Blackbear tune... I'd like to hear from personal experience to set up

[mountie]

Blackbear has options...

Scan cable.. how does it work? What are the connections?
I have a Windows 10 laptop. ( any issues ? )

Crank relearn. Is it as easy as they say? ( I can't afford a delay, since my '05 Yukon is my daily driver.
I don't care if I do their deposits...... I plan to have them send me a ECU then replace.

I will be calling Blackbear for advice, but a personal experience would be helpful.

 

[drdave81]

I've used them 3 times now. Since I knew I'd be tuning a couple vehicles, I bought the equipment from them to save a bit in the long run. You download a couple apps to your laptop. They send you the Autocal V3 which connects to the laptop via supplied USB. A separate supplied cable connects the autocal to the vehicle. I never had to run a crank relearn after any tunes. The only time I did it, I used a Tech2. But running the routine in general is as simple as following the on screen prompts about when to start and "flooring" it (the PCM will only allow RPMS to go up to about 4000 and hold there).

You will not actually have the laptop connected to the vehicle. The autocal will connect to the vehicle via one cable. Then you disconnect and reconnect with a separate cable to the laptop. So its a couple different steps. Files get loaded onto the autocal from the laptop, and from the laptop (email) to the autocal. Then a separate cable with OBD port is used to flash the PCM. It's also used to data log. No laptop in the vehicle is required.

 

[mountie]

Thanks..... All sounds perfect as long as the downloading the apps, and data download has no glitches. I am not sending them my PCM. I will have them send me the Blackbear PCM. I can't park my truck and wait for the mail.
If I read correctly, from them, I can use their 'tool' to load my Yukon date and e-mail the data, so then they setup my new PCM?
Sorry for all the questions..... Just trying to get the whole picture....

 

[Doubeleive]

download efi
connect the autocal and update firmware
download the blackbear tune file from email to a file on pc
open the file and double click it
this will automatically open efi and bring up a menu box
click on the tab to instal tune file
when done, disconnect autocal from pc
go to vehicle, turn key to run, be sure there are no cel if so then clear them first.
unplug any other usb or 3rd party devices that could interupt the file transfer
plug the autocal in, tab thru the menu until you reach install ECM, press continue
when done it will tell you to turn off key for 15 seconds
turn key back on, tab thru autocal to install TCM, press continue
when done it will tell you to turn of key for 15 seconds
when finished unplug autocal.
enjoy tune......
no crank relearn needed, but it couldn't hurt either. the autocal does not have the capability to do crank relearn

if you are doing the ecm option instead (sending it in) , then that may be different and perhaps may need a cranklearn (not sure)

 

[mountie]

download efi
connect the autocal and update firmware
download the blackbear tune file from email to a file on pc
open the file and double click it
this will automatically open efi and bring up a menu box
click on the tab to instal tune file
when done, disconnect autocal from pc
go to vehicle, turn key to run, be sure there are no cel if so then clear them first.
unplug any other usb or 3rd party devices that could interupt the file transfer
plug the autocal in, tab thru the menu until you reach install ECM, press continue
when done it will tell you to turn off key for 15 seconds
turn key back on, tab thru autocal to install TCM, press continue
when done it will tell you to turn of key for 15 seconds
when finished unplug autocal.
enjoy tune......
no crank relearn needed, but it couldn't hurt either. the autocal does not have the capability to do crank relearn

if you are doing the ecm option instead (sending it in) , then that may be different and perhaps may need a cranklearn (not sure)

Wow... thanks......
When it comes to my ride, I get very CAREFUL..... since there is nothing wrong with my ride, as it is.
I am used to have another tech mechanic to do this stuff for me....

 

[drdave81]

Thanks..... All sounds perfect as long as the downloading the apps, and data download has no glitches. I am not sending them my PCM. I will have them send me the Blackbear PCM. I can't park my truck and wait for the mail.
If I read correctly, from them, I can use their 'tool' to load my Yukon date and e-mail the data, so then they setup my new PCM?
Sorry for all the questions..... Just trying to get the whole picture....

Yes, you use their tool to download the stock tune files from your PCM and email that file to them. Once you get your new PCM, you'll install it and it will have an initial modded tune file installed. After that, they'll have you run a data log and send them the data log to make any further "tweaks" to the tune. They will send you back a final tune file which you will download to the autocal tool and use it to flash to your new PCM. Done and good to go. You can still drive while you have that initial modded tune, they just make minor adjustments based on what they see and (if any) your feedback from your driving. "shift is a bit too firm/soft" etc.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I did the fully remote tune with BlackBear. They sent me everything that I needed, which are primarily the AutoCal device and the instructions. The folks above have given you great summaries of the steps required, but the bottom line is that if you are reasonably computer savvy (downloading and uploading files through email and transferring them from your Windows 10 computer to the AutoCal and vice versa, you are good to go.

 

[mountie]

I did the fully remote tune with BlackBear. They sent me everything that I needed, which are primarily the AutoCal device and the instructions. The folks above that given you great summaries of the steps required, but the bottom line is that if you are reasonably computer savvy (downloading and uploading files through email and transferring them from your Windows 10 computer to the AutoCal and vice versa, you are good to go.

Thanks,.... And, yea...... I'm pretty good with the computer stuff......

So, now,.... To pull the trigger......

 

[swathdiver]

I saved the original tunes to my computer and then saved the updated one from BlackBear to my computer. This way everything is backed up.

 

[mountie]

I saved the original tunes to my computer and then saved the updated one from BlackBear to my computer. This way everything is backed up.

Good idea..... I have a nice- refurbished DEL Windows 10 laptop, that I don't use for anything. it is clear of extra stuff. I also have a second DEL laptop.... ( Charging them now)

 

[mountie]

3 basic tune options...... Since my '05 is all stock, It appears the " Scan Cable Tune" would be fine ... ?? I don't see the need & cost for the 'Auto Cal' version... I think?

I'm an easy driver....

 

[89Suburban]

Keep us updated on your progress mountie. This is something on my wish list as well. But I can't have the truck down.

 

[mountie]

Keep us updated on your progress mountie. This is something on my wish list as well. But I can't have the truck down.

Will do..... probably in a week or so.... is the .... plan.....

 

[drdave81]

Keep us updated on your progress mountie. This is something on my wish list as well. But I can't have the truck down.

You shouldn't have the vehicle down if you're just getting a tune. Depending on how you go about it, you can have them A. send you a PCM or B. send you the equipment. You download the stock files from the PCM and email the file. They send you a modded file and you flash it to the PCM. Then after either of those options, you data log as you drive and send them the log file. They then send you a final modded copy to flash to the PCM and done. There is no down time for your vehicle.
Now, if you're modding the engine, that would be your only down time.

 

[89Suburban]

You shouldn't have the vehicle down if you're just getting a tune. Depending on how you go about it, you can have them A. send you a PCM or B. send you the equipment. You download the stock files from the PCM and email the file. They send you a modded file and you flash it to the PCM. Then after either of those options, you data log as you drive and send them the log file. They then send you a final modded copy to flash to the PCM and done. There is no down time for your vehicle.
Now, if you're modding the engine, that would be your only down time.

I have looked into them several times on their website over the past few years. For some reason my year Tahoe they can’t supply a PCM for mine.

They also have specific wording about high mileage vehicles and mine is asz whooped 360k

 

[drdave81]

I have looked into them several times on their website over the past few years. For some reason my year Tahoe they can’t supply a PCM for mine.

They also have specific wording about high mileage vehicles and mine is asz whooped 360k

Your tahoe PCM shouldn't be any different than other ones. I'd send them an email and see what's special about yours. I just looked on there actually, for the 07-08 Tahoe, I didn't see anything special, other than 07+ is recommended to use at least 89 Octane due to higher compression.

As far as the mileage is concerned, I'm sure they're just covering their butts for any damage caused by tuning and parts failing due to added power........... like the trans lol. I can't blame them, I'm sure someone's tried it before.


Edit: Sorry to sidetrack your thread Mountie!!

 

[mountie]

Your tahoe PCM shouldn't be any different than other ones. I'd send them an email and see what's special about yours. I just looked on there actually, for the 07-08 Tahoe, I didn't see anything special, other than 07+ is recommended to use at least 89 Octane due to higher compression.

As far as the mileage is concerned, I'm sure they're just covering their butts for any damage caused by tuning and parts failing due to added power........... like the trans lol. I can't blame them, I'm sure someone's tried it before.


Edit: Sorry to sidetrack your thread Mountie!!

Not sorry.... ( Reeses?)....... All the coaching is GREAT!!
My '05 has had a good life..... always garaged, clean, and 175,000..... Runs great.....

I just like the idea to "make it great again"....... Ha.... Just to improve the tune will be nice.

 

[the 18th letter]

I’m waiting on my son to do this for me. I tried downloading music once in the old days, had to get a new computer and have been kind of scarred since. Watching YouTube’s of the process makes it seem so simple but the trauma makes me feel like I will find the one way to screw the pooch on this lol

 

[Joseph Garcia]

I saved the original tunes to my computer and then saved the updated one from BlackBear to my computer. This way everything is backed up.

Me too. Original OEM tune files (which BlackBear made and returned to me in an AutoCal installable format after submitting my original 20 minute data file to them, so I could convert to the OEM tune if/when needed) and 2 sets of high performance tunes, based upon what tire size I am running. All tune files are backed up on 2 separate NAS servers.

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Keep us updated on your progress mountie. This is something on my wish list as well. But I can't have the truck down.

The first time that you perform the tune installation, it may take you 1/2 to 1 hour, just going slow to make sure that you do it correctly. From the second time forward (if needed for additional mods, tire size changes, etc.) it should not take you any more than 15 minutes to complete. You truck won't be 'down'.