Blackbear Tune Report

[450]

Ok figured I would share my results from the tune I recently received from Justin. The truck is a 2001 GMC Sierra 2500HD has around 160,000 miles. Here were my responses to his questions.

VIN:

Gear Ratio: 4.10 stock

Tire Size: 285/75/16

Modifications:K&N Full intake w/ heat shield, no box. True Dual Exhaust with 2 Flowmaster mufflers.

Primary Octane: 93

Desired Speed Limiter: Unlimited or higher than I will ever reach.

Desired WOT 1-2 Shift Point (optional): Whatever is recommended

Desired WOT 2-3 Shift Point (optional): Whatever is recommended

Desired WOT 3-4 Shift Point (optional): Whatever is recommended

Replace Tow Haul Mode with Aggressive shifting (suggest no if you tow moderate to heavy loads) ? Yes

Desired Torque Management Reduction on 1-2 shift (optional):100%

Desired Torque Management Reduction on 2-3 shift:100%

Current Thermostat temperature (if not stock): stock

Do you have any other special requests or problem areas that you'd like addressed? I would like firmer shifts across the board. Also I would like abuse mode turned off. Also anything else to help my fuel economy because I would really like to get the best mileage I can get because 95% of my driving is to and from school.

First thing I noticed after the install the truck ran much smoother and it felt like all the power was there. Before the tune cruising at around 80 was hard for the truck it felt like it was luggin just to keep its speed constant but now the truck runs much better the higher up in the RPM range you go and I catch myself speeding 10-15 over and not even realizing it. And yes I did test out tow haul or what seems to be more like haul ass mode because I was very interested to see what it does. I tested it against my brothers Z85 2wd Colorado that has the inline 5 cylinder which he claimed he could beat any full size truck well now my truck walks on it. I am not being ****y or anything just showing what a heavy truck can accomplish with just a tune. It can also give a chipped cummins a good run. I am on my 3rd tank of gas through it and the first one I pretty much beat the piss out of the truck the entire time and still had and average of 13 mpg which is about a .5 mpg better than before I had the tune. The second tank I didn't lay into it once and drove rural 55 mph roads the entire time except for 10 miles of freeway, I averaged 14.4 mpg! It was pretty much an increase of over 2 mpg over my old average and before the best I ever got out of this truck was 13.8 driving nothing but freeway so I believe my highway mileage will be much better. Overall I am extremely happy with my results and Justin could not have been any more helpful especially with all of my questions, I think I emailed him 20 times before I actually ordered the tune. Shipment was extremely fast! I sent the money on a Wednesday, Justin sent it that Thursday and I received it in the mail on Monday. If anyone else wants to post up their mileage increases feel free I would like to compare some results. If anyone has second thoughts about ordering a tune from Justin get rid of them! lol It is by far the best mod I have done to my truck. I am just awaiting the arrival of my tuned stock PCM so I do not have to do the CASE relearn with the loaner Justin sent me.

[1LOW4X4]

Thanks for the post, that pretty much convinces me to get one. What did it cost?

[DoogieLee]

I'll throw my 2 cents in...

I just got mine done Sat. AM at the Orlando meet, and the man couldnt have been any nicer.
I know I emailed him at least 3-4 times prior to the event, mainly in regards to a thermostat question, and once we met up Sat AM, he hopped right in and went to work.
My truck is an 07 Classic 4.8 CC 4WD... big truck, little engine...
They say you cant polish a turd... well... you can sure shine one, cause now my truck actually feels like it should have from day one.
I didnt expect to be able to roast my 285 Terra Grapplers, but I can least least scratch them from a dead stop... something I couldnt even do on a wet road before, and at hwy cruising, if I need to pass... I give it the gas and it goes, no lag, no bog, just a nice pull.
I've only ran about a half tank through it since Sat. its parked right now while i'm working out of town, but i'm ready to get back in it and give it some more hell.

Justin, thanks again for your knowledge... and your patience!!!

[user0186]

How does the tune affect towing fuel economy?

[bad2006z71]

im not sure on towing mpg yet, but stock my truck did 12-12.5mpg with normal driving

so far after the tune, i got 13.83 with normal, heavy, and extreme throttle usage. (i had to be hard on it for the log back to justin, and i went to the track and made about 8 passes).
second tank was with normal throttle and driving, i got 14.47mpg.
im on my third tank and it looks consistant with my second tank.

[atlninja82]

you pretty much convinced me to get one too. thanks for the review

[450]

Originally Posted by atlninja82

you pretty much convinced me to get one too. thanks for the review

Originally Posted by crewcab06

Thanks for the post, that pretty much convinces me to get one. What did it cost?

After I get my core charge back it will have cost me $210. I had to throw in the extra $10 so I could keep my stock PCM and have no down time. Do not hesitate to get this tune, all I can say is that it is amazing. My cousin who owns the chipped cummins also has injectors intake and exhaust and he was amazed with the performance gains that it had and could not stop talking about it.

[user0186]

Originally Posted by 450

After I get my core charge back it will have cost me $210. I had to throw in the extra $10 so I could keep my stock PCM and have no down time. Do not hesitate to get this tune, all I can say is that it is amazing. My cousin who owns the chipped cummins also has injectors intake and exhaust and he was amazed with the performance gains that it had and could not stop talking about it.

Has Justin tuned your 97 too?

[450]

Originally Posted by user0186

Has Justin tuned your 97 too?

No he hasn't actually but it's mostly because I have a few bugs that need to be worked out of that truck first, it's throwing a few codes so I need to fix those first but I plan on it in the future.

[atlninja82]

how do i get one? who do i talk to?

[user0186]

Originally Posted by atlninja82

how do i get one? who do i talk to?

I believe Justin only tuns obdII computers - 96 up. There are many TBI tuners just search around.

[bai78]

Originally Posted by user0186

I believe Justin only tuns obdII computers - 96 up. There are many TBI tuners just search around.

You should double check just in case. IIRC, they were possibly in the process of adding OBDI to their tuning repertoire.

http://www.blackbearperformance.com/

[custm2500]

I sent my pcm out last thursday. Justin got it on sat and sent it back to me today(Mon.) He has answered all of my questions very quickly. I can't wait to give my review on how much the tune has changed my truck but that will come wed. after I go to the track. Great guy, great company, and hopefully in a day or two I can agree with everyone else that the tune makes a world of differance.

[GWolfe67]

Two weeks, I can't wait. Reading all of this sure doesn't help.

[bai78]

Originally Posted by Ski_nxs

Two weeks, I can't wait. Reading all of this sure doesn't help.

Are you signed up for a live in person tune?

[GWolfe67]

Yes sir, the Wichita meet.

[bai78]

This by far will be the most beneficial mod to your truck.

Also, now is the time to button up any maintenance items. ie: spark plugs, fuel filter, if you have a CAI be sure that is secure. You definitely want to be in peak operation for the tune so you can get the most out of your session.

[GWolfe67]

It's ready, I haven't done any performance mods to my truck, this will be the first. I've got about 52k on the odometer, you think I should replace the plugs before I get the tune? Fuel filter too? It's been running good but if I need to do some things to it I will.

[custm2500]

If I were you I would get some mods. The in-person tune is the best but with no mods at all I can't imagine you will gain much over the mail in tune. Maybe I am wrong but since you don't have anything out of the ordinary there isn't much to contend with that is adverse.

I am not saying don't get the tune and if it is close for you to do the in-person then awesome. Either way Justin is a great guy and will do a great job I am sure.

I hate being impatient!!!!! I am less than 18 hours from having mine in my hands and can't stand it! Then when it shows up in the mail I will want to leave work and break it in! Lets hope I don't blow it up at the track though!

[GWolfe67]

About the only thing I may do to my truck other than the tune would be an exhaust system. I wasn't planning on getting a tune soon but I saw that Justin was going to be in Wichita and that happens to be where I live. I thought since he was going to be here I may as well get an in person tune.