Tuning a 6.0 Chevrolet engine

Bigwoodsman · #1 01-29-2023, 12:12 PM

I’m looking to have my 2016 6.0 tuned to pull an 8200 pound 5th wheel. The truck is a Sierra 2500HD. Looking for some real world advice on what I can expect for increased horse power and an expected range for fuel mileage.

I’m soft in the gas pedal. Never in a hurry to get to the speed limit. Like to use my cruise in the highway and not one to exceed posted speeds.

Also looking for a good tune shop in the Edmonton area.

TIA

BW

Big Lou · #2 01-29-2023, 12:37 PM

The older 6.0L was much better for seeing performance gains. Nothing profound, but better. The newer ones, with a tune and exhaust mods, you might pick up 1-2mpg. 2 probably being unicorn exceptions. The exhaust mods are absolutely necessary. Don’t bother without them. Honestly, the exhaust probably does more for the mileage than the tune. You won’t see or feel much for power gains at all. Economy is generally terrible. They are a very reliable power plant, but thirsty. I’m on my 3rd one since 2007. Current one is an empty average of 22.9L/100km. Empty…. The times I have towed with any of them, you can basically watch the fuel gauge dropping real time. I’d be keeping my money from the mods in pocket and use it for fuel. If you’re adamant about doing it, I can PM you contact info for an excellent tuner. He won’t blow smoke. I was going to do some tuning as well but after talking with him, not much point.

ClutchCanadian4 · #3 01-30-2023, 04:31 PM

Full disclaimer: I'm the furthest thing from a Chevy guy. However, a lot of my buddies that like to mess around with the older Chev 5.7's and 6.0's seem to like this guy: https://www.facebook.com/player3performance/

I have seen good things from a simple pedal commander on a variety of vehicles as well.

Tungsten, · #4 01-30-2023, 06:32 PM

Look into AFM delete, I read a lot of people down south doing this.You can upgrade the cam and get something from it.Money well spent to get rid of the AFM.
Im not sure what years but most say exhaust upgrades dont do much but change sound?

Ennyindabenny · #5 01-30-2023, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClutchCanadian4

Full disclaimer: I'm the furthest thing from a Chevy guy. However, a lot of my buddies that like to mess around with the older Chev 5.7's and 6.0's seem to like this guy: https://www.facebook.com/player3performance/

I have seen good things from a simple pedal commander on a variety of vehicles as well.

He just tuned my 4.8. Highly recommended.

pikeman06 · #6 01-30-2023, 10:04 PM

6.0 is the smoothest running, built to last engine I've ever dealt with. Too bad they aren't pullers and the gas mileage is pathetic but I have 3 of them with 300-550 on them I just can't bear to part with they still run perfect. The odd water pump, I'm fortunate I get my trucks hired on and fuel paid so they are my go to truck. Yes, exhaust gives them some pep and my 2009 with the 6 spd auto pulls a trailer but you sure know it's back there. But hands down the most maintenance free bullet proof 500thousand km engine out there. I put on lots of km and they never let me down. Put a cup of coffee on the throttle body and barely a ripple.

anchorman · #7 01-31-2023, 06:58 AM

Another vote for player3performance. No idea what they can do to your 6.0l, but I swapped a 6.4l hemi into my half ton, and they got it running strong with no CEL

Tungsten, · #8 01-31-2023, 07:48 AM

I think mostly its the transmission shift points that get changed with these tunes.More aggressive,down shift earlier etc.
Rear O2 sensors get deleted so cats can be removed.
They can turn AFM off also.
As said already fuel mileage doesn't improve.

I had also looked into this but decided it wasn't worth the money on the 6.0

amosfella · #9 01-31-2023, 11:13 AM

Based on what you're saying you're looking for, a diesel for pulling might be more up your alley.

On the farms 01 duramax, I don't notice a 10,000 pound gooseneck on the back. You do notice bumper pulls though as they're bouncier.

Bigwoodsman · #10 01-31-2023, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amosfella

Based on what you're saying you're looking for, a diesel for pulling might be more up your alley.

On the farms 01 duramax, I don't notice a 10,000 pound gooseneck on the back. You do notice bumper pulls though as they're bouncier.

I don't pull enough to warrant a diesel. 3-4 thousand KM this summer last two summers pulled the trailer to the RV lot and we don't go anywhere else, really no need to as we have everything there that we need. This year the other half want to go to Vancouver Island so we will once. And we'll take a shorter trip somewhere before we make the long trip just to get a feel for things.

I'm thinking of calling Player 3 and talking with them. What got this going was a chat I had with a fellow who has the same pickup I have, and he had Player 3 tune his. I don't know this guy I was talking to, other than I bought a fifth wheel hitch off of him and we got to talking in his garage. He claims Player 3 got him 50 more horsepower and a bit better mileage. He also upgraded his air intake. I believe this guy cause he could be on this forum, he's a hunter and has several nice whitetail and mule deer mounts hanging in his shop. Gave me a hell of a deal on the 5th wheel hitch too.

Now I'm not looking for unbelievable fuel mileage while pulling and am not complaining about my current fuel mileage. In the summer, I can get in the 12-14 litre/ 100 kilometers mixed city and highway. Winter with idling I'm getting 18 -19 litres per 100km.

I haven't pulled much with the truck and not far. I'm wondering if an expectation of 22-24 liters per 100 km pulling an 8200 pound trailer is achievable. I don't drive my vehicles hard. Pulling the trailer I'll be sitting between 90 and 100KM per hour. We're on vacation this summer and the longest pull will be just under 600KM. No rush to get anywhere.

BW

Sooner · #11 01-31-2023, 12:25 PM

My friend has an older 6.0l, it seems it has lots of power but it is the transmission shift points that frustrate him the most. When it shifts down going up a hill, it really shifts down and not really needed. I think a trans tune would help.

Have you looked into what gears your truck has? I always had 3.55 in my fords. Bought a V10 with them too. Pulled good. My latest 04 F250 with the V10 has 3.73 gears. Noticeable difference in pulling and does not affect the fuel economy as it runs just under 2000 rpm at 100, just over at 110. Going to Radium with an older 24 ft trailer and aprox 5000lbs loaded, hit the couple big hills and do an old school drop into second and it roars up the hills like nothing, even holds cruise. Everywhere else, I can be in cruise at highway speeds, in overdrive, most times if there is no wind.

Only problem it is not cheap to upgrade gears front & back.

Tungsten, · #12 01-31-2023, 07:43 PM

6.0 3;73 gears what is rpm in 4th at 90kmh on a 6 speed?
My 03 in 3rd pulling Id have to go 110kmh to keep it at 3000.In second gear 80 kph at 3500 rpm.

Ennyindabenny · #13 01-31-2023, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tungsten,

I think mostly its the transmission shift points that get changed with these tunes.More aggressive,down shift earlier etc.
Rear O2 sensors get deleted so cats can be removed.
They can turn AFM off also.
As said already fuel mileage doesn't improve.

I had also looked into this but decided it wasn't worth the money on the 6.0

Mine certainly improved, and I offset the cost of the tune by selling my catalytic converters. It’s more than shift points, your timing and fuel get changed as well.

ClutchCanadian4 · #14 02-01-2023, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bigwoodsman

I don't pull enough to warrant a diesel. 3-4 thousand KM this summer last two summers pulled the trailer to the RV lot and we don't go anywhere else, really no need to as we have everything there that we need. This year the other half want to go to Vancouver Island so we will once. And we'll take a shorter trip somewhere before we make the long trip just to get a feel for things.

I'm thinking of calling Player 3 and talking with them. What got this going was a chat I had with a fellow who has the same pickup I have, and he had Player 3 tune his. I don't know this guy I was talking to, other than I bought a fifth wheel hitch off of him and we got to talking in his garage. He claims Player 3 got him 50 more horsepower and a bit better mileage. He also upgraded his air intake. I believe this guy cause he could be on this forum, he's a hunter and has several nice whitetail and mule deer mounts hanging in his shop. Gave me a hell of a deal on the 5th wheel hitch too.

Now I'm not looking for unbelievable fuel mileage while pulling and am not complaining about my current fuel mileage. In the summer, I can get in the 12-14 litre/ 100 kilometers mixed city and highway. Winter with idling I'm getting 18 -19 litres per 100km.

I haven't pulled much with the truck and not far. I'm wondering if an expectation of 22-24 liters per 100 km pulling an 8200 pound trailer is achievable. I don't drive my vehicles hard. Pulling the trailer I'll be sitting between 90 and 100KM per hour. We're on vacation this summer and the longest pull will be just under 600KM. No rush to get anywhere.

BW

Factory suspension and tire size on your truck?

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