I finally took the plunge a few weeks ago and bought the AutoCal w/Custom tuning support from Black Bear. Wasnt Cheap, but Ive got some results and details.
First a custom Tune takes time..a little more than I expected, but in that process, Ive now learned more about the way our trucks computers analyze the data from the various systems and make adjustments, and some of those things are really surprising.
The Biggest thing seems to be with the quality and REAL Octane level of the gas...I had "91 Octane" Chevron in my tank when I installed the new 89 and 91 custom tunes....and my first set of results about make me freak out. 0.1 seconds. Virtually nothing. Took a look at the data and sure as Sh!t the KR (Knock Reduction of Timing) was running 5 to 8 degrees retarding...Crazy! Called up Justing at BB and sent him new run data files, he reviewed and told me every time he sees an AZ data, the gas is crap. Suggested I keep that tune installed and simply do a 1 gallon blend of E85 into 5-6 gallons of 87. I was SURE this was not going to work.
To My surprise, it did work...got rid of 100% of the KR, and took a full .4 seconds off the 0-60 run time.
Anyway, learned more than just that, but it was the real humdinger of the whole thing....Below are some 0-60 run times which I spent hours and hours running...it was fun though!!!
All times done on Exact same stretch of Smooth, Level, Dry road at night at 60-65-deg F, same amount of gas in the tank, no other passengers or hauling junk, so weight of truck virtually identical in all runs.
0-60 times:
Per the Books: Edmunds/MotorTrend & AutoRooster.com
2007 5.3 W/4WD: 0-60: 8.9 secs
2007 6.0 W/4WD: 0-60: 8.8 secs
My Truck: (remember I have the 6.0 with 4.10 gears & 4WD - all stock except MSD Spark Pig Wires:
Pre-Shorty Headers: 0-60: 8.55-8.65 secs (probably better than the books cuz 4.10 vs 3.43 gears)
Aft-Shorty Headers: 0-60: 8.05-8.10 secs - -0.55 from Stock - NO Other changes
Shorts+CIA AirIntake: 0-60: 7.95-8.0 secs - -0.65 from Stock!!!
After Black Bear Tune, with Shorties and Air-Intake:
0-60: 7.60-7.65 - another .35 from pre-tune, and 1 Second Better than Stock.
Oh Yeah...I havnt installed the TCM tune yet to address shift points because I wanted to compare only engine and ECU tune changes, I will probably get better times with the BB tune once I install the SportTCM tune Will post those 0-60 times when done.
First a custom Tune takes time..a little more than I expected, but in that process, Ive now learned more about the way our trucks computers analyze the data from the various systems and make adjustments, and some of those things are really surprising.
The Biggest thing seems to be with the quality and REAL Octane level of the gas...I had "91 Octane" Chevron in my tank when I installed the new 89 and 91 custom tunes....and my first set of results about make me freak out. 0.1 seconds. Virtually nothing. Took a look at the data and sure as Sh!t the KR (Knock Reduction of Timing) was running 5 to 8 degrees retarding...Crazy! Called up Justing at BB and sent him new run data files, he reviewed and told me every time he sees an AZ data, the gas is crap. Suggested I keep that tune installed and simply do a 1 gallon blend of E85 into 5-6 gallons of 87. I was SURE this was not going to work.
To My surprise, it did work...got rid of 100% of the KR, and took a full .4 seconds off the 0-60 run time.
Anyway, learned more than just that, but it was the real humdinger of the whole thing....Below are some 0-60 run times which I spent hours and hours running...it was fun though!!!
All times done on Exact same stretch of Smooth, Level, Dry road at night at 60-65-deg F, same amount of gas in the tank, no other passengers or hauling junk, so weight of truck virtually identical in all runs.
0-60 times:
Per the Books: Edmunds/MotorTrend & AutoRooster.com
2007 5.3 W/4WD: 0-60: 8.9 secs
2007 6.0 W/4WD: 0-60: 8.8 secs
My Truck: (remember I have the 6.0 with 4.10 gears & 4WD - all stock except MSD Spark Pig Wires:
Pre-Shorty Headers: 0-60: 8.55-8.65 secs (probably better than the books cuz 4.10 vs 3.43 gears)
Aft-Shorty Headers: 0-60: 8.05-8.10 secs - -0.55 from Stock - NO Other changes
Shorts+CIA AirIntake: 0-60: 7.95-8.0 secs - -0.65 from Stock!!!
After Black Bear Tune, with Shorties and Air-Intake:
0-60: 7.60-7.65 - another .35 from pre-tune, and 1 Second Better than Stock.
Oh Yeah...I havnt installed the TCM tune yet to address shift points because I wanted to compare only engine and ECU tune changes, I will probably get better times with the BB tune once I install the SportTCM tune Will post those 0-60 times when done.