Experience with Predator tuner on a 6.2 6-speed?

[Justin]

Well, my truck goes back to the dealer Tuesday. Hopefully they can unfuck what they did to the trans because I was overly generous when I said it wasn't worse than before (it is). When I get it back, I will be buying the BB EFILive solution regardless of cost. it's BS I have more trouble with the brand new 62K '09 than I do with the 50K '07!! Until now, I've always had better luck with later versions of cars/trucks VS the first year of production. Other than the recall on the heated washers in the '07 LTZ and a weird problem of the rear AC blowing hot air in the '07 that was fixed under warranty, this is no longer true. The '09 doesn't even have the heated washers anymore although the brochure says all LTZ's have them, what's up with that? Jenna, I'll contact you directly once I get it back. At least BB seems to know WTF they're talking about.

We have a few EFILive V2s in stock right now, so whenever you are ready, we should be able to ship promptly. What issues are you having with the shifting now?

 

[Fast55]

It just had the "repair" for TSB #09-07-30-004A done. It's specific to the 6 speed trucks with the 6.2, Denali, Escalade or Tahoe. I saw the TSB at the dealer and it's exactly the problem my truck has. On the 2-3 shift, especially before it's completely warmed up, it would almost feel as if it hit neutral for a second. The TSB describes rough shifting or "flair" on the 2-3 shift. Supposedly due to leaking clutch fluid seals on the input shaft. Obviously they had to pull the entire trans/transfer case. Now, even the 1-2 shift seems to have this problem (slight, but there), and the 2-3 shift is even worse. It's not every time it shifts, but at very light throttle, almost every time. This cannot by good for the bands. Do you think programming could help with this? I'm not sure what they intend to do since the TSB work was already done.

 

[Justin]

Sounds like there is a more severe mechanical problem to be repaired now. They pulled it apart to fix the 2-3 seal issue and caused a 1-2 seal issue...

 

[Fast55]

After a relash, I've been driving it a few days now and it's probably back to what it was before they worked on it. It goes back next week. They may be replacing the TCM or the entire trans!

 

[Fast55]

OK, now they have supposedly replaced the TCM and done another flash "upgrade". I can't find any information on an updated flash for the TCM so that may, or may not be ********. I'm finallly out of the GMC Terrain rental. Pretty cool for a crossover SUV, but it's no LTZ Tahoe. So far, it seems just like it was, very slow drawn out shifts. As long as everything else is OK, I'll go ahead with the BB tuning package. If nothing else, I can always flash it back to stock before taking it in AGAIN, although I already have to go back tomorrow because they effed up the passenger side running board and are replacing it!!! The freakin' drama.

 

[Fast55]

Alright folks, the V2 + tuning is on order. I don't know if anyone has a BB tune in a 6.2 6-speed Tahoe, but I'll post the results.

 

[Fast55]

Learning to use the V2 on your own is a PITA and I may need another tweak to the transmission tuning. However, I can tell you all that no way in hell will an off the shelf handheld like a Superchips or Diablo tuner do this. Seriously. I've done a few vehicles like a 2000 Z71 with a flash pack and a Dodge. Granted they didn't have a monster 6.2 to begin with, but this is "night and day". Shifts went from about 5400 to right at 6K and much quicker. The biggest difference is the part throttle and off idle improvement. Most other tuning doesn't do much, if anything below about 2500-3000 RPM. This is a different animal all together. Highly recommend.

 

[JennaBear]

Glad you are enjoying it Brad! Once you get used to the EFILive interface the logging/flashing will be a snap.

 

[Fast55]

Since Magna-Charger is about 2 miles from my house the blower will be going in next. I'm expecting 550-575 HP now that I have a real tuning solution for doing it, I'm just trying to work out warranty issues with my dealer.

 

[JennaBear]

Let us know if you go that route, we can help you out with the price.

 

[Fast55]

Well, I gave these guys some ideas on the boost level, expected torque, and the lack of torque management and they almost puked. It's obvious the transmission still has issues and although I haven't sent Justin a new log of what's happening, it's definitely not something BB tuning alone will fix since the problem is not simply a temperature related issue. At times, the flair is really pronounced, even after the truck is 100% up to operating temp., and they know it. It's almost totally random. I think they know there's an issue with my trans if not all 6-speeds. I may have to drive this one into the ground and get it replaced before I do the blower. otherwise, I believe they are setting themselves up to deny a warranty claim.

 

[JennaBear]

Have you tried going to another dealer? Sounds like this one is giving you the run around.

 

[Fast55]

2 dealers so far. I'm pretty tight with the first dealer, but I think they're a little skittish about the blower because they know something's up with the trans and they don't want to try to explain a scattered one to GM because of the blower. The SM is good with your tuning, he was impressed after a drive when I just got the oil changed, but I think he's worried how the transmission will react to the blower. Stay tuned, I'm meeting with him and the owner Saturday. If you don't mind, could you PM me pricing for the Magna Charger in both black and polished?

 

[JennaBear]

2 dealers so far. I'm pretty tight with the first dealer, but I think they're a little skittish about the blower because they know something's up with the trans and they don't want to try to explain a scattered one to GM because of the blower. The SM is good with your tuning, he was impressed after a drive when I just got the oil changed, but I think he's worried how the transmission will react to the blower. Stay tuned, I'm meeting with him and the owner Saturday. If you don't mind, could you PM me pricing for the Magna Charger in both black and polished?

Shoot me an email with the system you want...1900 or 2300 ([email protected]), and I will get you some prices

 

[mtbennett24]

How is your experience with the FlashScanV2? Once you figured it out, is it easy to flash the ecm/tcm, data log, etc?

 

[Fast55]

A huge improvement, but unfortunately, my transmission seems to be a POS. I'm about fed up with dealing with it. Josh has sent another tuning file that SEEMED to be a big improvement, but my first impression was just that. I can't get anything else done to it until they can "duplicate my concern". It's ********. They site DOC #2385650 but it states "we must duplicate customers concern" before moving forward with any addtional work on the trans. I've had the SM in the truck and demonstrated the problem to him, but it isn't consistent. Doing a blower is not an option until this is fixed.

The V2 is a PITA. It takes a while to figure out logging and re-flashing. It was made for people who want to figure it out and do tuning on their own. No way in hell should you buy one without the support of BB for giving you a custom tune based on logging you send Josh. I'm not entirely happy with the ECM tuning on the motor either. It seems it's lost a step since I did it and Josh tells me it's fuel, but I can't get anything better than 76 premium at 91 octane in Ca. Hopefully I can get back the snappy torque especially at freeway speeds with another update. Right now, it seems to want to downshift when accelerating on the cruise control like it did stock instead of just jumping forward 2-3 mph like it did right after the tuning was first loaded. I dunno, maybe the dealer has screwed some of the tuning since I first flashed the ECM even though they have supposedly only been touching the TCM. I will say that whatever issues I have with shifting are not BB related. My problems started before the tune and while Josh may not have solved them, they are better. I also think that's why my mileage isn't as good as some other 6.2's. In any event, it definitely goes with the pedal down. I ***** an Escalade in a drag a few days ago, and it was a 2WD while my truck is a 4X4 and has every possible option plus a bunch of crap in the rear (tools, tie downs, etc). No handheld tuner comes close to this difference.

 

[mtbennett24]

Thanks for your input. I can't seem to get an answer for when the autocal will be available. I realy want to tune the tcm because the 6spd feels like a dog around town. That and I would like to be able to flash back to stock for dealer visits. Have you had any dealer issues with them finding the tune or do you flash back to stock before visiting?

 

[Fast55]

My dealer doesn't really have a problem with the tuning. The SM was impressed by the difference in how the truck runs and how the transmission works. It has gained a little as far as gas mileage, but not much. I believe he knows there's an issue with my trans, but cannot do anything about it until it gets a lot worse or grenades completely. I know him and the owner well. I've bought so many things there that I think they would eat a transmission if it died after doing the blower setup I want, but I'm not going to put them in that position,,,,,,yet. It's a helluva lot faster than it was, and shifting is better, but I've owned and built so many cars and trucks that I know when something isn't right. They've done a recall fix, some additional seals, and a solenoid, but so far it's crap. If you have the cash, forget waiting on the Autocal. I wanted to wait and save a few bucks, but gave up and bought the V2. Who knows, the Autocal may never happen. If I can't get it working the way I want I might just ditch it and move on to something else.

 

[mtbennett24]

Thanks again. Best of luck with your ride. Keep us posted.