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2014+ Engine & Transmission Tuning

pendragon

By pendragon
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iCryWheniGoPoop Enthusiast

iCryWheniGoPoop

Posted
Posted (edited)

I've been working with Lew on a custom diablo tune, just thought I would share my experience.

 

First off Lew (diablew, montess) has been great thru this entire process. My truck runs so much better and it feels like I have an entirely different tranny. As many of you are aware, I got fuct on a muffler install, but have since removed the third cat, installed a Magnaflow 14" muffler, all with three inch piping. IMO, she sounds fing awesome and with Lew's street tune, runs amazing!

 

I still have some wide open throttle data sessions to record and I should be good to go.

 

I was on the fence on what to do, hp tuners, blackbear, trifecta, diablew, etc... I'm pleased with who I picked.

 

For those who are considering a tune, Lew comes with my highest recommendation.

 

In time I'd like to give HP tuners software a try, I just wasn't ready to dedicate the time.

 

Mike

 

Lew get you dialed in yet? Post up your thoughts?

Edited by txab
remove duplicated text/quote
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CorvetteOJ
CorvetteOJ

I have received numerous PMs asking about my tune, so many in different threads, I don't believe I could find them all, so I thought I would just initiate a seperate thread to address it. This may be

tim s
tim s

I just had Black Bear tune done and wow my truck at full throttle shifts into 4th at 100 mph. Transmission shifts so much better. Throttle response is fantastic. Best tune I have ever had done.

iCryWheniGoPoop
iCryWheniGoPoop

Ok, there seems to be a little confusion and a lot of misinformation passed around the internet that WILL eventually bite one of us in the butt when they go in for a warranty after they get their truc

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mzodarg Senior Enthusiast

mzodarg

Posted
Posted

Lew get you dialed in yet? Post up your thoughts?

Yes- I'm dialed in and I'm loving it! The torque management along with the transmission shifting and overall drive-ability, it's as though I'm driving a different truck! He had to fatten up the tune after I removed the third cat and got my exhaust replaced ( I was running lean). Imagine that! The 14" Magnaflow with the three inch exhaust sounds amazing and NO drone whatsoever.

 

I'm averaging 17.5 miles per gallon (city) with DOD turned off and it keeps getting better.

 

In time, I would like to possibly try HP tuners. I've tuned ever Harley that I've built a motor for to include my current 2011 Street glide with a 117 CI motor it's putting down a 127HP with 131 Ft #s of torque so I understand the process just wasn't sure if I wanted to dedicate the time.

 

How's your tune process progressing?

 

Mike

jrpriest Enthusiast

jrpriest

Posted
Posted

I wanted as long as could stand it. But, I broke down an had my 2014 Denali with the 6.2L tuning this week. The things I hated most where the poor throttle response and the weak transmission shifts. You would tell the motor had power, but GM was keeping it bottled up.

 

I consider buying EFILive or HP tuner software and thought it best to use a professional. I live near Atlanta and was able to find a Pro in Cumming Georgia, Vengeance PCM. The owner Mike Carnahan is also the in house tuner. The work on just about anything GM. I talked to Mike about the issues I wanted modified. We took out his computer and using HP tuners software went to work. In about an hour he came into to waiting area and said let's go for a drive.

 

I was amazed at the tranformation. The throttle response was lighting fast and the transmission shifted like i was in a race car. We drove around for 30 to 40 minutes while Mike made some adjustment to my driving desires. The fact was the transmission shifted to hard for me. Mike reduced the transmission pressure and added a little delay to the shifts. It work prefect. I am kicking myself for waiting to long. Mike is a good guy. He even sent me a follow up email the day after to let me know that I could come back by any time to make adjustment after I had driven the truck a while.

 

I got to see a lot of interesting things at Mike's shop, a CTS make 1,000HP and his shop truck. A 2014 Silverado with a newly fitted turbo. It was wicked. Vet's where a around even a 2014. I can say enough about my visit, i was every happy. by the way the gas mileage improved a little. (19.2 mpg)

 

Cost for the custom tune was $350 which seem cheap based on the results. Mike's contact info is below:

 

Mike Carnahan

Vengeance PCM

241 Castleberry Ind. Drive

Cumming GA

[email protected]

 

Mike is quick to reply by email.

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B33tl3 Enthusiast

B33tl3

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the info about the shop in Cumming. I live in the same town. One of the Chevy dealers told me about someone buying a 2014 putting a nice lift on it then adding a turbo. I guess this is the same one.

gtstricky Enthusiast

gtstricky

Posted
Posted

Sorry for the newb question but I got my 2014 on Monday and even my wife commented on how slow the throttle response is. So my question is can a dealer tune it to be a bit more reposnsive? I know there are other options but if I can get my dealer to make some tweaks and not have any warrenty doubts I would appriciate that peace of mind.

mzodarg Senior Enthusiast

mzodarg

Posted
Posted

Sorry for the newb question but I got my 2014 on Monday and even my wife commented on how slow the throttle response is. So my question is can a dealer tune it to be a bit more reposnsive? I know there are other options but if I can get my dealer to make some tweaks and not have any warrenty doubts I would appriciate that peace of mind.

Nope, it is what it is. Unless you get her tuned...

  • Like 2
mzodarg Senior Enthusiast

mzodarg

Posted
Posted

One caveat to the above statement. It isn't what it was, once you get it tuned, Trust me!

 

Mike

iCryWheniGoPoop Enthusiast

iCryWheniGoPoop

Posted
Posted

One caveat to the above statement. It isn't what it was, once you get it tuned, Trust me!

 

Mike

And let me caveat by saying that the above is still an understatement. Just cleaning up the transmission shift patterns and smoothing the rough edges on the torque management a little makes it feel like 50hp easy, which in most cases it is 50hp due to the torque being held back by GM.

KARNUT Senior Enthusiast

KARNUT

Posted
Posted

Its all about feel anyway, the last car I remember I though felt fast stock was my 94 impala ss. It ran a 15 1/4 mile stock. It felt fast. The last car that I had that was fast from the factory was a trailblazer ss , it felt slow stock, till the tune went in. Then it felt fast. That's torque management for you.

Thaheavyone Enthusiast

Thaheavyone

Posted
Posted

I have a 5.3L crew cab and the only thing I've done so far is installed flowmaster dual exhausts. I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and I've been emailing back and forth with a nearby performance tuning shop. After explaining to him what I'd like to see from my truck, this is what he told me after some research on his end: "We can go 2 different routes, we can get a Diablo Sport InTune $325.00+S/H or a HPTuners VCM Suite package. We can split the cost of the VCM tuner for the HPTuners and also the cost of the dyno tuning. In return I get to keep the VCM Suite from HPTuners." My question to you guys, especially the ones who've already had their trucks tuned, which route would you suggest?

 

 

 

iCryWheniGoPoop Enthusiast

iCryWheniGoPoop

Posted
Posted

I have a 5.3L crew cab and the only thing I've done so far is installed flowmaster dual exhausts. I live in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and I've been emailing back and forth with a nearby performance tuning shop. After explaining to him what I'd like to see from my truck, this is what he told me after some research on his end: "We can go 2 different routes, we can get a Diablo Sport InTune $325.00+S/H or a HPTuners VCM Suite package. We can split the cost of the VCM tuner for the HPTuners and also the cost of the dyno tuning. In return I get to keep the VCM Suite from HPTuners." My question to you guys, especially the ones who've already had their trucks tuned, which route would you suggest?

My question is this, if this "tuner" doesn't even have software to tune, how does he earn the description of tuner? There is a huge learning curve with that Software, especially on this generation of ECM's

 

Let me just say this, if you own your own copy of HPtuners, I will get you pointed in the right direction at no charge or you can contact Lew with a custom Diablew Tune. As much as I like the quality of BlackBear, I would suggest that you wait until they have transmission tuning available before going that route.

 

Steve

Thaheavyone Enthusiast

Thaheavyone

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the response! I don't own anything. Everything I know about tuning is what I've learned from these forums and a few websites. I know the things I'd like to change, I'm just trying to find the best way of going about it. I saw everyone saying the best route was going to a pro shop so I googled to find one nearby and found Corr Performance Tuning. I emailed them and that's what the guy emailed back to me after a few previous emails back and forth.

 

 

 

iCryWheniGoPoop Enthusiast

iCryWheniGoPoop

Posted
Posted

Thanks for the response! I don't own anything. Everything I know about tuning is what I've learned from these forums and a few websites. I know the things I'd like to change, I'm just trying to find the best way of going about it. I saw everyone saying the best route was going to a pro shop so I googled to find one nearby and found Corr Performance Tuning. I emailed them and that's what the guy emailed back to me after a few previous emails back and forth.

It's possible that they may have efi live and can't tune your tranny yet so that why they are trying to get hptuners. Who knows they may be perfectly capable of giving you a great tune, I would just do my research.

Thaheavyone Enthusiast

Thaheavyone

Posted
Posted

Thank you! I will definitely do my research on the shop before I do anything. But in regards to his question, which option would you recommend? I was leaning towards the HPTuners to not only help myself & the shop, but also anyone who may go after me. I also thought I read on here that putting our trucks on the dyno wasn't a good idea. Heard anything about this?

 

 

 

mzodarg Senior Enthusiast

mzodarg

Posted
Posted

I was on the fence myself, I went with Lew from Diablew custom tuning couldn't be happier http://www.diablewtune.com/ He does road tuning specific with your vehicle, very responsive and a great guy to work with.

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