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How to remove tuning software?

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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 01:32 PM
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Default How to remove tuning software?

I bought a C5 that had a P1sc installed in 2003. The invoice doesn't say what was used to reprogram for the new parts and now I need to dyno tune it. The shop that did the work doesn't have records going back that far so they are offering nothing so far.
When I take the car for a dyno tune what happens if it isn't something mainstream like LSx edit? If it has some old Hypertech type tune or something similar locked in, is it an ordeal to get it cleared?
Thanks for any responses.
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 03:22 PM
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I'm not a corvette expert, however, I am a computer expert. When you change the programming or configuration of something, it should never make a difference what kind of application you use to make the changes. As an example, I can change the configuration of a Cisco router using a serial cable, telnet, ssh or http. Just like you can change the config of your car using Diablo, HP Tuners or LS1 Edit. Should make absolutely no difference. Its a common enough occurance for someone to take their car to a dealership for some work and the dealer inadvertantly "flashes" the programming back to the stock configuration. This is one of the reasons most tuners will save your modified tune file so that they can easily put it back to where it was. Hope this helps.
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 03:23 PM
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flash to stock and then retune
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 04:40 PM
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It doesn't usually matter what software was used to make the current tune, except in the case of a custom operating system, which are exclusive to the individual software systems. If you had a HPT OS, for example, you'd need HPT to read/modify the tune.
EFI Live also has it's own custom OS's.
If your tune was done in 2003, it's unlikely that would apply to you though.

The only other reason you woudn't be able to read/rewrite the current tune, is if the old tuner locked the PCM.
In that case, you'll most likely have to buy a new PCM and start from scratch.


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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 04:41 PM
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As long as the stock operating system is still in play (or a standard the shop has access to) and the last Tuner hasn't locked the PCM, any software EFI live, HPTiners, etc should be able to read the calibration and allow the tuner access to the many tables. If it's a shop, they will have sufficient licenses on board, if an individual, it will cost you a license to modify and save / flash.

sorry, Tom I guess I type too slow

Last edited by mowton; Apr 19, 2008 at 04:43 PM.
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 05:42 PM
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Originally Posted by mowton
As long as the stock operating system is still in play (or a standard the shop has access to) and the last Tuner hasn't locked the PCM, any software EFI live, HPTiners, etc should be able to read the calibration and allow the tuner access to the many tables. If it's a shop, they will have sufficient licenses on board, if an individual, it will cost you a license to modify and save / flash.

sorry, Tom I guess I type too slow


HP Tuner and LS-1 eit are software programs that access the software file stored in the PCM and then allow the user to change data as they see fit. It makes no difference which program you use to access the file, it only makes a difference when someone E-mails a file to you to upload.

If they E-mail you a file thats formatted using HP Tuner, then you have to have HP Tuner software on your laptop in order to receive and upload that to a PCM, same holds true for LS-1 Edit
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by Y2Kvert4me
It doesn't usually matter what software was used to make the current tune, except in the case of a custom operating system, which are exclusive to the individual software systems. If you had a HPT OS, for example, you'd need HPT to read/modify the tune.
EFI Live also has it's own custom OS's.
If your tune was done in 2003, it's unlikely that would apply to you though.

The only other reason you woudn't be able to read/rewrite the current tune, is if the old tuner locked the PCM.
In that case, you'll most likely have to buy a new PCM and start from scratch.


I am a little confused. Can I take it back to a dealer and just get it reflashed back to stock, even if it is locked? Or otherwise buy a used PCM(which I assume would still have to be reflashed for the car before a tune could be added)? And tune from there?
And if it isn't locked, I can just go with whatever programming the tuner wants to use?

Last edited by nuck; Apr 19, 2008 at 08:22 PM.
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 08:17 PM
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Your tuner will be able to alter what ever is in there and either build on it or erase it or better yet dowload it in a file with whatever system he is using!

He then can load the stock tune in from his laptop computer no matter what was used to reprogram it.

It ia all relative because what you are dealing with is a GM tune that was rewritten by something else.

The only time you should be concerned is if the programmer that did it put a "LOCK" on the PCM Most tuners do not do that!

You will be fine

Thanks,Matt
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Old Apr 19, 2008 | 08:18 PM
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Originally Posted by nuck
Can't I take it back to the dealer and just get it reflashed back to stock if it is locked? Or otherwise buy a used PCM(whuich I assume would still have to be reflashed for the car before a tune could be added)?
Yes you can

Only one way to find out is to have someone try to read the PCM and that will tell you if it is or not!


Thanks,Matt
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Old Apr 20, 2008 | 12:04 AM
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The only time you should be concerned is if the programmer that did it put a "LOCK" on the PCM Most tuners do not do that!


the big names do, lingenfelter, specter werkes, ect, you just need access to a tech 2 to unlock the locked tune to get it retuned
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