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Thread: 6.0 Vortec Towing Tune

  1. #1
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    Default 6.0 Vortec Towing Tune

    Hey everyone,

    I am new to this EFILive Life but so far i am way impressed by the way everyone helps each other out! That being said I have a 03 GMC Sierra 2500HD 4WD (LS1b Gen III ) with the 4L80e Transmission. I have a Volant Cold Air Intake w/Underbody Snorkel, Volant Throttle Body Spacer, Pacesetter Long Tube Headers, FlowMaster High Flow Cats with a Magnaflow Dual in/out Muffler. I tow a 30ft toy hauler that weighs about 11,000 lbs Loaded. I am trying to get some extra torque so its not so sluggish and hopefully to help the overheating issues. I am not to worried about gas mileage as the truck is paid off and is alot cheaper than a new truck Is there a tune already set up for this or do i need to start fresh? I have been reading post after post about similar situations but none that match my current setup.

    I would appreciate any help i can get!
    03 GMC Sierra 2500HD - LS1b 6.0L Vortec with the 480LE Trans. Mods = Volant Cold Air Intake, Volant Throttle Body Spacer, Pacesetter Headers, Flowmaster High Flow Cats, Magnaflow Muffler and EFILive PCM Tuner.

  2. #2
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    If you want to just flash a tune and not think about it, I'd suggest contacting a tuning shop who can put together a baseline tune for what you're looking for.

    If you want to learn how to build a tune for your setup, that's where the forum can help. The LS1B PCM is pretty simple to get good results from, you will need to purchase a wideband O2 sensor so you can ensure the Air/Fuel ratio is correct, otherwise you just need a FlashScan V2 w/GM Tuning. Look up the Calc.VET tutorial on here, it will walk you through what's needed to dial in your VE and MAF tables. For spark, you'll need to log knock and see if you're getting any knock then look to optimize the spark tables.
    ~Erik~
    2013 Sonic RS Manual - 1.4L I4T E78, tuned, turbo mods, etc.
    2008 TrailBlazer SS 3SS AWD Summit White - LS2 E67/T42, bolt ons, suspension, etc.
    2002 Chevy TrailBlazer LT 4X4 Summit White - 4.2L I6 P10, lifted, wheels, etc.

  3. #3
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    Thanks ScarabEpic22! I Definitely want to learn how to tune it myself I have been reading multiple threads on this forum and have been writing down notes on do's and dont's but it seems a lot of the stuff i try it doesn't work? I know i am missing something minor and it is a little frustrating but i am not giving up! I purchased the Flashscan V2 w/GM Tune a few weeks ago and i have been playing with it to get a feel for it. I tried to do a log on Saturday after i set up the CALC.VET file along with the list of PIDs to activate but as soon as i started recording some of the PIDs stopped working and a few of the tables went weird?? I will get the Wideband O2 Sensor for it. I was hoping there was a list of a sort of which maps to log and which PIDs i actually need to monitor. I will start skimming the Forums again until i come across something
    03 GMC Sierra 2500HD - LS1b 6.0L Vortec with the 480LE Trans. Mods = Volant Cold Air Intake, Volant Throttle Body Spacer, Pacesetter Headers, Flowmaster High Flow Cats, Magnaflow Muffler and EFILive PCM Tuner.

  4. #4
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    Killing the TM, PE delay, and some of the other nannies is a great place to start. Shorten shift times and bring the timing in sooner makes a difference as well. If you have overheating issues, get a bigger radiator. What they put in those trucks was pathetic.
    1998 GMC Sierra K1500 5.7/4L80E, longtubes, 411 w/COS 5, marine cam/intake, Whipple. 91 octane at 6000'.
    1997 GMC Sierra K3500 7.4/4L80E, 411 w/COS 3, Whipple, small cam.
    2004 Corvette Z06 with longtubes.

  5. #5
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    if you want to be able to tow and not think about it leave it stock. If there might be any advantage it could be in Trans calibration. Then again you also should have a tow mode for it. Leave it stock.
    "All that is needed for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing..."

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by Highlander View Post
    if you want to be able to tow and not think about it leave it stock. If there might be any advantage it could be in Trans calibration. Then again you also should have a tow mode for it. Leave it stock.
    Great idea. That 60 second PE delay is super helpful when pulling uphill.
    1998 GMC Sierra K1500 5.7/4L80E, longtubes, 411 w/COS 5, marine cam/intake, Whipple. 91 octane at 6000'.
    1997 GMC Sierra K3500 7.4/4L80E, 411 w/COS 3, Whipple, small cam.
    2004 Corvette Z06 with longtubes.

  7. #7
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    with 87octane... yes it is...
    "All that is needed for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing..."

  8. #8
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    Go on.
    1998 GMC Sierra K1500 5.7/4L80E, longtubes, 411 w/COS 5, marine cam/intake, Whipple. 91 octane at 6000'.
    1997 GMC Sierra K3500 7.4/4L80E, 411 w/COS 3, Whipple, small cam.
    2004 Corvette Z06 with longtubes.

  9. #9
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    So GM Made a mistake?
    "All that is needed for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing..."

  10. #10
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    They prioritized emissions over performance. I opened up my neighbor's 6.0 truck and it was night and day difference and yes, you can bring in the timing sooner on 87 octane. I don't recall if it wanted more peak timing, but it was far less prone to a downshift after and WOT performance increased a good bit. Measuring stick was my 1500 pre-blower. When he was stock, we were neck and neck. After, he walked me like nothing. He also tows and reported that it didn't need to be kicked in the ass so hard to get up a hill.
    1998 GMC Sierra K1500 5.7/4L80E, longtubes, 411 w/COS 5, marine cam/intake, Whipple. 91 octane at 6000'.
    1997 GMC Sierra K3500 7.4/4L80E, 411 w/COS 3, Whipple, small cam.
    2004 Corvette Z06 with longtubes.

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