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Any problems with a custom tune??

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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 11:01 PM
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Default Any problems with a custom tune??

has anyone had any problems with a custom tune... locked or unlocked? id love to get one soon just wanted to hear some feedback...if so ...what where the problems and how did you go about getting it fixed...was it a hassle..etc......no need to mention tuners... reply here or in PM's is cool....thanks

Mike
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 12:21 AM
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I vaguely recall seeing this posted before but no matter. I haven't had any issues with the tuning on my car but I have read a past thread or two where people have experienced some problems resulting from a tune. It is possible, however, if you go with a competent, experienced tuner you shouldn't have any problems.

You do run the risk of voiding significant portions of your factory warranty once you start altering the car's factory operating specs. I know my local dealership aggressively denies warranty service to anything even remotely related to a mod (I know they were really hot on chip-modified diesel trucks). I wish it were otherwise but I understand why this is.
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 07:11 AM
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Depends on the tuner and the software he uses. I use HPTuner and don't lock the tune when flashing it to the car. This way the car can be flashed by the dealer (and the tune lost) or by another tuner. Some tuners lock the tune so that it can only be read and changed by him. This is typical for a supercharger kit car, where flashing it back to stock can result in engine damage. Problem is that the car owner may have issues that need to be resolved locally and he can't do it. He has to return to the installer or send his computer in to be redone. This is inconvenient but not such a bad idea on a power added car.

Just ask the tuner what he is going to do. Ask him if he is going to lock the tune file so that only he can access/change it or not. If he is, then you will need to go back to him every time you want to change something.

Best way to proceed for most people is to buy HPTuner yourself, get your tuner to use HPTuner and to provide you with an updated file if needed that you can load to the car yourself but which you don't change yourself unless you know what you are doing. Then don't take the car to the dealer without telling them not to flash the computer.
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 07:15 AM
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the only problem I have had is decreased traction from increased HP If you get a good tuner, you should not have a problem. I had MTI in houston tune mine and they have done thousands of LS tunes.
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 09:02 AM
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No issues with my DTE tune
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 01:24 PM
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SOTP, that's about all.
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 01:31 PM
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Best money I've spent on the car since I bought it...
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by lemans 07
the only problem I have had is decreased traction from increased HP If you get a good tuner, you should not have a problem. I had MTI in houston tune mine and they have done thousands of LS tunes.

sub Chuck CoW for Houston
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 05:11 PM
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my tune has been perfect
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 07:02 PM
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As noted in my signature, I have a handheld tuner by SuperChips that is wonderful for my 300C. I keep the handheld in the trunk in case I have to download the stock tune on short notice.
I am concerned with the tuners talked about here because if you go to the dealer for some issue, there is a strong chance of them seeing your new tune and at the very least re-writing to the stock tune. So the custom tune is bye-bye, as may be your warranty.
Give me some good info on that, please, and hopefully I'll get some better feelings about all of this.
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 11:01 PM
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Has anyone had a custom tune loaded into a 2nd PCM that could be swapped out before taking it to the dealer?

Cost prohibitive?

Last edited by ILLUSHN; Jan 19, 2008 at 11:09 PM.
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Old Jan 20, 2008 | 12:37 AM
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In lieu of sending in your PCM, Ligenfelter offers (as part of their 616 hp package)the option of purchasing a new PCM, on which they install their tune; so I imagine any tuner could aquire a new PCM for about the same price and install their tune.
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