Tune...Suggestions Needed

[Christoph]

Okay, I'm looking for 'drive-ability' Tune for my '15 Yukon. I want to change the AFM (or delete it) and improve the transmission shift. That's it. Since it's out of warranty I won't have a need to change the Tune back.

I've researched Black Bear and would love to have their tune but at $600...it's not feasible for a one time tune. (and they will not be doing any in-person tunes nearby) Plus I have no other use for an AutoCal once I get my Tune.

What are some options that might be more reasonably priced?

Thanks

 

[HiHoeSilver]

Okay, I'm looking for 'drive-ability' Tune for my '15 Yukon. I want to change the AFM (or delete it) and improve the transmission shift. That's it. Since it's out of warranty I won't have a need to change the Tune back.

I've researched Black Bear and would love to have their tune but at $600...it's not feasible for a one time tune. (and they will not be doing any in-person tunes nearby) Plus I have no other use for an AutoCal once I get my Tune.

What are some options that might be more reasonably priced?

Thanks

Blackbear is by far the best option.

1. Unlimited re-tunes, not one time.
2. You don't need the Autocal, you can borrow the hardware from them for logging.

 

[Christoph]

Blackbear is by far the best option.

1. Unlimited re-tunes, not one time.
2. You don't need the Autocal, you can borrow the hardware from them for logging.

One of Black Bear's rep did not offer me that option when contacted them. He pushed the sell of an AutoCal . I'll check back with them.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

One of Black Bear's rep did offer me that option when contacted them. He pushed the sell of an AutoCal . I'll check back with them.

The autocal is cool because of the unlimited re-tunes if your mods will evolve.

Scan cable tune is $350 along with a refundable deposit for the hardware.

 

[Christoph]

The autocal is cool because of the unlimited re-tunes if your mods will evolve.

Scan cable tune is $350 along with a refundable deposit for the hardware.

This sounds like what I'm looking for. I do not plan on doing any modifications in the future. I just want modify or delete the AFM and improve the shift points in the 6 speed.

Also, does anyone know if there's much difference in the 87 vs 89 octane tune? This is a family car and has plenty of power in stock condition. I want to maximize fuel efficiency.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

This sounds like what I'm looking for. I do not plan on doing any modifications in the future. I just want modify or delete the AFM and improve the shift points in the 6 speed.

Also, does anyone know if there's much difference in the 87 vs 89 octane tune? This is a family car and has plenty of power in stock condition. I want to maximize fuel efficiency.

Usually they will tune for 87/89 or 91+.
I believe the difference is mainly timing related to avoid detonation with lower octane.

I run the 87/89 tune in the winter and see better efficiency on top tier 89, for sure. In the summer, I like the 91+ tune on e85 or 93.

Also tow/haul button for sport mode is fun. I asked Justin to give me one with tow mode, too, just in case. I can load it if I ever find myself in a spot where it would be useful.

 

[OR VietVet]

I was just talking to a close friend of mine last night and I am 475 miles from Black Bear Performance home base in Idaho. My friend and myself are going to schedule a tune at Black Bear and take a 3 day JOY RIDE. The trip back home should be fun.

By the way, what does your owner's manual say for what octane fuel to run. I have tried 87 and then went to 89 and my MPG went up a bit.

 

[Doubeleive]

Usually they will tune for 87/89 or 91+.
I believe the difference is mainly timing related to avoid detonation with lower octane.

I run the 87/89 tune in the winter and see better efficiency on top tier 89, for sure. In the summer, I like the 91+ tune on e85 or 93.

Also tow/haul button for sport mode is fun. I asked Justin to give me one with tow mode, too, just in case. I can load it if I ever find myself in a spot where it would be useful.

I recently found out they can't do the tow/haul button alternate function for anything above the 4 speed, too much other electronics involved with it now I guess like the downhill grade braking, etc.

 

[HiHoeSilver]

I recently found out they can't do the tow/haul button alternate function for anything above the 4 speed, too much other electronics involved with it now I guess like the downhill grade braking, etc.

Bummer.

 

[Christoph]

I was just talking to a close friend of mine last night and I am 475 miles from Black Bear Performance home base in Idaho. My friend and myself are going to schedule a tune at Black Bear and take a 3 day JOY RIDE. The trip back home should be fun.

By the way, what does your owner's manual say for what octane fuel to run. I have tried 87 and then went to 89 and my MPG went up a bit.

It says 87. The rig runs fine when it's a top tier 87 gasoline but I was thinking of going to 89 if it would make a difference in mileage.

 

[Christoph]

How does 5 Star tunes compare to Black bear's?

 

[OR VietVet]

It says 87. The rig runs fine when it's a top tier 87 gasoline but I was thinking of going to 89 if it would make a difference in mileage.

When I went to 89 it made a difference for me. Plus there are more additives in the 89 and will help keep fuel injection system cleaner.

After the 1st of the year I am going to use 91+ and see what happens with that for MPG.

 

[Rocket Man]

I recently found out they can't do the tow/haul button alternate function for anything above the 4 speed, too much other electronics involved with it now I guess like the downhill grade braking, etc.

That’s too bad. My tow/haul functions as a haul ass button with my built 4l60 even though it’s not programmed for sport mode due to the supercharger I believe. All I know is that when I push it in, the shift point changes turn The Beast into Super Beast.

 

[Staggered 02]

@ Chris,

Where are you located? I ended up getting my tune for the Escalade done in Jacksonville soon after the headers were installed. Price was more than fair and we got it done with ~ a week's worth of coordination.

I did buy the HP tuner package after the fact so that in the future I can email tune info back and forth if / as needed.

Thanks.

 

[Christoph]

I'[m south of Atlanta. Black Bear said they were not going to travel much next year. I was hoping to meet them in Atlanta.

 

[Staggered 02]

Well cool another member in the Southeast region... The guy that did my tune is in Jacksonville. I drove up from Central Florida and had the tune done on a Saturday morning. I can give you his info if you would like. Very nice knowledgeable guy. Hit me up on the PM if you're interested.

Thanks and good luck.

 

[Christoph]

Well cool another member in the Southeast region... The guy that did my tune is in Jacksonville. I drove up from Central Florida and had the tune done on a Saturday morning. I can give you his info if you would like. Very nice knowledgeable guy. Hit me up on the PM if you're interested.

Thanks and good luck.

Jacksonville is too far for me. Between work and kiddos I have very little time. This is why I was looking for tune like BB or someone similar. I really appreciate you trying to help out!

 

[Staggered 02]

Sure no problem. I can relate. No kiddos but do have a job that keeps me working out of state. So my time is limited as well. I send stuff out and do what I can to stage stuff to work on the rides when I am home for a few days per month or so.

Good luck.

 

[Curt Hibbert]

I was considering Black Bear for a tune also. I also mainly just wanted AFM delete to avoid problems on my 2012. I ended up buying an HP Tuners programmer off Amazon and did it myself. Cost $280. You also have to buy credits to do the actual tuning. So, you are in just a little more money than a Black Bear tune. But you have the tuner to learn to do your own tune modifications in the future. This includes transmission tuning.
Watch a You Tube video on tuning. I personally like a tuner personality there called "Goat Rope Garage". He has lots of tips for using HP Tuners to do your own tuning. Main thing is not to try anything too radical, just small increments to see what happens. If you don't like what you see, load your original tune you saved before you started. File management is important. If your Yukon is running good save the tune before you make any tuning changes so you can at least go back where you started.
I also bought a Chinese Tech 2. A guy on here named Swathdiver seems to be a pro with this. Search for his posts on the Tech 2 topic.
Deleting AFM using HP Tuners is super easy. 1 click. Load. Done.

 

[Curt Hibbert]

Sorry, I see you have a 2015. Tech 2 won't work for you.