Car/truck ECU performance chips

[flounderpounder225]

Scott
Open your glove box, inside you will find a label with a bunch of 3 digit codes, look through them and see if you see G76 and GS3.  These codes are called RPO or regular production options.  The G76 is an Eaton locking differential, the GS3 is for the 3:73 gear ratio, they are both pretty standard on full size gm trucks that came originally equipped with a tow package.  Getting the engine decarbed with the BG service is good advice.  I have an 02 GM Sierra HD PU with the 6.0 liter, and bought the Hypertech reprogrammer for it.  The 6.0 liter has a bigger performance increase than the 5.3 with the Hypertech, but transmission performance is much better, and in general you can really feel the power increase, especially if you press the tow/haul button.  Of course this assuming you have the 5.3 and came with the tow package, if it was a lower end Tahoe with the 4.8 then it is really not meant for pulling much.
http://www.hypertech-inc.com/products-results.aspx

[SC170nFL]

Scott, I have a 2000 GMC Yukon 4x4 with 3.73 gears and 100,000+ and just towed a 16x7 cargo trailer for 10 hours from Punta Gorda, FL to Charleston, SC with no problems. It surprised me because I usually tow it with 2007 6.7 Cummins. It did not the power of the Cummins, but since I don't the Ram truck any more, it was my next choice. It took 3 tanks of gas to make the trip but it towed fine. 60 gal= 550 miles

[Aswaff400]

Gears would make the truck feel like it has way more power. I swapped out 3.55 for 4.56 gears felt like an instant 50 lb.ft. torque. 4.10 gears are a good tow gear...

Most shops around here charge about 600 per axle for a gear swap.

[gran398]

Thanks for the great input guys!

Had plugs and wires at 100K. Have a K&N air filter.

So looks like the first step should be the BG service. It has the 5.3 with the tow package.

[flounderpounder225]

Thanks for the great input guys!

Had plugs and wires at 100K. Have a K&N air filter.

So looks like the first step should be the BG service. It has the 5.3 with the tow package.

Scott
Your good to go, that 5.3 will pull anything you want within reason

[BTF112989]

I have a ton of different tuning websites that I can refer you too for gm trucks if you need them.  I did the seafoam decarbon procedure on mine at around 150,000 miles, but not as much as I would have expected came out the exhaust pipe.  As long as you aren't driving like a grandma all the time, you engine shouldn't be all carboned up.  I got my computer tune on my ecm because my suburban was a complete dog after the lift & tires were put on.  I just thought I could throw a lift & some 35s on there with no repercussions...boy was I wrong.  I regeared with 4.88s(a little too low gearing however good for towing) because the 3.42s were not cutting it.  I got it tuned to match the new gear ratio, tire size, mods, etc.  The difference between the factory ecm & the tuned ecm was night & day.  It has very good performance for a lifted gas truck now.  I kept my factory ecm & had the tuner program another ecm which is more expensive, but I can swap my factory ecm in if I ever have to take it to the dealer for something.  I would not spend my money on just getting the updates from the dealer, when you can really increase performance from the professional tuners out there.  Some tuners are expensive, some are more affordable.  It all depends on how in depth of a tune you want & how much you are willing to spend.

I agree with everyone that the gas engines don't see near the benefit of the diesel engines with a tune.  I had a custom tune done based on my need to get my speedometer to show the correct speed again after my tire size change & gear change first, then for the performance second.  The regearing probably changed my performance more than anything else though.

-Ben