Programmer?

[99SilveradoRob]

Hey, I am on the search for a decent programmer to get for my truck. I have an 04 Reg Cab Silverado with the 5.3L and z-71. Performance wise I only have a K&N Cold Air Kit and Maganaflow Cat Back exhaust. The truck does also have larger than stock 285 tires. I basically am looking to squeeze out a little more power but at the same time I dont want to hurt my mileage, but instead maybe improve it. From what I have come across at different companies is that basically the programmer is going to assist me to get up to a certain speed by using a little less effort from the motor. So, if I do not drive agressively with the programmer, mileage could improve? I also would like to avoid any excessive wear and tear on the drivetrain, but at the same time I am completely aware that simply adding HP with certain performance items will put a little extra wear on the drivetrain. I guess I'm looking to see if any people have had any specific problems with the tranny etc. from using a certain programmer. So I figured I'd come on here and get input from people that have used different programmers and what their opinions are about them. A friend of mine had a Granatelli programmer in an 03 silverado that he used to have and offered to let me try out the programmer that he no longer can use, and he believes that I can send the programmer back to the company to have it cleared to use with my truck/VIN. But other than the Granatelli I have been looking into Hypertech and also JET programmers. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks

[LilRedBoTie]

When I put a programmer on my 2003 Chevy regular cab it worked better than expected. I picked up about 1-2mpgs with just that. I put an exhaust and a K&N FIPK on it and with the total package I picked up about 4mpgs. Plus the Hypertech had a lot of other aspects you could change so thats what sold me on the hypertech. But good luck.

[BlenderWizard]

I wouldn't use a handheld... get it done professionally, like a www.nelsonperformance.com tune, or a wheatley tune or something like that. It costs about the same, you get free updates, and it is a hell of a lot better.

[bigbadram51]

^^^^WERD on the Nelson Tune!!!!!

[LilRedBoTie]

I haven't heard of a Nelson Tune programmer

[BlenderWizard]

Originally Posted by LilRedBoTie

I haven't heard of a Nelson Tune programmer

It's not a programmer; he's talking about what I said in my previous post.

[silveradoHO]

Go with a custom tune. I had a hypertech and it was ok. But after while I decided to try a custom tune and man, what a difference. I got one from wait4me performance. Better performance and only $158. Plus you do get free upgrades for life, so if you change something like tire size you just send it back and they will change it for you. Some other places I've heard of that people are happy with are NelsonsPerformance, Westers, and PCM4less.

[99SilveradoRob]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. I never even realized that there was the option of having it done professionally so I am def going to have to look into that. Thanks again