Need Advise On Tune ?

[FredP]

Hi,

 

I'm new around here and need some advice on a custom tune. I have a 2010 Sierra: 5.3L, 4WD, 6-Speed Auto, Corsa Exhaust, single cab, short box. This is my daily driver and all I want to do is make it run & shift better. I'm not trying to build a racer. The truck runs OK as stock but upshift is too early and downshift is very sluggish. What kind of tune is best, and will I see any residual problems ? I've checked w/2 local outfits and both say they can do the following: tune for 93 octane, firm up shift points, and shut off the V4 option which is useless and annoying. Any issues w/check engine light and emissions testing for State inspection ? Both places offer a dyno tune.

 

Thanks Fred

[Stevens03]

Sounds like your on the right track with what you want. I just had Blackbear tune my truck and I'm very pleased with it so far. You won't have any issues with emissions or check engine lights either. If you tune for 93, you'll get the most power out of it so if thats what your looking for, then I'd stick with that. You'll find you can still run 89 if you like too after the tune, but there'll be noticeable throttle response difference and maybe some ping if you tow. Otherwise fine. (Some do it more than others)

 

You'll REALLY like how the truck runs after the tune. And welcome!

[temmert1]

Hi,

 

I'm new around here and need some advice on a custom tune. I have a 2010 Sierra: 5.3L, 4WD, 6-Speed Auto, Corsa Exhaust, single cab, short box. This is my daily driver and all I want to do is make it run & shift better. I'm not trying to build a racer. The truck runs OK as stock but upshift is too early and downshift is very sluggish. What kind of tune is best, and will I see any residual problems ? I've checked w/2 local outfits and both say they can do the following: tune for 93 octane, firm up shift points, and shut off the V4 option which is useless and annoying. Any issues w/check engine light and emissions testing for State inspection ? Both places offer a dyno tune.

 

Thanks Fred

 

I agree with Steven, I also had my truck tuned this weekend by Blackbear performance. It is absolutely night and day difference.....Transmission shift 100% better, excellent throttle response. Very pleased. Justin is a great guy he will not do you wrong........

[mhenshaw]

If you go with a local custom tuner see if they can get you the autocal, otherwise you have no way to return your truck back to stock. The 6 speeds have the trans computer in them so you need a programmer of some sort to return to stock for dealer visits.

 

Blackbear is the Best and the autocal is great if you want to keep your 100k powertrain warrenty.

[Carder09]

BlackBear, end-o-story.............

[FredP]

Thanks very much for all the feedback, but now I have another question:

 

I have a choice of two shops to use, both are saying that they'll use HP Tuners, neither lists Black Bear. I checked out the Black Bear WEB site and I have to be honest I don't understand the process. Is HP the same principle or something altogether different ??

 

F

[music]

Black Bear is a company, and the tuner is Justin. Justin uses EFI Live software and hardware for tuning. HPTuners is a different company/package, and is not compatible with the Autocal hardware.

 

Edit: I haven't used either, so I can't offer an opinion between the two.

[Stevens03]

As mentioned, Autocal would be a great tool if you want to return to stock for dealer visits. But personally, I'd probably go with the local guy because your doing a dyno tune and testing the results right there. Otherwise, you can do something similar with the autocal handheld by doing data logging, then having Justin write the tune accordingly then uploading it to your truck. The process would be a little longer, but the end result would be similar.

 

I'm sure both will get you similar results. I'd ask the local guy if they save your stock tuning and if that could be re-uploaded if you needed a dealer trip? I know Justin saves all stock tunes.

[FredP]

Black Bear is a company, and the tuner is Justin. Justin uses EFI Live software and hardware for tuning. HPTuners is a different company/package, and is not compatible with the Autocal hardware.

 

Edit: I haven't used either, so I can't offer an opinion between the two.

 

 

Thanks very much. I'll give them a call and try to find a location.

 

F

[Stevens03]

He lives in CA.

[FredP]

He lives in CA.

 

 

Thanks very much for the info. I'm in mid-VA so I guess a road trip to the coast is out. I'll continue to do research on all this, but I'll probably go with the local Dyno & the HP tune. The one I'm leaning towards is an outfit called Horsepower Solutions in Hampton. He did say that he could reload the factory tune at any time. Also, I forgot to mention that I talked all this over w/my dealership GMC service advisor. He didn't have too much heartburn with a custom tune, although his main concern was check engine lights and other side effects.

 

Thanks again,

Fred

[travishale84]

im confused by BB's website as well. do you have to send your computer to them? or do they have a hand held tune?

[Jennabear]

We offer both remote tuning, via cable or AutoCal.

 

As far as dyno tuning, it will all depend on the dyno (load bearing is best when used for tuning applications) and your tuner. If it is not a load bearing dyno, and you are only paying for pulls without any street driving. I would walk away. We used to live in VA, pretty sure there is no shop that has a load bearing dyno.

 

We are actually planning on being back in NOVA for tuning in June if you are interested in going that route.

[RyanbabZ71]

We offer both remote tuning, via cable or AutoCal.

 

As far as dyno tuning, it will all depend on the dyno (load bearing is best when used for tuning applications) and your tuner. If it is not a load bearing dyno, and you are only paying for pulls without any street driving. I would walk away. We used to live in VA, pretty sure there is no shop that has a load bearing dyno.

 

We are actually planning on being back in NOVA for tuning in June if you are interested in going that route.

 

Fred if I was you I would wait until June and go with the in-person tune with Blackbear (Justin). He knows his stuff with these trucks inside and out. It is well worth the few month wait. Buy the autocal and you can put it back to stock and if you ever need an update (for example you change tire size) he can update the tune and email it to you for you to install.

[FredP]

We offer both remote tuning, via cable or AutoCal.

 

As far as dyno tuning, it will all depend on the dyno (load bearing is best when used for tuning applications) and your tuner. If it is not a load bearing dyno, and you are only paying for pulls without any street driving. I would walk away. We used to live in VA, pretty sure there is no shop that has a load bearing dyno.

 

We are actually planning on being back in NOVA for tuning in June if you are interested in going that route.

 

Fred if I was you I would wait until June and go with the in-person tune with Blackbear (Justin). He knows his stuff with these trucks inside and out. It is well worth the few month wait. Buy the autocal and you can put it back to stock and if you ever need an update (for example you change tire size) he can update the tune and email it to you for you to install.

 

 

 

Thanks, I'll give them a call and see what's up & the location in NO/VA. Good feedback and some very solid advice here. Thanks very much to all.

 

F