Who's running a Heath tune?

[buddy]

Heath used to have Z-industries handle the PCM or chip programming, although it may have been to his specs. I believe at this point Heath does have it in house. They likely spent a lot of time tweaking for the LSR, so have all the tools. I will say I have seen a couple older Z-industries chips and they weren't anything special, and had some inconsistencies in them. And I have seen more recent Heath programming and its way better performance wise, and all around tranny/engine/cold start ect.... than it was just a few years ago.

I may do things a little different than them, but I would now consider what they sell a very good option. Now Westers, I wouldnt purchase one from them, Im not sure they even run them on any 6.5s. SSDS rebrands Westers, and I have worked with both and seen their stuff and they really disappointed me with their knowledge level and programming. Heath is way better than Westers/SSDS.

 

[635]

True, the experience is in the testing. It's just funny how Bill acts like he does all the work in house on the chip burning. I don't doubt that the characterists of the chip are his. It's just lame to hear on the phone "man I gotta turn in this chip order, you know gotta wait until those computer guys get up, which is like 2pm then I can get this made for you" Translation = I gotta email/call Westers and give them the specs and have them put a pretty HDP logo and ship it out to ya.

Just don't like being told stories... Surely you can relate.

I just was disappointed that Bill wouldn't return calls or emails from me. All he has to do is tell the truth instead of making stuff up (like HP numbers). But disappointing that I couldn't get any info out of him on potentially buying a product. Like a Turbomaster for a Holset turbo, which he makes btw.

John, I just got off the phone with Bill and he asked me to ask you to call him. Use the toll free number too. If you want to know something, call him, he is waiting and the lines are open!! Kevin, Joe, or Todd, will put you right thru to him!

I have sat in his office many times while he would put together a specific tune for what I was looking for. He would pull the computer out, change a few things to try to suit my way of driving, and put it back in and go for a test drive. He spent a better part of the day with my pickup and computer until I was satisfied. I have a rather heavy car trailer and with a good load on, and that particular 5 mile long hill, I wanted to make sure the exhaust temperature would not get too high and the water mist injection and propane injection was working right. A lot of time went into these many tunes so I was satisfied.

And none of these times did I have to wait while he called and put an order in 'with his HDP logo'.

Go ahead and call him!

 

[Pepperidge]

True, the experience is in the testing. It's just funny how Bill acts like he does all the work in house on the chip burning. I don't doubt that the characterists of the chip are his. It's just lame to hear on the phone "man I gotta turn in this chip order, you know gotta wait until those computer guys get up, which is like 2pm then I can get this made for you" Translation = I gotta email/call Westers and give them the specs and have them put a pretty HDP logo and ship it out to ya.

Just don't like being told stories... Surely you can relate.

**I just was disappointed that Bill wouldn't return calls or emails from me**. All he has to do is tell the truth instead of making stuff up (like HP numbers). But disappointing that I couldn't get any info out of him on potentially buying a product.

**and you wonder why?**

you see, it's statements like all the other ones above that will get you blacklisted quick...especially when you have no idea what you're talking about.

[video=youtube;M2lfZg-apSA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2lfZg-apSA[/video]

:hihi:

 

[Acesneights1]

Bill tunes them himself. He did mine personally. Look all BS aside Heath is not the cheapest on somethings like glowplugs. we all know they can be had cheaper and things like Fluidampr or Arps he's about the same as anybody else, but when I can I try to send my money his way because when I am in a bind or at my wits end with my truck and can't wait and hope someone can help me on a forum, he is only a phone call away and always helps as best he can from half way cross the country. Bill did more for the 6.5 innovation than anybody and deserves respect for that because few else have. IMHO his tunes are the best and all I would use. Again, my opinion. He certainly has plenty of business and got that way by customer service.

 

[buddy]

Well I do have to agree that Heath does not give a lot of information about his products, not any data. Its kind of like a trust me thing, which doesnt fly in a lot of other applications. more than willing to talk on the phone, but will reference real world experience vice technical thoery (not the theoretical kind) and data, which I personally value. Although I realize a lot of people dont care to hear about the details.

And I too am somewhat disappointed with the 500hp badge from estimates.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Buddy: Did you ever think that maybe Bill Heath does not give out proprietary information on his products? He offers unbelievable customer service, just doesn't give out all of his tuning info. After all he does run a business. Did you think that he would just give out all of the information and knowledge that it took him years to accumulate, to anyone? C'mon now. Get serious.

 

[buddy]

You dont have to agree with me, so dont tell me to get serious. I am serious, you catch up with the technical age of information.

One of his greatest product pitches was in MaxTorque magazine where he actually did explain the science and testing method behind his cooling upgrade. Its that kind of detail that wins my stamp of approval.

 

[Acesneights1]

yes but as Jeff pointed out, now everyone knows they can just buy a factory WP from a 2000 6.5TD. Bill is a business man and does have the right to not give out that info. Now if he gave people false info..that I'd have a problem with like saying the WP's he sells are custom made or something.

 

[RI Chevy Silveradoman]

Buddy. You missed the point of what I said, and it went right over your head. I won't insult you, but just ask you to grow up. Your immaturity has shown through once again.

 

[buddy]

Once again the arrogance of the mods have shown through. I ask you to quit insulting members, and drop the attitude.

DMax owners have no business commenting on this topic since the keys to the kingdom are handed to you in programmers and all the technical information is out there. Everyone has a dyno sheet for every modification and tons of R&D laid out for you.

I fully understand proprietary information, but there is a balance between safegaurding secrets and advertising product information.

 

[Paveltolz]

Concur 100%. Proprietary information is what keeps a company ahead of their competition. That's also what keeps companies financially healthy as they recoup their R&D money invested in the product be it intellectual or material. Water pump information was out there to be discovered easily by looking at the parts. The information was hardly proprietary. The intellectual information within a tune is not so easily ascertained and can be better safe guarded, to include the method or technology used to achieve the results. It isn't like Bill will let you watch the screen while he works either, trust me, he doesn't. Seriously, his achievement, his information, his business.

 

[buddy]

And the water pump article made me spend more money and I recommend everyone else spend more money. It is the perfect example of technical data that sells the product. I would have never ever spent the extra money on the Heath cooling upgrade, or why would I ever get a new clutch and use the 2000 year water pump, when I can get a 97/98 High Output water pump? I bought a 97 ACDelco pump to put on, and after reading the article I decided against it. It gives the 99 and older guys a very good justified reason for spending the money. Now if I had a 2000 and bought the kit and didnt need the new water pump then I might be annoyed. So if the kit is competitively priced then that business gets my business. If they aren't close to competitive then you may have to wonder why, and perhaps additional details would explain it, rather than the trust me approach.

For tunes, you dont need to give out the exact curves and little secrets, but you can discuss generalizations and the reason why the engine responds better to your settings. Poeple that have asked me to program things I have happily provided the curves to them so they can compare stock vs what they are getting. I give that to people before they even purchase anything. Its different because its not a business, and I just want to empower people with information.

 

[Unit453]

DMax owners have no business commenting on this topic since the keys to the kingdom are handed to you in programmers and all the technical information is out there. Everyone has a dyno sheet for every modification and tons of R&D laid out for you.

Without hijacking this thread completely....

This is the most ridiculous statement I've seen all year. Jeff and I are paying the bills here to keep this site FREE for everyone, to include anyone who drives a DMAX, Ford, Dodge, or even a Pinto. And EVERYONE here can post ANYWHERE they like. You do not have the right to dictate who posts where.

 

[buddy]

Without hijacking this thread completely....

This is the most ridiculous statement I've seen all year. Jeff and I are paying the bills here to keep this site FREE for everyone, to include anyone who drives a DMAX, Ford, Dodge, or even a Pinto. And EVERYONE here can post ANYWHERE they like. You do not have the right to dictate who posts where.

No issues with your moderators posting if they are respectful, they should be setting the standard.

 

[great white]

Without hijacking this thread completely....

Oh, I think we're already through that looking glass......

 

[HighSierra86]

Great white........did you ever end up ordering the tune from heath? Ive been going back and forth with my 96 trying to decide if I should go with the towing tune or the performance version. Im a little concerned with high egt's with the performance tune as I tow heavy with the truck. I would like to get as much power out of the truck safely as possible.

I had heaths gl4 tune in my 95 and was very impressed.

Just curious if you ever ordered the tune and if so, any input on how you do or dont like it.

Thanks
Nick

 

[Chief915]

Great white........did you ever end up ordering the tune from heath? Ive been going back and forth with my 96 trying to decide if I should go with the towing tune or the performance version. Im a little concerned with high egt's with the performance tune as I tow heavy with the truck. I would like to get as much power out of the truck safely as possible.

I had heaths gl4 tune in my 95 and was very impressed.

Just curious if you ever ordered the tune and if so, any input on how you do or dont like it.

Thanks
Nick

For what you do with the truck, I would recommend the towing tune.

I have the performance tune, as of 2 days ago, but I rarely tow anything. I figure if I am going to tow something in the future, I can keep an eye on the EGT's and make sure I don't melt it down while towing. If I towed all the time, like you do, I would have definately got the tow tune so I didn't have to worry about the EGT's.

 

[great white]

Great white........did you ever end up ordering the tune from heath? Ive been going back and forth with my 96 trying to decide if I should go with the towing tune or the performance version. Im a little concerned with high egt's with the performance tune as I tow heavy with the truck. I would like to get as much power out of the truck safely as possible.

I had heaths gl4 tune in my 95 and was very impressed.

Just curious if you ever ordered the tune and if so, any input on how you do or dont like it.

Thanks
Nick

I did.

What you need to do is call Heath and tell him how you use your truck. Then, he can come up with something that works for your intended useage.

A lot of guys come up with "I want high hp" or "I want the lockup do do this" and that's what they get.

More often than not, they find out what they wanted is not quite what they needed....

I told Heath my intended useage and then told him to do what's best for my uses. You have to defer to the experts in these cases unless you know exactly what to do to get what you want. Of course, if you could do that you wouldn't need them in the first place....

I ended up with a tune that was neither performance, nor towing nor daily use.

According to Heath, I got a tune they've been working on that is kind of an "all around" tune biased towards a daily driver with good egt control and "hill decent assist" (holds the converter in lockup until 40-45 mph). The shift points in teh 4l80e have also been modified. Basically, it holds the gear a little longer before upshifting, a common practice in performance tuning a transmission. Makes for less RPM droip in the upshift.

It's OK. One good thing I've noticed is that my occational "dead pedal" throttle feel is gone. No more sporatic loss of pedal response.

The truck isn't a hot rod, nor is it a towing beast. It doesn't feel like it lost 1500 lbs overnight nor does it feel like it will pull the Queen Mary up Rogers Pass.

What it is, is capable of hauling my 35 foot Travel trailer with good power and egt's and is a great all around daily driver. I can also hammer the throttle and not crack 1000F on the egts. Jury is out on the better MPG claims, the right foot is still gets a little carried away from time to time....

Even had a littel fun confusing the heck out of a new powerstroke driver the other day: http://www.thetruckstop.us/forum/sh...a-98-6.5-TD...&p=355394&viewfull=1#post355394

I had a few issues with shipping and billing, but that aside the PCM programming is pretty solid so far.

Is it all tune?

Dunno. I did the 4 inch exhaust just before, and water injection and turbo master at the same time as the pcm change. I threw a fluidampr in just for extra seasoning of the mix...

It's probably a combination of all these things, but I got what I was after so I'm satisfied with it.......for now.

 

[HighSierra86]

Great White......thanks for the info. Glad to hear you are happy with the tune. It is nice to hear real-world facts from people who are running the tunes. I think you are right in saying that one looking for a tune should just call bill personally and explain to him what you are doing with the truck.

I had spoken with bill a while ago when ordering other parts and he was very helpfull in explaining the different options. My truck being a manual transmission, requires that many less decisions in changing shift points lock-ups etc.

I think at this point in time I have come to realize that this truck will never be anything close to "fast." I dont expect it to be, but i would like to add some more power for towing or just driving around town. The service body on the truck is loaded with tools plus the over 500lbs of diesel in the transfer tank make this truck work even without the trailer. I would also love to get rid of the wonderful dead pedal as well as have the longer glow times.

After all the good luck I have had with bill heath and his products, I wont second guess where to buy my tune.

Thanks

 

[iamdave0887]

I can tell you i love my Heath tune. My 96 you saw in the Southington C&E parking lot that day has been running a Heath GL4 for a good while now(going on close to 3 years). I've towed with it before. While it doesn't get hot, i also don't pummel the accelerator either. I know my limits and take my time on big hills. The most i've had was about 8-9K behind it, so considering your avatar i'd say stick with his towing tune.

When i had that 8-9K behind it i had to take a what was probably at least a 10% grade mile+ long hill. A friend was driving and the truck was able to make the hill at 50 mph(45 mph speed limit), 3rd gear TCC locked, ~13 psi boost, and no more than 800*F on the pyro, Engine temps never moved from normal, but i have a feeling that's because i don't have an A/C condenser that further blocks the air flow to the cooling stack.

If you want to see how a GL4 tows your more than welcome to give mine a test drive once i can scrape up some batteries for the ol girl.