AFM Statistics

[cheyenne383]

I am making plans for my 2016 Suburban tune, its officially out of warranty and I plan to purchase an Autocal and get it tuned via email in the coming months. I've used y'all several times over the years with different projects and am always very happy with the outcome.

As I am doing research I am very curious about the AFM system in my 5.3 and thought a public/searchable reply might be beneficial to the forums. So I have a couple questions before I make my decisions and hope you don't mind responding as time allows. I also understand that you may not have the data I'm after but being a statistics junkie I thought I'd ask.

1. What is the percentage of customers who do the following when applicable?
-a. Tune only AFM delete, leaving the factory AFM lifers in place
-b. Mechanical replacement of AFM lifters with Non-AFM equipment
-c. Leave the AFM active in some capacity

2. Can AFM be tuned to be less active? Example, only above 55 mph and with a predetermined amount of throttle input.

3. Of the people who have tune only removed AFM, what is the average mileage on the vehicle when tuned?

4. Do you have any specific examples of a failure or success (thinking 30k+ miles post-tune?) with tune only deleting of AFM?

I know it's tough to make a blanket recommendation on keeping or removing AFM, I am trying to form as unbiased of an opinion as I can. All of the material I have currently searched is very biased against keeping it, can it really be that bad? I also worry about the effects of deleting it in the tune and potential oiling issues/lifter wear with leaving the mechanical components in tact and tuning it out, I am at least 2-3 years away from having a good workspace again so staying out of the engine is a must for me.

 

[Kyle Pezzetti]

Not sure if they will give the data your asking but I can give my personal experience having gotten my tune on black Friday.

I do not have good bench marks for gas milage before as I have onlybhad my Tahoe for a month (2013 Lt 6speed just turned 60k only mod is a no name cai) I have a 23 mile test loop I used that has stop signs stop lights big up and down hills and a 6 mile stretch of freeway. Pretune I averaged 16.3 mpg, first tune was with dod removed and I got 12.5 mpg being unhappy I contacted them and within a few days I had a new tune with dod turned back on, in the meantime I flashed back to stock but only got 13-14 at best, I narrowed it down to fuel as after I filled up I went back to the 16ish. I flashed in the tune with dod and got 17.5 on the same loop. Drove around for about 1000 miles and thought wait a min if it was bad gas let me flash back to the non dod tune. I just got back from my test loop and got 17.4 mpg. So in the end I am going to continue driving in the non dod tune and keep the auto cal in there to go back if needed but as of now I don't see that happening.

 

[swathdiver]

I have read of people still having mechanical failures after a tune. Reason being, those parts are still in there and they are still working, the lifters. The AFM lifters are the weak link.

My own plan was to remove the AFM in the tune, which I've done, and then remove it physically from the engine, which I have yet to do. Truck was purchased with 112k and AFM tuned out by 118k. Currently in the 120s.

Around town mileage has improved with the tune and highway mileage is unchanged. I suspect that one of my cats is hurting gas mileage and highway mileage shall improve once that is taken care of. More importantly, the driveability is vastly improved and I was happy with it before the tune, now it is sometimes downright scary how much power is available. Coming out of a u-turn the truck is in second gear and with just a medium application of pedal the transmission downshifts and the front of the truck lifts into the air and the rpms head quickly for 6000 rpms! I have to be careful in doing those maneuvers with my wife's bad back. Mine too!

With no other modifications the truck makes 300 rear wheel horsepower, its advertised rating is 310 horsepower at the flywheel. The engine is a 2009 LC9.

 

[BlackBearPerf]

I am making plans for my 2016 Suburban tune, its officially out of warranty and I plan to purchase an Autocal and get it tuned via email in the coming months. I've used y'all several times over the years with different projects and am always very happy with the outcome.

As I am doing research I am very curious about the AFM system in my 5.3 and thought a public/searchable reply might be beneficial to the forums. So I have a couple questions before I make my decisions and hope you don't mind responding as time allows. I also understand that you may not have the data I'm after but being a statistics junkie I thought I'd ask.

1. What is the percentage of customers who do the following when applicable?
-a. Tune only AFM delete, leaving the factory AFM lifers in place
-b. Mechanical replacement of AFM lifters with Non-AFM equipment
-c. Leave the AFM active in some capacity

2. Can AFM be tuned to be less active? Example, only above 55 mph and with a predetermined amount of throttle input.

3. Of the people who have tune only removed AFM, what is the average mileage on the vehicle when tuned?

4. Do you have any specific examples of a failure or success (thinking 30k+ miles post-tune?) with tune only deleting of AFM?

I know it's tough to make a blanket recommendation on keeping or removing AFM, I am trying to form as unbiased of an opinion as I can. All of the material I have currently searched is very biased against keeping it, can it really be that bad? I also worry about the effects of deleting it in the tune and potential oiling issues/lifter wear with leaving the mechanical components in tact and tuning it out, I am at least 2-3 years away from having a good workspace again so staying out of the engine is a must for me.

Hello Michael,

Here is some information in regards to your questions listed above. Hope this helps.

1. The majority of our customers with 07-13 (14 SUVs) do disable AFM electronically. Few of them disable it mechanically due to the work involved. Most of the 2014+ (2015+ SUVs) keep AFM enabled to some degree. We do not have a percentage break down of the classifications you are looking at, as we have had no need to keep that information.

2. On your 2016, yes, it can be set to only activate above a set speed. Activation parameters cannot be altered beyond that and throttle input has no bearing on AFM engagement on that platform

3. Impossible to say as we have tuned vehicles that have not yet ran their first tank of fuel out on up to vehicles with over 300k miles.

4. Sorry, we do not.

 

[cheyenne383]

Thanks for the response Shannon, I figured there wasn't going to be too much of a breakdown statistics-wise but it's always worth asking.

Great news about the mph setting for AFM, it's very annoying at low speeds but I don't mind it on the open road. Once I get back home I'll finalize my bolt ons and I'll be reaching out for an AutoCal.

 

[CMoore711]

1. Most of the 2014+ (2015+ SUVs) keep AFM enabled to some degree. We do not have a percentage break down of the classifications you are looking at, as we have had no need to keep that information.

2. On your 2016, yes, it can be set to only activate above a set speed. Activation parameters cannot be altered beyond that and throttle input has no bearing on AFM engagement on that platform.

This is great to know. I assumed with AFM it was an all or nothing situation. It is rather annoying around town but I would still want it on the highway I think. Good to know that it an option and possible with a BBP tune.

 

[lowh07]

Thanks for the response Shannon, I figured there wasn't going to be too much of a breakdown statistics-wise but it's always worth asking.

Great news about the mph setting for AFM, it's very annoying at low speeds but I don't mind it on the open road. Once I get back home I'll finalize my bolt ons and I'll be reaching out for an AutoCal.

Something almost as great as a V8 winding up is a V8 winding down... very glad I disabled AFM.

 

[Kyle Pezzetti]

Thanks for the response Shannon, I figured there wasn't going to be too much of a breakdown statistics-wise but it's always worth asking.

Great news about the mph setting for AFM, it's very annoying at low speeds but I don't mind it on the open road. Once I get back home I'll finalize my bolt ons and I'll be reaching out for an AutoCal.

I wouldn't wait for the bolt ons get it now they will retune later if needed as long as you own the truck

 

[ezstriper]

I tuned AFM out of my avalanche and escalade, saw no real difference in mileage on either

 

[Justin Hawkins]

I tuned AFM out of my avalanche and escalade, saw no real difference in mileage on either

What do you mean? Mileage wise? What about throttle response? Nothing?