Who's running a Heath tune?

[great white]

Well, as many know, I'm set up to tune my own truck with Tunercat II.

But I'm still learning the old beast and I'm short on time before I have to leave, so I'm backed into a "gotta buy one" corner.

I'm looking at the heath "t-Series" max-e-tork tune as opposed to the "p-series".

Anyone running this little beastie?

Heath claims 40 HP and about 90 Lb/ft as well as lower egt's and better towing mpg.

Our Low Price: Only $495.00
Add to Cart
The T-series is the result of an extensive research, engineering and development effort.
T-series unique and innovative programming features fuel delivery and start of injection timing schedules that are engineered to maximize diesel-combustion-efficiency to extract the highest possible work and mileage from every drop of fuel.

T-series also features a totally revised Glow-Plug timing control to make cold starts quicker and cleaner. The T-series energizes the glow plugs for a longer time depending on cold-start engine temperature.

T-series programming also controls automatic transmission shifting and torque converter clutch functions to most appropriately suit the new T-series torque output curve. Clean efficient power that is being properly applied to the load.
You will also appreciate the T-series torque converter clutch control feature, Tork-Lock. This control function maintains application of the torque converter clutch on deceleration to allow you the advantage of compresison braking. This is a great feature!
The mountains of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and California were the proving ground, all playing host to countless, sessions of fuel economy and heavy-towing tests designed to challenge this new programming. The T-series program proved a bright shinning star, delivering excellent gains in towing fuel economy along with good strong power and torque.
Heath recommends these additional upgrades:
Turbo-Master boost controller, Super-Flow exh system, Heath Cold Air Intake system, Heath Water-Mist Injection system

The T-series PCM/ Turbo-Master combo delivers a solid 40+ hp 95 lb ft torque gain at the rear wheels. Thats power you need, maximum practical, usable pulling power.

The Max E Tork T-series PCM is supplied on an exchange basis. A $300 PCM core deposit is assessed at the time of purchase. This PCM core deposit is refunded upon return of original, serviceable PCM core unit.
If you prefer, you can ship your original PCM to Heath for programming.
Orders are filled and customer-supplied PCM reprogrammed within 48 hours of order taking.
Heath Max E Tork programming is guaranteed. We offer this upgrade with a 90-day satisfaction guarantee and 7-year, free replacement part warranty.
We instist upon your complete and total satisfaction with Max E Tork and we will settle for nothing less.

Not legal for sale or use in California on any pollution

Brand: HDP Performance
HDP Part Number: #HDP1637
Customer Reviews

They made some impressive gains on what they called project suburban renewal, there's some numbers there I'd be very happy with. Oddly enoguh, I'm pretty much at what Heath recommends for towing, Minus the turbo master and the PCM. I've got the cooling upgrades, K-47 box, progressive WMI, 4 inch exhaust, etc.....

But, they sound like a pretty big claim to me. Sounds like a free lunch and I don't believe in the free lunch.

I'd like to hear your experiences if you have one, OBDII trucks would be even better.

Some things of interest would be what drop you had in egt, hows the towing MPG, did you get the P or T series, Turbomaster, etc.

500 bucks is a fair bit of coin to drop in one spot. Especially after I already dropped a cool grand on TunercatII......:rolleyes5:

 

[Paveltolz]

I ran Bills Towing tune with my GM-5 and the truck immediately felt like it had lost 1000lbs of dead-ass weight. Fuel mileage improved after I settle down my happy foot too.

I did some heavy hauling with it (full Sod Pallet in the Bed, several trips) and it handled it just fine. I went with the TM as well and didn't have any issues with over boost or high EGTs either. My overheating issues were pretty much solved with the 4" exhaust but after the PCM upgrade and being able to shove that truck up a 6% grade for 5 miles at 70 w/o temperature issues at the motor or exhaust was an eye opener and make no mistake.

 

[Chief915]

I had the max-e-torque chip in my 95 with a 4" exhaust and a GM-8 with a turbo master. Like Paveltoz said, it really woke the truck up power and drivability wise. It seemed like a totally different truck, same get up and go for less throttle which helped with fuel mileage and more power overall when you wanted/needed it. I didn't have any temp issues at all, either EGT or coolant temps while towing. I highly recommend both upgrades, the chip and turbomaster.

Later on I upgraded to an ATT, which again is well worth the money for the extra power, fuel mileage, and lower EGT's that will come with the ATT, but that is another thread.

 

[tireguy]

Hello guys im new to the forum and need to feel in my sig line yet. I have a 1996 k1500 85000 miles, heath performance ecm, tm, 3" downpipe w 4" exhaust, stock airbox, HD lift pump, high flow injectors . the ecm does help a lot, the seat of your ants feeling is very nice. I have been having mpg issues (9mpg with a little payload maybe wieghing 10000 lb). we narrowed it down to a bad/worn ip. I just got it changed a few days ago and havn't got any tests on it yet. But the ecm seems to do what he says it should.

 

[great white]

Hello guys im new to the forum and need to feel in my sig line yet. I have a 1996 k1500 85000 miles, heath performance ecm, tm, 3" downpipe w 4" exhaust, stock airbox, HD lift pump, high flow injectors . the ecm does help a lot, the seat of your ants feeling is very nice. I have been having mpg issues (9mpg with a little payload maybe wieghing 10000 lb). we narrowed it down to a bad/worn ip. I just got it changed a few days ago and havn't got any tests on it yet. But the ecm seems to do what he says it should.

"seat of your ants"?

:hihi:

 

[tireguy]

Thats a nice way to start my membership on these forums!!!

 

[1995yukon65]

its all good man, welcome to TTS... we all like to poke fun around here. It's like one giant f-ing family. lol. GW back to you, i have the p series chip from heath in my truck and love it even with the gm4 still. Mileage is pretty decent when i can stay out of it, sometimes up to 18mpg. Have not done much towing except for when i have to drag my brothers truck. And as long as I dont keep the pedal thru the floor the egts rarely go above 1150 or so

 

[great white]

Bumpity.

Anyone else?

 

[Acesneights1]

I ran the Max e tork on my old OBD1 Tahoe. Truck ran like a bat out of hell but the egts were through the roof. Same with my Dually. Make sure Bill understands what you want. He tuned my Dually hotter than I wanted it. Thing would burn the tires but I could also melt the pistons real fast towing. He changes the shift points a little too. On my Tahoe it shifted better. On my Dually worse. it hunted all over the place at 40 mph but I had bigger tires on the dually and the speedo was off so that may have been the reason. He does the best tune out there, just make sure if you want a towing tune, he knows that. BTW, he offered to retune it free of charge, I just never bothered.

 

[uniquediesel]

Since Heath got booty hurt that I called him out on this ~500 HP 6.5 I get no communication from his business. No support for HDP parts I previously purchased nor inquries on anything further.

The HDP Experimental chip sits in the glove box while the Kennedy Tune does all the real work. Kennedy actually knows what he's doing. Builds his own stuff verses rebranding Westers stuff

 

[great white]

Since Heath got booty hurt that I called him out on this ~500 HP 6.5 I get no communication from his business. No support for HDP parts I previously purchased nor inquries on anything further.

The HDP Experimental chip sits in the glove box while the Kennedy Tune does all the real work. Kennedy actually knows what he's doing. Builds his own stuff verses rebranding Westers stuff

So, you're saying Heath tunes are re-branded Westers tunes?

I kind of suspect they're all using a version of Tunercat OBD II anyways.

Westers diesel tuner software is pretty much tunercat II right down to the code. I've even found the tunercat original contact information deep down in the bowels of Westers software. Although, one look at the GUI tells you all you need to know..

Doesn't really matter either way. When you pay for a PCM, you're paying for the experience that tuned it, not the interface program.

 

[JiFaire]

Since Heath got booty hurt that I called him out on this ~500 HP 6.5 I get no communication from his business. No support for HDP parts I previously purchased nor inquiries on anything further.

The HDP Experimental chip sits in the glove box while the Kennedy Tune does all the real work. Kennedy actually knows what he's doing. Builds his own stuff verses rebranding Westers stuff

You're a funny guy. Care to enlighten us as to when Bill started selling rebranded Wester's stuff? Lyndon is probably interested in hearing about that.

 

[Pepperidge]

butt hurt?

I doubt Bill Heath is losing any sleep over what that guy says, does or posts...

 

[Paveltolz]

Since Heath got booty hurt that I called him out on this ~500 HP 6.5 I get no communication from his business. No support for HDP parts I previously purchased nor inquries on anything further.

The HDP Experimental chip sits in the glove box while the Kennedy Tune does all the real work. Kennedy actually knows what he's doing. Builds his own stuff verses rebranding Westers stuff

I'm with JiFare except I don't think you're funny, not even clever. I also stand with Pepperidge, Bill hardly got his feeling hurt by the comment. I sit in the office while he does my tunes. Patrick (WalkingJ) drove my truck with Bill's tune and was ready to order it for himself. Hardly a rebranded whatever. Customer service and support is first class, even for the ignorant. Bill and Todd have both spent more time on the phone with me and my learning curve than could ever be profitable for them in the short term which brings me back time and time again. I vote with my $ and time.

 

[great white]

Easy now gents, let's not turn this into a "slagging" thread...

 

[Paveltolz]

Slagging? Now that's funny.

 

[ak diesel driver]

slaggin? what's that? never heard that term before

 

[uniquediesel]

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.

 

[great white]

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.

Don't know what to tell you there. My PCM showed up a couple days after I ordered it. Ordered on a thursday, showed up on a monday. Crossborder, so no time available there to send of to Alberta for a PCM and resend it back to British Columbia from Washington state. The timelines just don't marry up if he didn't do it himself.

No logo, no sticker, no paint, nothing fancy. Just the mans hand writing on a cleaned PCM case with what the program was and a clear label with my VIN. I personally believe he does program his own PCM's. If not in the past, he does now. At least for OBDII (my truck).

The hardware and software needed isn't that much more expensive when you compare it to other tuning solutions out there. I'm not talking hand held programmers, I'm taking things like EFILive. If I was in the "tuning business" I'd gladly pony up a couple grand in start up costs. That's super cheap in the long run.

Heck, I ponied up just over a grand for my setup and all I can tune is the vehicles I have VDF's for.....my 98 6.5 TD is one of them....

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).

Just playing devils advocate here, but I'm pretty sure I've read several times that's his estimate (self admitted) and it's been written more than once that the truck hasn't been on the rollers.

Just rippin up salt.

If it's his estimate, that's not making things up. It's an estimate based on his experience and performance numbers. It may be right, it may be completely out to lunch.

Some guys don't feel the need to pull dyno numbers to prove they can make power. They prove it by ET's, or speed, or acceleration, or towing performance, or....well, you get the idea.

Pushing a shoe box like a GMT400 to 150 mph takes some juice. How much? Dunno. You'de need a whole lot of calculations about drag and whatnot to figure that out....

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.

Don't know what to tell you there except a retailer has no obligation to deal with everyone that "walks through the door". It's generally not good for business to operate that way, but it is their prerogative.

I have no idea what's passed between the two of you, but sometimes you're just unfortunate enough to push the wrong button at the wrong time to "P" a guy off. If that guy choses to hold a grudge that's the end of business. Again, that's the retailers prerogative....

I'm not trying to defend the guy, these are just some of my experiences with Heath and the rest is just my take on the situ....

 

[great white]

slaggin? what's that? never heard that term before

Well there's lots of definitions, but used in this context it's slang to mean;

defame, berate or discredit by unscrupulous means....