Tuning your modern Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra has never been easier, thanks to the help with the availability of modern handheld tuners and software. In his case, our friends at AmericanTrucks have teamed up with with Bully Dog to increase the overall performance of a Silverado.
Utilizing Bully Dog’s GT Platinum tuner, AmericanTrucks strapped down a 2009 5.3L Silverado 1500 for some before and after dyno testing. Baselining the truck netted a result of 260hp and 283 lb-ft of torque to the rear tires, on 93-octane, leaving the truck in third gear the entire time, so they can run it through the entire power band into redline, without having to shift gears or hit the speed limiter.
After the Bully Dog calibration had been implemented, the truck gained 21hp and 50-lb ft (yes, a full FIFTY) to the rear tires with nothing more than the Bully Dog tuner. But it’s not just about more horsepower and torque, and increased performance. The Bully Dog tuner also allows you to remove the factory speed governor, raise the rev limiter, improve transmission shift points, adjust gear ratios for taller tires, temperature warning for transmission and coolant, and disable the traction control.
It’ll also clear trouble codes, for when you do get a check engine light. The installation of the unit itself is very straight-forward and easy, and the control module is easy to use, understand, it basically walks you through the various functions.
Features:
- Bully Dog GT Platinum Tuner
- Dyno Tested
- Driving Coach Feature For Fuel Economy
- Real Time PIDs Display
- On-The-Fly Power Level Adjustments
- Programmable Daytime And Nighttime Driving Modes
- Can Store Up To 10 Tune Files
- Has a Universal T-Socket Mount
- Does Not Support Emission System Changes
- California Clean Air Act Compliant
- Legal In All 50 States
Rick Seitz is the owner and founder of GMEFI Magazine, and has a true love and passion for all vehicles. When he isn’t tuning, testing, or competing with the brand’s current crop of project vehicles, he’s busy tinkering and planning the next modifications for his own cars.
