Getting a blackbear tune!

[created2destroy]

Well I decided that I want to get a tune. I have a few small questions, and I am looking for suggestions. Here is what I have so far:

Gear Ratio: 3.73

Tire Size:265/75/16

Modifications:dual exhaust,k&n drop in filter and cut out side of box(will soon have airraid tube), I think the previous owner had the tranny rebuilt and added a shift kit.

Primary Octane:91

Desired Speed Limiter:none

Desired WOT 1-2 Shift Point:Whatever is best

Desired WOT 2-3 Shift Point:" "

Desired WOT 3-4 Shift Point:" "

Replace Tow Haul Mode with Aggressive shifting (similar shift pattern to normal mode, but more aggressive downshift and upshift patterns as well as slightly firmer shift) ? I would like to keep it the same with quicker shifting and a slightly firmer shift

Desired Torque Management Reduction on 1-2 shift:80

Desired Torque Management Reduction on 2-3 shift:80

Current Thermostat temperature (if not stock):Currently stock, soon to be 180

Do you have any other special requests or problem areas that you'd like addressed?
I would like to shorten up the shift times, and also I would like it to go into open loop sooner at WOT(maybe 2sec?) Also I would like the abuse mode totally turned off.






I was wondering if using 91 octane will make a difference with either gas mileage or power. Also will it hurt anything to have it tuned for a 180 degree thermostat if I haven't installed it yet? Does anyone have suggestions?

[Maverick2003]

Having it tuned for 91 octane will give you a bit more power, I am not sure on the fuel mileage. I had Justin tune mine for 93 octane and love the results. As for your thermostat I would imagine it would make a difference in power and fuel economy until you install the 180 degree t-stat.

In my opinion you should purchase the option were you get free re-tunes, have it tuned correctly for the stock t-stat, and than get a re-tune when you install the 180 degree t-stat.

I would check with Justin but I would remove 100% of TM for 2nd-3rd shift and if you truly have a shift kit than I would remove 100% for 1st and second also.

[Tweaks]

Looks good to me. I had Justin address the issue of OD kicking in around 35 mph on mine. He was able to raise it up to around 40 and it has really helped keep the rpms out of the cellar for the times when I forget to throw the trans into 3 when I'm doing speeds of 50 or less.

[HDLOUD1]

Stuiped question but what is abuse mode?

[Maverick2003]

Someone correct me if I am wrong. Basically it prevents yo from abusing your truck, as for example neutral drops. I am not sure if it limits tire spin, burnouts for example. I beleive that is handled by the TM.

[created2destroy]

Someone correct me if I am wrong. Basically it prevents yo from abusing your truck, as for example neutral drops. I am not sure if it limits tire spin, burnouts for example. I beleive that is handled by the TM.

Oh, I thought it was when you give it throttle and it seems to let off. When I try to burn out it does this, it will start to spin the tires but then almost like traction control it will let off or retard the timing.

I decided to go with 91 because Justin told me that most trucks make 10-15 HP more over 87. I didn't want 93 because there is only one or two places that sell it around here. Most places are 91 or 92.

As for the t-stat, I plan to flush the coolant soon, like maybe in the next few weeks. I'll see what Justin says about it. If it will be bad, I will just go ahead and change it before I put the pcm in.

I really wish I knew who owned the truck before so I could find out about the transmission. I'm almost positive it has atleast been rebuilt though. I found some sort of invoice in the owners manual for a transmission service manual. The firmness may have came from a handheld tuner or something. For now I'll just stick with 80%


Tweaks- I told him I just wanted more aggressive and quicker downshifting so hopefully that will help out. I know what you mean, I was driving home today and it didn't seem to want to shift out of OD.


Also, you guys that have had Justin tune your trucks, how much did your gas mileage improve(or decrease)?

[Tweaks]

That question about abuse mode made me do some digging with the search button as I too don't really know the difference between TM and abuse mode.

I found some comments on it and abuse mode kicks in at WOT stabs from a dead stop, or other times where a quick jump to WOT is given at low speeds. Abuse mode is sort of like TM, except it's job is to prevent or limit breaking the tires loose. Think of it as a compliment to TM since it works the same way by pulling back the timing and taking all the fun out driving a V8 powered truck with little weight over the rear tires.

Thinking back to when I had Justin tune mine, I never mentioned anything about abuse mode. I am guessing that he removed it since in the last month I have found that I can break the tires loose from a stop with just a quick stab of the throttle.

[created2destroy]

That question about abuse mode made me do some digging with the search button as I too don't really know the difference between TM and abuse mode.

I found some comments on it and abuse mode kicks in at WOT stabs from a dead stop, or other times where a quick jump to WOT is given at low speeds. Abuse mode is sort of like TM, except it's job is to prevent or limit breaking the tires loose. Think of it as a compliment to TM since it works the same way by pulling back the timing and taking all the fun out driving a V8 powered truck with little weight over the rear tires.

Thinking back to when I had Justin tune mine, I never mentioned anything about abuse mode. I am guessing that he removed it since in the last month I have found that I can break the tires loose from a stop with just a quick stab of the throttle.


So basicly abuse mode is the whole reason why I wanted to have my truck tuned in the first place. What a stupid idea, who wants traction control in a 4x4? I would imagine he just removes it from every vehicle.

[iallen4190]

I would set your shift points to 5700 and 5900 when in tow/haul. My buddies and I have tried a few different rpm settings and this has been the perfect one.

[created2destroy]

I would set your shift points to 5700 and 5900 when in tow/haul. My buddies and I have tried a few different rpm settings and this has been the perfect one.

5700 in first or second? I will have them changed in normal mode, but in tow/haul I just want to keep it the same. I will probably be pulling my parents boats and jet ski's so I don't really want to mess with it too much.

[HDLOUD1]

That question about abuse mode made me do some digging with the search button as I too don't really know the difference between TM and abuse mode.

I found some comments on it and abuse mode kicks in at WOT stabs from a dead stop, or other times where a quick jump to WOT is given at low speeds. Abuse mode is sort of like TM, except it's job is to prevent or limit breaking the tires loose. Think of it as a compliment to TM since it works the same way by pulling back the timing and taking all the fun out driving a V8 powered truck with little weight over the rear tires.

Thinking back to when I had Justin tune mine, I never mentioned anything about abuse mode. I am guessing that he removed it since in the last month I have found that I can break the tires loose from a stop with just a quick stab of the throttle.

Learn something new everyday somthing else to ad to my tune list.

[created2destroy]

Man, now I'm really excited to get it. I also included the alternator pulley so I can add some electric fans possibly in the future. I sent an email to Justin asking about removing more torque management from 2-3.

[Tweaks]

Learn something new everyday somthing else to ad to my tune list.

Yeah, I think that too was my lesson for the day. I always thought torque management was the major issue, but it turns out that abuse mode stuff is what spoils all the fun.

It makes sense that for reliability reasons that GM uses an abuse mode to prevent more warranty claims when tranmissions and rear ends call it quits early from too many spirited launches. But in order to get a better daily driver and more performance, it all makes sense that most if not all of that abuse mode stuff needs to be removed.

[knappkg2]

Can he delete the O2 sensors? Im building an exhaust with cat deletes and I dont want the SES light

[chevy6490]

Can he delete the O2 sensors? Im building an exhaust with cat deletes and I dont want the SES light
Yes he can.

[HDLOUD1]

Is the list of questions in the first post from blackbear?

[chevy6490]

Yes

[fortplainman]

i would love to get one, and i agree from what i remember people saying 100% out of 2-3 gear. i just hate these NNBS where you cant get it above 4 grand either neutral rev etc, but i would assume the abuse mode gone would change that as well as shiftpoints if they were changed.

[chevy6490]

Yes it would.

[created2destroy]

I had him take out 80% 1-2 and 90% 2-3. It feels pretty awesome. Right now I just have a "loaner" pcm until I get mine back. I also had him bump up the tc lockup another 5mph. The biggest improvement has to be the shifts. For the first time, I am actually happy I am driving an automatic.

[fortplainman]

what is the main purpose of doing that with the tc?

[flynfocus]

Make sure you talk to Justin about your Trands Mods, He may not feel comfortable tuning your truck if your not 100% sure ur trans has been upgraded for fear of damage from a too agressive tune!!

[created2destroy]

what is the main purpose of doing that with the tc?
I just hate trying to accelerate at 30mph and 1000rpms. My engine seems to get better mileage around 1400 anyways.

[created2destroy]

Make sure you talk to Justin about your Trands Mods, He may not feel comfortable tuning your truck if your not 100% sure ur trans has been upgraded for fear of damage from a too agressive tune!!
I told him I wasn't sure about it. That's why I didn't take out 100%. The shifting now is actually way smoother. Before it would really slam into second. Now I hardly even notice when it shifts other than a decrease in rpms. Even downshifts are smoother.

[flynfocus]

Sweet dude, i love mine too

[created2destroy]

I got the pcm back today, but I found out the fuel pump is on its last leg. I guess I won't know how awesome the tune is until tomorrow after I change the pump. Justin did however send me a second sticker! Haha I was excited.

[HDLOUD1]

I ready to order mine so did you mail your pcm in or what?

[created2destroy]

Yeah. I had him send me a spare while I sent mine in to be tuned. He just charged me $10 more for shipping. It beats taking it to a shop to have the crank relearn done.

[HDLOUD1]

How long did it take?

[created2destroy]

Not to long. I had the spare like 2 days after ordering, and then I think it took 4 days from the time I sent it to get mine back. The spare one was tuned, so it really didn't matter how long I guess. He's really quick to get things shipped back out.

I changed my fuel pump. So far it seems pretty good, but I haven't gotten a chance to do a WOT run. I will hopefully tonight, and I'll let you guys know what I think.

[created2destroy]

I finally got to see how it performs. Unfortunately I still cannot burn out off the line, but it may be mostly due to my tires gripping so well on a "chip and seal" road. It does pull pretty hard, and shifts are insane. The shifts are really smooth, but it really throws my head against the seat. Overall I'm very happy with the tune.

[created2destroy]

I ended up having my fuel pump go out. I can definitely tell a difference in power now. It's raining so its hard to tell on the low end, but it feel a lot more responsive.