Black Bear Performance Tune

[TILTED1]

I am not familiar with the Black Bear tune or any performance tune for that matter. Those who have one, can you jot down a few reasons why you got the tune or why one would get a tune like this.

 

I have heard that the tune will recalibrate the speedometer for larger tires, will it also fix the Stabilitrak light from coming on when turning corners if you have a suspension lift?

 

Any information/details would be appreciated.

[fbachman]

I am not familiar with the Black Bear tune or any performance tune for that matter. Those who have one, can you jot down a few reasons why you got the tune or why one would get a tune like this.

 

I have heard that the tune will recalibrate the speedometer for larger tires, will it also fix the Stabilitrak light from coming on when turning corners if you have a suspension lift?

 

Any information/details would be appreciated.

 

Many reasons. Generally, you get advanced timing which = power, BUT also pushes you to run higher octane gasoline. Many, if not all, of the so-called engine nannies are/can be removed.

 

For example, out of the box, if you romp on your gas pedal, the pooter delays by a time-delay the time it takes for your engine control to revert from closed loop operation to power enrichment mode (PE). PE is the mode that runs open loop and, in a nut shell, delivers maximum power, i.e. an air fuel ratio of 12.6, or so, allowing your engine to produce max power at the ideal wide open throttle air fuel ratio. The consequence of this is even though you romp on it via user input (YOU), the computer makes the motor think your are at part power for a particular time delay. This, in turn ,makes your car sluggish off the line. Custom tunes can remove this feature, and make your full throttle input reach the engine when YOU command it, rather than when the computer PERMITS it. That's why it feel like your mashing a wet sponge sometimes when you hit the gas.

 

Another example: many vehicles run rich at PE by design (from the factory). For reasons I choose not to get into here, there are thermal advantages to doing this regarding robustness of the exhast system and CAT protection (everything runs a bit cooler when over-rich) at the expense of max power. Many tunes set this to an ideal AFR to avoid that, in turn, giving you more power.

 

Then there's the trannie and trans control pooter. Ever notice that your stock truck, when shifting, feels like it's sliding down a muddy slope? Those are the trans nannies that are trying to limit loads on the drivetrain during shifting. THIS can be manipulated thru a custom tune as well, and you can get customized/optomised and firmer shifting.

 

There are engine side nanies that affect shifting as well. In a stock configuration, there is a timing retard just before the trannie shifts, followed by a restore to "normal" timing after the shift. Take this away, and shifting improves as well. Custom tunes can do this for you.

 

There is a feature call torque braking protection. If you hold the brake, and floor it, the pooter detects this, and limits throttle opening, irregardless of what the accelerator input commands. This can be removed.

 

Basically, it reverts the powertrain to what it CAN do, versus what the manufacturer will ALLOW it to do.

 

The end effect is improved performance and drivability.

 

Some hand helds have Trannie support, some don't. Some tunes replace the ECM/TCM all together. Some handhelds provide the ability to over-ride the stock tune with an independent custom tune, some don't.

 

Many here swear by Blackbear. I don't have their tune in my truck, but local feedback leads me to believe that they are top-notch, and feedback of their tunes has been very positive.

 

Hope this sheds a little light.

 

EDIT: oh yeah, custom tunes allow you to manipulate tire size and speedo reading to give you a real reading when you go to bigger tires --- which seemed to be the initial question you asked. But, there is a LOT more to what it can do for you.

[TILTED1]

I am not familiar with the Black Bear tune or any performance tune for that matter. Those who have one, can you jot down a few reasons why you got the tune or why one would get a tune like this.

 

I have heard that the tune will recalibrate the speedometer for larger tires, will it also fix the Stabilitrak light from coming on when turning corners if you have a suspension lift?

 

Any information/details would be appreciated.

 

Many reasons. Generally, you get advanced timing which = power, BUT also pushes you to run higher octane gasoline. Many, if not all, of the so-called engine nannies are/can be removed.

 

For example, out of the box, if you romp on your gas pedal, the pooter delays by a time-delay the time it takes for your engine control to revert from closed loop operation to power enrichment mode (PE). PE is the mode that runs open loop and, in a nut shell, delivers maximum power, i.e. an air fuel ratio of 12.6, or so, allowing your engine to produce max power at the ideal wide open throttle air fuel ratio. The consequence of this is even though you romp on it via user input (YOU), the computer makes the motor think your are at part power for a particular time delay. This, in turn ,makes your car sluggish off the line. Custom tunes can remove this feature, and make your full throttle input reach the engine when YOU command it, rather than when the computer PERMITS it. That's why it feel like your mashing a wet sponge sometimes when you hit the gas.

 

Another example: many vehicles run rich at PE by design (from the factory). For reasons I choose not to get into here, there are thermal advantages to doing this regarding robustness of the exhast system and CAT protection (everything runs a bit cooler when over-rich) at the expense of max power. Many tunes set this to an ideal AFR to avoid that, in turn, giving you more power.

 

Then there's the trannie and trans control pooter. Ever notice that your stock truck, when shifting, feels like it's sliding down a muddy slope? Those are the trans nannies that are trying to limit loads on the drivetrain during shifting. THIS can be manipulated thru a custom tune as well, and you can get customized/optomised and firmer shifting.

 

There are engine side nanies that affect shifting as well. In a stock configuration, there is a timing retard just before the trannie shifts, followed by a restore to "normal" timing after the shift. Take this away, and shifting improves as well. Custom tunes can do this for you.

 

There is a feature call torque braking protection. If you hold the brake, and floor it, the pooter detects this, and limits throttle opening, irregardless of what the accelerator input commands. This can be removed.

 

Basically, it reverts the powertrain to what it CAN do, versus what the manufacturer will ALLOW it to do.

 

The end effect is improved performance and drivability.

 

Some hand helds have Trannie support, some don't. Some tunes replace the ECM/TCM all together. Some handhelds provide the ability to over-ride the stock tune with an independent custom tune, some don't.

 

Many here swear by Blackbear. I don't have their tune in my truck, but local feedback leads me to believe that they are top-notch, and feedback of their tunes has been very positive.

 

Hope this sheds a little light.

 

EDIT: oh yeah, custom tunes allow you to manipulate tire size and speedo reading to give you a real reading when you go to bigger tires --- which seemed to be the initial question you asked. But, there is a LOT more to what it can do for you.

 

 

 

This is interesting and does shed light on my question. Thanks for taking the time to explain in detail In am going to look into this further.

[MS3DALE]

Check out the comments from our tune meet we had a few weeks ago.....Black Bear Pittsburgh tune meet Everyone is very happy with the results!!

[fbachman]

I am not familiar with the Black Bear tune or any performance tune for that matter. Those who have one, can you jot down a few reasons why you got the tune or why one would get a tune like this.

 

I have heard that the tune will recalibrate the speedometer for larger tires, will it also fix the Stabilitrak light from coming on when turning corners if you have a suspension lift?

 

Any information/details would be appreciated.

 

Many reasons. Generally, you get advanced timing which = power, BUT also pushes you to run higher octane gasoline. Many, if not all, of the so-called engine nannies are/can be removed.

 

For example, out of the box, if you romp on your gas pedal, the pooter delays by a time-delay the time it takes for your engine control to revert from closed loop operation to power enrichment mode (PE). PE is the mode that runs open loop and, in a nut shell, delivers maximum power, i.e. an air fuel ratio of 12.6, or so, allowing your engine to produce max power at the ideal wide open throttle air fuel ratio. The consequence of this is even though you romp on it via user input (YOU), the computer makes the motor think your are at part power for a particular time delay. This, in turn ,makes your car sluggish off the line. Custom tunes can remove this feature, and make your full throttle input reach the engine when YOU command it, rather than when the computer PERMITS it. That's why it feel like your mashing a wet sponge sometimes when you hit the gas.

 

Another example: many vehicles run rich at PE by design (from the factory). For reasons I choose not to get into here, there are thermal advantages to doing this regarding robustness of the exhast system and CAT protection (everything runs a bit cooler when over-rich) at the expense of max power. Many tunes set this to an ideal AFR to avoid that, in turn, giving you more power.

 

Then there's the trannie and trans control pooter. Ever notice that your stock truck, when shifting, feels like it's sliding down a muddy slope? Those are the trans nannies that are trying to limit loads on the drivetrain during shifting. THIS can be manipulated thru a custom tune as well, and you can get customized/optomised and firmer shifting.

 

There are engine side nanies that affect shifting as well. In a stock configuration, there is a timing retard just before the trannie shifts, followed by a restore to "normal" timing after the shift. Take this away, and shifting improves as well. Custom tunes can do this for you.

 

There is a feature call torque braking protection. If you hold the brake, and floor it, the pooter detects this, and limits throttle opening, irregardless of what the accelerator input commands. This can be removed.

 

Basically, it reverts the powertrain to what it CAN do, versus what the manufacturer will ALLOW it to do.

 

The end effect is improved performance and drivability.

 

Some hand helds have Trannie support, some don't. Some tunes replace the ECM/TCM all together. Some handhelds provide the ability to over-ride the stock tune with an independent custom tune, some don't.

 

Many here swear by Blackbear. I don't have their tune in my truck, but local feedback leads me to believe that they are top-notch, and feedback of their tunes has been very positive.

 

Hope this sheds a little light.

 

EDIT: oh yeah, custom tunes allow you to manipulate tire size and speedo reading to give you a real reading when you go to bigger tires --- which seemed to be the initial question you asked. But, there is a LOT more to what it can do for you.

 

 

 

This is interesting and does shed light on my question. Thanks for taking the time to explain in detail In am going to look into this further.

 

 

you are welcome...

[alaska511]

Great reply, Frank!

 

TILTED, just do it

[TILTED1]

I have not had time to read up on all the Black Bear threads, but I found out that Justin my be in my area next month. I would really like to get the tune if he makes it out to Phoenix. But i really have no plans at this time to get a cat back or CAI, would the tune still be beneficial? Also will be getting new wheels, tires and lift at the end of summer. So what happens if i get the tune first and those mods after? will i have to get tuned again?

[svensk]

I have not had time to read up on all the Black Bear threads, but I found out that Justin my be in my area next month. I would really like to get the tune if he makes it out to Phoenix. But i really have no plans at this time to get a cat back or CAI, would the tune still be beneficial? Also will be getting new wheels, tires and lift at the end of summer. So what happens if i get the tune first and those mods after? will i have to get tuned again?

catbacks and CAI are minimal mods, the tune is the most performance gain on it's own. You can get those items later and the ECM will "learn" to benefit from those mods on it's own. A larger tire diameter does need to be re-tuned for if you get substantially larger tires, or your speedo will be off. That's something where you can send him your modules down the road and he can correct, or you can even purchase a spare set from him.

[66nova]

I have not had time to read up on all the Black Bear threads, but I found out that Justin my be in my area next month. I would really like to get the tune if he makes it out to Phoenix. But i really have no plans at this time to get a cat back or CAI, would the tune still be beneficial? Also will be getting new wheels, tires and lift at the end of summer. So what happens if i get the tune first and those mods after? will i have to get tuned again?

catbacks and CAI are minimal mods, the tune is the most performance gain on it's own. You can get those items later and the ECM will "learn" to benefit from those mods on it's own. A larger tire diameter does need to be re-tuned for if you get substantially larger tires, or your speedo will be off. That's something where you can send him your modules down the road and he can correct, or you can even purchase a spare set from him.

 

 

I don't think you even have to send him your modules (first anyway). He keeps all of our tunes saved, stock and after he is done. From what I understand you just have to email him and he can send you a new tuned module then you send your old one back to him.

 

Also, if you know what tire/wheel size you are changing to and are sure that you will be getting them soon, tell Justin and he can adjust for them in advance. Your speedo will be off until you get them, but big deal if you plan on buying the tires soon.

[brims]

I have not had time to read up on all the Black Bear threads, but I found out that Justin my be in my area next month. I would really like to get the tune if he makes it out to Phoenix. But i really have no plans at this time to get a cat back or CAI, would the tune still be beneficial? Also will be getting new wheels, tires and lift at the end of summer. So what happens if i get the tune first and those mods after? will i have to get tuned again?

catbacks and CAI are minimal mods, the tune is the most performance gain on it's own. You can get those items later and the ECM will "learn" to benefit from those mods on it's own. A larger tire diameter does need to be re-tuned for if you get substantially larger tires, or your speedo will be off. That's something where you can send him your modules down the road and he can correct, or you can even purchase a spare set from him.

 

 

I don't think you even have to send him your modules (first anyway). He keeps all of our tunes saved, stock and after he is done. From what I understand you just have to email him and he can send you a new tuned module then you send your old one back to him.

 

Also, if you know what tire/wheel size you are changing to and are sure that you will be getting them soon, tell Justin and he can adjust for them in advance. Your speedo will be off until you get them, but big deal if you plan on buying the tires soon.

 

 

Problem with that is that you need to redo the security relearn and get the crank sensor angle relearned.