Would the dealer even know if I had the ls2 edit done.These cars are pricey to fix and I dont want to void my warranty till it expires.

 

Editing the software can affect, your powertrain, emission and PCM warranty, as well as the warranty on other systems.

 

I talked with my dealer about this yesterday...and they are mod friendly.

He said with the computer systems they have now they can translate engine and tranny problems to computer changes...in other words you are running the risk of losing the warranty on the engine and transmission.

HOWEVER, my tuner (and most others I would think) can reset the factory program into the computer if you are going in to the dealership. I would imagine it would be undetecable then.

 

Does anyone know for sure if the computer can be easily set back to factory specs. If thats the case then I'm going in for a tune soon.My chevy dealer in hallandale has a dyno and special tech area for vettes.Hopefully they will be ok with it since there doing the installs for me.

 

Anything that can be CHANGED, can be CHANGED BACK. If you're using the same tuner, I would think that your FACTORY SETTING plus every iteration/generation of mod applied can be saved to a file, so that you can revert back to a previous generation if that fails.

Even some of the old hypertech programmers could save your factory settings, to re-apply in the even you needed to go back to stock.

Again I would advise caution in general. Many folks here, who are NOT automotive engineers (and I won't mention names) are upgrading/modding based on POLLS taken here (rediculous: everyone please vote on how I should spend MY $$), and other knee-jerk, impulse-buy type of reactions (having to have the latest gee-gaw that everyone else has), with little regard to how intake/exhaust mods interact AS A SYSTEM.

As I've said a number if times, I think a little PATIENCE is in order. THINK PEOPLE! Plan your mods as a total SYSTEM, with TUNING that system as the FINAL STEP. Sending your ECU off to be tuned, and then continuing to add mods essentially invalidates all but the most basic of ECU mods (rev limiter, TM, etc.). Engines are going to flow differently, and require changes to programming to properly compensate/take advantage of changes made to intakes, exhaust, cam's, etc.

But to answer the question - yes, your tuner should be able to restore factory settings back to your ECU - but depending on mods in place, the car may end up running like DOG-CRAP on factory settings. The Dealer/GM can attempt to invalidate your warranty for ANY MOD they don't like (even ones that THEY installed for you). Having a good relationship with your dealer, minimizes this - but things like superchargers/turbo's/N2O/etc. are gonna be no-no's, as is mod'ing your ECU.

Rick

 

Legally, a vehicle manufacturer cannot void the warranty on a vehicle due to an aftermarket part unless they can prove that the aftermarket part caused or contributed to the failure in the vehicle (per the Magnuson Moss Warranty Act (15 U.S.C. 2302(C)) . For best results, consider working with performance-oriented dealerships with a proven history of working with customers. If your vehicle manufacturer fails to honor emission/warranty claims, contact EPA at (202) 260-2080 or www.epa.gov. If federal warranty protection is denied, contact the FTC at (202) 326-3128 or www.ftc.gov.
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This doesn't mean that they won't try, but they aren't supposed to.

 

Any dealer can read the LS2 edit. That It's indeed been programed. The only tunner I know who folds his program into the OEM configuration is Z-Industries. It can't be read by anyone. It's locked.

 

I did this all the time on my C5. I have tuning software, and just uploaded my stock program whenever the car was going to the dealer. It's no big deal at all. Once HPTuners is released for the LS2, I'll do the same with my C6.

Tuning software is available for ~$500, and it's a great addition to your toolbox. The scanning software that comes with the better packages (HPT, EFI Live, NOT ls2edit for the home user) is worth the price even without the tuning software. Once you have it, you won't know how you lived without seeing everything that's going on as it happens. It's not just for tuning air/fuel, it lets you view and understand all type of things about your car.

This is not a replacement for a skilled tuner and a dyno, but it's a great addition to it. With software, you'll be able to remove and reinstall any custom program at will, even one created by a performance shop. All the reputable tuners around here will leave the program unlocked if you ask them too.

 

to be honest a dealer has no way of knowing it has an aftermarket tune. Unless something is totally noticable like shift firmness etc, i'd change it. If the car is going in for a driveability problem you will probably make the techs life a nightmare diagnosing it and he will probably through a new PCM @ the car