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Blackbear Tuning Review

Doomsday

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Doomsday Enthusiast

Doomsday

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So this review is going to be ongoing, I hope, currently I've only had the tune on for a day so most of my review is going to be updated as things settle in. That being said I am impressed with how things have turned out thus far and thought I would write to let everyone know how it went.

 

I did the mail order cable tune, I don't really have a special reasoning for this but I figured that it would get me the best tune I could get, which is what I was after. Of course like everyone else who bought a VMAX truck I think were all a little disappointed in the engine performance. After placing an email to Justin I was put on a waiting list, which was a long wait, a few months if I remember correctly. After going through the process I understand the wait, since I received the cable I haven't been dragging my feet and the whole process will probably take 3 weeks, maybe a month. I'm just one guy so I can imagine how it could take a while if he's got a back log.

 

Using the cable with the laptop was easy enough, I was lucky enough to procure a laptop just in time to do the initial logging, I had a few hiccups getting the program ready but I figured it out. People who are not computer friendly shouldn't be afraid of doing this style of tune, Justin's instructions are good and the program is not to complicated. My only real gripe, which is a small one, is that I didn't get any warning before Justin sent out the new ECM/TCM. I was expecting an email letting me know it was sent out, after checking my email a few days in a row the package appeared at my door. Needless to say I was super happy, but just though I would mention that.

 

Install of the computers was brainless, don't even need a tool if you have strong fingers, took all of 5 minutes. Unfortunately I had to do the security relearn which took about 40 minutes, after that the I used the cable and the laptop to do the crank sensor relearn and was good to go. As for the driving difference:

 

 

It was hard for me not to hype up the tune to much, of course I'm hoping that I'll turn the key and this thing will be a beast but despite that I was very impressed with the difference in the characteristics of the engine. Early on I decided I wanted way firmer shifts, after the install my shifts were definitely better, very clean and crisp engagement. In all honest it could actually be harder and I would be ok with it but I think I'm going to drive it a week and see how everything is feeling but the shifts are far and above better than stock. Kickdowns feel great and the truck pulls hard at cruising speeds, plenty of confidence for passing on the highway. Engine performance is awesome, much harder pull. The truck really seems to put you in the seats, theres an odd feeling like the truck has a heavy cam in it. Pulls good from start off but then hits a certain RPM and really takes off like hell, not much tire spin off of a full throttle start. The truck doesn't exactly do huge burnouts but that's not really what the truck is for, at least until I can get a supercharger or something ;)

 

Anyway that's kind of my quick run through of a my experience, I'm going to try and remember and get on here and let everyone know how its feeling in the weeks to come and I'd be happy to answer any specific questions if anyone has any. Overall it was a very pleasant experiance and I'm happy with the performance of my truck, with these 6.0L'ers there is just one phrase that comes to mind when I think of these tunes, "Its like waking up your engine." I would recommend this style of tune and definitely Blackbear Tuning to anyone considering a custom tune.

grumpysgmc Enthusiast

grumpysgmc

Posted
Posted

One of these days I'm going to wake up my Vmax. Reading these threads make me wish I could do it tomorrow. Hopefully the one early next year will happen in Nashville.

cliobogger Enthusiast

cliobogger

Posted
Posted

wowow, lots o posts. haha. anyways, they run about 3-400 or so depending on if you keep your stock one for stealership trips.

Doomsday Enthusiast

Doomsday

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300 for my tune and 220 for the computers, of course you could find a computer somewhere probably cheaper used and send it to him but I didn't want to do all that so I just bought these from him.

 

Even at 520$ its not much more than a programmer and its just way more than you could ever get from a handheld.

 

Mods should consider a merged thread of all the reviews for these guys, I don't think I've read a bad one yet but it would be nice to have them consolidated.

2005LT Enthusiast

2005LT

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the post Tony. Look forward to hearing your impression after driving it for a while. I would definitely like to have mine tuned since like yourself, I feel that this 6.0 is lacking a little.

 

I've been away for the last month or so and at that point, Justin could not tune a 6 speed with the cable tune. I'm assuming that probably hasn't changed yet but once he can, I'll be on the list.

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