Best Tuners for 6.0 Vortec (May 2019)
The 6.0 Vortec is a heavy-duty engine produced by GM and was used in several Chevrolet and GMC trucks to achieve as much as 300 to 350 horsepower. It has gone through special calibration to ensure that these vehicles can perform seamlessly when towing or when driving on steep hills.
Although it has power-packed features, using a tuner on your truck will give you that added blow of power that could have been affected after years of usage. Take note that each truck has a specific calibration set by the manufacturer to give you a targeted output: whether for towing, speed or fuel mileage. If your truck is not appropriately programmed based on how you use it on a daily basis, it may not give you the performance you actually need. We have collated the best tuners for 6.0 Vortec that are guaranteed to help you regain or surpass that performance your truck used to have.
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Our Recommendations
Edge CTS2 Evolution Programmer
The Edge CTS2 Evolution Programmer has a single pre-loaded tune that basically has all the necessary boost that you need to improve your fuel mileage, speed, and towing capabilities. However, if you are not happy with the performance, the device allows you to perform additional adjustments to meet your expectation and daily requirements.
Program, Monitor and Perform Tests
The Edge CTS2 Evolution Programmer boasts its latest interface that allows you to navigate instantly with its touch panel. You need to slightly put pressure so that the screen to activate a menu or to move from one setting to another. For better viewing experience, or if you want to match your screen to your interior look, you can change the background color. It has an ambient light sensor which automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen.
The device comes with 5 pre-loaded tunes labeled in levels to help you assess which can give you the optimum calibration. The well-structured levels also allow you to decide which one is best based on how you use your truck on a daily basis.
- Level 1 - Trans Only: Provides firmer shifts for longer transmission life.
- Level 2 - Economy: The lowest power level specifically tuned to increase your fuel consumption.
- Level 3 - Towing: Typically used to give you the necessary "pull-power" if you need to tow heavy loads.
- Level 4 - Performance: The fuel injection and timing are semi-aggressively calibrated to achieve an anticipated power gain.
- Level 5 - Extreme: The highest power level that aggressively calibrates the fuel injection and timing for fuel efficiency and maximum power.
If you want to add more power on top of these, you can always make the adjustment to help you achieve the type of performance your truck needs according to your daily requirements.
The Edge CTS2 Evolution Programmer also works as a monitor to help you check the performance of your truck. You can set the screen layout and choose which parameters you'd like to see. Apart from these, you can also conduct data logging or the method of recording how your truck is performing within a specific condition, and live monitoring to ensure that anything under the hood is not overheating nor getting through too much pressure.
Lastly, confirm how your truck is boosted through performance testing. You can initially do it before you start tuning to help you set the base and after to help you see the boost you have attained. This will help you assess if you want to move to the next level or not.
Why it's the Best tuner for 6.0 Vortec?
The Edge CTS2 has an innovative approach that will really come beneficial for users. If you are someone who likes to thoroughly monitor your truck's performance and find potential ways to achieve its extremities, then this device is a good choice. The fact that it's a 3-in-1 device also allows you to really get your money's worth.
Jet Performance Programmer
If you are on a tight budget but you want to increase the overall power of your truck, the Jet Performance Programmer is an ideal option. It provides that needed boost through its EZ Tune Programmer or by manually altering the parameters. It may be a small device (almost half of your mobile phone) but it really does a great job.
Program with Ease and Comfort
Programming is very easy and straightforward with the Jet Performance Programmer. It has one pre-loaded tune which attends to everything that you need to have on your truck based on your fuel grade selection. It adapts well on everything that you have added on your truck, too, as it allows you to change the different parameters to make them work. Take note that aftermarket parts may not work well on some tuners so it's something that you need to confirm beforehand. By doing so, you can still take advantage of their functions while improving the overall drivability of your truck. Clicked the wrong option? Don't worry as the device allows you to re-do your customization before it overwrites your stock program.
It also changes how your Automatic Transmission shift reacts by increasing or decreasing it based on your mile per hour by changing the Wide-Open Throttle (WOT) shifting points. At this point, you can experience smoother revs and seamless push whenever you need to drive on steep hills. Additionally, you can also change the factory speed limit especially if you have changed your tire. Just take note of the indicated speed rating of your tire and never go beyond the suggested value so as to protect yourself and the other motorists.
Why you should purchase it?
The Jet Performance Programmer is probably the most affordable tuner in the market for the 6.0 Vortec. But in spite of its price, it definitely delivers the needed power, speed and fuel efficiency. If you have purchased some aftermarket parts, it's ideal to do the manual calibration to ensure that these added ones will still function after you have reprogrammed your truck's computer.
SCT iTSX/TSX Wireless Tuner
You don't want a lot of devices on your dashboard? The SCT iTSX/TSX is the perfect solution as it can be connected to your mobile phone or tablet, thus, minimizing the number of gadgets that you put in front of you. This wireless dongle works with both Android and iOS devices and guarantees a faster interface. Just download the SCT application, connect it via Bluetooth and voila! You're ready to start tuning your 6.0 Vortec.
Works for Both Diesel and Gas
Whether you are using diesel or gas, the SCT iTSX/TSX will work well. For diesel, tunes include performance, street and towing, while 93, 91 and 87 octane, and economy tunes are available for gas. Take note that in case you have added nitrous, blower or turbo parts, you need to have a customized tune from the brand to ensure that you can still take advantage of these aftermarket additions. To do that, you need to send your stock file via email, along with what you have added, as it's going to be their basis when designing the right calibration.
You can thoroughly monitor the parameters after tuning with the help of this device. You can set your preferred gauges as it can show real-time data for up to 6 parameters. This will help you assess if your driving habits affect the engine or the fuel efficiency of your truck.
Additionally, to confirm the boosted performance after the tune, you can do various tests. This includes 0-60, quarter mile or a break-in test. You can initially conduct these 3 before the tuning process so you will have a baseline how much power your truck has gained after the ECU calibration is made.
Why you should purchase it?
Worrying about damaged screen (which most tuners usually come with) that will require you to repurchase a new tuner? The SCT iTSX/TSX solves that problem as it actually uses your phone to do the tuning, monitoring and performance testing. If you are unsure whether it's the perfect device for you, you can download their application where you can see an interactive demo and a quick video that thoroughly explain why it is one of the best tuners for 6.0 Vortec.
Bully Dog GT Performance Tuner
The Bully Dog GT Performance Tuner is a 4-in-1 device. You can tune your truck's computer, monitor the parameters, do a performance test and clear trouble codes. With these full-packed features, the device has made its way to be one of the best tuners for 6.0 Vortec in the market these days.
Driving Coach and Performance Testing for Achieved Optimum Performance
The Bully Dog GT Performance Tuner is known for its Driving Coach. It is a specialized program that rigidly assesses your driving habits and scores you afterward. This will give you a detailed guideline, either on the screen or through voice, if any of your habits are causing serious damage on your engine, or you are not making the most out of your fuel efficiency.
The device also allows you to do performance testing. In that way, you can assess if the loaded tune matches your daily needs or you still need to aggressively execute changes on the parameters, or if a custom tune is better.
Clear trouble codes instantly. If you are seeing a red warning light on your dashboard, use your GT to confirm if these are truly existing or it was just caused by the new loaded tune. This will save you hundreds (if not thousands) of bucks as you won't have to visit your dealer for actual testing.
Tune Your 6.0 Vortec Today!
Surpass your truck's current performance by purchasing one of our recommended best tuners for 6.0 Vortec. These are from known brands that have put their innovative solutions to deliver their users the optimum performance on their trucks. If you want your truck to work like new again, these tuners can undoubtedly give you that boost and can help you surpass the limits the manufacturer has set. Why settle on a single functionality when you can actually bag all the benefits within just a few clicks?
