Jump to content

BlackBear or Diablo?

iCryWheniGoPoop

By iCryWheniGoPoop
in Engines & Drivetrain

Recommended Posts

iCryWheniGoPoop Enthusiast

iCryWheniGoPoop

Posted
Posted

I have been asked this a couple times now and see it come up every now and then and thought I would share the last PM I got because I think it would help several people faced with this same issue.

First things first... Black Bear is a Supporting Vendor and deserves all the recognition they get, due simply to their business practices and just plain being good people. I have never gotten 1 negative complaint due to their costumer service or tuning other than a couple impatient purchasers that ask me "what's wrong" before Justin is even finished tuning but this is my unbiased answer and current standing on my thoughts between the two at this time.

Here is how my last PM went this morning.



Anonymous GM-Trucks user said:
Hey, what are your unbiased thoughts on tunes for our 2014s? Ive had 3 Blackbear tunes in the past, loved them, but this is the first time Ive wanted to tune my daily driver and try not to void the factory warranty if at all possible. What is the difference between that Lew Tune and what Blackbear offers? I like how the Lew you can cancel it to take it in for service, but do you think that is really untraceable? Just looking for your thoughts......thanks



They are both respectable and I would say pretty equal in ability on past vehicles.

I do not know first hand that Diablo is untraceable but they sure push it. I have asked them a couple different times if they would be willing to stand behind that claim, both through email and calling them out in forums but have yet to get any type of response. Until somebody comes out and says that GM was unable to find/trace their tune and retained their warranty after a major hard part failure, I can't say for sure that their claim is true. I do know that Diablo has one or two ex GM engineers and don't doubt that if anybody is capable of such a claim, they would certainly have that edge to make it so. If this ends up being true, that is 10000 points for Diablo/Lew.

So... Let's put Santa Clause and the Easter Bunny aside for now and not base this on if they are real or not and go off of current facts...


Edit: I was just informed that the below statement is no longer true and Black Bear is now capable of tuning the TCM... This levels the playing field out tremendously.
Black Bear is not capable of tuning transmission settings at this time due to current limitations with the EFI Live software and that is a deal breaker.


I do not know how much Diablo can do with transmission settings and would be a good question for you to ask them. If they can adjust shift pressure, shift speed and adjust torque management settings to give it a sportier shift feel instead of the lumbering motorhome-ish shift patterns that it currently has, I would be Diablo all the way. The trans tune alone will be 90% of the gains you will notice most about your new tune.

Basically... If Diablo can give you a good trans feel, I would go Diablo wether their claims of tune traceability are fact or fiction.
Edit- now that black bear is capable of tuning the transmission... I would go with BlackBear if your are looking for a better more well rounded tune.

If both had the same capabilities right now, I would lean towards Justin just because I like how they do business.
Im a big Black Bear fan and wish EFI Live would step up their game so I could send people there way.
Edit- It looks like EFI Live finally stepped up and Black Bear is now capable of tuning the TCM as of April 11th, 2013

 

With the new information that Black Bear is now capable of tuning the TCM, I think that Black Bear will get you a better tune, but what if Diablo's tunes are actually untraceable? Quite the delima!


Just My .02
Steve

MikeNH Senior Enthusiast

MikeNH

Posted
Posted

Incorrect. BB announced on the 11th TCM tuning is now possible.

iCryWheniGoPoop Enthusiast

iCryWheniGoPoop

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well, then.. This is why I posted this, so that we can get all the information out on the table

14'SilveradoLT Enthusiast

14'SilveradoLT

Posted
Posted

Come on Diablo----- is it traceable with no CVN changes or not???? huh huh huh???

 

My tuner for the ecoboost is a long time user of diablo stuff, I'm pretty sure. If it 100% can't be traced I might shell out the coin very soon. If it is traceacle....I'll wait until the bugs and recalls appear to be done.

Chris Senior Enthusiast

Chris

Posted
Posted

Come on Diablo----- is it traceable with no CVN changes or not???? huh huh huh???

 

My tuner for the ecoboost is a long time user of diablo stuff, I'm pretty sure. If it 100% can't be traced I might shell out the coin very soon. If it is traceacle....I'll wait until the bugs and recalls appear to be done.

 

A dealer CAN NOT deny a recall on your vehicle even if it is tuned and the warranty is "SUPPOSEDLY" voided.

krzyd Enthusiast

krzyd

Posted
Posted

Got this last week FYI

 

"Hello Derek,

 

Thank you for contacting us about a tune.

 

For your truck we offer our in-person tune and our AutoCal tune option only due to the fact that the transmission computer is inside the transmission case.

 

Using the AutoCal, all tuning would be completed by email. You would collect data from the truck while driving around and would provide that along with your OEM tune files and a list of modifications and desired tune changes. We would then create your modified tune files and would send them back to you, by email, to be installed. The hardware is yours to keep and you would be able to use it to return the truck to stock as needed as well as receive and install tune updates when needed. Details and ordering can be found at http://www.blackbearperformance.com/autocal.asp

 

On the 2014 models, we can only tune the engine at this time. We are waiting for the transmission to be fully released before we can provide a tune for it. Once it is available, we will provide you with the transmission tune at no extra cost.

 

If you have any more questions, please let me know.

 

Jarrad

BlackBearPerformance.com

Like us on Facebook!"

 

 

Ordered Diablo inTune today, I'll let you know the results.

  • 1 year later...

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.5k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,978
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    rayredbone
    Newest Member
    rayredbone
    Joined

  • Who's Online   1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 528 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Grumpy Bear
      AFM Experience

      By Grumpy Bear · Posted

      Question @diyer2 on this line if you please. Are you saying the shudder is the system turning on and off at the frequency of the shudder? Guess I'm asking if you are saying you have seen it do this with the bi-direction scan tool in graph mode? If so have you been able to discern the 'trigger'. Something is telling to cycle rapidly.    My truck just started doing this recently. 197K on the clock. My response has been M5 anything under 55 mph. I treat it like a lugging stick shift. Gear down and let it spin a bit. Engauge M5, then tow mode and then M6 lets the trans stay in 5th but the AFM is active. Smooth like Skippy.    My thought was that as a machine ages the friction gets lower and as the system is load based, the lower friction would allow it to turn on at ever lower rpm until it reaches the lugging point. And yes I am ignorant of any minimum rpm requirement for the system. If you know that would be useful information.    As you know I run a Scan-Gauge II which allows me to watch the On/Off of the signal to the VLOM. While in the shudder mode I'm not seeing is cycle at that frequency or at all for that matter outside the triggers @newdude posted a few years back. Now is it possible that the refresh rate isn't fast enough to catch it? Maybe. It is why I asked my first question about graphing and trigging parameter.     As we have observed from members here the failure point is all over the map miles wise as you note yourself in your opening post. That by itself begs a few questions like fellows that comment on these lifters failing even after the system has been disabled. Long after. 😬   https://www.enginelabs.com/news/tech-tips-replacing-ls-active-fuel-management-lifters-with-melling/   The Gen5 lifters operate the same as the LS versions. In fact they are the same lifter.    https://www.enginelabs.com/tech-stories/sorting-out-gen-v-lt-lifter-failure-with-a-simple-valvetrain-fix/        
    • SwitchBladeSierra
      14-18 Sierra 1500 Heated Steering Wheel Help

      By SwitchBladeSierra · Posted

      UPDATE 2: Steering wheel control backlights and control of the cluster can supposedly be achieved by adding a wire to pin 20 of the cluster and tapping it to pin 2 of the main clock spring harness. I'm going to give it a shot - will update  
    • newdude
      Seems to be Missing a lot of Updates

      By newdude · Posted

      GM Global A pickups 2019-2022 can do OTA programming for the radio.  GM VIP (GM Global B) can do OTAs for almost every module on board.  So a 2022.5 and newer pickup can do OTAs for recalls like the 2.7 fuel flow recall.  EVs get OTAs that improve one pedal driving, radio issues, HVAC issues, updated battery management software, etc.     So age of the vehicle/what GM electrical platform its on will alter what amount of updates can be pushed on OTAs.  
    • Blade8971
      Upgrade to a 2026 AT4 with the 3.0L Duramax

      By Blade8971 · Posted

      Thank You.   So far my new ride is making me look like a genius for going with the 3.0L, as my first fuel refill occurred over three weeks from when I took delivery.  This engine combination is very amazing.  So far no issues and had not done a regen yet.
    • Chuck FB
      Correct way to service 2024 l8t allison trans?

      By Chuck FB · Posted

      I am curious as to how much fluid you put back in the transmission ( assuming you had replaced the filter to compare to my findings ) and then went through the process of warming up the trans before pulling the check plug to drain out the excess and if you measured how much came back out.    I just found it surprising that some claimed a certain amount less fluid being put in and then draining some back out. The attitude of the truck as per if the surface is level and how the trucks stance is would make quite a difference since the check plug is right at the front of the transmission. 

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...