Tune Payback

[pittmanb8]

Does anyone have any guestimates or numbers on a potential payback timeline for the blackbear tune?

Putting performance aside, how long would it take for the MPG increase to pay for the tune? I thought I had read someone that some are experiencing a 1-2 MPG increase. Assuming 15,000 miles / year and if the tune increases 1 MPG, that would be a savings of 62.5 gallons / year.

Also, would a tune for higher octane help out the payback timeline (considering the higher cost of gas)?

Does anyone have any numbers, opinions, or ideas?

 

[blueflamed03]

for me, my payback was right after I left getting Justin to tune it. I really, really liked the added performance enough that cash outlay didn't matter.
If you compare tune from 89 to 93, on a normal fill up is less than a hamburger and coke. But the power difference is huge.
If you do like I did, wait for about a year to try to justify a true payback, you'll regret missing a year once you do get it.
I have done wheels, exhaust, paint, lowering,etc and the tune is by far the funnest change.

 

[chistoso]

for me, my payback was right after I left getting Justin to tune it. I really, really liked the added performance enough that cash outlay didn't matter.
If you compare tune from 89 to 93, on a normal fill up is less than a hamburger and coke. But the power difference is huge.
If you do like I did, wait for about a year to try to justify a true payback, you'll regret missing a year once you do get it.
I have done wheels, exhaust, paint, lowering,etc and the tune is by far the funnest change.

Agreed 100%

I was never looking for a payback when I got mine, I was looking to get better performance and Justin did not dissappoint.. Love the skinny pedal again..

 

[pittmanb8]

I appreciate everyone's support on how great the tune is and how the performance alone is worth it, however, does anyone have any data on SAVINGS from the tune- for example someone might have the following experience: "Before I got my tune I was getting 15.1 MPG and post tune I get 16.5 MPG. My tune included a 93 octane tune." If someone has a similar experience, please share.

I'm not waiting for the payback to justify the tune, I am just wondering if out of all the people that speak so highly of the tune that someone would have some information about potential $$$ payback.

 

[blueflamed03]

I gained 2 MPG, went from HWY 18 to almost 21 MPG

around town average about 1 MPG, but I really need to change gears to make up for taller tires.

 

[208motors]

FYI if you devide the cost per gallon by your average mpg, your answer is the cost per mile for that fuel grade. i.e. $3 per gallon devided by 13mpg = approx 23 cents per mile.

91 octane is usually 20 cents per gallon more than 87 octane in Idaho. Assuming you get 1 mile per gallon better...

$3.20 per gallon devided by 14 costs you 22.8 cents per gallon. Basically, as long as you get 1 mile per gallon better mileage with premium gas, it is cheaper to run premium gas.

If $200 reprogram nets you 2 miles per gallon improvement with 91 octane it will take roughly 6600 miles to recover your investment souly on gas mileage.

 

[TX LTZHoe 07]

I keep a very detailed spreadsheet on fuel mileage for all of my vehicles. I just got the Tahoe tuned last week, and immediately noticed a 1.5mpg improvement on the rest of that tank. I will be collecting more data so that I can determine what the OP was looking for.

My estimate based on the 1.5 mpg improvement is approximately 9-12 months, based on 20,000 miles per year and originally i was averaging 15.3 mpg (after 6,000 miles).

Will report back after a few more tanks are run through her.

 

[208motors]

Ahhh some one as obsessive as I am about the details. I look forward to your findings.

 

[2 E L O]

I keep a very detailed spreadsheet on fuel mileage for all of my vehicles. I just got the Tahoe tuned last week, and immediately noticed a 1.5mpg improvement on the rest of that tank. I will be collecting more data so that I can determine what the OP was looking for.

My estimate based on the 1.5 mpg improvement is approximately 9-12 months, based on 20,000 miles per year and originally i was averaging 15.3 mpg (after 6,000 miles).

Will report back after a few more tanks are run through her.

Ahhh some one as obsessive as I am about the details. I look forward to your findings.

Hahaha...I love it. I'm right there with you guys. I'm an engineer, though...I make spreadsheets and trend evvvvvvvvvvvveryyyyyyyyythinnnnnnnnngggggg. Haha...

 

[Narco]

im only getting 14.6 avg. i just bought a CAI and will be doing exhaust in a month or 2 and then hopefully doing a tune in march if they still come to GA. i hope to at least be at at least 16 by the time everything is said and done.