What did you do to your NNBS GMT900 Tahoe/Yukon Today?

[kbuskill]

@kbuskill 330K miles on a stock 6l80e and “didn’t need a rebuild”?

That’s impressive…

4L60E... my truck is an '08 and the 6 speed was only available in the Esky and Denali in '07-'08... not available in the Hoes and Burbs until '09+... that is also when air conditioned seats also became available in these rigs as well.

But even at that, I have read where a lot of people seem to have issues with the 4L60E giving up the ghost much sooner. I'm not sure if it is due to a lack of maintenance or guys just pulling heavy trailers and beating the snot out of them or what.

I am a firm believer in preventative maintenance and I don't tow a ton but I have towed an enclosed trailer with 4 motorcycles up into the smokey mountains on occasion as well as hauled a few cars/trucks on trailers with the ol' Burb and never had any issues. Maybe I just got a good one... lol

 

[JoeBlobs]

Someone here posted about it a month ago so I checked it out for the hell of it and just took the dive. I been itching for a long time for a tune. Mainly because of how schyty these transmissions shift in these things with the early up shifts and lock up converter lugging.

I wanted to wait until I got the new motor installed which I did about a year ago.

I know HP is very popular and I never really ever did my homework on going that route. I always had the impression from reading on here that seemed to be an elite level and required more of a mental skill that is beyond my ability. I respect the hell out of the ones that do use it like @swathdiver and others here. I could be completely wrong about that and they may have something “a caveman” can handle. Just never opened that door to take a look for sone reason.

I also respect the hell out of BBT and the countless members here that have used them. They way they support the site here and such. I’ve been looking at them for years and had a few PM convos. Only thing holding me back from that route was having to deal with downtime to send my ECM to them. I can not have that.

The guy I am dealing with at diablew is Lewis. He seems to be on his game. The instructions for the tune device are kind of vague so that was kind of frustrating but now that I know the quirks it seems to work just fine. If anyone decides to go this route please contact me for some pointers in that regard.

Anyway for now I am enjoying much better throttle response, shift points are more inline with the power band of of the engine and much more predictable. Great acceleration pulling. AFM is disabled so no more Range Device needed. I’ll be selling that soon.

I have to say the most impressive part of a tune is the rolling take offs and shifting. I feel like I’m a kid again. And I’m TRYING to stay out of trouble with it.

HP tuners is a lot more in depth as far as what you can modify. Some of it can be confusing and you can definitely screw things up if you don't know what you are playing with but overall it isn't too bad. As mentioned the HP tuners forum has a lot of info and there are also alot of tuners on YouTube that do a decent job of explaining things.

I had a Diablo tuner and then got Lew to do a custom tune for me and then later on I took the dive into HP tuners and have modified some more things.

One thing I did was turn off the PWM control of the Torque converter so it isn't always slipping like it was from the factory, it now functions like the old school lock up converters, either 100% engaged or 100% disengaged. Now when the converter locks it almost feels like a 5th gear shift. I also had a stage 2 shift kit put in when I had the transmission built when we pulled it to replace the rear main seal that started leaking. Transmission didn't need a rebuild according to the builder but I couldn't bring myself to put a 330k mile transmission back in without building it since it was already out, despite not giving me any issues.

HP tuners is also more expensive than other options but in my case I split the cost with my brother and son because we all wanted to tune our different vehicles. Once the initial purchase is made then you only have to purchase credits to tune additional vehicles.

THANK YOU for your responses gentlemen, and others who've commented. Other than disabling AFM, the trans tuning is one of the main reasons I want to dip into buying a tuner, but also maximizing performance when I get some power adders and/or delete the AFM system all together. I think I'm leaning more towards HPTuners but I have to do some more research overall. Thanks again fellas.

 

[the_tool_man]

Not that I know of, but the hptuners forum has lots of good people who are helpful.

I have hptuners but I still went for a black bear tune. They do such a great job it was worth the money. They’ve tuned all 3 of mine now.

I am also interested in getting into HPTuners or finding a local shop to tune mine. I loved my BB tune when I had it. Unfortunately, when my transmission was replaced, I found out they'd stopped honoring the lifetime warranty on tunes. So I won't do business with them.

 

[Geotrash]

I am also interested in getting into HPTuners or finding a local shop to tune mine. I loved my BB tune when I had it. Unfortunately, when my transmission was replaced, I found out they'd stopped honoring the lifetime warranty on tunes. So I won't do business with them.

Yeah, I get that. It’s one thing to change the policy for new sales, but for people who bought their service under the original terms, it’s disappointing. Even a good faith limit would be better received by their customer base. It would prevent abuse while still enabling folks to get more of the value they have every reason to believe they paid for.

 

[Doubeleive]

I am also interested in getting into HPTuners or finding a local shop to tune mine. I loved my BB tune when I had it. Unfortunately, when my transmission was replaced, I found out they'd stopped honoring the lifetime warranty on tunes. So I won't do business with them.

you don't have your original tune or autocal anymore?
all you should have to do is load your tune on the new transmission, pretty sure this generation is not locked out like the newer ones that take a special software key.
I have you tried it? the autocal is licensed to your vin, not to the transmission.

 

[Scrappycrow]

A benefit to HPTuners is that once you have the dongle, using it to help friends only costs them the module license fees. For example, a buddy with a 2013 Silverado only wanted his AFM disabled. So, I was able to do it for him for $100 as opposed to him buying something like a Range disabler, which is $234 (at Summit as of this writing).

 

[JoeBlobs]

A benefit to HPTuners is that once you have the dongle, using it to help friends only costs them the module license fees. For example, a buddy with a 2013 Silverado only wanted his AFM disabled. So, I was able to do it for him for $100 as opposed to him buying something like a Range disabler, which is $234 (at Summit as of this writing).

Being able to use the tuner on multiple cars after buying credits is a really big deal.

 

[mikez71]

Got a big empty feeling..
and an empty feeling box with a dunce cap, to remind me what a dummy I am for buying this.

Funny story, there was god-awful noise coming from my cracked dash.
I traced it to some wiring connectors that were loose rattling against the bottom of dash... after I ordered this already.. haha dummy!

Cracks I epoxied a couple years ago came apart or started a new crack, so it was only a matter of time..
This dash.. its wafer thin.. The cardboard maybe heavier than the dash.

I might shove some case foam underneath the middle to support/cushion it a little..
maybe reinforce the airbag corner with epoxy? idk, I might make it worse..

 

[Tonyrodz]

Got a big empty feeling..
and an empty feeling box with a dunce cap, to remind me what a dummy I am for buying this.

View attachment 466936

Funny story, there was god-awful noise coming from my cracked dash.
I traced it to some wiring connectors that were loose rattling against the bottom of dash... after I ordered this already.. haha dummy!

View attachment 466937

Cracks I epoxied a couple years ago came apart or started a new crack, so it was only a matter of time..
This dash.. its wafer thin.. The cardboard maybe heavier than the dash.

I might shove some case foam underneath the middle to support/cushion it a little..
maybe reinforce the airbag corner with epoxy? idk, I might make it worse..

View attachment 466935

You bought it already, why not just replace it and be done with it.

 

[mikez71]

I'm still going to install it, but thinking about ways to re-inforce it.
..but I think I've spent enough time and money, I'll probably just toss it in as is.

 

[Tonyrodz]

I'm still going to install it, but thinking about ways to re-inforce it.
..but I think I've spent enough time and money, I'll probably just toss it in as is.

Isn't the newer dashes redesigned to be better? I know @Rocket Man bought a replacement for his Silverado.

 

[swathdiver]

I'm still going to install it, but thinking about ways to re-inforce it.
..but I think I've spent enough time and money, I'll probably just toss it in as is.

Don't crank down on that support bracket 10mm bolt near the passenger side airbag and put a dash mat on top to take the heat.

 

[mikez71]

Good tips. I'm a little scared the bolts under windshield might strip upon removal. Last time I backed them out 1 or 2 turns and stopped (didnt feel like they were loosening) I'll find out soon..

My dash should be the updated one as it was made this year, but I think my original dash is the updated one as well.. (March 2012)

 

[Rocket Man]

Good tips. I'm a little scared the bolts under windshield might strip upon removal. Last time I backed them out 1 or 2 turns and stopped (didnt feel like they were loosening) I'll find out soon..

My dash should be the updated one as it was made this year.
View attachment 466968

From what I could see on the one I bought, they made improvements to them several years back so you should be fine. I added reinforcement too m one anyway but idk if it did anything. Just keep it out of the sun or use a dash mat like @swathdiver said. For the fasteners, I found out if you go back and forth and tighten those 10 mm across the dash and the airbags evenly instead of just cranking each one one down before moving on, it seems to put less pressure on the dash and it doesn’t feel like its being distorted if that makes sense. To me, I started out cranking each one down all the way and it seemed to bind up the dash as I went so I went back and loosened them up and took turns pulling them all snug. But that also seems to be the best way to tighten down fasteners on a lot of stuff. Anyway, get er done!

 

[the_tool_man]

you don't have your original tune or autocal anymore?
all you should have to do is load your tune on the new transmission, pretty sure this generation is not locked out like the newer ones that take a special software key.
I have you tried it? the autocal is licensed to your vin, not to the transmission.

You're right. But I didn't buy the Autocal. I met the guy in Charlotte for a live tune. I figured if I ever needed a re-tune, I'd either ship my ECM to them, drive to a live tune event again, or buy the Autocal at that time, since the tuning itself would be free. I think it was in 2020, live tunes went away. Shortly thereafter, BB announced they wouldn't honor lifetime retunes any longer, even for customers who had bought tunes already under that promise.

When I replaced the transmission in 2023, the dealer had to program its TCM to my vehicle. They didn't mess with the engine tune, thankfully, so I still have AFM and rear O2s disabled. But the transmission tuning was gone. My three year transmission warranty expires next spring, so I'm looking to tune it again. I will drive it as is for the rest of my life before I give another dime to BBP.

I see a LOT more posts and information on using HPTuners than Autocal. So I'm thinking I need to either find a local tuner with that, or try it myself.

 

[the_tool_man]

Good tips. I'm a little scared the bolts under windshield might strip upon removal. Last time I backed them out 1 or 2 turns and stopped (didnt feel like they were loosening) I'll find out soon..

My dash should be the updated one as it was made this year.
View attachment 466968

This is also on my list. I'll be curious to see how it goes for you. Please keep us posted.

 

[mikez71]

This is also on my list. I'll be curious to see how it goes for you. Please keep us posted.

Will let you know how it goes!

While I haven't dealt with BBP, I don't see how any company can honor lifetime re-tunes!
So while it's disappointing for you, it maybe an impossible situation for them...
..but they should give you one last tune!

 

[89Suburban]

FWIW The Diablew tune has separate tune files for the engine and transmission ECMs. So you can first save the originals for both of them before the tune is installed in the same matter, 2 separate uploads.

 

[j91z28d1]

You're right. But I didn't buy the Autocal. I met the guy in Charlotte for a live tune. I figured if I ever needed a re-tune, I'd either ship my ECM to them, drive to a live tune event again, or buy the Autocal at that time, since the tuning itself would be free. I think it was in 2020, live tunes went away. Shortly thereafter, BB announced they wouldn't honor lifetime retunes any longer, even for customers who had bought tunes already under that promise.

When I replaced the transmission in 2023, the dealer had to program its TCM to my vehicle. They didn't mess with the engine tune, thankfully, so I still have AFM and rear O2s disabled. But the transmission tuning was gone. My three year transmission warranty expires next spring, so I'm looking to tune it again. I will drive it as is for the rest of my life before I give another dime to BBP.

I see a LOT more posts and information on using HPTuners than Autocal. So I'm thinking I need to either find a local tuner with that, or try it myself.

just a heads up, with hptuners if they replace the tranny including the tcm. that then is lost as well, also the credits are lost. you will have to buy more credits and open that tcm up.


hptuners and bbp seem like totally different things to me. with bbp you're buying a tune. hpt you're buying access to your tune. it doesn't do anything without your input.

 

[Doubeleive]

Will let you know how it goes!

While I haven't dealt with BBP, I don't see how any company can honor lifetime re-tunes!
So while it's disappointing for you, it maybe an impossible situation for them...
..but they should give you one last tune!

same with sirius & tivo it's a unsustainable situation, I have lifetime service with both, lifetime basically means until the equipment dies or the company goes under.
I paid whatever sirius charged at the time I think it was like $200 and some change way back around 2002, that was with a receiver & a online account, twice over the years that receiver died, so I put my thinking cap on, acquired another working receiver and called them and told them my receiver was stolen, can I transfer it to another unit? and they did it, lol. They do now offer a transfer service for $76 to transfer lifetime to another receiver but they only allow 3 transfers.
Tivo I never paid a dime, I just found lifetime receiver's (cheap) and had it transferred to my name, I have like 8 of them on my account and have bought and sold probably hundreds of them. They still offer lifetime service from time to time so the units are out there in the wild.
with modern day cable dvr's and online streaming tivo is a small fry but still keeps chugging along
sirius just nickles and dimes everyone

When blackbear decided to no longer offer lifetime tunes, I had bought both of mine before that change so I asked them what's the deal and they basically said they would do small changes at no charge, but a full on upgrade like a supercharger or something would be charged but that they would consider pro-rating it, I think that's what they said anyway I guess it just goes case by case. I have had small changes done since then and they did not charge me anything.