Well since you wanna do it yourself, best bet is either HP Tuners (probably the best option but most expensive), Hypertech, or Jet. Hypertech and Jet programmers are a generic tune in a box essentially. HPT or a mail order tune would get your more power, but you can find used Hypertech Power Programmer IIIs on eBay for under $150, compared to $300 new, and Jet programmers go for $300ish also. Check out summittracing.com for pricing on new programmers. What year is your truck?

 

I have a 2001 4DR 4X4. It seems as though you are saying that I should go somewhere to have it done. Where would I go here in Fargo, ND? Not sure...

Also, what kind of mods can I get out of a chip? I'm looking for more mpg and more torque/hp. What's the best way you've heard or found that would get me the best results (programming that is)?

Also, Phil, I've read something about locked and unlocked pp3s. What does that mean.entail?

 

Well, what I mean by a mail order tune is a place like PCM4less.com or Wait4me.com that will send you a tuned PCM once you tell them your year, transmission type (auto/manual), current modifications (headers, hi-flow cats, catback, intake, turbo, etc., etc.), and all the info they ask on the order sheet. The best power and mpg gains are obtained from a custom tune from someplace with a dyno. Just fair warning, that will cost some serious $$$.

And just to clarify, its not a "chip" but instead tuning your engine's PCM to run more efficiently. Hypertech and Jet programmers give you the option of using their programmer for 87 or 93 Octane gas. 87 nets you around a 7HP gain, 93 gives about 12 HP gain. I've gone from 15.3 MPG city to 16.5-17.2 MPG with my Hypertech, but I also installed my cold air intake at the same time. An intake is a less expensive option to get a HP and MPG gain. They're easy to install, and will give roughly a 10% MPG gain. My dad put a Spectre intake on his 04 5.7l 4x4 Ram 2500 and went from 13 city to 15.5 city. Good gain for under $200.

As for the locked/unlocked with these handheld tuners like Hypertech Power Programmer III and the Jet Programmer, that simply means that once you use the tuner on a vehicle, the tuner locks in the VIN# and will not work for any other VIN# until it gets unlocked by the current owner. If you get a used one make sure the seller says its been unlocked and save the message. Just incase someone does sell you a locked one (very rarely happens, but there are still sporadic cases) you can notify eBay that they lied and told you false information, and you can get your money back. I got mine for under $100 on eBay, compared to $300 new.

Oh, and welcome to the forum! I believe I speak for all of us when I say post some pics of your ride in the Builds section or Welcome section

 

yeah the hypertech is a nice buy and its worth the money if you can find one unlocked an used on craigslist or ebay buy it i bought mine new for 365 from jeggs and i dont regreat it at all.

 

Where would I begin to look for a mail order tune? I have an '03 LS blazer

 

Didn't you read Phil's posts?

 

FWIW - Without a tune I am getting between 16.8 & 17.5 mpg consistently on every tank with only a cold air intake and throttle body spacer. It is on a 2wd/5 speed model though.

 

wait4me is like 189 shipped for a new cpu
if you send them yours its under 100 bucks
i like my wait4me tune so far better shifts and more power

 

Noticeable gain? I may get a separate box from them, do you have an exhaust system on your truck?

 

With my Wait4Me the truck shifts so so so much better along with the reduction of torque managment the truck pulls so much harder. It really brung the truck to life by not retarding timeing when you get on the throttle. You really get the power the motor was made to put out other than handicapping it.

Oh...P.S. Another good thing was you can eliminate any codes and problems your haveing. Just for the heck of it I elminated my speedlimiter and my rear o2 sensor.