2001 Tahoe needs more pony's

[Pat]

Hi all,
I have a 2001 Tahoe LT. I live in Colorado and it seems like the hoe just can't climb the passes anymore. I only have 72,000 miles on it. It used to run right up the pass but now I have to get over to the right and let the V6 Toyota blow by me. Any ideas on whats got her so tired. I've never changed the plugs but everything else is kept up with. I don't have a cold air intake, but I have one of those permanent dry filters that are supposed to get better flow. I used to have 285 size tires and the dealer said it was that. I just put new 265's back on and it's no different. Let me know what I can do to make this thing roll again. Not looking to spend a lot of money either. I'd rather trade it for a new one then put to much into this one. Thanks.

 

[Modded]

Get it tunedd, preferably a Blabk Bear Tune is the way to go. Many have it on hee.

 

[nc6600]

Black Bear Tune will help tremendously.

---------- Post added at 10:39 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 PM ----------

Get it tunedd, preferably a Blabk Bear Tune is the way to go. Many have it on hee.

^u drunk? Nna?

 

[withac]

The BB tune would help, no doubt, I love mine, but I think that misses the point. You use to have power, now you don't. Something has changed, that needs to be found and addressed first. Since you haven't changed plugs and wires I'd start there. I know they are suppose to last forever but I changed mine shortly after buying it (approx. 90K miles) and got an immediate 2 mpg jump but I'm not sure if it helped the ponies or not. I used NGK's, I believe it was the TR55 and Bosch wires. I say find and fix the problem then get the tune. You'll love it.

 

[TheFuzz]

I'd start with your basic tune up, and a few other things.

1. Plugs and wires (OEM delco iridium plugs, OEM Bosch or Delco wires)
2. Fuel filter (this could be a biggie if you haven't done it in a while and it's clogged, especially at altitude - change it yearly)
3. Air filter or get an AEM intake if you can afford it (pm Max for a discount on the AEM, he and I are both in the Denver metro area),
4. Pull the throttle body and clean it
5. Run some seafoam through the engine
6. Drop the trans pan, clean it out and replace the fluid that was in it. DO NOT flush the trans, you'll stir up all kinds of gunk
7. Change the oil with the 5w30 of your choice

Where in CO are you? We need more CO members on here, theres only a handful of us right now. I agree that a tune would benefit you tremendously, Max and I are both running tunes from BBP....however, a tune is only as good as the data that you provide to Justin, and if you're having issues, you aren't going to have a very good baseline for him to work off of. Take care of the stuff mentioned above, and see if that helps. If it does, then get on the list for a scan cable tune from BBP if you have the coin.

 

[Pat]

Get it tunedd, preferably a Blabk Bear Tune is the way to go. Many have it on hee.

What exactly is a Black Bear Tune. I looked at their website but still don't know what it is. Is it just software to change computor settings?

 

[TheFuzz]

Black Bear Performance is owned by Justin and Jenna Gadberry. They use EFI Live tuning software to create custom-made PCM tunes for our trucks. There are several options for the tuning process, most of which are discussed on their website.

If you have any specific questions, PM Jenna on here and she will explain everything in detail. Her username is JennaBear.

 

[withac]

What exactly is a Black Bear Tune. I looked at their website but still don't know what it is. Is it just software to change computor settings?

Basically. It's like the hand held tuners you can buy but much better. A hand held tuner or even other custom tuners, use generic tables to reprogram your PCM. You know, the same thing for every 2000 Tahoe with a 5.3 type thing. You could take two Tahoe's, same year, same engine, same mods, and they would still run different. If you do the scan cable tune with Justin you plug a scan cable into your truck and a lap top. YOu then log data files specific to how YOUR vehicle is running, your mods. Hell, he even diagnosed an intake manifold gasket leak in mine from half way across the nation. Try getting that with a hand held or other custom tune. Then he reprograms a PCM for your vehicle to your standards. Some guys want a haul ass mode so if I understand correctly, the tow/haul mode can be changed to the haul ass mode. The regular setting can be made as aggressive as you want too. I wanted mileage improvement. I got it and still got performance improvement. It's much more responsive now. Takes less throttle to do what it use to do. You also get free retunes for life so if you add more mods you can get it re-tuned to accomadate them.

Like I said in my earlier post, I would think if performance has dropped something has changed. Find it and fix it. Once things are running better get the scan cable tune. You'll love it.

 

[blueflamed03]

huge gains with a BB tune.....but agree, do main things first, plugs, wires, fuel filter, etc.
THEN when you do the tune, it will round up all the enhancements of all the new stuff you just put on.

 

[puckhead]

If your gonna be in the Springs Sep 25-27 you could get a tune then Justin and Jenna from BB will be in town. Take a look at the vendor area and keep an eye out to find out when. In the mean time switch some shit out (plugs and wires) and get everything nice and clean.