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Black Bear Tune
In Person with Justin
Orlando, Florida
5 October 2014
2006 Tahoe LS 4.8L
70600 miles
K&N CAI
Flowmaster 50 Series
I drove the Tahoe with the family riding shotgun to Universal Studios Orlando and slipped away early Sunday morning to meet Justin for my in person tune.
I arrived early at 0830 and met him as he jumped out of the truck he had just completed tuning and right into my truck. We plugged in the computer, had a chat to get a game plan for the tune, did some quick diagnostic checks and went for a drive.
The whole tune took about 45 minutes with a couple stops to turn off the motor and then go again. Most of the tune was driven at normal speeds around 30mph on the side streets of Orlando. A few times he asked me step into it to see how the motor sounded and responded to the adjustments he was making on the fly. Mostly for the shift points and to see the feedback on the computer.
The major tune adjustments that were performed:
1. Tow/Haul switched to Sport Mode.
2. Tuned for 93 octane.
3. Tightened up all the shift points.
4. Tightened up the full throttle shift point.
A few smaller adjustments to note;, he adjusted the top end speed limit from 98MPH to 120MPH and calibrated the speedometer to the correct tire size. Currently running 20s and upgrading to 22s, with only 1/4" difference it wouldn't be noticeable.
One issue that was found during the tune was a vacuum leak. Justin figured it might be an intake manifold gasket which he said is common with the NBS and due to the ethanol in the fuel. No decline in performance and nothing to be concerned about at the moment, but something to keep a lookout for when the CEL illuminates.
After the tune, I loaded up the family and drove 200 miles home. I could feel the shift points, it was easier to stomp down for passing the slowpokes on the turnpike and then around town keeping the truck in gear longer and ready to go definitely makes her feel a bit more responsive. No monumental gains in the lower power band up until about 4600RPMs, but from that point until the high end shift point at 5900RPMs, I am really impressed with how she tends to rocket off feeding off the K&N, while growling past the cars with open windows with the 50 series. For me it is rewarding and fun, playing around in a big SUV.
As far as MPG goes, going forward will tell the tale and of course my foot on the pedal. The following numbers reflect to and from Orlando over the weekend. All fuel used was 93 Octane.
To Orlando
308.7 Miles
(extra miles for driving to and from Universal Studios and the BBP tune)
19.93 gallons
15.48 MPG
Return home
190.7 miles
10.3 gallons
18.51 MPG
Highway speeds set on cruise control between 70-75 MPH and stop and go traffic around town. No extra load other than family. The instant MPG on the display reflected these numbers as well, but the calculations speak directly for themselves.
Pretty impressed with the pre-tune and post-tune numbers for the long trip up the turnpike either way. Especially since around town I can easily drag those numbers down into the 11/12 MPG range with my foot on the pedal.
Justin was very easy to talk to and accommodating. He asked questions to determine what direction or any specifics I wanted to gain from the tune and we continued the conversation on and off topic during the entire tuning process. I can't end without mentioning Julie Barrow. She answered all my emails and numerous questions (with a few inputs from Justin) about the in person tune and specifics, so that I was already informed when the tune happened. I did some research on the forums to see what other guys had gotten done and the positive feedback speaks for itself.
My overall impressions of the tune? Awesome!! and well worth the time and money spent to make it happen. If you are contemplating it, don't. Just do it. If BBP is coming to your local area, and you can make it, get on the list. I don't think you will be disappointed. To have someone professionally analyze live data feeds while you are driving and making corrections and adjustments on the fly to maximize the performance that your motor can produce was great. Justin found that one issue noted above, said the motor sounded good and tightened up some broad parameters to make the truck more enjoyable for me to drive. It is not meant for the general masses who really don't care to get that extra percentage of performance and enjoyment out of their daily driver.
Hope this helps out some of you on the fence or to reinforce and thumbs up a good vendor putting out a good service for our vehicles. Thanks BBP!!
In Person with Justin
Orlando, Florida
5 October 2014
2006 Tahoe LS 4.8L
70600 miles
K&N CAI
Flowmaster 50 Series
I drove the Tahoe with the family riding shotgun to Universal Studios Orlando and slipped away early Sunday morning to meet Justin for my in person tune.
I arrived early at 0830 and met him as he jumped out of the truck he had just completed tuning and right into my truck. We plugged in the computer, had a chat to get a game plan for the tune, did some quick diagnostic checks and went for a drive.
The whole tune took about 45 minutes with a couple stops to turn off the motor and then go again. Most of the tune was driven at normal speeds around 30mph on the side streets of Orlando. A few times he asked me step into it to see how the motor sounded and responded to the adjustments he was making on the fly. Mostly for the shift points and to see the feedback on the computer.
The major tune adjustments that were performed:
1. Tow/Haul switched to Sport Mode.
2. Tuned for 93 octane.
3. Tightened up all the shift points.
4. Tightened up the full throttle shift point.
A few smaller adjustments to note;, he adjusted the top end speed limit from 98MPH to 120MPH and calibrated the speedometer to the correct tire size. Currently running 20s and upgrading to 22s, with only 1/4" difference it wouldn't be noticeable.
One issue that was found during the tune was a vacuum leak. Justin figured it might be an intake manifold gasket which he said is common with the NBS and due to the ethanol in the fuel. No decline in performance and nothing to be concerned about at the moment, but something to keep a lookout for when the CEL illuminates.
After the tune, I loaded up the family and drove 200 miles home. I could feel the shift points, it was easier to stomp down for passing the slowpokes on the turnpike and then around town keeping the truck in gear longer and ready to go definitely makes her feel a bit more responsive. No monumental gains in the lower power band up until about 4600RPMs, but from that point until the high end shift point at 5900RPMs, I am really impressed with how she tends to rocket off feeding off the K&N, while growling past the cars with open windows with the 50 series. For me it is rewarding and fun, playing around in a big SUV.
As far as MPG goes, going forward will tell the tale and of course my foot on the pedal. The following numbers reflect to and from Orlando over the weekend. All fuel used was 93 Octane.
To Orlando
308.7 Miles
(extra miles for driving to and from Universal Studios and the BBP tune)
19.93 gallons
15.48 MPG
Return home
190.7 miles
10.3 gallons
18.51 MPG
Highway speeds set on cruise control between 70-75 MPH and stop and go traffic around town. No extra load other than family. The instant MPG on the display reflected these numbers as well, but the calculations speak directly for themselves.
Pretty impressed with the pre-tune and post-tune numbers for the long trip up the turnpike either way. Especially since around town I can easily drag those numbers down into the 11/12 MPG range with my foot on the pedal.
Justin was very easy to talk to and accommodating. He asked questions to determine what direction or any specifics I wanted to gain from the tune and we continued the conversation on and off topic during the entire tuning process. I can't end without mentioning Julie Barrow. She answered all my emails and numerous questions (with a few inputs from Justin) about the in person tune and specifics, so that I was already informed when the tune happened. I did some research on the forums to see what other guys had gotten done and the positive feedback speaks for itself.
My overall impressions of the tune? Awesome!! and well worth the time and money spent to make it happen. If you are contemplating it, don't. Just do it. If BBP is coming to your local area, and you can make it, get on the list. I don't think you will be disappointed. To have someone professionally analyze live data feeds while you are driving and making corrections and adjustments on the fly to maximize the performance that your motor can produce was great. Justin found that one issue noted above, said the motor sounded good and tightened up some broad parameters to make the truck more enjoyable for me to drive. It is not meant for the general masses who really don't care to get that extra percentage of performance and enjoyment out of their daily driver.
Hope this helps out some of you on the fence or to reinforce and thumbs up a good vendor putting out a good service for our vehicles. Thanks BBP!!
