7 Best Tuners For 5.3 Silverado Reviews

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The Chevy Silverado is a beast of a truck. It has outstanding performance, and people have no complaints about it, at least on the horsepower and fuel efficiency side.

But, what most owners are unaware of is that this performance can be improved even further.

Now, the question arises, how?

The answer is a programmer!

A programmer connects to the OBDII or diagnostic port of the truck and is used to change settings, which results in a better experience than the stock settings.

So, I have listed the best tuners for 5.3 Silverado, which will make your vehicle drive like never before. Let’s get straight into it!

7 Top Rated 5.3 Silverado Tuners Comparions

IMAGEPRODUCTEDITOR'S RATINGPRICE
TOP PICK
Hypertech 2000 Max Energy 2.0 Performance Tuner

Hypertech 2000 Max Energy 2.0 Performance Tuner

9.7
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Superchips Dashpaq 2061 Programmer

Superchips Dashpaq 2061 Programmer

9.5
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DiabloSport S1000 Sprint AFM Tuner

DiabloSport S1000 Sprint AFM Tuner

9.1
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Edge Products 85450 CTS2 Gas Evolution Programmer

Edge Products 85450 CTS2 Gas Evolution Programmer

8.8
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BEST BUDGET
Innovative Performance Programmer

Innovative Performance Programmer

8.6
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Bully Dog 40417 GT Platinum Tuner

Bully Dog 40417 GT Platinum Tuner

8.2
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VOLO Chip VP16 Power Programmer

VOLO Chip VP16 Power Programmer

8
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1. Hypertech 2000 Max Energy 2.0 Performance Tuner

Hypertech 2000 Max Energy 2.0 Performance Tuner
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Why this one earned first place on this article is because this is the most versatile and easy-to-use product on the market.

If you are looking for a massive performance increase, then this is the one for you.

The Hypertech 2000 Max Energy Performance Tuner has many features which will impress anybody; it comes with a large and clear LCD screen which allows for easy tuning.

Installation is also a breeze, taking less than fifteen minutes. You don’t need to use any tools or even open the hood to get going with these.

Perhaps the thing that most Silverado owners must be looking after is the legality of this one.

Then this is your lucky day. This programmer has been certified to be used in all states in the USA.

That means the emission levels of these, in any setting, will be under the legal limit. You will not have to worry about having issues in the legal department.

You get speedometer calibration, tire pressure threshold editing for when you change to larger than stock tires.

You also get speed limiting and throttle adjusting features. You get all of these features and more. You can even clear DTC codes if a sensor malfunctions.

The most common issue that people had was that there was no observable improvement in their vehicles’ performance.

That makes the buy useless, as you should see and feel the changes you want.

PROS
  • Plug and play design
  • 50 state legal in the USA
  • TPMS control
  • DTC code clearing
CONS
  • No observable changes

Although the number of people who did not notice any difference was very small, this issue is present in some units.

But according to most people, this is an excellent tuner which will keep you satisfied for a long time.

2. Superchips Dashpaq 2061 Programmer

Superchips Dashpaq 2061 Programmer
$537.26
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11/09/2023 03:18 pm GMT

Let me give you a bit of a spoiler. If you did not like the previous tuner, which has a close to zero chance, then you will love this one.

Superchips is a brand that keeps on appearing on several of my articles and steals the spotlight from the big dogs such as SCT and Bully Dog.

Well, I can safely say that the same is happening in this article. This Superchips Dashpaq 2061 Programmer has all the features a person would want from a decent tuner.

It not only provides them but has made them super stable and reliable. It is designed to serve a dual purpose and provide better performance while retaining fuel efficiency.

All of the tunings can be done via the monitor, which is designed for in-cabin use. You can install it on a pillar or on the dashboard, whatever you prefer.

The fast processing speed makes sure all changes are implemented as quickly as possible.

Users noticed many improvements, such as less throttle delay, zero downshifting, and a huge overall improvement over the stock settings.

It is also extremely easy to set up, which means you will be ready to experience a better driving experience within minutes.

When I said these steal the spotlight from other companies, I was not wrong.

The biggest proof of this statement is that they have no faults or complaints from users. Everyone was satisfied with its performance.

PROS
  • Plug and play design
  • Improved throttle response
  • Improved horsepower and fuel efficiency
  • Fast processing
  • No downshifting
CONS
  • None

Making a good tuner is not about adding more features. It is making its existing features more stable and reliable, so there are no problems whatsoever.

And this product achieves exactly that. It is one of the excellent options you can buy for your 5.3 Silverado.

3. DiabloSport S1000 Sprint AFM Tuner

DiabloSport S1000 Sprint AFM Tuner
$269.95


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11/10/2023 12:04 pm GMT

Coming up in third place is a tuner by the manufacturer DiabloSport. It has managed to snatch up the top third spot, making it a worthy contender.

Let’s dive into the details of why this one is special among the hundreds available on the market!

This brand is designed to push your truck’s engine to its absolute limit. You will get a massive increase in horsepower.

Now, how is this possible?

This module disables the truck’s Active Fuel Management system (AFM) to ensure no power is dropped.

It will not only increase the performance, but you will also get a much lesser delay while accelerating.

You will notice a quicker response time over the stock settings. The AFM also causes an annoying buzzing sound.

When the feature is disabled completely, you will get no buzzing sound, just the pure sound of your engine roaring with complete freedom.

The installation is similar to the first two options. It has to be plugged into the OBDII port under the dashboard, and then you are good to go.

Users faced two problems with these. Some had issues with random error codes being generated by the system.

Others had this tuner’s issue not shutting down the AFM, making its star feature completely useless.

The product is also pending approval for legal use in 50 states of the USA. Until then, it will be a risky drive for some.

PROS
  • Plug and play design
  • Disables AFM
  • V8 mode at all times
  • Shorter acceleration delay
CONS
  • Some units do not shutdown AFM
  • Error codes
  • Emission approval pending

Overall, this programmer is a great buy for people who want to experience their engines’ full power.

You will get unobstructed V8 performance which will be completely different and better than the stock settings.

It must be noted that it is pending approval for legal use in the USA, but it should not pose any problems.

4. Edge Products 85450 CTS2 Gas Evolution Programmer

Edge Products 85450 CTS2 Gas Evolution Programmer
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Coming up in fourth place is a tuner by another highly regarded manufacturer.

Edge makes stellar quality products that are easy to use and easy to install and have features that are neither half-baked nor unstable.

And after my research and by checking out more than 250 reviews of the tuner, I can safely say it deserves a spot on this article.

Moreover, with large 5-inch color touch screen, all of your performance adjustments can be made easily.

No need to press small buttons, which are often a hit or a miss. Pair that with the fast processing speeds, and you are looking at a near to instant performance boost.

This 85450 CTS2 Gas Evolution Programmer has five levels of power pre-set. You can choose from daily driving, performance, towing, and even extreme options.

No matter what type of horsepower you want, the CTS2 has it at your disposal.

Thanks to the inclusion of real-time monitoring, you get a live view of all the data you want to see. This includes RPM, boost, and many more.

It also has performance tests built-in, which record various things such as time taken to reach from 0- 60, and more.

As usual, DTC codes can also be cleared and read in plain English, so any fault in the engine will be known.

The most common issue people faced was that this one does not update that easily.

After updating, it repeats the cycle. This may cause frustration for some people, as it cannot be used without being updated.

PROS
  • Real-time monitoring
  • Performance tests
  • Four pre-set tunes
  • Crisp and clear touch screen
CONS
  • Update issues

It is an inconvenience to buy such a product, just to know it will not update.

The manufacturer has focused on everything except improving the update experience, which renders the tuner completely unusable.

If you do get it to update, then there is no question that you will have an unparalleled experience in terms of increased horsepower and torque.

5. Innovative Performance Programmer

Innovative Performance Programmer
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If you do not prefer one over the other and want added performance with better fuel efficiency, I would advise you to check out this tuner by Innovative Performance Chips.

I am familiar with the brand, and they make good tuners. It will not blow you out of the water, but it is better than most options available on the market.

So, let’s see exactly what earned it a spot on this list!

Some might say it is less, but this one allows your engine to gain an additional 35 horsepower.

You will experience a more powerful drive, but the experience will be subtle. You also get up to an additional 5mpg of fuel mileage!

Now that is impressive. This huge difference is possible thanks to optimizing the air to fuel ratio, which boosts efficiency.

These are as easy to install as all the options on this list. It connects directly to the OBDII port, which makes it a one-wire connection.

You don’t need to mess with fuses or even open the hood to install them. All it takes is plugging it in the port under the dashboard.

The brand also guarantees that their product will not void your warranty because the changes are not permanent.

The only problem some users stated was that they did not notice any difference at all. I would agree in terms of horsepower, as the difference is subtle.

But the fact that there were no improvements in fuel mileage means that some of the units might be faulty. So that might be an inconvenience to exchange for a different one.

PROS
  • Plug and play design
  • Up to 5 mpg boost
  • Will not void warranty
CONS
  • No noticeable improvement

The brand did create a good product but what they lacked behind it is to make the product more worthwhile.

If a buyer does not notice any difference or a very subtle one, then what is the point of buying one. But the mpg gain is impressive.

6. Bully Dog 40417 GT Platinum Tuner

Bully Dog 40417 GT Platinum Tuner
$369.99
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11/09/2023 06:28 am GMT

This list has gotten extremely competitive. Most of the brands featured here are ones that I have reviewed before, not excluding the brand Bully Dog.

Their 40417 GT Platinum Tuner is another example of a fine piece of engineering that will surely leave you impressed. Their plug-and-play design makes it extremely easy to use.

That means it has a one-wire connection, which provides the programmer power, and using that port tunes the performance of your engine.

Moreover, the star feature of this programmer is its driving coach feature. It helps a person improve his driving habits which in turn improves the fuel consumption of the truck.

The preloaded tunes have been tested to ensure you get maximum horsepower and torque while not overloading the engine.

You can rest assured that your truck will not be overburdened and will not overheat. You can also install up to 10 custom tunes which can be bought from local Bully Dog dealers.

Thanks to their screen, you can monitor all vital data to keep your engine in check. All of this can be done from the comfort of your truck’s cabin.

Buyers reported that the Bully Dog tuner messed up the transmission of their system. It also disturbs the shifting mechanism, making it sound extremely loud.

This is a major issue, which is still present and has not been fixed via updates.

PROS
  • Driving coach feature
  • Can store up to 10 custom tunes
  • Real-time data monitoring
  • Plug and play design
CONS
  • Messes with the transmission

If only Bully Dog fixed the transmission issue faced by some people, it would have scored a much higher position.

The driving coach feature is really impressive and has not been seen in tuners before.

7. VOLO Chip VP16 Power Programmer

VOLO Chip VP16 Power Programmer


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Coming up in seventh place is a product from a relatively unknown brand. I was researching tuners from brands that have not dominated the market.

The VP16 by Volo Performance caught my eye because it offered some unique features that I have not seen before. This programmer can add up to 30 horsepower to your truck.

Now, some of you may think that this is not enough. But, you are getting improved fuel efficiency too. So, it takes on a more balanced approach to tuning your truck.

There are three modes preloaded on this programmer. These modes are power, eco, and mixed. The power mode will provide you with maximum horsepower.

The economy mode will allow you to improve the fuel efficiency of your vehicle. Furthermore, with their mixed-mode, you get the best of worlds, better fuel efficiency, and horsepower.

The economy mode can boost fuel efficiency by up to 5 mpg. Now that is impressive. You can measure your horsepower and torque in real-time.

It can also be shared with a PC for storing purposes. This is for people who like to keep in review the performance of their engine over time.

You can also read and clear DTC codes. The common error codes are detailed in plain English, so you know what is wrong with your truck.

The only problem with this product is that it has very few reviews. Without an adequate number of reviews to refer to, it makes this buy risky.
PROS
  • Plug and play design
  • Up to 5 mpg better fuel economy
  • Share performance data with PC
CONS
  • Lack of reviews

Although this tuner has fewer reviews, the ones that are there have nothing to say but positive things about it.

The data saving feature helps make sure everything in the engine is working perfectly in the long run.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. I Am Not Noticing Any Difference In Mileage. What Should I Do?

A good tuner makes many behind the scene changes. If you feel like the tuner is not doing anything, then crank it up to the maximum settings to ensure it works.

If it does not, then you should consider getting a replacement.

Q2. Does Disabling The AFM Of The Truck Pose Any Threat To The Engine?

The DiabloSport S1000 has so many positive reviews that no one has had any problems with their tuner yet.

This means it is safe to use, and the AFM just regulates the fuel consumption, so you get the best of both worlds. With it turned off, you will experience unregulated power.

Q3. Can I Buy Options Outside This List?

You can go ahead by all means. I listed these seven tuners because they were the ones that were the most reliable options out there.

No brand will tell you about their faults. I chose these as they were had the least chance of failing on you.

Conclusion

What are the top tuners for the 5.3 Silverado? Let's find out

This list has a lot of competition.

Every tuner is unique and special in its manner when it comes to best tuner for 5.3 Silverado.

From Superchips to Bully Dog, all the huge brands were listed here.

They make astonishing tuners which are loved by the people who buy them.

But, if I had to choose one to recommend to all of you, then I would choose the Hypertech 2000 MAX Energy Performance Tuner as my go-to recommendation for all of you.

It scored first place on this list for a reason. It has impressive features and is very easy to use.

Whether you go for my recommendation or not, you will surely end up satisfied if you buy a programmer from this list.