I can out of it and stay away from a diesel because of the up keep.I'm to the point of not knowing if it will help or not I have heard so many different things. help confused!

 

which gears you got?

 

I tow quite a bit with my 6.0. A tune won't really help performance THAT much with that much weight. I found the biggest improvement is in shift performance. I have mine tuned to hold a gear with bigger throttle openings, without downshifting. Seems to run better than the factory tow setup that had the trans shifting up and down constantly.

You really need steep gears to let that 6.0 run where it's happy. 4.56's with stock size tires will put you at about 2500 rpm in OD at 60 mph and at about 3050 rpm in 3rd. That will help a bunch. You'll notice a big improvement off the line with the steeper gears too, as the 4l80E has a tall 1st gear.

As they say, don't fear the gear! The 6.0 makes pretty good power and torque, but not way down in the rev range like the oil burners.

 

my 01 had 315/75/16 4.11 gears I added a tune from nelsons performance and a transgo hd2 shift kit.
I towed approx 10k once a month thru various terrain and had little of any problems, it was by no means a diesel but it did the job. Depending on who is doing the tune, I think you will be surprised. Be sure they know your intentions so they can dial your tune in to benefit you the most.

 

we have a 04 2500HD 4x4 crew cab short bed with 6.0 and 4.10's on 33" all terrains....have had a Wheatley tune (he is about 10 minutes from us) for probably 4 or 5 years now along with a K&N FIPK kit (didn't know of a Airraid MIT back then) and it is a world of difference. everyone who rides in our truck is shocked at the difference over factory.

we use that truck a lot for all of the hard work (8k to 12k pounds of towing) and also just cruising around town....handles both well; not as good as a diesel but it is WELL WORTH THE MONEY for a custom tune vs a handheld. our custom tune was 200 or 250 i think.

Where are you located?

 

If you want to spend a little more bank to make it really pull and not spend a ton in supporting mods you should maybe look into the blower route. If you set it up moderately it wont reduce the reliability of the powertrain.

 

i have an 02 2500hd and have a blackbear performance tune in it and i love it. night and day difference over stock