Self tune, Shop tune or ????

[cessna1466u]

Hey all, 2008 Yukon XL 2500. We just purchased it and so far all I have done is the spintech dual exhaust and K&N air intake. The only other performance plans I have is a good tuneup and new wires. I do plan on a small lift and some tires, probably in the range of 295s or so. So my question is this. What are some of my options for getting it tuned. I keep reading how all the improvements I have made so far will do nothing for me until I get it tuned. Is this correct?

Here are a few options I have looked into so far.

Local shop will put it on a Dyno and tune it, then apparently he will give me something that I can plug into my OBD port and change the settings for different situations. $500

Purchase a system like the edge evolution system on ebay for about $400 and try to do it myself. I understand these systems have options for switching between different situations, like towing, gas saver, etc.

The other option is, my brother says he has a Jet Performance programmer that he bought last year but never used, I can get that and try to figure it out.

Any ideas or experience with these options? I am leaning towards having someone else do it but I wonder how these tunes go, do they just tune it and then I am stuck with the same settings for all situations? Kind of like it is now?

 

[kctyler]

Custom tune for sure. I did the edge on my last Tahoe. Had my Denali custom tuned. Ditch the idea of the hand-held. I'm sure others will chime in here soon and tell you the same thing.

Sent from my LG-H811 using Tapatalk

 

[drakon543]

Honestly it depends on what level your looking for besides the jet model. Most of jets products are worthless. Edge is a basic diy tuner and for the most part is limited to what setups it comes with but is very easy to use. I cant comment specifically on tuners for your truck as i haven't looked. However what kctyler said isnt entirely true but hes not wrong at the same time. Some handheld tuners come with basic tunes out of the box but are fully capable of having full custom dyno tunes loaded into them. It sounds similar to what the shop you checked with is offering. On that note i would suggest checking with the local shops and seeing which tuners they are capable or willing to load custom tunes in for you. Then buying thier suggested tuner and see how well you like the gains and if you want more then get a custom tune loaded. As far as something like a subaru or bmw go cobb tuners work great with those cars and is capable of having more tunes loaded into it than you would ever use.

 

[drakon543]

Get in touch with blackbear if im not mistaken i think they offer something on the lines of what ive mentioned.

 

[DisplacedBuckeye]

I did my own with HPTuners. Around the same price, and now I have the software and can do it on my other vehicles. Great learning experience.

 

[justinesky]

I went with the diablo hand held and am very happy with it. iv done a lot of my own datalogging and tunning myself. i like the hand held thing so i can change shift points or what ever i want.