**GAS MILEAGE UPDATE**
Before the tune, I would baby the truck and still I could only manage on average 12.8MPG, no matter what I did.
After the tune, I got 14.7MPG. Keep in mind I am not driving like a grandpa right now, I'm still having a bit of fun with the tune
Still, that is nearly a whole 2.0MPG increase, and I am NOT babying it.
On the tank I am running right now, I am driving fairly easy, so if I break 15MPG I'll let you know. My driving is mostly city with almost 40 highway miles per week. Note that the highway miles make up about 20-25% of my miles I travel in a week,and I do about 75MPH on the highway.
How about some quick math for those of you who toss around the idea of Regular vs Premium octane tune. I'll use 15 gallons because that is roughly what I use in a week...
Running Regular Grade (Before Tune): 15 gallons @ 3.69/gal = $55.39
Running Premium Grade (After Tune): 15 gallons @ 3.99/gal = $59.85
Oh boy, let's hope I am making up the difference of $4.46...
So let's say I am getting 1.9MPG better than before tune. Over 15 gallons, that's an extra 28.5 miles I can travel.
28.5Miles is 2.2gallons used at 12.8MPG -> $8.12 @ $3.69
28.5Miles is 1.93 gallons used at 14.7MPG -> $7.70 @ $3.99
Hmm, let me think out loud here... so that is an extra 28.5 miles I can go on the same amount of fuel. It would cost me another $8.12 to go that same distance without my tune on regular octane. So it costs me $4.46 more at the time of fill up, but, after 15 gallons is burnt, I would do $8.12-4.46 = $3.66. So, I am saving $3.66 every 15 gallons I burn through. Correct? I just found the key to becoming rich!!
Haha I don't even know if that makes sense, I am pretty sure that is all correct though and it should make sense. My gas price difference from reg to premium of $0.30 in the calculations I think is fair & realistic. So, why not go for the premium tune? Costs less than before to fill up, and you are getting the maximum performance possible!!
**UPDATE: TUNE COMPLETE WITH VIDEOS**
Well it's been quite some time, but the tune process is pretty much complete. I need to do one more log for him as I have changed my plugs and he wanted me to log once more. But, I have the tune installed and have created the before and after videos. Here is everything you need to know about my truck and the tune.
Truck: 2002 Chevy Avalanche Z71
Engine: 5.3L
Gears: 3.73s
Performance Mods: K&N CAI, Flowmaster 40, Throttle Body Spacer, BlackBear Tune
BBP Has Tuned My Truck As Follows:
-93 Octane
-Standard Shift Firmness (Slightly firmer at light to mid-throttle, moderately firmer at heavy throttle)
-Replaced Tow/Haul with Sport Mode
-75% Reduction In Torque Management
What do I have to say about the whole experience? It was kind of slow going at first with getting a scan cable. I documented everything throughout this whole thread so take a look at the dates on my posts. During the whole process, Justin or someone would typically respond within 3 days. After a month or so, response times became quicker (1-2 days), I've even emailed back and forth with Justin two times in one day! Justin also found that my MAF Sensor needed a major cleaning and also I was becoming in need of spark plugs as he saw a slight misfire on a couple of my cylinders. Overall though, patience is key with the whole process. If you have patience, you'll be satisfied.
What do I have to say about the tune? It is great. It is hard to put into words. Shifting from gear to gear is much quicker and also a bit firmer. A LOT LESS hesitation when putting your foot into the throttle (even if your only going 1/4 throttle or less) the truck responds so much better than it did before the tune. There is none of that huuuuuuhhhhhh noise or whatever that it used to make when I'd lay into it just a little bit. The truck just goes now! The whole RPM range just feels more awake as well. Heck, the exhaust noise sounds a bit crisper too, and my favorite part.... NO PINGING!! I don't really know what else to say. Maybe it feels like the truck lost around 1,000lbs? It's great!
Feel free to ask me questions!!
Here is a before and after video. I also recommend watching both of them simultaneously at YouTubeDoubler.
Before:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvanNWk4B1s&feature=BFa&list=UU-Exalyo8939bcdP8g3239g
After:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mc7XNgjKbw&list=UU-Exalyo8939bcdP8g3239g&index=1&feature=plcp
----------------------------------------
Hey guys. Just as the title states, I am in the process of getting a tune from Black Bear Performance. I just sent them an email tonight (4-17-2012) So now I'll have to wait til tomorrow for a response I assume. Then I'll go from there. I figured I would just go ahead and make this thread so people can subscribe to it or whatever because I will take good comparison videos of before and after and post them here.
I'll keep ya updated!
Before the tune, I would baby the truck and still I could only manage on average 12.8MPG, no matter what I did.
After the tune, I got 14.7MPG. Keep in mind I am not driving like a grandpa right now, I'm still having a bit of fun with the tune
Still, that is nearly a whole 2.0MPG increase, and I am NOT babying it.
On the tank I am running right now, I am driving fairly easy, so if I break 15MPG I'll let you know. My driving is mostly city with almost 40 highway miles per week. Note that the highway miles make up about 20-25% of my miles I travel in a week,and I do about 75MPH on the highway.
How about some quick math for those of you who toss around the idea of Regular vs Premium octane tune. I'll use 15 gallons because that is roughly what I use in a week...
Running Regular Grade (Before Tune): 15 gallons @ 3.69/gal = $55.39
Running Premium Grade (After Tune): 15 gallons @ 3.99/gal = $59.85
Oh boy, let's hope I am making up the difference of $4.46...
So let's say I am getting 1.9MPG better than before tune. Over 15 gallons, that's an extra 28.5 miles I can travel.
28.5Miles is 2.2gallons used at 12.8MPG -> $8.12 @ $3.69
28.5Miles is 1.93 gallons used at 14.7MPG -> $7.70 @ $3.99
Hmm, let me think out loud here... so that is an extra 28.5 miles I can go on the same amount of fuel. It would cost me another $8.12 to go that same distance without my tune on regular octane. So it costs me $4.46 more at the time of fill up, but, after 15 gallons is burnt, I would do $8.12-4.46 = $3.66. So, I am saving $3.66 every 15 gallons I burn through. Correct? I just found the key to becoming rich!!
Haha I don't even know if that makes sense, I am pretty sure that is all correct though and it should make sense. My gas price difference from reg to premium of $0.30 in the calculations I think is fair & realistic. So, why not go for the premium tune? Costs less than before to fill up, and you are getting the maximum performance possible!!
**UPDATE: TUNE COMPLETE WITH VIDEOS**
Well it's been quite some time, but the tune process is pretty much complete. I need to do one more log for him as I have changed my plugs and he wanted me to log once more. But, I have the tune installed and have created the before and after videos. Here is everything you need to know about my truck and the tune.
Truck: 2002 Chevy Avalanche Z71
Engine: 5.3L
Gears: 3.73s
Performance Mods: K&N CAI, Flowmaster 40, Throttle Body Spacer, BlackBear Tune
BBP Has Tuned My Truck As Follows:
-93 Octane
-Standard Shift Firmness (Slightly firmer at light to mid-throttle, moderately firmer at heavy throttle)
-Replaced Tow/Haul with Sport Mode
-75% Reduction In Torque Management
What do I have to say about the whole experience? It was kind of slow going at first with getting a scan cable. I documented everything throughout this whole thread so take a look at the dates on my posts. During the whole process, Justin or someone would typically respond within 3 days. After a month or so, response times became quicker (1-2 days), I've even emailed back and forth with Justin two times in one day! Justin also found that my MAF Sensor needed a major cleaning and also I was becoming in need of spark plugs as he saw a slight misfire on a couple of my cylinders. Overall though, patience is key with the whole process. If you have patience, you'll be satisfied.
What do I have to say about the tune? It is great. It is hard to put into words. Shifting from gear to gear is much quicker and also a bit firmer. A LOT LESS hesitation when putting your foot into the throttle (even if your only going 1/4 throttle or less) the truck responds so much better than it did before the tune. There is none of that huuuuuuhhhhhh noise or whatever that it used to make when I'd lay into it just a little bit. The truck just goes now! The whole RPM range just feels more awake as well. Heck, the exhaust noise sounds a bit crisper too, and my favorite part.... NO PINGING!! I don't really know what else to say. Maybe it feels like the truck lost around 1,000lbs? It's great!
Feel free to ask me questions!!
Here is a before and after video. I also recommend watching both of them simultaneously at YouTubeDoubler.
Before:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rvanNWk4B1s&feature=BFa&list=UU-Exalyo8939bcdP8g3239g
After:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mc7XNgjKbw&list=UU-Exalyo8939bcdP8g3239g&index=1&feature=plcp
----------------------------------------
Hey guys. Just as the title states, I am in the process of getting a tune from Black Bear Performance. I just sent them an email tonight (4-17-2012) So now I'll have to wait til tomorrow for a response I assume. Then I'll go from there. I figured I would just go ahead and make this thread so people can subscribe to it or whatever because I will take good comparison videos of before and after and post them here.
I'll keep ya updated!