Superchips Tuner For The 8.1

bulletbeater · October 8, 2009

I am new here. I just bought a 2003 GMC Sierra with the 8.1 with 41,000 miles. Now I am looking at add ons and performance. Has anyone used the superchip tuner or similar performance tuner? I know this type of thing is pretty popular with the GM diesel, but haven't read much about the gasser. Is it worth the $400+ to gain some mpg and extra horsepower? Any help would be appreciated.

jrod332 · October 8, 2009

From what I have read on here and what other people have said about blackbear, I would contact justin. Im waiting for him to get back in town so he can mail out my tune. I don't have anything to go on but I'm betting that youll get way more out of a tune from justin than a superchip, and for less money to.

Big black truck · December 3, 2009

I have just installed a diablosport on my 8.1/allison and am really impressed. I chose the diablosport because it has tunes for 87 and 93 octane, allows you to set a bunch of perameters, mph, wheel size, rpm limiter, etc. The other advantage, is that you can get a custom tune made for you from diablo and or a few other tuners that can be loaded through the diablosport. You can log and record data, which can be sent to nearly any custom tuner via email and they can custom a tune for you, send it back, you can load it, and program your truck. I am sure Black Bear can also send tunes for you to update, if not, maybe this is something they can work on. This then allows you to control your own truck anytime without waiting for someone.

Just my .02

Matt427 · December 3, 2009

I have the 8.1 in my Suburban, and I was dissapointed with the performance of it. It felt sluggish in comparison to my YukonXL with a 5.3. I had Justin tune it at a live tune event and brother let me tell you, that tune woke up the slumbering beast! It's my opinion that you can not possibly get more bang for the buck than with a PCM tune by Blackbear performance.

DENTGUYS · December 4, 2009

I have the super chip it sucks. I have an 2001 chevy 4+4 8.1/allison with jba headers, 4 inch gibson ,volant cold air intake,accel coil packs. looking for some thing better . I am going to call blackbear.

Supersporter40 · December 4, 2009

I have just installed a diablosport on my 8.1/allison and am really impressed. I chose the diablosport because it has tunes for 87 and 93 octane, allows you to set a bunch of perameters, mph, wheel size, rpm limiter, etc. The other advantage, is that you can get a custom tune made for you from diablo and or a few other tuners that can be loaded through the diablosport. You can log and record data, which can be sent to nearly any custom tuner via email and they can custom a tune for you, send it back, you can load it, and program your truck. I am sure Black Bear can also send tunes for you to update, if not, maybe this is something they can work on. This then allows you to control your own truck anytime without waiting for someone.
Just my .02

Did you find the mileage to change after the install? Not like we own an 8.1 to be fuel conscious but I'd like to have mine running at peak without loosing.

Big black truck · December 6, 2009

I have just installed a diablosport on my 8.1/allison and am really impressed. I chose the diablosport because it has tunes for 87 and 93 octane, allows you to set a bunch of perameters, mph, wheel size, rpm limiter, etc. The other advantage, is that you can get a custom tune made for you from diablo and or a few other tuners that can be loaded through the diablosport. You can log and record data, which can be sent to nearly any custom tuner via email and they can custom a tune for you, send it back, you can load it, and program your truck. I am sure Black Bear can also send tunes for you to update, if not, maybe this is something they can work on. This then allows you to control your own truck anytime without waiting for someone.
Just my .02

Did you find the mileage to change after the install? Not like we own an 8.1 to be fuel conscious but I'd like to have mine running at peak without loosing.

I have seen a 1-2 mpg increase on average. The thing that really got me is the responsiveness and smoothness. In a few weeks I'll be doing a 2500 mile trip and will let you know what she does on the open road.