2014+ Engine & Transmission Tuning

[ic3man5]

To Hauz_Z71, I agree with Kerrslight's comments. A tune on an otherwise stock truck will give you a bump in performance, shifting and possibly a slight increase in fuel economy. It is hard to explain, but you will enjoy your truck a lot more. It will act like you just took 1000 lbs out of the bed and then drove it. I personally feel like GM is handcuffed by the EPA and government regulations. A tune will give your truck the ability to perform like the engineers intended. The difference is impressive. BUT, you have to ask yourself if you are prepared to forfeit your factory warranty on the engine and drivetrain for the benefits of a tune?

 

So far, I have been fortunate. Have tuned my last two Corvettes, a 2002 and a 2010 and a 2008 Sierra Denali 6.2L. All had headers installed with the tune. Not one of them had any engine or transmission problems related to the tune. The 2008 Sierra did need to have the transmission partially rebuilt and GM covered it under warranty at 35,000 miles. It had a factory defect in a weld on the 2-3 clutch basket that had nothing to do with the tune. I told the dealer it was tuned and they still covered it because it was clear there was a defect in the weld from day one. All were tuned by Chuck Mosello (Chuck CoW) from Corvettes of Westchester. Nothing against, BlackBear. They have an excellent reputation. If not for previous experience with Chuck, I would go with BlackBear. Both use EFI Live and an AutoCal. The AutoCal allows you to connect to your vehicle and send scans to your tuner via your PC or laptop. Then your tuner reads and analyzes your scans and sends you a tune via email for you to put in your vehicle. It is a custom tune specific to your vehicle, the gas in your region and how your vehicle is used. Good luck with your decision!

 

I agree with all of this, only limitation I've seen from the EFI Live is it can't do torque management reduction out of the TCM, its either all on or all off. Blackbear makes the shift "firmer" by reducing how much timing is pulled from the engine on shift. Removing 1000lbs from the truck is generally how I describe it to people also.

[No Tyme]

To Hauz_Z71, I agree with Kerrslight's comments. A tune on an otherwise stock truck will give you a bump in performance, shifting and possibly a slight increase in fuel economy. It is hard to explain, but you will enjoy your truck a lot more. It will act like you just took 1000 lbs out of the bed and then drove it. I personally feel like GM is handcuffed by the EPA and government regulations. A tune will give your truck the ability to perform like the engineers intended. The difference is impressive. BUT, you have to ask yourself if you are prepared to forfeit your factory warranty on the engine and drivetrain for the benefits of a tune?

I must agree totally: If you are in doubt just look at the Harley-Davidson motorcycle. All 3 of them that I have owned were so plugged up to conform to EPA emissions from the Feds: all that needed to be done is open them up and allow them to breath...

Just about everyone I knew and road with did at least a stage 1 which consisted of less restricted mufflers and opening up the air ways...

I even devised some rubber hoses to spit the oil out on the road instead of back into the motor...They all ran much better with a little aftermarket toys... and sounded better too.

[foo.c]

I just finished reading 49 pages of this.

 

Not to beat a dead horse, but about this CVN thing ...

 

If you know which algorithm that GM is using to compute the checksum of the file, then it's definitely possible to construct an image that will compute to the same checksum. So if all GM is doing is comparing the checksum of the old and new image, then I can believe that you can flash the ECM without it being detectable.

 

They would need to use a signature algorithm like MD5 to really catch this, or even better (from a security viewpoint) signed binaries.

[Jay P]

They can also read measured torque values in the TCM. Not a big deal unless you add a turbo/super charger on a gas engine. This and the CVN are how they reject warrantee claims on the Duramax.

 

Jay

[scott19677]

I just finished reading 49 pages of this.

 

Not to beat a dead horse, but about this CVN thing ...

 

If you know which algorithm that GM is using to compute the checksum of the file, then it's definitely possible to construct an image that will compute to the same checksum. So if all GM is doing is comparing the checksum of the old and new image, then I can believe that you can flash the ECM without it being detectable.

 

They would need to use a signature algorithm like MD5 to really catch this, or even better (from a security viewpoint) signed binaries.

 

 

IDK about that, but do you think you could tell how to get my VCR to stop blinking 12:00?

[foo.c]

 

 

IDK about that, but do you think you could tell how to get my VCR to stop blinking 12:00?

 

 

Unplug it.

[sensinitas]

 

 

IDK about that, but do you think you could tell how to get my VCR to stop blinking 12:00?

LOL

[No Tyme]

 

 

IDK about that, but do you think you could tell how to get my VCR to stop blinking 12:00?

Yes, I can. Cut all wires restricting it from removal from home, place in a safe area outside the house: grab a 12 gauge and commence firing...

[Haus_Z71]

LOL... Awaiting the tune from BB! After I got the tune files and log file sent in at separate times, geez im not used to this stuff but cant wait.

RT

Just went through this process myself. I have to say I'm impressed by how easy it was to install the software, update the firmware on the Autocal tool, and record and upload the necessary files. Now I get to wait and see how the first time feels and what this whole hype is about. Can't wait!

[2020Highcounrty]

The info that the OP is providing is consistent with all that I've read re: the new GM Global A platform, which the new trucks use. GM probably won't request a CVN for non-hard-part failures, but a failed transmission or motor will certainly go that way.

 

I'm curious as to how these new trucks are driving on the stock tuning. I tuned mine myself (EFI), and can't imagine going back to OEM. The 6-spd being tuned for mileage seems to be frustrating for some, and I'm guessing that I'd probably be one of them.

[2020Highcounrty]

I had my transmission got out at 4,500 miles and I had a Diablo canned tune on it and the dealer never said one word about it @11,000 miles I had a lifter fail and they never said one word about it, nothing! Needless to say I was worried to death about it.

[2020Highcounrty]

And I left the truck tuned when it went to the shop both times and I would've returned it to stock but it's kinda hard when it's on a tow truck and your tuner is at home in your underwear drawer so if any of y'all are worried about tunning your truck I would like to think that it would be okay I have since traded that truck in on a new Sierra 4x4 and have already tuned it with no regrets or worries what so ever

[Haus_Z71]

Earlier today I applied my new tune from Blackbear. I downloaded the new files, and flashed them to my engine and tranny.

 

I know I'm speaking from only one day of driving with the new tune, but it is absolutely a night and day difference to me. The throttle, transmission, and engine respond perfectly now. I couldn't get enough driving in today. If it wasn't -5f I probably would still be out driving around now.

 

The throttle lag, shifting delay and clunkiness, and stumble and shutter when accelerating, were all the main reasons why I couldn't quite enjoy my $39k rig. These issues were all fixed by the Blackbear tune.

 

Best money I've spent modifying any vehicle. Big thanks to Blackbear and all the forum members here who shared their experience with the new tune.

Edited January 16, 2016 by Haus_Z71

[sensinitas]

^thats great to hear. I've put 2k miles on mine and starting to find some quirks that really bug me. Hoping a tune fixes all this. Sounds like it will.

[shockedimpy]

How much is the BB tune vs. Diablo tune? I went on BB.com and it was for $900?? Seems very high for a computer tune. Is it something thats plug and play? Or does it take a long time to set up the tune myself?