Fosscore's 2006 Tahoe Build Thread

[Fosscore]

Excellent choice my friend!! Looks good! For $50 on the vouke setup its a no brainer! Lol

Winning

Thx guys.

 

[jerryjoe28]

looks good man. after painting my core support I notice them in every truck I look at now.

soooo did u get the insert yet

 

[NGAneer]

October 2014.

Black Bear Tune.

Here is the write up I did in a separate thread, however I wanted to post it directly in my build thread.

http://www.tahoeyukonforum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=65755

Black Bear Tune
In Person with Justin
Orlando, Florida
5 October 2014

2006 Tahoe LS 4.8L
70600 miles
K&N CAI
Flowmaster 50 Series

I drove the Tahoe with the family riding shotgun to Universal Studios Orlando and slipped away early Sunday morning to meet Justin for my in person tune.

I arrived early at 0830 and met him as he jumped out of the truck he had just completed tuning and right into my truck. We plugged in the computer, had a chat to get a game plan for the tune, did some quick diagnostic checks and went for a drive.

The whole tune took about 45 minutes with a couple stops to turn off the motor and then go again. Most of the tune was driven at normal speeds around 30mph on the side streets of Orlando. A few times he asked me step into it to see how the motor sounded and responded to the adjustments he was making on the fly. Mostly for the shift points and to see the feedback on the computer.

The major tune adjustments that were performed:

1. Tow/Haul switched to Sport Mode.

2. Tuned for 93 octane.

3. Tightened up all the shift points.

4. Tightened up the full throttle shift point.

5. Adjusted the efans to run more efficiently.

A few smaller adjustments to note;, he adjusted the top end speed limit from 98MPH to 120MPH and calibrated the speedometer to the correct tire size. Currently running 20s and upgrading to 22s, with only 1/4" difference it wouldn't be noticeable.

One issue that was found during the tune was a vacuum leak. Justin figured it might be an intake manifold gasket which he said is common with the NBS and due to the ethanol in the fuel. No decline in performance and nothing to be concerned about at the moment, but something to keep a lookout for when the CEL illuminates.

After the tune, I loaded up the family and drove 200 miles home. I could feel the shift points, it was easier to stomp down for passing the slowpokes on the turnpike and then around town keeping the truck in gear longer and ready to go definitely makes her feel a bit more responsive. No monumental gains in the lower power band up until about 4600RPMs, but from that point until the high end shift point at 5900RPMs, I am really impressed with how she tends to rocket off feeding off the K&N, while growling past the cars with open windows with the 50 series. For me it is rewarding and fun, playing around in a big SUV.

As far as MPG goes, going forward will tell the tale and of course my foot on the pedal. The following numbers reflect to and from Orlando over the weekend. All fuel used was 93 Octane.

To Orlando
308.7 Miles
(extra miles for driving to and from Universal Studios and the BBP tune)
19.93 gallons
15.48 MPG

Return home
190.7 miles
10.3 gallons
18.51 MPG

Highway speeds set on cruise control between 70-75 MPH and stop and go traffic around town. No extra load other than family. The instant MPG on the display reflected these numbers as well, but the calculations speak directly for themselves.

Pretty impressed with the pre-tune and post-tune numbers for the long trip up the turnpike either way. Especially since around town I can easily drag those numbers down into the 11/12 MPG range with my foot on the pedal.

Justin was very easy to talk to and accommodating. He asked questions to determine what direction or any specifics I wanted to gain from the tune and we continued the conversation on and off topic during the entire tuning process. I can't end without mentioning Julie Barrow. She answered all my emails and numerous questions (with a few inputs from Justin) about the in person tune and specifics, so that I was already informed when the tune happened. I did some research on the forums to see what other guys had gotten done and the positive feedback speaks for itself.

My overall impressions of the tune? Awesome!! and well worth the time and money spent to make it happen. If you are contemplating it, don't. Just do it. If BBP is coming to your local area, and you can make it, get on the list. I don't think you will be disappointed. To have someone professionally analyze live data feeds while you are driving and making corrections and adjustments on the fly to maximize the performance that your motor can produce was great. Justin found that one issue noted above, said the motor sounded good and tightened up some broad parameters to make the truck more enjoyable for me to drive. It is not meant for the general masses who really don't care to get that extra percentage of performance and enjoyment out of their daily driver.

Hope this helps out some of you on the fence or to reinforce and thumbs up a good vendor putting out a good service for our vehicles. Thanks BBP!!

Tell me how the sport button effects how it shifts. I read the explanation from BB but I would like to hear it from someone who's had it and lived with it practically. Have you towed with the truck since you got the tune?

 

[Fosscore]

@NGAneer

This thread also may describe what you are asking perhaps a bit better. Lots of questions on this very topic.

I do not tow with my truck and in fact have my hitch removed.

Key points that are very noticeable with my BB tune.

1-2 shifts are firm and sharp. Running through the power band/RPMs when hammering it down will keep it in those gears longer into the RPM range.

If I am WOT I push that RPM almost to 6000 before she shifts.

So basically you have regular mode and otherwise known as Tow/Haul "Ass" mode.

Or if you tow a lot I believe you leave it out of that mode or do not have it programmed for that specific mode. It all really depends on what you are after.

I hope that helps a little bit more for what you were asking.

 

[NGAneer]

@NGAneer

This thread also may describe what you are asking perhaps a bit better. Lots of questions on this very topic.

I do not tow with my truck and in fact have my hitch removed.

Key points that are very noticeable with my BB tune.

1-2 shifts are firm and sharp. Running through the power band/RPMs when hammering it down will keep it in those gears longer into the RPM range.

If I am WOT I push that RPM almost to 6000 before she shifts.

So basically you have regular mode and otherwise known as Tow/Haul "Ass" mode.

Or if you tow a lot I believe you leave it out of that mode or do not have it programmed for that specific mode. It all really depends on what you are after.

I hope that helps a little bit more for what you were asking.

Thanks man. Don't tow much at all but it's like 4wd, I don't use it all the time either but its nice to have. I appreciate the knowledge and I'll probably go the "sport mode" route when the time comes. If I do tow, it won't be a space shuttle.

BTW, after that tip install. I think my truck looks like the fat, redneck cousin of yours.
View media item 25966View media item 23061

 

[PG01]

Enterprise shuttle piggybacking on a 747 up the hudson river in 2012

Lol....me and a few guys from work watched it come up the river and all i had was my crappy cell phone camera at the time......hey, you said space shuttle

 

[NGAneer]

Squirrel

 

[PG01]

Got nuthin.....

 

[NGAneer]

Got nuthin.....

We jacked his thread with space shuttle talk.

 

[PG01]

My bad, sorry @Fosscore

 

[Fosscore]

That tip is a winner @NGAneer. Liking mine every day I walk out the door. Looks so much better, even if it is just a new tip.
@Galante

No worries guys...funny stories that I can add to and good pics...haha but yeah you did jack my build thread. lol


My kids were lucky to be only 3 hours away from Cape Canaveral on the final Space Shuttle launch, so my wife and her mother drove up that day, sat on the side of the road with many other people to see that launch. Pretty cool experience for them.

Look a squirrel....an ongoing distraction when my kids get out of control....err are they ever really in control? IDK

So we took the kids to the park for a family picnic this past weekend. We brought some homemade food and had a picnic table all to ourselves surrounded by the woods. My daughter was trying to show us a gymnastic move on top of the picnic table, while I spotted her and my wife and son were off to the side taking video. All of a sudden my daughter says the following in an almost deadpan, not screaming voice, which is rare;

"A raccoon, a racoon. It really is there." And sure enough that little guy waltzed right into our area looking for a handout. We left a short while later and he went to our table and started rooting around for crumbs and whatever the kids had dropped. We've had a good laugh about it since.

 

[05alive]

.....

edited by staff. post being referred in this post has been handled.

 

[kwOH]

Came in to see what all the commotion was about and it took me to the first post of your build thread where i seen something about the onstar antenna delete, started looking and wow man I had NO idea how much work you have done to this thing, on a whole other level, i believe u set a pretty high standard when it comes to what other members should want for their nbs.


Sent from iPhone 7 plus using Tapatalk Pro

 

[VDV18]

Fosscore's is my favorite, it's so clean and classy looking. Keep up the good work my man.

 

[05Single]

When I got my tahoe I had a vision of exactly what I wanted to do to mine. A few moths later I found this forum, and then this thread of a blue tahoe and saw that fosscore already did everything exactly that I planned to do, except the tbss wheels (mainly because I believe those belong on a midsized suv, not a full size,....here comes the hate).
I was happy and sad at the same time.

Not only my favorite nbs but favorite truck on the whole forum.

But it pushed me to do things differently so it's a beautiful blessing in disguise

 

[Fosscore]

Came in to see what all the commotion was about and it took me to the first post of your build thread where i seen something about the onstar antenna delete, started looking and wow man I had NO idea how much work you have done to this thing, on a whole other level, i believe u set a pretty high standard when it comes to what other members should want for their nbs.
Sent from iPhone 7 plus using Tapatalk Pro

Thx man. I had no idea either until I started looking back at the build thread and the expense spreadsheet...gulp....there has been a lot done. More than I ever intended or imagined honestly. Somehow it got sideways. I had some great input and inspiration along the way from some good guys and great looking trucks.

Fosscore's is my favorite, it's so clean and classy looking. Keep up the good work my man.

Thx man. I appreciate that very much.

When I got my tahoe I had a vision of exactly what I wanted to do to mine. A few moths later I found this forum, and then this thread of a blue tahoe and saw that fosscore already did everything exactly that I planned to do, except the tbss wheels (mainly because I believe those belong on a midsized suv, not a full size,....here comes the hate).
I was happy and sad at the same time.

Not only my favorite nbs but favorite truck on the whole forum.

But it pushed me to do things differently so it's a beautiful blessing in disguise

Thx man. Humbling comments and appreciated.

I remember you mentioning that I had crushed your build idea or something along those lines...and here we are with blue Tahoes (and you dislike that color) and thankfully I have CM door handles....



Oh just crush my TBSS wheels dream since they were only OEM 20s on the TBSS. lol Funny though how many lowered Tahoes on 24 TBSS with an HD hood you see on the old Google. Or even the U2-55s for a while. Those Z28 wheels would look killer on the Suburban though...

 

[05Single]

The wheels look awesome on your truck, I just wouldn't put them on mine personally. U2-55s look amazing on our trucks but again not my personal preference.

 

[Fosscore]

Street Scene Polished Stainless Steel Grille Inserts
Part Number 950-79140

Since you guys asked to see the Street Scene grille on the front of my truck....I hit up eBay and some guy had a brand new set of polished stainless steel inserts, plastic wrapped and still in the box, never mounted for $112 shipped. It was my lucky day. Street Scene number 950-79140. You can see on the spec sheet that they only offer black chrome, satin finish, chrome finish and stainless steel. Retail price on this unit is $190, so I scored a killer deal.

As previously stated by 05Single, this is a high quality, sturdy, lightweight mesh that is able to be manipulated during installation. I could not find any blemishes on the polished face or the back side either. A good sign of quality and attention to detail.

The fitment is pretty close to perfect. Initially I would have given it a 7 to 8, but after installation and playing with it a bit and seeing how it sits in the OEM grill as a simple insert I would raise that more 8 to 9. There was some manipulation as noted below, but nothing too tragic.

The clips on the other hand, I was not happy with. I understand their design and approach, but after trying to attach them as per the instructions and making a small unnoticeable scratch when I went to remove the test fit one, I decided to not use the clips at all and pulled out the black cable ties.

The clips have very small "teeth" on the ends that when they are slid on, they are intended to grab the SS insert and also the plastic of the grille and hold it in place tight. I wasn't happy with this fitment and the ability to clamp it down securely, remove it to clean or adjust as needed. Further to that, my grille and the inserts did not seem to match up the way it is shown in the attached installation instructions.

I used a pair of needle nose pliers to bend in the raw ends near the bow tie and at the ends of the inserts to fit the curves better, so that there was a tiny gap between the paint and the metal. That is how precise the insert is cut.

Then I just took my time and placed my cable ties equally around the backside of the grille, fed them through the insert and cinched them down to secure the insert against the ribs of the OEM grille. (Note: I did clip the long ends of the cable ties before installing the grille back on the truck. That was to show where I cinched it down in the back. You cannot see the cable ties and with a freshly painted radiator front, it is good to go.)

@01Konvict
@05Single
@jerryjoe28

 

[Fosscore]

 

[Fosscore]