I just bought my 99 1500 a couple weeks ago and before I get into to much moding I was wondering if there is a way to find out if you have the death flash or if it has already been tuned by the previous owner. I read in another post that sometimes the pcm will have a little sticker saying something about authorized update, but I was noticing that some of the programers have the engine run cooler and mine is running right around the target temp. Is there a easy way to see if its tuned, like for example plug a code reader into it or anything? What temp is standard for the 5.9L?

 

if it has the death flash it ll most likely have a sticker that says something along the lines of "authorizedfactory software update"either on the pcm its self, on the underside of the hood or on the top on the rad support. to if its been "tuned"....first see if there is a piggy back chip in there (if so mostlikely jet and there crap) if not then maby a power programmer was used dunno how to tell exactly if one of them are in therebut the previous owner would be stupid to leave it in there since the programmer would be forever useless since it is locked to your truck

now as for temp it can vary depending on where you are, if the t-stat has been swapped and the truck its self i think off the top of my head mine is usally around 95*C so about 200*F but its a 5.2 not a 5.9 but i dont think there is much diff in opprating temps