Maybe I will keep my Denali, if perhaps...

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Shadow17

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Posts
410
Reaction score
145
Is there a good TCM tune for the Denali's?
I know an ECM tune will remove the dreaded AFM and it's mind-numbing vibration.
I can live with the small electronic glitches.

It's the wandering transmission and pause to shift from reverse to forward when cold. Has anyone found a TCM tune to take care of the sloppy transmission from the first gen 8 speed?

My truck has a buy out of $35K +/- and quite frankly I am having a hard time finding something used better than the Denali. I have been hitting Excursion's pretty hard. They would be the only other consideration for me for my needs. But the 6.0 diesels are time bombs and I really feel I'm losing a lot getting the archaic V10 that they also came with.

I really have no interest getting back into a truck at this time. And seeing what new SUV's are going for, I really hate to enter into another lease for a $90k+ kid/dog/boat/atv hauler.
 
OP
OP
Shadow17

Shadow17

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Posts
410
Reaction score
145
Thus far I've researched the Diablo 8200 and Black Bear tunes. Diablo appears to be the only one that includes a programmer that can be hooked to the vehicle at any time to go back to OE specs should I need servicing. It appears I need to contact Black Bear for a cable to connect unless I purchase the $499 tune. Or am I wrong with that?
 

gat0r

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2015
Posts
3,106
Reaction score
5,828
Location
DFW
think you may be looking at wrong items on BBP site

http://store.blackbearperformance.com/EFILive-AutoCal-Tuning-System_p_8.html
you are paying for unit, cables (obd2 & usb) & lifetime tunes

i have a burb w/ 6spd, so i cant speak to the 8spd...
but i keep the efilive unit in vehicle in case i have to grab codes or need to revert back to stock.


contact BBP & they can answer all your ?'s
 
OP
OP
Shadow17

Shadow17

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Posts
410
Reaction score
145
I wasn't sure if I needed the $599 version. I see they have 3 versions.
Can someone explain to me why it is worth $220 more than the Diablo tuner? Honestly want to know.
Thanks.
 

gat0r

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 11, 2015
Posts
3,106
Reaction score
5,828
Location
DFW
if u plan on mods later as funds present themselves... then BBP, as tune updates are free.


also unsure on diablo, if dealer can see its been tuned.
& though you'd think they are the same for 2017, i have seen posts where something was changed in the '17 for the 8spds. (* something about hardware level update)


eta:
def. call diablo & BBP b4 ordering to verify.
 

yates ™

Resident Apple hater
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Posts
24,409
Reaction score
6,417
Location
Iowa
I wasn't sure if I needed the $599 version. I see they have 3 versions.
Can someone explain to me why it is worth $220 more than the Diablo tuner? Honestly want to know.
Thanks.
They tune to your truck instead of a generic tune.
 
OP
OP
Shadow17

Shadow17

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Posts
410
Reaction score
145
After speaking with Jarrad I am going with the Black Bear tune.
First with an intake and catback install and then the tune.
I'm curious to how noticeable the results will be.
 

yates ™

Resident Apple hater
Supporting Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Posts
24,409
Reaction score
6,417
Location
Iowa
After speaking with Jarrad I am going with the Black Bear tune.
First with an intake and catback install and then the tune.
I'm curious to how noticeable the results will be.
If it helps, I had Diablo tuner on a truck several years ago and noticed no difference other than I could change tire size.
 
OP
OP
Shadow17

Shadow17

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2015
Posts
410
Reaction score
145
It will be like driving a different truck, one more powerful and more driveable than the one you currently own.
Can you tell me from experience will it clean up the worrisome transmission?
That is the only part of the Denali that truly concerns me long term. It just doesn't seem real solid.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
129,253
Posts
1,812,868
Members
92,355
Latest member
Laurents10
Top