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Engine / Trans Programmers

Nikal

Well-Known Member
Messages
92
Location
California
Has anyone used a tune programmer on their H3 with the 5.3? If so what brand tuner did you buy, and did it do what you wanted?

I’d like to use one mostly to firm up the transmission shift points, and to have it hold the gear a little longer when going up a grade.

2009 H3 5.3
 

EndeavoredH3

Well-Known Member
Messages
487
Location
Arizona
The factory shift points were very frustrating on AZ highway grades.

Send your pcm to pcm for less, can have them tune the motor as well to get a little more power out of it. I personally went with disabling passlock with how much i find myself to be in the middle of nowhere.
 

Jeepwalker

Well-Known Member
Messages
979
Location
WI
I wonder if they can disable the tire pressure monitor system? Anyone have that done?
 

Nikal

Well-Known Member
Messages
92
Location
California
The factory shift points were very frustrating on AZ highway grades.

Send your pcm to pcm for less, can have them tune the motor as well to get a little more power out of it. I personally went with disabling passlock with how much i find myself to be in the middle of nowhere.
I’m not interested in playing with the engine to get more power. I’m in California and it’s not worth iplaying around with smog and CARB, for a few extra HP that I don’t really need.

That’s why I’d just like to find a programmer like the Hypertech that I could adjust shift points and firmness. Unfortunately the Hypertech programmer covers every other GM vehicle with the 5.3 & 4L60 but the H3. They could not explain why either??

Anyone else ever use a programmer on their H3? Maybe no one offers one?
 

DJB

Member
Messages
10
Location
Traverse City MI
Not 5.3 but 3.7 engine, 2009. Used HP Tuners to set upshifts and downshifts to where I wanted them. It's a process; I think it took four or five tries setting up the tables until I was happy with the results. Nikal, I hear you. Too early upshifts. On long uphills and I hated having to keep pressing harder and harder on the accelerator while losing speed until the transmission finally downshifted, resulting in an almost over-rev and all the noise and fury that the 3.7 could muster. Now, when I start to lose speed on a grade, I can downshift with a slight increase in throttle. I also tightened up the torque convertor lockup. Instead of gradually ramping up the torque convertor duty cycle I have it set to start at 80% duty cycle. Not a harsh lockup, just feels like another shift point. I want to stress that I didn't mess around with shift pressures, just timing!

After getting the transmission program where I wanted it I lost all desire to mess with engine timing or fuel tables. Not needed in my opinion. Hard to explain but the engine seems to be in it's happy spot all the time. Mileage is unchanged.

I also tool the opportunity to delete the VATS and bump the idle speed in Drive from 600 to 650 RPM. The imbalance in the 5 cylinder is much less notable when stopped in gear and I haven't noticed any excess creep when releasing the brakes.

Jeepwalker - no dice on the TPMS. It's controlled by the BCM and to my knowledge nobody has a program to go in and change settings. Bummer, I could go crazy in there.
 
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