Hit the track today

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tights24

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There doesn't seem to be as much traffic here in this performance section as there is over on Titan Talk. Maybe this isn't the biggest Yukon forum though. Regardless, i hit the track today with my 2007 Yukon SLT. Ran a 15.9 bone stock. Semi disappointing, but I think it can be rectified. The shifting is really odd in this thing. I'm 99% sure I have the 4 speed. It's a slug off the line for sure only cutting a 2.54 60ft time. When first gear gets going though it runs pretty strong. Then the let down. From 1st to 2nd is atrocious. It almost seems like it misses a shift in a stick car. It's odd. it falls completely on its face during that transition too. I didn't pay attention to my rpm's, but it almost seemed like when it shifted my rpm's were just too low afterwards to stay in any kind of power band.

Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't buy this truck to go fast, and I knew what I was getting into in a way, especially since most american vehicles are overrated for HP and the Titan I came out of was underrated, but I sure would like to be able to beat a minivan.... I ran the same trap speed at 89mph that I did in my Titan and my Titan ran a 14.9 with hardly any mods.... Thoughts anyone?

I noticed the Hypertec programmer allows changing shift points and firmness. Will this cure this thing?
 

Intimidator3

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I'd say that most people are going to recommend getting a tune from Black Bear Performance (check the vendor section). After they tuned my Tahoe, it was much more responsive and the shifts were much smoother. They should be a good start.
 

Jmat

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I know exactly what you're talking about. That 1st to 2nd shift was such a let down on my truck as well. A BB tune made for a huge improvement.
 

Big Buttons

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But seriously a tune and stall will help a hell of a lot. You can still tow and daily with a conservative stall.
 
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tights24

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Thank guys. Yeah, it looks like Black Bear might be in my future. I was just trying to save a few bucks by buying a used handheld tuner. Usually you can cut your price in half this way and still get a decent performance bump out of it. $600 for a tune just isn't in the budget. I may just try a Hypertec and see what it does. I had the best success with their product on my Titan when comparing to Bully Dog and Superchips.

I'm just glad to see that I'm not the only one with the problem. This is my DD and I had enough "go fast" mods on the Titan to get that part out of my system. But I'll be damned if I let a non performance car beat me.... :)
 

Wakinvol

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I wouldn't waste your $$...save for the BB and forget the Hypertech.
 

b4z

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I'm actually surprised that a 5.3l rand a 15.9. The three cheapest things are a tune, stall and gears. )although some charge a lot for gears).
You are probably getting a ton of torque management on the 1-2 shift, timing being pulled back etc.
There is also a big gearing drop between 1st and 2nd. The 6spd is better in this regard but it has its own share of issues.
 

73shark

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Torque management is the culprit. It's what makes it a dog off the line and at shift point. But it does allow for 5/100K powertrain warranty.
 

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