Tuning Advice Needed

[BPopilek]

Hey all! So I am working on building up a cast iron 6.0 LQ4 block to replace the stock 5.3 in my truck (2008 Yukon). I'm also going to be installing a 4L80E transmission at the same time. I have just about all of the parts ordered for the engine, and I'm just waiting to get the block back from the machine shop so that I can start assembly. Once I get this built, I know I am going to have to have the computer flashed to support the new engine without AFM and the new transmission. My question is where to get the tune done and what the cost of it is expected to be. I was told that I could buy an HP Tuner to flash it with. And a performance shop I called, quoted me $500 to create a tune to use with everything. At that rate, I'm going to be spending close to $1200 on getting it tuned, and that seems a bit excessive. I've already spent way more than I intended on getting the block prepped and the parts ordered. So I want a tune that is going to work without breaking the bank. Any info is appreciated! Thanks!

 

[02Burgundybeast]

The performance shop should be able to tune your pcm and tcm. No need for you to have hp tuners unless you want to program it yourself.

 

[BPopilek]

The performance shop should be able to tune your pcm and tcm. No need for you to have hp tuners unless you want to program it yourself.

I Live in Michigan, and the shop that I called is out of Florida. So he made it sound like I had to have my own equipment to do the flash. This is a shop that is well known to my mechanic friend, which is why I talked to them first. I haven't found any local shops to do a tune where I live yet. I have seen Black Bear mentioned on here quite a bit. How good are they and what do they charge? Or am I better to find a local shop? New to all of the tuning stuff! ;-)

 

[Justin]

Are you looking to maintain the ability to tune it yourself down the road? Any future modifications planned for it that you won't have right off the bat?

We offer options for just a tune outright for you as well as full tuning software to tune it yourself, including tuning to help get you going.

 

[Justin]

And you probably already have this covered, but the LQ4 engine by definition uses a 24x reluctor on the crankshaft. Your 2008 system requires a 58x reluctor. That must be changed on the LQ4 crankshaft.

 

[BPopilek]

And you probably already have this covered, but the LQ4 engine by definition uses a 24x reluctor on the crankshaft. Your 2008 system requires a 58x reluctor. That must be changed on the LQ4 crankshaft.

Yes I already have a new reluctor ring on hand that will be installed on the crank. As far as tuning goes, I need something intially to get it running and driving after the engine is installed. Then probably tuned up after driving it around for a bit. I do plan to add a turbo to it later on, so I believe it will need to be tweaked for that as well.

 

[Justin]

Okay, great.

It sounds like the EFILive V2 would be a good option for you if you do intend to be able to make changes. It is a bit more expensive than HPTuners, but we would provide full tuning for you now and down the road at no additional cost.

Another option is the AutoCal, which is priced quite a bit lower than the V2 and would not permit you to make any changes yourself, we would make them all for you, but has the same lifetime tune update policy.

 

[jerryjoe28]

@BPopilek I went with black bear for my needs. they can get u set up on a tune to get her going. then change it up for you as u change things.

 

[BPopilek]

Okay, great.

It sounds like the EFILive V2 would be a good option for you if you do intend to be able to make changes. It is a bit more expensive than HPTuners, but we would provide full tuning for you now and down the road at no additional cost.

Another option is the AutoCal, which is priced quite a bit lower than the V2 and would not permit you to make any changes yourself, we would make them all for you, but has the same lifetime tune update policy.

Either option sounds like it would probably work. I don't necessarily need the ability to make the changes myself if there are unlimited tunes. I am interested in the cost of each option and the turn around time to get the flash files.

 

[Justin]

Either option sounds like it would probably work. I don't necessarily need the ability to make the changes myself if there are unlimited tunes. I am interested in the cost of each option and the turn around time to get the flash files.

The V2 is $899, the AutoCal is $599. Turn around time would be the same on either and really depends on our workload at the time. We're a bit backed up at the moment, but getting better on that each day.

We do have an expedited service option for $50 which would get same day service when files are sent in before 2pm.

 

[BPopilek]

The V2 is $899, the AutoCal is $599. Turn around time would be the same on either and really depends on our workload at the time. We're a bit backed up at the moment, but getting better on that each day.

We do have an expedited service option for $50 which would get same day service when files are sent in before 2pm.

Ok very cool. I will definitely keep this in mind when I get to that point. As of right now, it's probably going to be a month or two before I am ready to install it. How long does it take for the programming equipment to arrive after it is ordered? I get 6 days off from work every other week, so my goal is to have everything ready during one of these breaks so I can get it fully done. So I'd want to have the equipment and initial base program ready at that time as well. Thanks for the quick replies!

 

[YukonandtheHOE]

Are you looking to maintain the ability to tune it yourself down the road? Any future modifications planned for it that you won't have right off the bat?

We offer options for just a tune outright for you as well as full tuning software to tune it yourself, including tuning to help get you going.

Do you guys support HP Tuners?

 

[Justin]

We ship with USPS Priority mail by default and it usually would be in your hands in two business days after ordering. It would be best for you to get it in hand and collect your tune files a week or so before the engine goes in. Should be able to have everything ready to flash at that point.

 

[Justin]

Do you guys support HP Tuners?

Not as our primary tuning solution, but we do have the ability to tune with it, yes.

 

[YukonandtheHOE]

Not as our primary tuning solution, but we do have the ability to tune with it, yes.

What are your rates? My latest standalone 5.3 swap is a gen4 e38 DBW and im having a hell of a time getting my VE and Maf dialed in.

 

[Justin]

Typical email tune price is $250. Do you have the specs handy on that setup?

 

[BPopilek]

Typical email tune price is $250. Do you have the specs handy on that setup?

For your $250 price, is that also unlimited tunes using an HP Tuner? Or is it for a set amount?


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[Justin]

For your $250 price, is that also unlimited tunes using an HP Tuner? Or is it for a set amount?


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I can't guarantee that it would be unlimited forever as we have an offsite employee that we would be using as the HPTuners conduit. That individual teaches tuning courses as well through EFI University.

 

[YukonandtheHOE]

Typical email tune price is $250. Do you have the specs handy on that setup?

Its 100% stock LH6 with CAI, no evap, No rear o2's and no TCM.. how would we work the Licensing?

 

[Justin]

Its 100% stock LH6 with CAI, no evap, No rear o2's and no TCM.. how would we work the Licensing?

The licensing question is something I would need to work out. Shoot us an email at tuning at blackbearperformance.com and we can get you some more detail.