RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Results
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/18/2006 9:23:56 AM
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HummerGuy
Posts: 6679
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Alvin@pcmforless.com
quote:
ORIGINAL: CerberusSVT
I've stayed out of this thread because I don't really feel like I have much to contribute, but I do want to say that from the sounds of things I'm going to want to get a tune!
Let me know if you have any questions or anything like that. I really feel like we have a great product for these Hummers. Our tune has got to be the absoulute best bang for the buck performance wise or mileage wise. They have been slow to take off but I sorta knew that was going to be the case as hummers are kinda on the rare side. I'm really eager to get a bunch of people to try the tuning.
Well, it's been 3 full days, and every day I drive it, things get faster and more responsive. Last night I took a trip out to the new house, and I really opened it up on those country roads. As I said before, it is definitely struggling less then it was before, especially at the low end, but when you hit 2000 RPMs, man that thing really goes, especially when you are already rolling in 2nd or 3rd gear.
I'm still amazed that after you hit 4500 to 5000 RPMs it runs so smooth.
Here is how I KNOW it's not in my head:
My wife, who knows absolutely nothing about cars other then what I have taught her, can tell the differences the same as I can. She even made a comment to me last night about how smooth and quiet it is. I have drivin 250 miles so far with the new tune, on 93 octane, and the highway driving is just better. Now, everybody is different, so I don't know if you would call the difference Dramatic, BUT, when you consider the Before and After results, I really think there is a big difference now that I have been driving it more, and for someone (my wife) that knows nothing about the stuff to tell me how smooth and quiet the engine is now, there is obviously a difference. Lane changing is sure easier. I don't even want to take it out of 4th anymore because I actually get some good lane-changing acceleration staying in 4th. If I get past 3k rpms, I shift to 5th, but I keep it there in case I need some torque. Before, It really didn't matter too much  It honestly has become more apparent now that I have driven more, but I would say the performance has increased about 25% overall then it was on Saturday when I first installed the PCM. I'm very impressed to be honest, but then again I don't know as much technical info as ChevyHighPerformance, Linus and Ghostrider do (OK and MAYBE Dennis  )
I was able to get to 60 yesterday in approx 11 seconds. THAT is pretty damn good for a H3. Before, once I got to 5000 RPMs the thing would just feel like it would fall apart, as I said before, but now, I hit the 5K rpm mark, and it's really smooth, and honestly dangerously tempting. I think I hit redline once yesterday, and that was because I didn't even realize it the thing was so smooth, but I don't remember what gear I was in. I think it was 2nd.
Now, I have another one of my infamous questions for all you gearheads. I had a 95 Camaro that I would redline often, and never had problems. I don't drive hard, but have been just to test out the new setup obviously. I'm not going to blow anything or break anything if I hit 6000 or 6500 rpms every now and then will I? I'm assuming the engine can handle it, but I don't want to push it.
And as Alvin told me "It's not a sports car" and I know that but man when you have a H3 stick that gets faster and faster every day, you really start having flashbacks to your sports car days
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/18/2006 10:57:44 AM
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CerberusSVT
Posts: 377
Joined: 7/30/2006
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: offline
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Thank you Alvin, trust me when I say that it is on my 'to do' list. 
quote:
ORIGINAL: HummerGuy
Now, I have another one of my infamous questions for all you gearheads. I had a 95 Camaro that I would redline often, and never had problems. I don't drive hard, but have been just to test out the new setup obviously. I'm not going to blow anything or break anything if I hit 6000 or 6500 rpms every now and then will I? I'm assuming the engine can handle it, but I don't want to push it.
And as Alvin told me "It's not a sports car" and I know that but man when you have a H3 stick that gets faster and faster every day, you really start having flashbacks to your sports car days
I used to drive my TT fairly hard, and that car was modified just a weeeee bit. The car ran extremely hard for what it had (APR 93 octane chip & exhaust and a couple other tricks of the 1.8T trade. should have had ~240hp, but it ran with and sometimes out ran my friends 286hp 6 speed G35 coupe). Also I used to drive a good bit faster than I do today (for obvious reasons I suppose). The car got into its rhythem at around 84-90 mph (meters per hour, of course) and really seemed to be the most comfortable at that speed, but that was also about 3750-3800rpm. I also had it reprogrammed to ignition out at 7000rpm instead of 6500, an engine speed that the car frequented rather often and everything held together great for me. I know two different engines and all, but I figured that it would ease your worries a bit
_____________________________
Bo
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Black 06 H3
SMA Brushguard
Black Grill
Black factory rims
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/18/2006 11:10:41 AM
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HummerGuy
Posts: 6679
Status: offline
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That's cool. I used to love the TT's, but they haven't really changed them at all over the years, so they kinda got boring after the 350Z came out. Do they even sell the TT anymore?
Thanks for giving me reason to push my little I5 harder
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/19/2006 2:35:11 AM
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CerberusSVT
Posts: 377
Joined: 7/30/2006
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Status: offline
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yeah, they still sell the TT, they just released the new model a couple months back, I'm not sure when they are hitting the showrooms
link: http://seriouswheels.com/top-2007-Audi-TT.htm
_____________________________
Bo
---------------------------------
Black 06 H3
SMA Brushguard
Black Grill
Black factory rims
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/19/2006 8:17:32 AM
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HummerGuy
Posts: 6679
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: CerberusSVT
yeah, they still sell the TT, they just released the new model a couple months back, I'm not sure when they are hitting the showrooms
link: http://seriouswheels.com/top-2007-Audi-TT.htm
That is sweet. I love the redesign. Do they have a convertible version of the new one?
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/19/2006 8:23:41 AM
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HummerGuy
Posts: 6679
Status: offline
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So, now that I have driven it hard and tested all the speed improvements out, I filled up this morning and started driving normal again. Now that I have more power, I don't have to give it as much gas as I used to. I noticed that right away. I can keep it in higher gears and not worry about not having the power to accelerate.
That being said, here are my results so far with my drive to work:
That needle has barely moved. We'll see how the rest goes. I've seen this sneaky needle before. It can be devious 
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/19/2006 10:31:25 AM
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Hummer Parts Man
Posts: 5
Joined: 10/18/2006
Status: offline
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1st - We've already had a H2 come in that we had to replace the mass airflow sensor ($250) because the K&N filter collapsed and the oil was sucked out of it, shorting out the MAS.
2nd - Pesonally, and according to a few of the techs I'vs spoken with, performance plugs are just a waste of money. You'll get just as good detonation from a regular spark plug.
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/19/2006 5:41:23 PM
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Alvin@pcmforless.com
Posts: 25
Joined: 9/19/2006
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Hummer Parts Man
1st - We've already had a H2 come in that we had to replace the mass airflow sensor ($250) because the K&N filter collapsed and the oil was sucked out of it, shorting out the MAS.
2nd - Pesonally, and according to a few of the techs I'vs spoken with, performance plugs are just a waste of money. You'll get just as good detonation from a regular spark plug.
umm? what are you talking about? We are talking about custom tuning here not filters or spark plugs.
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/19/2006 7:16:57 PM
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dilo2001gt
Posts: 4300
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quote:
ORIGINAL: HummerGuy
Progress timeline (for all you geeks like me that want to keep up with it):
09/28 - Submitted Payment
10/04 - Loaner PCM Shipped (they had to order more loaners - demand is high)
10/6 - Loaner PCM Received
10/7 - Loaner PCM Installed
10/10 - MY PCM shipped to PCMforless via Priority (hope it gets there. Damn P.O. woman barely put the stickers on the box)
10/12 - PCM Programmed and shipped out today.
10/14 - MY PCM Received and installed. Testing in progress.
I started this thread because I'm going to start the process today or tomorrow. So far Kelly has been very helpful at answering my questions quickly and accurately. I'll keep everybody posted as to what I'm having it tuned for in case anybody is thinking about doing this. As you all know, my magnets weren't cutting it (inside joke)
The only modification I have in my H3 is a K&N Filter in a stock air box. I was looking to purchase the cold air induction (with Dennis's help and advice) and a high-performance exhaust, but after re-thinking it, I realized with as much driving as I do, I probably am not going to want to listen to that rumble in my ears driving 100 miles a day.
I'm going to have the PCM tuned for 93 octane since it's attainable at every gas station in the midwest, and will keep the K&N filter installed, but keep everything else stock. I have a 5-speed manual transmission. The whole proces should not take more then a couple of weeks depending on them having a loaner PCM available for me to use, and how long the shipping back and forth takes.
I'm looking forward to this considering this is the last engine modification (besides perhaps installing some high performance spark plugs when somebody makes them) I intend on doing to my H3. I told myself I'm going to stop after this because I want to concentrate on my house.
Anyway, just some background info if anybody is thinking about doing this. I'll post the results as I get them, from swapping the loaner PCM to the changes I see when it's all said and done. They do alot of business, so it may take a few days to get the loaner PCM shipped out to me while mine is being upgraded, so be patient!
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/19/2006 7:29:46 PM
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dilo2001gt
Posts: 4300
Status: offline
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BOY THOSE LETTER CAME OUT A LITTLE TO BIG
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/20/2006 10:02:22 AM
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HummerGuy
Posts: 6679
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: dilo2001gt
BOY THOSE LETTER CAME OUT A LITTLE TO BIG
LOL I thought you were just trying to rub it in my face!!
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/24/2006 8:45:54 AM
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HummerGuy
Posts: 6679
Status: offline
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So, I finally have some gas mileage info for you guys.
I burned almost through my first tank of gas driving normally. I would say 80% city stop-and-go driving and 20% highway driving at about 70 MPH. I filled up at the same pump at the same station on level ground and tipped it off (OH NO I VIOLATED THE WARNING SAYING NOT TO TIP IT OFF!!!!!!) with the engine stopped. I don't know if ANY of that matters, but it's the only thing "I got".
I went 286 miles and I filled up to 18.12 gallons. That comes to roughly 15.8 MPG. I don't know what you guys think about those results, but to me, I think that's not too bad considering most of it was stop and go. Keep in mind also that I did have the car idling for about 20 or 30 minutes also when I was working on it on the weekend, so the MPG may actually be a little higher then that. I would say that is promising. For the most part, I drove the same way I always do. I noticed the needle is not as low as it used to be and doesn't move as quick. The last time I checked I was getting something like 14 MPG in the same driving situations.
I don't know what my highway MPG is yet because I haven't done much straight highway driving. I can tell you that after I get past 65 MPH I notice the mileage drops, so I try not to go over 70 most of the time, which is VERY hard for me since I'm a fast driver
What I'm going to try to do is fill up tomorrow morning early and try to beat the morning rush hour and leave late and also try to beat rush hour, so I'll see what my mileage is driving between 65 and 70 non-stop for about 25 miles to and from work. I'll see what kind of mileage I get. So far, I think i'm doing well. Alvin said it will get better and probably take a few weeks to reach optimal performance as far as the MPGs go. I'll post my results by Friday and let you guys know when I successfully drive all highway speeds on a day.
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RE: My PCM tuning with PCMforLess.com - Process and Res... - 10/28/2006 11:47:43 AM
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HummerGuy
Posts: 6679
Status: offline
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Well so far, my mileage hasn't increased too much. It's moderate though, enough to say that they were right about the 2 to 3 MPG increase. I'm slowly but surely seeing it. So it's definitely worth it. I really think if anybody has the means financially and technically to do it that they should get it done. It's definitely worth the long-term investment.
Now, onto my next magent experiment.............
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). When I figure out if my mileage is improving, I will post a follow-up. Right now it's too early to tell. I'll give it another week or so and see how it's going.