A6 Software Upgrade
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 174
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From: Indianapolis, Indiana
A6 Software Upgrade
Has anyone done the GM Dealer A6 software upgrade. If so, what were the results? Did you notice vastly improved paddle response or other shifting improvements? I've been resisting a tune for warranty purposes, and have scheduled the GM upgrade for my '06 A6. I don't expect too much, but will welcome a tighter response...just thought i would ask about your experiences.
Thanks
Thanks
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 174
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From: Indianapolis, Indiana
I called a local Chevy dealer and talked with a service rep. I explained my ONLY disappointment in my Vette is the paddle shift lag time and that I understood that many A6 issues had been addressed with the '08 model. I then asked if there is a software upgrade available for my '06. He said "there IS". He went on to suggest I wait 30 days or so in case there are any re-writes, because the program is new, and may need adjustments. But he said to come in now if I want. I asked about cost and was told...FREE, if within 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty.... Otherwise $86.00
I'm thinking , now , I must have gotten bogus information or maybe he didn't really understand my question. Otherwise, you guys would have heard of this. I'll ask the mods to kill this thread tomorrow unless I get confirmation.
I'm thinking , now , I must have gotten bogus information or maybe he didn't really understand my question. Otherwise, you guys would have heard of this. I'll ask the mods to kill this thread tomorrow unless I get confirmation.
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
I have to admit that this is the first that I have heard of this. The changes to the 2008 A6 involve both hardware and software changes. I'm curious to see just what you end up with after the flash.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Ventura County, Calif
The only reference I've seen to a factory software update came from Chuck at CoW in one of his posts several months ago. He said anyone who got one of his tunes would get the latest GM software version. I haven't seen anything about it since. 
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Lexington KY
At the bash, one of the Corvette engineers told me the '08 A6 had hardware and software changes. Furthermore, the hardware changes were internal to the transmission and that '06 & '07s could not be upgraded easily. Any upgrade would require tearing into the transmission or replacing it completely. I would like to have a simple software upgrade to improve shifting response but I do not see it happening.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
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From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Interestingly enough.......
At the bash, one of the Corvette engineers told me the '08 A6 had hardware and software changes. Furthermore, the hardware changes were internal to the transmission and that '06 & '07s could not be upgraded easily. Any upgrade would require tearing into the transmission or replacing it completely. I would like to have a simple software upgrade to improve shifting response but I do not see it happening.
I'm very sure the 08 A6 has hardware changes and most absolutely, it has major software changes.....
The sad thing is that the rep I spoke to said it was software only.....He's either misinformed....or unwilling to tell me.....
I'l dig deeper into it for you....
Chuck CoW
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Mission Viejo CA
Interestingly enough.......One of the engineers came over to me to find out more about my A6 tune......
I'm very sure the 08 A6 has hardware changes and most absolutely, it has major software changes.....
The sad thing is that the rep I spoke to said it was software only.....He's either misinformed....or unwilling to tell me.....
I'l dig deeper into it for you....
Chuck CoW
I'm very sure the 08 A6 has hardware changes and most absolutely, it has major software changes.....
The sad thing is that the rep I spoke to said it was software only.....He's either misinformed....or unwilling to tell me.....
I'l dig deeper into it for you....
Chuck CoW
I just re-read the "Shifty Business" article in the Spring 2008 Corvette Quarterly. They outlined the significant hardware upgrades to the TR-6060 manual transmission, but go on to say that no hardware changes were required on the A6, just software changes to handle the additional HP/TQ on the '08. It would be nice to get a confirmation from GM on this for '06'-'07 C6 owners with an A6.
Last edited by RRVettes; Apr 29, 2008 at 11:19 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 174
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From: Indianapolis, Indiana
A Question To The Answer
Well, I took her in this morning. It was a strange experience. Unlike my original phone call yesterday, I was very deliberate with pointed questions as to EXACTLY what would be affected by the "upgrade" and how it would relate to/mimic the '08 program. You'ld have thought I had asked for their Social Security numbers! They escaped by saying "GM doesn't give them detailed information about the upgrade"... 20 minutes later the tech was finished! He echoed the lack of details about the upgrade, but called it a "TCM Upgrade for A6 Transmission Shifting/ Shift Feel". I tried to find an identifying Part# for the service but could not. I only had a few blocks to drive home, so didn't get to thoroughly check it out. But, it seemed to have improved paddle response- not night & day, but much of the "slipping transmission syndrome" seemed to be gone. Both up and downshifting seemed more firm. Knowing that I could have been "willing" it to feel better, I'll wait until I get more time to test before I comment any more. This is NOT the kind of result you get from a professional tuner, but I think it helped in my case.
If nothing else, I hope this will prompt the well-connected experts on this great Forum to keep asking about it!
Dan
If nothing else, I hope this will prompt the well-connected experts on this great Forum to keep asking about it!
Dan
Last edited by cheakster; Apr 29, 2008 at 11:53 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Long Island New York
Well, I took her in this morning. It was a strange experience. Unlike my original phone call yesterday, I was very deliberate with pointed questions as to EXACTLY what would be affected by the "upgrade" and how it would relate to/mimic the '08 program. You'ld have thought I had asked for their Social Security numbers! They escaped by saying "GM doesn't give them detailed information about the upgrade"... 20 minutes later the tech was finished! He echoed the lack of details about the upgrade, but called it a "TCM Upgrade for A6 Transmission Shifting/ Shift Feel". I tried to find an identifying Part# for the service but could not. I only had a few blocks to drive home, so didn't get to thoroughly check it out. But, it seemed to have improved paddle response- not night & day, but much of the "slipping transmission syndrome" seemed to be gone. Both up and downshifting seemed more firm. Knowing that I could have been "willing" it to feel better, I'll wait until I get more time to test before I comment any more. This is NOT the kind of result you get from a professional tuner, but I think it helped in my case.
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
At the bash, one of the Corvette engineers told me the '08 A6 had hardware and software changes. Furthermore, the hardware changes were internal to the transmission and that '06 & '07s could not be upgraded easily. Any upgrade would require tearing into the transmission or replacing it completely. I would like to have a simple software upgrade to improve shifting response but I do not see it happening. All of the Corvette automatic transmissions have a control module mounted on the valve body of the transmission. It is called a PSM (pressure switch manifold). The purpose of the PSM is to electrically confirm that the shift has mechanically taken place. If anything was done in the valvebody to allow more fluid pressure then the PSM would need to be changed to accomodate this change. I can't imagine that they could make the transmission shift faster without changes to the valve body and subsequently changes to the feedback module (PSM).
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
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From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
It's also called......
All of the Corvette automatic transmissions have a control module mounted on the valve body of the transmission. It is called a PSM (pressure switch manifold). The purpose of the PSM is to electrically confirm that the shift has mechanically taken place. If anything was done in the valvebody to allow more fluid pressure then the PSM would need to be changed to accomodate this change. I can't imagine that they could make the transmission shift faster without changes to the valve body and subsequently changes to the feedback module (PSM).
It's also called the TCM or Transmission Control Module.
That's what I re-tune.
Chuck CoW
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Here it is in it's brand new state. These are mounted to a plaque I received when I left this job.
Here it is in the transmission:
and the other side of the valvebody:
Last edited by talon90; Apr 29, 2008 at 02:23 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,666
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From: Mission Viejo CA
Well, I took her in this morning. It was a strange experience. Unlike my original phone call yesterday, I was very deliberate with pointed questions as to EXACTLY what would be affected by the "upgrade" and how it would relate to/mimic the '08 program. You'ld have thought I had asked for their Social Security numbers! They escaped by saying "GM doesn't give them detailed information about the upgrade"... 20 minutes later the tech was finished! He echoed the lack of details about the upgrade, but called it a "TCM Upgrade for A6 Transmission Shifting/ Shift Feel". I tried to find an identifying Part# for the service but could not. I only had a few blocks to drive home, so didn't get to thoroughly check it out. But, it seemed to have improved paddle response- not night & day, but much of the "slipping transmission syndrome" seemed to be gone. Both up and downshifting seemed more firm. Knowing that I could have been "willing" it to feel better, I'll wait until I get more time to test before I comment any more. This is NOT the kind of result you get from a professional tuner, but I think it helped in my case.
If nothing else, I hope this will prompt the well-connected experts on this great Forum to keep asking about it!
Dan
If nothing else, I hope this will prompt the well-connected experts on this great Forum to keep asking about it!
Dan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 174
Likes: 1
From: Indianapolis, Indiana
All of the Corvette automatic transmissions have a control module mounted on the valve body of the transmission. It is called a PSM (pressure switch manifold). The purpose of the PSM is to electrically confirm that the shift has mechanically taken place. If anything was done in the valvebody to allow more fluid pressure then the PSM would need to be changed to accomodate this change. I can't imagine that they could make the transmission shift faster without changes to the valve body and subsequently changes to the feedback module (PSM).
This was definitely a SOFTWARE-ONLY procedure, and it is listed as a TCM UPGRADE
Thanks
GM would never be as aggressive as your tune! I've got a little warranty left, then I want your Full Meal Deal
Thanks
Dan
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St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'10
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 996
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From: Dallas TX
I took my '06 A6 in for warranty work at Classic Chevrolet last week.
My grinding rear differential problem was fixed with the gear oil TSB.
My tranny gear "hunting" problem, according to my service rep, should be fixed by the software upgrade that they performed. But you never know ... maybe they just re-flashed the original software.
My grinding rear differential problem was fixed with the gear oil TSB.
My tranny gear "hunting" problem, according to my service rep, should be fixed by the software upgrade that they performed. But you never know ... maybe they just re-flashed the original software.