Got a trans tuning question for those rocking black bear.

BlackHawkZ71 · March 10, 2017

Well i know i am going blackbear tuning when probably when they do a event down in Texas. Unless something comes up and i cant buy it.

But those that have it did you spend extra money and get the V2 or just auto cal?

Also on trans tuning can they set it up to where M acts more like a manual then auto for example my cuz 16 f150 6speed his will start off in 3rd when chosen from a stop, and wont go any higher. and wont downshift when going wot. Miss that feature on my 14 cruze.

bgweed · March 10, 2017

I asked during my in person tune. The V2 is more for someone doing the tuning on many vehicles than an owner.

I don't believe they can set up M more like this, but maybe someone else knows for sure. It would be neat.

BlackHawkZ71 · March 11, 2017

Thank you, hopefully the auto cal will act like my intune where it would allow me to make tweaks to the tune. Probably dont need to tweak it but never know. Talking about shift points, afm, and trans pressure

I would think the trans should be capable of doing that. It is a very nice feature. I would even pay extra for that option:)

slee3247 · March 11, 2017

I went with the autocal. Trans tuning is fantastic. If you choose to use manual mode it'll be full manual (for the most part). It will hold gears on upshifts, but will downshift for you if RPM gets too low.

If you choose to leave it in 1 or 2 it will sit at 6000 rpm in that gear till you decide to shift. If you go WOT it WILL downshift on its own.

JLaw297 · March 11, 2017

In my experience the autocal does not let you make adjustments to the tune such as throttle sensitivity and changing the shift points like the Diablo inTune device does. The autocal is used as a scan and flash device for the tuner. You will be able to take data logs while driving, view live data, read check engine codes and read out your stock tune and those will need to be sent to Black bear so they can tune it. Any modifications and adjustments after initial tune will need to be made by Justin himself if you are not happy with a certain part of the tune per your request.

Coming from the Duramax community and speaking via experience from that, I just got a 6.2 and plan to have Justin tune it since I already have an autocal

slee3247 · March 12, 2017

Thank you, hopefully the auto cal will act like my intune where it would allow me to make tweaks to the tune. Probably dont need to tweak it but never know. Talking about shift points, afm, and trans pressure

I would think the trans should be capable of doing that. It is a very nice feature. I would even pay extra for that option:)

The autocal does not have this feature. It is simply an interface between Black Bear (using EFI Live) and your vehicle. It does, however, have very small diagnostic ability as a code reader. It is also a data logging device which is how BB can tweak certain aspects of your tune if need be. There is no adjusting shift points, enabling/disabling AFM, or adjusting line pressure with the handheld device. However, these are all things BB can adjust and send to you in a downloadable tune file.

I personally can't say enough good things about the tune that comes from BBP. The lackluster TCM tuning from General Motors has been vastly improved upon, as has overall drivability. I cannot speak for power, but all I know is that when I need it, it's there. The truck also has a much easier time staying in sixth gear with the converter locked on the highway while traversing relatively steep grades.

The one thing I can recommend is using a good fuel, and finishing any other performance modifications you have planned before you send your log files over to Justin, as it will greatly reduce the need to retune after the initial setup. The same goes for the in-person route.

Any other questions, feel free to send me a DM.

-Shaun

In my experience the autocal does not let you make adjustments to the tune such as throttle sensitivity and changing the shift points like the Diablo inTune device does. The autocal is used as a scan and flash device for the tuner. You will be able to take data logs while driving, view live data, read check engine codes and read out your stock tune and those will need to be sent to Black bear so they can tune it. Any modifications and adjustments after initial tune will need to be made by Justin himself if you are not happy with a certain part of the tune per your request.

Coming from the Duramax community and speaking via experience from that, I just got a 6.2 and plan to have Justin tune it since I already have an autocal

You are correct in saying that the autocal will not let the end user make customizations. Every small change in the tune is modified by BB and conveyed via EFI Live files. The crew over at BB doesn't like to mess with throttle sensitivity unless requested, as it is a perceived performance benefit and not an actual performance benefit. They can, however, set your transmission up to shift as it should, and will help you along every step of your collective tuning journey.

BlackHawkZ71 · March 12, 2017

The autocal does not have this feature. It is simply an interface between Black Bear (using EFI Live) and your vehicle. It does, however, have very small diagnostic ability as a code reader. It is also a data logging device which is how BB can tweak certain aspects of your tune if need be. There is no adjusting shift points, enabling/disabling AFM, or adjusting line pressure with the handheld device. However, these are all things BB can adjust and send to you in a downloadable tune file.

I personally can't say enough good things about the tune that comes from BBP. The lackluster TCM tuning from General Motors has been vastly improved upon, as has overall drivability. I cannot speak for power, but all I know is that when I need it, it's there. The truck also has a much easier time staying in sixth gear with the converter locked on the highway while traversing relatively steep grades.

The one thing I can recommend is using a good fuel, and finishing any other performance modifications you have planned before you send your log files over to Justin, as it will greatly reduce the need to retune after the initial setup. The same goes for the in-person route.

Any other questions, feel free to send me a DM.

-Shaun

You are correct in saying that the autocal will not let the end user make customizations. Every small change in the tune is modified by BB and conveyed via EFI Live files. The crew over at BB doesn't like to mess with throttle sensitivity unless requested, as it is a perceived performance benefit and not an actual performance benefit. They can, however, set your transmission up to shift as it should, and will help you along every step of your collective tuning journey.

Ya I don't think I should need to adjust it but i have always done that in my ram. Depending on how i felt. But gonna add a cai hopefully before tune.

slee3247 · March 12, 2017

Ya I don't think I should need to adjust it but i have always done that in my ram. Depending on how i felt. But gonna add a cai hopefully before tune.

In BBs independent intake test and by personal preference, I will highly recommend the AFE momentum sealed intake. It's a high quality piece that gives off a very throaty growl under moderate to heavy acceleration. It also happened to be the only intake that produced zero knock retard with higher octane fuels. I can promise you won't be let down by the quality of their tuning.

BlackHawkZ71 · March 17, 2017

well got an email back from blackbear and the manual mode i want isnt possible due to

1.cant be altered

2. the buttons arnt setup the same way like the cruze and gm performance cars.

makes me wonder if a valve body swap can make it do what i want? i think i seen something like that on monster transmissions?

slee3247 · March 18, 2017

well got an email back from blackbear and the manual mode i want isnt possible due to

1.cant be altered

2. the buttons arnt setup the same way like the cruze and gm performance cars.

makes me wonder if a valve body swap can make it do what i want? i think i seen something like that on monster transmissions?

I don't want to sound like an idiot, but this is an awful lot of effort to get a relatively needless feature. The transmissions in these trucks are actually good once they're tuned. Not sure why you'd want it to hold a gear forever? My truck shifts better in every situation, and any amount of throttle, when it's just left in drive. The only time M ever gets used is for large hills or burnouts.....

BlackHawkZ71 · March 18, 2017

I don't want to sound like an idiot, but this is an awful lot of effort to get a relatively needless feature. The transmissions in these trucks are actually good once they're tuned. Not sure why you'd want it to hold a gear forever? My truck shifts better in every situation, and any amount of throttle, when it's just left in drive. The only time M ever gets used is for large hills or burnouts.....

I agree but I loved the ability to have a complete manual without a clutch and regular auto function when i had to have my extra hand available. I got addicted to this feature when i had my 14 cruze LS it was nice until I bumped it in neutral on a major highway from taking off in first haha