Negative effects of a tuner, and supporting mods?

[Lrdchaos]

Im new to the gas game, been driving diesels for the last 15 years. I’m looking for something to make my 2016 Tahoe a little more spunky. Are there any negative affects when adding a tuner? Do I need to add an exhaust and intake to benefit, or can I benefit from just a tuner like blackbear?

 

[Doubeleive]

the only Ill effects are "more fun"

 

[Doubeleive]

you don't need to change anything else but I would say a lot of people change at least the intake tube and maybe delete a resonator or add a more robust muffler, but it's a matter of person preference, a tune alone will wake it up a bit, and if you really want to go balls out add a supercharger! it just money

 

[Mark Sartain]

I did the Diablo tuner on mine and had Diablew (lew) do the email tune. Added the AFE intake and Magnaflow muffler. It’s night and day difference.

 

[Fosscore]

My 06 Tahoe 4.8 and 13 Suburban 5.3 are both Black Bear tuned.

Probably the best $$ mod I did to both trucks IMO.

Plenty of the K2xx style have been tuned. Worth a look and search the site for many positive reviews either in person or by email wth the AutoCal. I did both versions.

Good luck.

 

[mattsmall1972]

I am in the middle of this process. I have done this following things in this order, with this reaction:
1) AFM delete - Awesome, it seems to have better response!
2) 89 Octane gas: holy crap! I didn't know an additional 2 octane would make so much difference!
3) AFM Intake: OK, it sounds like a race car when accelerating and just keeps getting faster!

Next steps:

4) In the middle of a BlackBear tune. I've sent my files in and am waiting on the response.
5) Magnaflow muffler is on the way.

I will also be lowing by 2 inches with springs and helper tow bags.

It's starting to be silly how much better performance can get with a few simple mods and a little bit of $$$.

I will say that I will stop after the muffler. I don't need to be supercharged.

 

[Rocket Man]

I am in the middle of this process. I have done this following things in this order, with this reaction:
1) AFM delete - Awesome, it seems to have better response!
2) 89 Octane gas: holy crap! I didn't know an additional 2 octane would make so much difference!
3) AFM Intake: OK, it sounds like a race car when accelerating and just keeps getting faster!

Next steps:

4) In the middle of a BlackBear tune. I've sent my files in and am waiting on the response.
5) Magnaflow muffler is on the way.

I will also be lowing by 2 inches with springs and helper tow bags.

It's starting to be silly how much better performance can get with a few simple mods and a little bit of $$$.

I will say that I will stop after the muffler. I don't need to be supercharged.

Well none of us NEEDS to be supercharged but it sure the hell is fun, and combined with the right suspension/ lowering package these things can be amazingly nimble and quick. But I agree a good tune is the best bang.

 

[Jeremy Biagiotti]

I have a 2017.. added a free flow exhaust, cold air intake and tuned with HyperTech... Huge difference! Very fun to drive. I will say that if you add an exhaust, turning off the AFM is key, otherwise youll get an annoying drone when it hits 4cyl mode. Sounds like shit,,

 

[16rgs]

I am in the middle of this process. I have done this following things in this order, with this reaction:
1) AFM delete - Awesome, it seems to have better response!
2) 89 Octane gas: holy crap! I didn't know an additional 2 octane would make so much difference!
3) AFM Intake: OK, it sounds like a race car when accelerating and just keeps getting faster!

Next steps:

4) In the middle of a BlackBear tune. I've sent my files in and am waiting on the response.
5) Magnaflow muffler is on the way.

I will also be lowing by 2 inches with springs and helper tow bags.

It's starting to be silly how much better performance can get with a few simple mods and a little bit of $$$.

I will say that I will stop after the muffler. I don't need to be supercharged.

Matt, how much did the MPG go down with the AFM delete? Thinking about it but curious as to the MPG.
Thanks, Keith

 

[Joseph Garcia]

Im new to the gas game, been driving diesels for the last 15 years. I’m looking for something to make my 2016 Tahoe a little more spunky. Are there any negative affects when adding a tuner? Do I need to add an exhaust and intake to benefit, or can I benefit from just a tuner like blackbear?

I have a 2007 Yukon XL Denali with a 6.2, Gibson extreme cat-back dual exhaust, Airaid MIT, and a Black Bear Performance ECM/TCM custom performance tune. The Black Bear performance tune for both the ECM and TCM made a very significant difference in the performance on my Yukon. The low RPM performance is dramatically improved, meaning the same or better responsiveness and performance with less foot on the gas pedal. When you do punch it, the transmission does not switch to the higher gear, until you are just about at the red line, to extract all of the power that the 6.2 can deliver. Up and downshifting associated with normal driving, particularly city driving, is much smoother. And an additional bonus is that Black Bear provides you with a copy of your stock ECM and TCM tune settings, so if need be, you can re-flash the ECM and TCM back to the stock tune in 10 minutes. I hope that this is helpful to you.

 

[mattsmall1972]

Matt, how much did the MPG go down with the AFM delete? Thinking about it but curious as to the MPG.
Thanks, Keith

I have a hard time saying because my foot is more in the pedal now that it used to be.

Edit: I am about to get a tune. I want to sell my AFM module and if you want to, I'll send mine to you to test and you can buy it if you like it or send it back.

 

[Avalanchediver]

I added a HyperTech tuner that eliminated AFM below 50mph and gave me a half dozen option on trans shift points and firmness. The shift adjustment was a huge plus for me and I don't see anything as far as mileage loss.

 

[16rgs]

I have a hard time saying because my foot is more in the pedal now that it used to be.

Edit: I am about to get a tune. I want to sell my AFM module and if you want to, I'll send mine to you to test and you can buy it if you like it or send it back.

Matt, how much would you want for it if I liked it? Really couldn't go wrong with the offer? What MFG? Thanks, Keith

 

[dbbd1]

HyperTech tuner that eliminated AFM below 50mph.

Now that would be a handy thing. I just use the M5 method though.

 

[drakon543]

only downfall of a tuner is worse mpg until you get done playing with the extra pep and go back to driving it normal. basic intake and exhaust upgrades benefit more when combined with a tune but aren't necessary. hypertech is nice and simple but its mostly designed for stock everything. i would suggest getting an updatable tuner see what you think if you want more start doing the intake and exhaust and change the tune. if you have the cash to burn do the intake and a catback exhaust and the tune.

 

[mattsmall1972]

Matt, how much would you want for it if I liked it? Really couldn't go wrong with the offer? What MFG? Thanks, Keith

I sent you a dm.

 

[noob]

I'm curious, It seems like my torque converter shudder started to develop AFTER I decided to drive my car hard at ~30k miles. I'm wondering with the more aggressive shift points, it was cause the shudder to come back quicker.

 

[CMoore711]

I'm curious, It seems like my torque converter shudder started to develop AFTER I decided to drive my car hard at ~30k miles. I'm wondering with the more aggressive shift points, it was cause the shudder to come back quicker.

I'm no tuning expert and I couldn't write a TCM tune... However, I do know that most TCM tunes do a handful of things to increase the performance of the transmission. Most of those things include but are not limited to:

1. Reducing Torque Management - Which can lead to harsher interaction between your transmission's hard parts.
2. Increased Line Pressure - Provides quicker firmer shifts.
3. Slightly raised shift points - multiplies the impacts of 1 and 2 above (in regards to the transmission).

Now, the above are not necessarily bad things or bad for your transmission if implemented in moderation, most auto enthusiasts don't complain about the increased performance of their vehicle after a tune. And the factory GM settings on the 8-speed definitely leave a lot to be desired. To your point, if you have any sort of potential weak part, problem that has a band-aid on it, or a part that is wearing prematurely a performance tune will exploit it.

 

[noob]

I'm no tuning expert and I couldn't write a TCM tune... However, I do know that most TCM tunes do a handful of things to increase the performance of the transmission. Most of those things include but are not limited to:

1. Reducing Torque Management - Which can lead to harsher interaction between your transmission's hard parts.
2. Increased Line Pressure - Provides quicker firmer shifts.
3. Slightly raised shift points - multiplies the impacts of 1 and 2 above (in regards to the transmission).

Now, the above are not necessarily bad things or bad for your transmission if implemented in moderation, most auto enthusiasts don't complain about the increased performance of their vehicle after a tune. And the factory GM settings on the 8-speed definitely leave a lot to be desired. To your point, if you have any sort of potential weak part, problem that has a band-aid on it, or a part that is wearing prematurely a performance tune will exploit it.

That's pretty much what I was thinking, Though everything would be "better", wear would be increased due to harder shifts and more pressure which would exacerbate the poor design of our 8 speed transmissions.

 

[CMoore711]

That's pretty much what I was thinking, Though everything would be "better", wear would be increased due to harder shifts and more pressure which would exacerbate the poor design of our 8 speed transmissions.

I haven't quite bought into the whole "poor design of the 8 speed" just yet, I realize that's somewhat of a common perception/opinion on this site, maybe because I come from a Trailblazer SS that had a 4L70E. I know the 8L90E has had some issues and things that have or need to be addressed with TSB's etc. but what automatic transmission hasn't? The current 10 speed has had similar issues, hell there are forum members with '18+ Denali's experiencing the "rumble strip" symptoms of the TCC issue and getting a similar TSB done on their 10 speed to fix it as often required on the 8 speed.

Additionally, GM is still putting the 8 speed into many current vehicles; the Camaro SS/ZL1, Corvette Stingray/Grand Sport/ZO6/ZR1, Cadillac CT6, ATS-V, CTS-V, XT5 to name a few. If the 8 speed were that much of an abomination and "failure" GM would stop using it.