Ordered BlackBear Tuning AutoCal, have questions

[Sangster]

So first impressions with the tune....

Driving home in rush hour traffic didn't really give me very many times to really run it out, but the full throttle 1-2 and 2-3 shifts feel GOOD!

It's hard to describe how it feels. You know when the weather is cool and dry? Crisp....and how the truck feels like it has an extra 20 hp? That's how it feels all the time. Plus, the transmission just shifts right. It wasn't bad before, but it just seems to shift at the right time, especially in part throttle use. On the way into work today, mostly 65-80 mph highway, I averaged 21.2 mpg. 35 mile drive. That was 18ish before the tune.

I'm happy!

 

[BlackBearPerf]

So first impressions with the tune....

Driving home in rush hour traffic didn't really give me very many times to really run it out, but the full throttle 1-2 and 2-3 shifts feel GOOD!

It's hard to describe how it feels. You know when the weather is cool and dry? Crisp....and how the truck feels like it has an extra 20 hp? That's how it feels all the time. Plus, the transmission just shifts right. It wasn't bad before, but it just seems to shift at the right time, especially in part throttle use. On the way into work today, mostly 65-80 mph highway, I averaged 21.2 mpg. 35 mile drive. That was 18ish before the tune.

I'm happy!

Right on, that is great to hear, we are happy you are enjoying the tune!

 

[Sangster]

It'll get better with time too! Enjoy man!

You run that truck at Orlando Speedway right? Be cool to see some before and after timeslips.

You aren't lying! A week later and it feels even stronger than it did when I first tuned it.

I am also interested to see what the difference is at the track. It feels significant enough to shave a couple tenths off, at least.

It went 15.45@92 with a 2.3 60 ft in Florida September heat with a passenger. No tire spin.

I think the removed torque management alone would get me out of the hole faster without bogging. That, combined with the crisp shifts, extra power, cold winter air, and no passenger....I think a high 14 is possible. Only mod other than the tune is an MIT tube.

 

[swathdiver]

You aren't lying! A week later and it feels even stronger than it did when I first tuned it.

I am also interested to see what the difference is at the track. It feels significant enough to shave a couple tenths off, at least.

It went 15.45@92 with a 2.3 60 ft in Florida September heat with a passenger. No tire spin.

I think the removed torque management alone would get me out of the hole faster without bogging. That, combined with the crisp shifts, extra power, cold winter air, and no passenger....I think a high 14 is possible. Only mod other than the tune is an MIT tube.

She just might with a good launch. I've always power-braked but some of the guys say these launch better from idle. @gooffeyguy

 

[gooffeyguy]

She just might with a good launch. I've always power-braked but some of the guys say these launch better from idle. @gooffeyguy

I've never taken my Yukons to the track, but from my experience with other vehicles I own (Mustangs....one is a manual trans, the other is an auto) that unless you have an aftermarket converter with a higher stall speed, you will get better performance by launching off idle and letting the converter "flash".

I've tried launching (with slicks, so wheel spin is removed from the equation) my one mustang by holding the brake and getting the engine rpms to 1200 on up to about 1800. Then a buddy of mine who races an automatic regularly told me to just launch off idle, like at a redlight on the street and let the converter flash. It lowered my 60' times, which lower the 1/4 mile time twofold on average. By that I mean, that a decrease of 1 tenth of 60' time would usually net 2 tenths at the finish line.

Now my manual Mustang, that's another story. I launch at 5000rpm and just dump the clutch and get air under the front tires...lol I use a launch control on the tune to limit rpms until clutch is released. It allows me to floor the gas but stay at 5k. This allows it to build boost so I can launch under boost and not have to wait for it to build after leaving the line.

 

[swathdiver]

I've never taken my Yukons to the track, but from my experience with other vehicles I own (Mustangs....one is a manual trans, the other is an auto) that unless you have an aftermarket converter with a higher stall speed, you will get better performance by launching off idle and letting the converter "flash".

I've tried launching (with slicks, so wheel spin is removed from the equation) my one mustang by holding the brake and getting the engine rpms to 1200 on up to about 1800. Then a buddy of mine who races an automatic regularly told me to just launch off idle, like at a redlight on the street and let the converter flash. It lowered my 60' times, which lower the 1/4 mile time twofold on average. By that I mean, that a decrease of 1 tenth of 60' time would usually net 2 tenths at the finish line.

Now my manual Mustang, that's another story. I launch at 5000rpm and just dump the clutch and get air under the front tires...lol I use a launch control on the tune to limit rpms until clutch is released. It allows me to floor the gas but stay at 5k. This allows it to build boost so I can launch under boost and not have to wait for it to build after leaving the line.

With my Buicks, whether they had a high stall converter or not, we always went faster launching off the brake. But we were building boost or getting close to it depending on conditions. Next time out I'm gonna launch off idle a few times and once or twice in 4x4 again. I'm debating whether or not to see how she runs on gasoline with the BlackBear tune. Every run so far has been on ethanol.

Way back when, even my buddy with his 10-second GN would race his Suburban once or twice a year for the fun of it. I couldn't not do it Tom!

 

[Peacock]

You guys are convincing me to get one of these for my PPV, come on summer so I can start really driving this thing to see what I already have, damn blizzard coming through tonight so a couple more months yet.
As far as leaving off idle or foot braking, we have guys in our nostalgia group that leave off idle and are quite successful (bracket racing) with it. Me myself I foot brake to about 2500 (no 2steps allowed) and let it eat, pulls the wheels every pass which is what the spectators like. Last time out at TNT I was going to try leaving at idle but it decided to break a rod on the 1-2 shift...wha wha wha...still would like to see if it changes 60ft so when it's back together I'm hoping to give it a shot again.