I'm putting a Spectre cold air intake on my 2005 GMC Sierra 1500 SLE, 5.3L, 2WD to begin the process of waking it up.

For $300 I can have it computer tuned, for $350 I can have it dyno-tuned and for $353 I can buy a Bully Dog programmer from Amazon. What are the pros and cons of my options? I'm guessing the dyno-tune would yield the best results but with a programmer, I can make changes as needed. Maybe the best scenario would be to have it dyno-tuned and add the programmer?

Would I be better off to forgo the tuner/programmer and just have a custom tune done on it? There's a couple of outfits here in the Kansas City area that come highly recommended.

What is the difference in a tuner and a programmer?

Thoughts?

 

Here's my thoughts. How is it a cold air kit when that big open element air filter is going to be sucking in all that hot air under the hood?
And there are a lot cheaper off dyno tunes than $300 if you shop around. What octane gas do you use?

 

91 to 93 octane. I didn't name the device a cold air intake but that's what it's called. How much colder the air will be as opposed to the stock breather is beyond me but will allow it to flow better.

 

Get an air aid jr tube and a k&n filter. Don't waste your money on programmers, get a real tune.

 

Custom tune or no tune.

 

For a cai you dont have to get a tune

As someone who tunes and gets asked alot is a tune worth it

Honestly for 300 you should gain 20 rwhp but will require 93 octane....will you notic this? Maybe maybe not

In the end its up to you

 

The tune isn't for the cold air intake. It's for performance, sort of waking up the engine because of how de-tuned they are at factory settings.

 

Like said youll gain roughly 20rwhp

That will determine if worth it for ya

 

All a K&N filter gains you over a clean paper filter is a oiled up MAF sensor.

 

Hey 2xLS1...... I'm not looking at a K&N filter. I'm looking for cold air intakes that I'm pretty sure are dry medium filters.

9900K - Spectre Air Intake Systems - Muscle Car, Spectre Air Intake Kit