Tune Payback

[pittmanb8]

Does anyone have any guestimates or numbers on a potential payback timeline for the blackbear tune?

Putting performance aside, how long would it take for the MPG increase to pay for the tune? I thought I had read someone that some are experiencing a 1-2 MPG increase. Assuming 15,000 miles / year and if the tune increases 1 MPG, that would be a savings of 62.5 gallons / year.

Also, would a tune for higher octane help out the payback timeline (considering the higher cost of gas)?

Does anyone have any numbers, opinions, or ideas?

 

[blueflamed03]

for me, my payback was right after I left getting Justin to tune it. I really, really liked the added performance enough that cash outlay didn't matter.
If you compare tune from 89 to 93, on a normal fill up is less than a hamburger and coke. But the power difference is huge.
If you do like I did, wait for about a year to try to justify a true payback, you'll regret missing a year once you do get it.
I have done wheels, exhaust, paint, lowering,etc and the tune is by far the funnest change.

 

[chistoso]

for me, my payback was right after I left getting Justin to tune it. I really, really liked the added performance enough that cash outlay didn't matter.
If you compare tune from 89 to 93, on a normal fill up is less than a hamburger and coke. But the power difference is huge.
If you do like I did, wait for about a year to try to justify a true payback, you'll regret missing a year once you do get it.
I have done wheels, exhaust, paint, lowering,etc and the tune is by far the funnest change.

Agreed 100%

I was never looking for a payback when I got mine, I was looking to get better performance and Justin did not dissappoint.. Love the skinny pedal again..

 

[pittmanb8]

I appreciate everyone's support on how great the tune is and how the performance alone is worth it, however, does anyone have any data on SAVINGS from the tune- for example someone might have the following experience: "Before I got my tune I was getting 15.1 MPG and post tune I get 16.5 MPG. My tune included a 93 octane tune." If someone has a similar experience, please share.

I'm not waiting for the payback to justify the tune, I am just wondering if out of all the people that speak so highly of the tune that someone would have some information about potential $$$ payback.

 

[blueflamed03]

I gained 2 MPG, went from HWY 18 to almost 21 MPG

around town average about 1 MPG, but I really need to change gears to make up for taller tires.

 

[208motors]

FYI if you devide the cost per gallon by your average mpg, your answer is the cost per mile for that fuel grade. i.e. $3 per gallon devided by 13mpg = approx 23 cents per mile.

91 octane is usually 20 cents per gallon more than 87 octane in Idaho. Assuming you get 1 mile per gallon better...

$3.20 per gallon devided by 14 costs you 22.8 cents per gallon. Basically, as long as you get 1 mile per gallon better mileage with premium gas, it is cheaper to run premium gas.

If $200 reprogram nets you 2 miles per gallon improvement with 91 octane it will take roughly 6600 miles to recover your investment souly on gas mileage.

 

[TX LTZHoe 07]

I keep a very detailed spreadsheet on fuel mileage for all of my vehicles. I just got the Tahoe tuned last week, and immediately noticed a 1.5mpg improvement on the rest of that tank. I will be collecting more data so that I can determine what the OP was looking for.

My estimate based on the 1.5 mpg improvement is approximately 9-12 months, based on 20,000 miles per year and originally i was averaging 15.3 mpg (after 6,000 miles).

Will report back after a few more tanks are run through her.

 

[208motors]

Ahhh some one as obsessive as I am about the details. I look forward to your findings.

 

[2 E L O]

I keep a very detailed spreadsheet on fuel mileage for all of my vehicles. I just got the Tahoe tuned last week, and immediately noticed a 1.5mpg improvement on the rest of that tank. I will be collecting more data so that I can determine what the OP was looking for.

My estimate based on the 1.5 mpg improvement is approximately 9-12 months, based on 20,000 miles per year and originally i was averaging 15.3 mpg (after 6,000 miles).

Will report back after a few more tanks are run through her.

Ahhh some one as obsessive as I am about the details. I look forward to your findings.

Hahaha...I love it. I'm right there with you guys. I'm an engineer, though...I make spreadsheets and trend evvvvvvvvvvvveryyyyyyyyythinnnnnnnnngggggg. Haha...

 

[Narco]

im only getting 14.6 avg. i just bought a CAI and will be doing exhaust in a month or 2 and then hopefully doing a tune in march if they still come to GA. i hope to at least be at at least 16 by the time everything is said and done.

 

[Timmy]

my avg combined went from 13.5 to 17.

at the same time, i went from 20s running 275/45/20 to stock 17s running 245/70/17.

 

[Narco]

mine has dropped from 14.6 to 14.4 since adding my 22s. i put the CAI on yesterday so we'll see

 

[TX LTZHoe 07]

Hahaha...I love it. I'm right there with you guys. I'm an engineer, though...I make spreadsheets and trend evvvvvvvvvvvveryyyyyyyyythinnnnnnnnngggggg. Haha...

I am also an engineer. Live by the trends....LOL

 

[2 E L O]

Very nice! What field of engineering are you in?

On a side note...I have noticed no substantial gains in mileage with any of my performance mods. CAI, cat-back, or Hypertech Max Energy tuner (on either the standard tune or max performance tune). The truck is more enjoyable to drive and performs better, but I don't see any improvement at the pump. Eventually I'll do the BB tune, though, and hopefully see some MPG gains there.

My overall average since July 1, 2008 (18,709 miles) is 15.1 MPG. The highest I've ever averaged (minimum half tank of fuel) is 19.9 MPG. The lowest I've averaged (again, minimum of half tank of fuel) is 11.8 MPG.

 

[thehoe92]

you guys are lucky sons of bitches!!
I get like 10-11mpg on average

I can't wait for my Tune I've read some great things about BlackBear

 

[92__silverado]

I was getting around 7 on my 03 tahoe due to what i think was an intake gasket. On a half a tank a gas i got 101 miles. Now that is terrible gas mileage on a stock vehicle. Once my hoe is fixed i am definitely going to get a BBear tune i hear to many good things not to invest the money in that.

 

[TX LTZHoe 07]

Very nice! What field of engineering are you in?

On a side note...I have noticed no substantial gains in mileage with any of my performance mods. CAI, cat-back, or Hypertech Max Energy tuner (on either the standard tune or max performance tune). The truck is more enjoyable to drive and performs better, but I don't see any improvement at the pump. Eventually I'll do the BB tune, though, and hopefully see some MPG gains there.

My overall average since July 1, 2008 (18,709 miles) is 15.1 MPG. The highest I've ever averaged (minimum half tank of fuel) is 19.9 MPG. The lowest I've averaged (again, minimum of half tank of fuel) is 11.8 MPG.

Sorry, just now saw your post. I have a Chemical Engr degree and I work in the natural gas industry here in the Barnett Shale.

My overall average was 15.35 before the tune, with the highest ever at 16.68. It has now increased to 15.68 overall in just a few tanks, and the average I have since the tune is 16.4.

I still want to collect more data before I determine payout.

 

[BlizzardX23]

you guys are lucky sons of bitches!!
I get like 10-11mpg on average

I can't wait for my Tune I've read some great things about BlackBear

x2 F*** you guys!!! grrrrrr

I used to get 12.** average...now my average within the last year has been 10.**


....

 

[JennaBear]

Are you using premium? Quality premium that is?

 

[BlizzardX23]

I use premium from 76 and Shell and Chevron...I only put premium in it...but now that you mention it, it was never this bad when I was using 87...