Generation V Internal Engine 2013-20xx LT1

2023 Tahoe L84 DFM delete with extras

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Old Feb 5, 2026 | 10:30 AM
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Default 2023 Tahoe L84 DFM delete with extras

Hi All...

I swore to myself that I would not touch my 2023 Tahoe except for maintanance BUT I'm just too concerned with oil consumption and the direct injection thinning out an already light weight oil 0W-20 down to 0W whatever (some tests say 0W-8). Even still I resisted the urge unitl... I stretched an oil change to 5700 miles (truck had 34K I think). I always changed it at around 3000-3500 but I just plain forgot and got busy plus I hadn't checked the level. The dipstick was dry! 6 quarts drained ot of the pan so it was 2 Qts low. That's on me, flame me if you want lol

Thruck had at least 8 oil changes maybe 9 in it's life. 2 from the dealer with GM oil, 6-7 with Royal Purple 0W-20 (Flame me if you want). I don't think any major damage was done other than some increased wear. At least nothing that I can see or hear without disassembly or an oil analisys.

So, this lead me to the GM bulletin describing oil consumption. It said the truck was within limits but it sparked a fire in me to delete DFM. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/20...44273-0001.pdf

BTR and others have DFM delete kits and I spoke to the shop that did the E85 conversion, 850cc injectors, and a dyno tune on my 2013 ZL1. They've done a few and said it's roughly $1500 in parts and 20 Hrs of labor so I'm in for roughly $5k. I'm thinking that I'll use the truck norris cam, and convert to E85 along with a dyno tune. This also involves sending the ECM/TCM into HP tuners to unlock I believe.

1. Would you do this?
2. Am I on the right track
3. If you were going to do this what parts would you use or upgrade in the process?

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Old Feb 5, 2026 | 04:18 PM
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DOD delete her with cam of your choice and let her rip tater chip. Parts is a bit on the low side and the labor is right in line plus or minus depending on how much of a fireball you got in you to get it done.
It's fine 2 quarts low didn't hurt a thing. Oil consumption may or may not go away doing the delete its not really using anywhere near an abnormal amount to be worried about. These are high performance engines and as such most are driven hard and tend to use a little it's normal

This will start a fire storm with the book says ninnies but I'm of the old school belief you can't lubricate an engine properly with oil thats the viscosity of water for a lubricant. I'm down south it's plenty hot I run 15/40 in all my GM LS/LT stuff so I can use the same oil in my trucks and as my 2 work trucks and not have to keep multiple flavors. All of them gone many many miles with 0 failures all were dod deleted early in life it's just a garbage system period. I've got 365K on my 11 6.2 and drive it like most every 6.2 owner does my 18 and 23 6.2 trucks are also driven same way both deleted with the usual cadre of speed parts. Hope this helps a bit

Last edited by 01WS6/tamu; Feb 5, 2026 at 04:25 PM.
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Old Feb 5, 2026 | 07:59 PM
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Amen! I knew I was on the right track. I'll get started on a parts list
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Old May 7, 2026 | 10:15 AM
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While I haven't drilled down on a list yet it seems BTR is the place to go for the is stuff and I read to pony up and get the GM LS7 lifters as the delphi ones could be problematic in the future.

Now, I paid closer attention to the last 4000 miles. I got the oil changed yesterday, it was at 40%. It was 100% 0W20 Royal Purple. I had to add one quart about 3 weeks ago so it burned one quart in 4000 miles.

After talking to some people at O'Reily's they suggested the following recipe:
1 Lucas Low Viscosity Oil Stabilizer
1 qt of 5W30
7 qt of 0W20 ( Only used 6 )

We'll see how much it burns over the next change
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Old May 10, 2026 | 06:19 PM
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The engine definitely runs smoother and I got outstanding gas milage doing 700 miles over the weekend back and forth to Miami
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Old May 10, 2026 | 11:34 PM
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0/20s too light period. Run full change of 5 or 10/30 synthetic in it and it will be just fine.
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Old May 11, 2026 | 06:36 AM
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I deleted the wife's 2019 silverado and it runs excellent, I also put and Atlantic TC4502HD torque converter with ppe transmission thermal bypass and deleted the vacuum pump and installed a catch can, also deleted 3rd muffler and deleted oil pressure relief valves. Tune has Converter locking up in 5th now instead of 1st. It had lifter failure at 70k miles.
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Old May 13, 2026 | 11:06 AM
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Originally Posted by 01WS6/tamu
0/20s too light period. Run full change of 5 or 10/30 synthetic in it and it will be just fine.
I'm starting to agree with you. My plan is to test this oil when I change it to see what the viscosity is just for the sake of information and see what it ends up as
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Old May 13, 2026 | 11:07 AM
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Originally Posted by Tommy42088
I deleted the wife's 2019 silverado and it runs excellent, I also put and Atlantic TC4502HD torque converter with ppe transmission thermal bypass and deleted the vacuum pump and installed a catch can, also deleted 3rd muffler and deleted oil pressure relief valves. Tune has Converter locking up in 5th now instead of 1st. It had lifter failure at 70k miles.
I'll look into that for sure
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