@03GMCYukonXL I am just now catching up to your story so sorry If I am asking questions that have already been answered.
Get that new cam installed with non-AFM and non-VVT components.
Flash your truck back to stock and use HP Tuners to ONLY disable AFM and VVT.
It sounds like the first AFM disabler you were using only cripple's the emission system to trick the motor to not enter V4 mode but it would still be looking for the AFM parts so that would explain what you were seeing in the first post. I can't explain the problem you were having after using a proper tune to disable AFM.