When is a tune needed.

I've done a bunch of reading and searching with out any luck.

So I have a 2010 lt 5.3l, I'm looking to eventually do a mild cam upgrade while getting rid of the afm. Then start saving for a lt header upgrade. Will these 2 items need a tune right off ? or will I be good to go for awhile since I've been saving up all my overtime money just for a cam and doing that all over for the headers. ( a good 2 - 4 months for each depending $ )

I'd definitely like to get the bb tune, by cable or autocal which will take awhile to save up for.

Also any suggestions on a good cam kit. I do like the sound of the thumper cams

Best to do your tune after any performance mods, that way they can be factored into the tune directly. You don't have to do the tune after you do your mods, but it will certainly make it more fun to drive and open up some parameters that otherwise might not have been realized. Such as shift points, speedometer limits, tune for certain octanes, tow/haul mode, etc...they can dial in whatever you want to see. Get the cam and exhaust, get it tuned and they can get rid of the AFM for you.

Gotcha. I really don't know much about this stuff, so would it be better to skip the cam and just get the exhaust and tune and put the cam money elsewhere? Like fuel system upgrades, intake manifold etc.

You know that really becomes a personal preference and what you are looking to achieve out of your truck. For my 06, I just did a CAI and muffler, then got the BB tune in person for 93 octane and tire size to adjust speedometer accordingly. He looked at the way the truck ran as a whole from start to stop, cruising and WOT. Took about 45 minutes and we were done. Some guys do it by AutoCal and achieve the same results. I have a good write up and what Justin did to my truck in person in my build thread. I don't really have anything else planned to do performance wise to my truck, so I was happy with the outcome and it is fun to drive. Probably more fun and more foot in the pedal, hence less MPG.

There are other guys on here who have more performance knowledge than I do, that might have some better insight and maybe they will chime in. But again best to do performance mods first, then tune to get the optimal outcome of both upgrades.

Yea I hear ya. I don't need anything crazy just want a really fun peppy truck. So maybe just the Cai with a full exhaust, tune is all I'm really looking for, idk not much up this way to compare it to.

My 05 just has a Cai and muffler but is more off road then this one so that's all I did performance wise.

Thanks for the info/help.

Welcome.

I would put my money into a cam over an exhaust any day of the week.

Essentially any true performance mod is going to need a tune in order to make a difference in your set up. When you get the tune, ultimately depends on who your tuner is. Some tuners charge for each "tune update". Which means you would be dropping money each time you installed a mod and wanted to get a new tune for. BBP does not charge for tune updates, so customers can install their mods as they please, and not worry about being gauged for each subsequent tune.

Drok said:

Yea I hear ya. I don't need anything crazy just want a really fun peppy truck. So maybe just the Cai with a full exhaust, tune is all I'm really looking for, idk not much up this way to compare it to.

My 05 just has a Cai and muffler but is more off road then this one so that's all I did performance wise.

Thanks for the info/help.

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To save you some money to get that tune even sooner, a CAI isn't necessary since the OEM setup already is a "CAI". The only help it needs is to smooth out the airflow from the filter box to the throttle body. This can be done in 15 minutes with an Airaid MIT. Unless your exhaust pipes are in need of replacement, there's no need in a full exhaust. The OEM pipe is sized appropriately. Just have the muffler swapped with a free-flow performance muffler of your choice and be done with it. Long tubes are always a good thing, too. Get your tune for the intake and exhaust and to turn off AFM. If you still want more power after that, you can cam it when you get the funds. The intake and exhaust portion of your powertrain will already be set up for a mild cam.

JennaBear said:

I would put my money into a cam over an exhaust any day of the week.

Essentially any true performance mod is going to need a tune in order to make a difference in your set up. When you get the tune, ultimately depends on who your tuner is. Some tuners charge for each "tune update". Which means you would be dropping money each time you installed a mod and wanted to get a new tune for. BBP does not charge for tune updates, so customers can install their mods as they please, and not worry about being gauged for each subsequent tune.

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Ok so the cam is a better power to money gain vs lt headers? Then ill just get the MagnaFlow like on my last Tahoe and leave the rest alone till I née to replace them.

would the cable tune be fine for the job since I'm not going into big power range and to keep costs down.?

iamdub said:

To save you some money to get that tune even sooner, a CAI isn't necessary since the OEM setup already is a "CAI". The only help it needs is to smooth out the airflow from the filter box to the throttle body. This can be done in 15 minutes with an Airaid MIT. Unless your exhaust pipes are in need of replacement, there's no need in a full exhaust. The OEM pipe is sized appropriately. Just have the muffler swapped with a free-flow performance muffler of your choice and be done with it. Long tubes are always a good thing, too. Get your tune for the intake and exhaust and to turn off AFM. If you still want more power after that, you can cam it when you get the funds. The intake and exhaust portion of your powertrain will already be set up for a mild cam.

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I have the airaid all ready and like it.

Sounds like a plan.

Thanks everyone.