Just bought an 09 ECSB Z71 5.3L ... love the truck but want to do a little tinkering.

Hate the AFM, want that turned off. That would be my main priority. No big mods planned, maybe just cat back and intake.

Would also like to tinker with the shift points. Seems to upshift real fast. And sometimes downshifts to 1st too quick for my liking. I'll go around a tight corner and it will be in 1st, revs flare and it goes into 2nd right away. Those slow corners, I'd rather it just go to second. No point to going to 1st unless almost stopped, or real heavy into throttle.

Seems a bit flat right on take off also, unless you really press the throttle. I'm guessing they either retard timing quite a bit on tip in or it's just a slow throttle reaction. As soon as it gets rolling, power picks right up nicely so I know the motor has the grunt in it, just hog tied by the programming.


So with that AFM turn off, and the other little tinkerings in mind, what would be some suggestions for a tuning device. I saw the Diablosport Predator can turn the AFM off, but doesn't look like it can modify shift points. Would something like EFIlive or HPtuners be a better bet?

I do a lot of Harley tuning with Harley's table based programming software (SERT), so I am semi skilled at it. But those are very user friendly tables.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

Here is the new toy.

 

You could buy Hp Tuners like I did, but I think it would of been easier and cheaper to just have Wheatley do it. I'm finding that out now. Wheatley is helping me straighten out my problems.

 

Does HP Tuners have 09 5.3 support? I was looking through their website on supported vehicles and in Gen IV trucks it only shows through 08.


Anybody tune an 09 yet? Any big differences between HP Tuners, EFI Live .... that would lean me towards one over the other for just making very minor tweaks to a stock truck.

Mainly just want to turn off the AFM and get rid of that 4 cyl mode. But also want to tinker with shift points and improve the throttle response.

 

Yes sir,hptuners supports the 09 trucks also
Skooter K,I am gettingback on your this evening

 

Just go with Wheatley.. He is great to deal with. I am trying to get out to him today for my retune for my cam if this weather lets up... He will defenatley get you straight

 

ive got an 09 sierra... do you have the six speed?... i had my truck read.. no tuning yet.. and the shift point adjustments for the 6l80e are just wow... gotta be bout a hundred adjustments... LOTS of info in the new truck computers.... im not gonna even attempt to mess with it... gonna let a professional tune mine...

 

Mine is a 5.3L 4spd.

I appreciate the advice to have an expert do it, like Wheatley. Seen lots of good recommendations for them. But, I'd like to tinker myself so I'm leaning towards having the ability to make tuning adjustments myself. And this truck is my only commute wheels, so I'd rather not have the down time when I want to make additional changes.

I do a lot of tinkering with my EFI Harleys, and would hate to have to ship off the module each time. Harley has a neat program - SERT - where you can get into the EFI tables and make adjustments. I've been spoiled on how easy it is to tune a Harley (Closed loop - crank up the fuel and spark and away you go..., with some other simple tables like cranking fuel or decel fuel... but real simple stuff).

I'm sure the truck is going to take a lot more research. But it sounds like HP Tuners is what I'm leaning toward. I don't believe a hand held like Diablosport would allow me to make things like shift point adjustments.

 

I don't think that you have to send the PCM each time, I believe that Wheatley can send you a tuned PCM, and then you send him back yours as a core, or buy the core so you have a backup if you bring the truck in for warranty work and you're worried about the dealer flashing over your tune. Not sure if he has 09 PCM's yet or if the 07-08 PCM's are the same or what, I'm sure that Charlie could answer those questions for you. Not trying to deter you from doing your own tuning by any means, if you have the time I'm sure that the sense of accomplishment is great. Just be aware that there's a big learning curve with software like HPTuners or EFI Live, and it could take a bit of time to get it right

Nice truck and welcome to the site!

 

Since its a brand new truck, be sure to keep teh stock PCM when taking the truck in for warranty work, and a non stock PCM for your PCM tuning needs.

It woudl suck to have some warranty work denied just because your PCM shows non-GM calibrations installed into the PCM. GM has been cracking down lately.

peace
Hog

 

If im not mistaken, i thought it doesnt matter if you flash another ECM and then put the stocker back in there. The BCM or something keeps the changes? I cant remember now