Trinity Installed 2010 6.2

flyin6 · November 12, 2010

It's still early in the build/modification of my new Escalade, so I'm laying the ground work for future modifications. First was the K&N cold air intake system which, so far, I have to give an A+ rating to.

Next was the installation of a tuner. Having some experience with the Diablo Predator, I chose their newest product the Trinity. In the past I have owned three Predator tools and got pretty comfortable with them. They are pretty capable with LS motors and 4-speed automatics. THe newer units lose some fo that capability, being unable to adjust/tune the newer 6-speed automatic.

However, the newest Trinity has the capability to expand in the future to allow it to be able to tune the new 6-speed which actually has it's own control module which is internally installed.

Given the fact that no one can tune a new 6-speed, and as far as I know, of the hand held tuning market, only Diablo is making strides toward transmission tuning, it is a great choice.

So, to begin with, I simply installed the Diablo performance tune and drove the truck around some. My initial impression is that the newer tune is definately noticable. The upshifts are firmer, and the truck has more power. I'd have to say the Esky is starting to feel like a hot rod. The darned thing definately gets with the program in third gear. One thing I don't like is the still overall slop of the transmission. I think there is a lot of torque mangement going on. Under part throttle shifts, I notice the nose falls during the shift. The motor makes a sound like it is being shut down until the shift is complete, then it shows back up and yanks your head off it's mounting group.

Another strong point to view in talking the Trinity or older Predator is the strong support from a group of tuners who, essentially, write you a custom tune from logged data from your car which supports all sorts of mods. THose folks can apparently go much, much further. I have used this process in the past, and can testify that the custom tunes work very well, and are, well, custom. Because of this you draw closer to products like HP tuners or EFI live, which I have also used in the past.

For me, next is the installation of the American Racing long tube headers and the immediate installation of a custom tune, written specifically for that combo. After that I will fine tune the injector slopes and dial the thing in.

This truck is on it's way to 600+ HP with a blower and a cam and more tuning. It will also get some lightening, while it probably also gets a few lightenings!

flyin6 · November 12, 2010

Here's a pic

kdixer · November 12, 2010

Actually Diablo is one of the last few to not offer 6 speed tuning support. Superchips, hypertech and the almighty Black Bear Autocal offer remote 6 speed TCM tuning.

I have had a diablo predator (same tuning as the trinity), superchips cortex, and Black Bear Autocal. They are listed in order of least difference felt. I am very pleased with my Black Bear tune. I could hardly tell anything with the predator. Never tried a custom predator tune though. The superchips definately helped with performance but lacked finesse on the tcm tuning. The Black Bear tune is custom tailored to my exact expectations (GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE !!!). Best money you can spend on a GM these days. Engine is very responsive and crisp. Sounds way more healthy than stock form. Transmission shifts are quick and decisive yet smooth. Justin was very patient with my tweaks and the tune fits my driving style perfectly.

Not to steal your thread but alot of people are mis-informed on 6l80e tuning these days.

flyin6 · November 12, 2010

Actually Diablo is one of the last few to not offer 6 speed tuning support. Superchips, hypertech and the almighty Black Bear Autocal offer remote 6 speed TCM tuning.

I have had a diablo predator (same tuning as the trinity), superchips cortex, and Black Bear Autocal. They are listed in order of least difference felt. I am very pleased with my Black Bear tune. I could hardly tell anything with the predator. Never tried a custom predator tune though. The superchips definately helped with performance but lacked finesse on the tcm tuning. The Black Bear tune is custom tailored to my exact expectations (GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE !!!). Best money you can spend on a GM these days. Engine is very responsive and crisp. Sounds way more healthy than stock form. Transmission shifts are quick and decisive yet smooth. Justin was very patient with my tweaks and the tune fits my driving style perfectly.

Not to steal your thread but alot of people are mis-informed on 6l80e tuning these days.

Really, I did not know that about the superchips programmer. Thanks for the correction, I stand, well, corrected!

Of what I know of the Black Bear tuning, you never hear of any disappointed people. However, comma, don't you have to send them your PCM? That process turned me off back in 08 when I talked to them about doing the same process.

Regarding the Diablo process, I would also agree that most of the Predator based tunes are hardly noticable. However, when you get with one of the off site tuners, and thye cook you up a tune, hang on! That's really where the change takes place.

First you install the Diablo tune. Next you pull a log of several critical factors and email that along with your factory tune and the installed tune. What you get back is the real tamale. Then you repeat the logging and emailing process and get back a dialed-in tune that gets the performance and better fuel economy also.

Another consideration is that with owning the Trinity, I have the ability to peer inside the PCM anytime I desire and make changes. THere is also significant growth with the unit with promised TCM tuning coming in the near future.

In the end it's a personal choice. It's good to be able to choose while we still can!

07sltcrew · November 12, 2010

Actually Diablo is one of the last few to not offer 6 speed tuning support. Superchips, hypertech and the almighty Black Bear Autocal offer remote 6 speed TCM tuning.

I have had a diablo predator (same tuning as the trinity), superchips cortex, and Black Bear Autocal. They are listed in order of least difference felt. I am very pleased with my Black Bear tune. I could hardly tell anything with the predator. Never tried a custom predator tune though. The superchips definately helped with performance but lacked finesse on the tcm tuning. The Black Bear tune is custom tailored to my exact expectations (GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE !!!). Best money you can spend on a GM these days. Engine is very responsive and crisp. Sounds way more healthy than stock form. Transmission shifts are quick and decisive yet smooth. Justin was very patient with my tweaks and the tune fits my driving style perfectly.

Not to steal your thread but alot of people are mis-informed on 6l80e tuning these days.

Really, I did not know that about the superchips programmer. Thanks for the correction, I stand, well, corrected!

Of what I know of the Black Bear tuning, you never hear of any disappointed people. However, comma, don't you have to send them your PCM? That process turned me off back in 08 when I talked to them about doing the same process.

Regarding the Diablo process, I would also agree that most of the Predator based tunes are hardly noticable. However, when you get with one of the off site tuners, and thye cook you up a tune, hang on! That's really where the change takes place.

First you install the Diablo tune. Next you pull a log of several critical factors and email that along with your factory tune and the installed tune. What you get back is the real tamale. Then you repeat the logging and emailing process and get back a dialed-in tune that gets the performance and better fuel economy also.

Another consideration is that with owning the Trinity, I have the ability to peer inside the PCM anytime I desire and make changes. THere is also significant growth with the unit with promised TCM tuning coming in the near future.

In the end it's a personal choice. It's good to be able to choose while we still can!

The new autocal works like a handheld tuner. Hook it up to your truck and drive around to log some data and then download the file from the handheld to your computer. A quick e-mail to Justin and he will return your tuned files to load back on the autocal and then load them onto your truck. Done and Done. No more having to mail away your PCM and what's nice is that after adding mods you can repeat the process and he can update your tune to account for all changes.

I have read a lot about Justin and Blackbear and this is the way I'm going once I get the funds together.

flyin6 · November 12, 2010

Good info, thanks for sharing!

06MonteSS · November 13, 2010

Actually Diablo is one of the last few to not offer 6 speed tuning support. Superchips, hypertech and the almighty Black Bear Autocal offer remote 6 speed TCM tuning.

I have had a diablo predator (same tuning as the trinity), superchips cortex, and Black Bear Autocal. They are listed in order of least difference felt. I am very pleased with my Black Bear tune. I could hardly tell anything with the predator. Never tried a custom predator tune though. The superchips definately helped with performance but lacked finesse on the tcm tuning. The Black Bear tune is custom tailored to my exact expectations (GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE !!!). Best money you can spend on a GM these days. Engine is very responsive and crisp. Sounds way more healthy than stock form. Transmission shifts are quick and decisive yet smooth. Justin was very patient with my tweaks and the tune fits my driving style perfectly.

Not to steal your thread but alot of people are mis-informed on 6l80e tuning these days.

Really, I did not know that about the superchips programmer. Thanks for the correction, I stand, well, corrected!

Of what I know of the Black Bear tuning, you never hear of any disappointed people. However, comma, don't you have to send them your PCM? That process turned me off back in 08 when I talked to them about doing the same process.

Regarding the Diablo process, I would also agree that most of the Predator based tunes are hardly noticable. However, when you get with one of the off site tuners, and thye cook you up a tune, hang on! That's really where the change takes place.

First you install the Diablo tune. Next you pull a log of several critical factors and email that along with your factory tune and the installed tune. What you get back is the real tamale. Then you repeat the logging and emailing process and get back a dialed-in tune that gets the performance and better fuel economy also.

Another consideration is that with owning the Trinity, I have the ability to peer inside the PCM anytime I desire and make changes. THere is also significant growth with the unit with promised TCM tuning coming in the near future.

In the end it's a personal choice. It's good to be able to choose while we still can!

you are correct... a custom tune done for your diablo tool/vehicle, by a diablosport CMR custom tuner (such as myself), can make a WORLD of difference above and beyond the canned preset tunes...

I know when I do my custom tunes for people, they gain even quicker throttle response, faster acceleration, stronger/harder pull, and better mileage (if they can keep their foot out of it! haha)...

flyin6 · November 13, 2010

you are correct... a custom tune done for your diablo tool/vehicle, by a diablosport CMR custom tuner (such as myself), can make a WORLD of difference above and beyond the canned preset tunes...

I know when I do my custom tunes for people, they gain even quicker throttle response, faster acceleration, stronger/harder pull, and better mileage (if they can keep their foot out of it! haha)...

Lew,

It's Don, you are currently writing my tune!

Everyone,

Lew here is the guy who has tuned my last two vehicles. His tunes are as he says, so much better than the supplied tune from Diablo. Again, I see the Diablo system as a process. First you buy the tool and get a "starter" tune. From that point you contact "diablew" who amps up the tune and dials it in with a series of emails and you get very happy!

BTW, I just received the "headers" tune from Lew. WIll install it first of the week after the headers get bolted up.

06MonteSS · November 13, 2010

you are correct... a custom tune done for your diablo tool/vehicle, by a diablosport CMR custom tuner (such as myself), can make a WORLD of difference above and beyond the canned preset tunes...

I know when I do my custom tunes for people, they gain even quicker throttle response, faster acceleration, stronger/harder pull, and better mileage (if they can keep their foot out of it! haha)...

Lew,

It's Don, you are currently writing my tune!

Everyone,

Lew here is the guy who has tuned my last two vehicles. His tunes are as he says, so much better than the supplied tune from Diablo. Again, I see the Diablo system as a process. First you buy the tool and get a "starter" tune. From that point you contact "diablew" who amps up the tune and dials it in with a series of emails and you get very happy!

BTW, I just received the "headers" tune from Lew. WIll install it first of the week after the headers get bolted up.

Hey Don! yepper... lemme know how you like it... ;)

flyin6 · November 13, 2010

Roger that!

BTW, when I add a blower and possibly a supercharger-friendly cam, would you be able to handle that?

06MonteSS · November 13, 2010

Roger that!

BTW, when I add a blower and possibly a supercharger-friendly cam, would you be able to handle that?

mild cam yes...

supercharger, no - you'll want/need to get on a dyno to have the tune tweaked for that...

black07vmax · November 16, 2010

Did you add the LT Headers with your stock exhaust? I was asking about this a while ago for my 6.2.

How does it sound? Is it really loud when cruzing at highway speeds? Did it bolt up to your factory exhaust?

I am very picky about how my truck sounds and have heard that this is a great combo... AR headers and factory exhaust.

flyin6 · November 16, 2010

Did you add the LT Headers with your stock exhaust? I was asking about this a while ago for my 6.2.
How does it sound? Is it really loud when cruzing at highway speeds? Did it bolt up to your factory exhaust?

I am very picky about how my truck sounds and have heard that this is a great combo... AR headers and factory exhaust.

As of 0912 EST this morning the left and right tubes are bolted to the heads, but there are no spark plugs installed, it's not hooked up yet, and so forth. By COB today I should be able to answer some of those questions.

BTW, I plan to post a picture thread of the installation. Good news is that so far the things are nicely made, not too hard to install and weigh 16.4 pounds less than the restrictive stock stuff.