Tuners

GCADDELL3 · July 2, 2008

I apologize up front as I am sure this topic has been discussed, but I cannot locate anything. I would appreciate any first hand experiences with custom tunes or hand held tuners and would like to hear about gains achieved and options available. I have an 07 Sierra 4X4 VortecMAX, so that model specifically would be the most help. The "4 second delay" sucks.

svensk · July 2, 2008

Here is the only link you will need regarding this

Justin at blackbear performance

VMax2007 · July 2, 2008

Easy one!!!

#1 Handhelds SUCK!!! Been there, done that.

#2 Call Justin at Blackbear www.blackbearperformance.com He is also a member of this site: ".justin." I have a Nelson Performance tune and it's a good tune, but his customer service after the sale is lacking. Heard the same about Wheatley as well. I have spoke with Justin several times and not only is he a GREAT tuner (he is a EFI Live instructor), his customer service is top-notch.

Whatever you do, do NOT consider Jesse at Wait4Me, regardless of what Omegafiler says. He will be posting in Jesse's defense shortly. Jesse is a hack and his tunes are about as good as a handheld tuner's.

GCADDELL3 · July 2, 2008

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate your input/suggestiond.

Can you really feel the difference?

I emailed Wheatley about 5-6 days ago now and no reply????

VMax2007 · July 2, 2008

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate your input/suggestiond.

Can you really feel the difference?

I emailed Wheatley about 5-6 days ago now and no reply????

It's like a completely different truck. By FAR the best mod and best spent money yet.

100% TM removed as well as all the e-nannies.

Simply no comparison.

I suggest keeping your stock ECM/TCM and getting a 2nd set for tuning. That way you can go back to stock and cover any and all of your "tracks". They run about $250-$300 for the set. The Tune from Justin is $200.

Call Justin and talk to him. He will answer any and all questions you have and give you the best advice of anyone. Also, ask him about the EFI Live handheld that is coming out. If you get that, he can e-mail tunes to you and you can e-mail log files to him. It will also do Crank Relearns too.

GCADDELL3 · July 2, 2008

Easy one!!!

#1 Handhelds SUCK!!! Been there, done that.

#2 Call Justin at Blackbear www.blackbearperformance.com He is also a member of this site: ".justin." I have a Nelson Performance tune and it's a good tune, but his customer service after the sale is lacking. Heard the same about Wheatley as well. I have spoke with Justin several times and not only is he a GREAT tuner (he is a EFI Live instructor), his customer service is top-notch.

Whatever you do, do NOT consider Jesse at Wait4Me, regardless of what Omegafiler says. He will be posting in Jesse's defense shortly. Jesse is a hack and his tunes are about as good as a handheld tuner's.

Of course if I get a BlackBear, I'd be "copying" you again.

You're not going to hold that against me are ya?

GCADDELL3 · July 2, 2008

Thanks a lot guys, I really appreciate your input/suggestiond.

Can you really feel the difference?

I emailed Wheatley about 5-6 days ago now and no reply????

It's like a completely different truck. By FAR the best mod and best spent money yet.

100% TM removed as well as all the e-nannies.

Simply no comparison.

Thanks again Jeff

VMax2007 · July 2, 2008

Of course if I get a BlackBear, I'd be "copying" you again.

You're not going to hold that against me are ya?

Not really, I don't have a Blackbear tune....yet. I have a Nelson tune. But when the EFI Live handheld becomes available, I will likely be switching.

GCADDELL3 · July 2, 2008

Of course if I get a BlackBear, I'd be "copying" you again.

You're not going to hold that against me are ya?

Not really, I don't have a Blackbear tune....yet. I have a Nelson tune. But when the EFI Live handheld becomes available, I will likely be switching.

OK, here is the dumb question of the year. How can you recommend Blackbear and comment of the difference felt when you don't have one? No disrespect. Just speaking overall for "custom tunes"?

VMax2007 · July 2, 2008

Of course if I get a BlackBear, I'd be "copying" you again.

You're not going to hold that against me are ya?

Not really, I don't have a Blackbear tune....yet. I have a Nelson tune. But when the EFI Live handheld becomes available, I will likely be switching.

OK, here is the dumb question of the year. How can you recommend Blackbear and comment of the difference felt when you don't have one? No disrespect. Just speaking overall for "custom tunes"?

Yep, custom tunes are all similar, depending on what you ask for.

Most tuners use either HP Tuners or EFI Live software.

omegafiler · July 2, 2008

Of course if I get a BlackBear, I'd be "copying" you again.

You're not going to hold that against me are ya?

Not really, I don't have a Blackbear tune....yet. I have a Nelson tune. But when the EFI Live handheld becomes available, I will likely be switching.

OK, here is the dumb question of the year. How can you recommend Blackbear and comment of the difference felt when you don't have one? No disrespect. Just speaking overall for "custom tunes"?

You know, the guy has a point. And I think I like the new and improved VMax07 much better than our old Vmax2007.

Man, I really was going to ignore this post until somebody threw in the "Jesse the hack" comment again.

Sorry New Vmax, you'll have to excuse some of the comments from our "less informed" and "short sighted" users on the site. First, ignore Jeff (Jesse is not a hack). Second, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a handheld. You may just not get all of the maximum performance and driveability improvements that you do with a "custom tune." And last, you can go with just about any reputable custom tuner (see link) out there and you'll most likely be very happy.

I do suggest doing a search for Custom Tunes though, you'll find tons of info already on the forum. But here is a good one to get ya started. It already has a list of all of those custom tuners I mentioned earlier.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...ic=74556&hl

EDIT: I also suggest calling the custom tuners if you want a fast response. These folks can normally do whatever you want to the tune, including removing that 4 second delay - although that is a fairly standard "feature" they tune out for ya by default.

black00chev · July 2, 2008

Best thing to do (if you can) is to get a live tune from him.

If your like me, you live close enough to meet up and will get it done someday and stop just talking about getting it done lol.

VMax2007 · July 2, 2008

Told ya Greg!! Right on cue!!!

Oh really? Do handhelds remove TM or the other E-Nannies (such as the 4 sec delay)? Edge doesn't. Diablo Predator does partially, but as of yet does not tune the TCM in the NBS trucks.

Jesse also refuses to remove TM (so I have heard from several unhappy customers) on the NBS trucks. His tunes are known to be "cookie cutter" tunes. Justin will have you log your truck and send him the log file for a truly custom tune. Using HIS equipment.

Greg, do your research, on here and other forums and you will see what I mean about his reputation as compared to Justin's. Also, I have talked to Jesse, he has the people skills of a rock.

GCADDELL3 · July 2, 2008

Of course if I get a BlackBear, I'd be "copying" you again.

You're not going to hold that against me are ya?

Not really, I don't have a Blackbear tune....yet. I have a Nelson tune. But when the EFI Live handheld becomes available, I will likely be switching.

OK, here is the dumb question of the year. How can you recommend Blackbear and comment of the difference felt when you don't have one? No disrespect. Just speaking overall for "custom tunes"?

You know, the guy has a point. And I think I like the new and improved VMax07 much better than our old Vmax2007.

Man, I really was going to ignore this post until somebody threw in the "Jesse the hack" comment again.

Sorry New Vmax, you'll have to excuse some of the comments from our "less informed" and "short sighted" users on the site. First, ignore Jeff (Jesse is not a hack). Second, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a handheld. You may just not get all of the maximum performance and driveability improvements that you do with a "custom tune." And last, you can go with just about any reputable custom tuner (see link) out there and you'll most likely be very happy.

I do suggest doing a search for Custom Tunes though, you'll find tons of info already on the forum. But here is a good one to get ya started. It already has a list of all of those custom tuners I mentioned earlier.

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/index.php?...ic=74556&hl

EDIT: I also suggest calling the custom tuners if you want a fast response. These folks can normally do whatever you want to the tune, including removing that 4 second delay - although that is a fairly standard "feature" they tune out for ya by default.

Thanks for the link, I'll check it out right now. I appreciate your input as well. I certainly don't want to start any trouble, just trying to get information and not disrepect anyone. Thanks again

GCADDELL3 · July 2, 2008

Best thing to do (if you can) is to get a live tune from him.

If your like me, you live close enough to meet up and will get it done someday and stop just talking about getting it done lol.

Good suggestion. I live in Ohio and will be on vaca for two weeks soon. Maybe I'll take a stroll south???