Black bear tune

Dj0nes · August 31, 2014

I recently contacted Jarred at Black bear and it really seems worth it to me since I drive so much and being in Arizona now it's a much faster pace than Ohio. The truck just doesn't have the mid range torque With the stock settings and trans settings. It's the 5.3 with 3.42 gears. He told me that with Gm's current tune identification there will be no trace of the tune once returned to stock. Does anyone have any input whether or not this is true? I figure with a nice tune and shift point adjustment it will be a completely different truck.

Thanks.

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ToesonTheNose · August 31, 2014

flash counter will be tripped, Even setting it back to stock, GM will know it was flashed at one time

bass mechanic · September 1, 2014

If your under the impression a tune will give you torque you are mistaken! The benefits of a tune might get you 20 ft lbs of torque. Mostly what you'll feel is the lack of torque management. The truck will feel more responsive off the line. But overall your drivability will remain unchanged.

If you want more power get a supercharger! If your going to mod the truck for more power and void your warranty in the process, why not just go big, or go home?

You can get a replacement drive train warranty from edelbrock and you don't need to worry about GM finding out and voiding your warranty. It will already be void but replaced with a new one.

A tune is a poor investment for the dollars verses benefit.

The sc will cost you 7 grand and add 200 hp at the flywheel you'll have more power than a stock 6.2 verses a 700.00 tune you might get a minimal improvement

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14'SilveradoLT · September 1, 2014

$700.00 Tune?!? After the deposit is returned it would be $330.00....very good money spent to dial it in.

Updates to the tunes are free, I think.

I had a Zippy Performance Tune on my 2005 Silverado SS and it was great in every way.

CAtaylor · September 1, 2014

I have to agree and disagree with Bass Mechanic. A tune is no replacement for a supercharger; agreed. Overall drivability will be unchanged; disagreed. Truck is a new machine with a tune from BB. Mine had a dead spot between 2300 and 3K rpm, don't know if it was the VVT or what, this is non existent now. From easy driving to hard, drivability is definitely improved. Now if you have the 7 G's go straight to the SC, no doubt in the benefits there, if not a good tune will do wonders.

thetruck454 · September 1, 2014

I also agree a good tune does wonders. It should not be compared to adding a supercharger, they are in different leagues. Now compare to say a heads/cam/headers package I would argue just go for the blower.

2016 Sierra Owner · September 1, 2014

I recently contacted Jarred at Black bear and it really seems worth it to me since I drive so much and being in Arizona now it's a much faster pace than Ohio. The truck just doesn't have the mid range torque With the stock settings and trans settings. It's the 5.3 with 3.42 gears. He told me that with Gm's current tune identification there will be no trace of the tune once returned to stock. Does anyone have any input whether or not this is true? I figure with a nice tune and shift point adjustment it will be a completely different truck.

Thanks.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Going to open a can of worms here so let's begin. The argument about weather GM can or cannot detect a tune has been installed has been a topic on this and many other boards since I have discovered them. I had a BB tune in my 09 Sierra and would like to get one in my 14 I just haven't pulled the trigger yet. As for the detectability. I have NEVER seen any proof that these people claim GM can see when you have flashed your computer with a tune. I have also NEVER seen anyone one say that their warranty was voided by GM because they had a tune (the Duramax is a different story I have seen a few of those). I traded my truck into the dealer with the tune installed and the mechanic that checked it out for the resale did not see anything unusual when he looked. The truck is completely different with a tune and I would suggest Black Bear to anyone.

14'SilveradoLT · September 1, 2014

On my 2005 SS, GM could "suspect" that a tune was installed when they went to install my new gauge cluster. However, it was unclear of what was changed "without" sending the computer in. I'm assuming that the CVN's weren't matching what they were supposed to read....I'm not 100% on this.

Now, versus my 2013 F150 Ecoboost that I easily swapped close to 50-60 tunes in....Ford could never see anything more than a communication error which was nullified when I told them that unplugged the battery in attempt to help the shifts re-learn. They never once questioned it when it was returned to stock.

This is the longest that I've left anything stock. The main reason is that I want all the recalls that come with a first year model to get fixed first, haha.

8.1HD/ALLISON · September 1, 2014

Going to open a can of worms here so let's begin. The argument about weather GM can or cannot detect a tune has been installed has been a topic on this and many other boards since I have discovered them. I had a BB tune in my 09 Sierra and would like to get one in my 14 I just haven't pulled the trigger yet. As for the detectability. I have NEVER seen any proof that these people claim GM can see when you have flashed your computer with a tune. I have also NEVER seen anyone one say that their warranty was voided by GM because they had a tune (the Duramax is a different story I have seen a few of those). I traded my truck into the dealer with the tune installed and the mechanic that checked it out for the resale did not see anything unusual when he looked. The truck is completely different with a tune and I would suggest Black Bear to anyone.

Do you think the programming is different from gas to diesel? Nope. Just different calibrations. GM CAN TELL. 60 seconds with scan tool, ecm calibration will show unknown calibration, which means aftermarket. All depends what happens and if they would pursue it. That being said, my truck is tuned and I would do it again.

Jennabear · September 2, 2014

Ecm hardware is different from gas to diesel. There is no immediate red flag shown when equipment is plugged in, there is nothing at all apparent to the tech.

The most important aspect is any aftermarket modification rests with the Magnusson moss act. Gm must PROVE that your modification caused a failure. If you disagree with their assessment that a tune was to blame, then they will suggest taking it up with the BBB who will arbitrate the case. This is outlined in the owners manual. To date, we have encountered only one individual that had issues and his resulted after a called vvt cam phaser. Gm tried to blame the tune, we explained to the customer how the cam phaser worked and what changes we had our had not made and in the end, gm lost. It is not as cut and dry and as many make it seem.

Greensmob · September 2, 2014

Blackbear tune on my 14 was definitely worth the loot, overall the truck is much better to drive.

fondupot · September 2, 2014

BBP is the way to go. Only way they will know it was tuned (once returned to stock) is the flash counter. But they wont know until they are looking for it.