Reprograming 2018 C7 computer
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 11
From: Laurel, Maryland
Reprograming 2018 C7 computer
Purchased a AFE Cold Air Intake for my Z06 A8 and took it to the dealer to get an estimate on how much it would cost to get it installed. Prior to the service rep giving me the quote he said, let me give this after market shop a call to see how much it would be to have them CPU reprogrammed. When he spoke directly to the programmer and they told him that there a lock on the system and there wasn't anything on the market to reprogram the 2018 CPU yet, if you tried your unit would start throwing codes and eventually not work. This is a very reputable shop and has done many Vettes, has anyone heard of this?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Purchased a AFE Cold Air Intake for my Z06 A8 and took it to the dealer to get an estimate on how much it would cost to get it installed. Prior to the service rep giving me the quote he said, let me give this after market shop a call to see how much it would be to have them CPU reprogrammed. When he spoke directly to the programmer and they told him that there a lock on the system and there wasn't anything on the market to reprogram the 2018 CPU yet, if you tried your unit would start throwing codes and eventually not work. This is a very reputable shop and has done many Vettes, has anyone heard of this?
LT and ST fuel trims should be able to compensate , if you really want a tune then you can use a handheld and do a mail order tune for the AFE , The Diablo I3 actually comes with and AFE CAI tune built into it or call Doug at ECS
Unless you use the Diablo , any tune is going to void your warranty ....
Dave
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 11
From: Laurel, Maryland
I have a life time warranty on my engine, my service manager and I was talking about what would void the warranty and discussing the long tube headers, x pipe and exhaust. He told me that none of that would void my warranty and as long as I don't go into the engine. Although I was only talking about getting the cold air intake installed only I guess he thought I wanted the whole deal installed. That is probably why he talked against it and said it couldn't be done. Being it was late on the east coast, I called West Coast Corvettes and talked with them. They told me that I didn't need a tune with an AFE Cold Air Intake. I will also call ECS tomorrow for a second opinion, they have tuned my vettes before.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
I can assure you that unless you are using the GM CAI and GM Tune that goes with it , that any other tune will void your warranty. Not sure what your service manager is saying ...
What kind of warranty is lifetime .......
Dave
What kind of warranty is lifetime .......
Dave
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
Up to 2016 nothing has to be done to program an ECM starting in 2017 to 2018 they ECM is locked and requires 2 credits to unlock but it can be programmed .... What makes you think that you need a tune with an AFE , do you have a CEL
LT and ST fuel trims should be able to compensate , if you really want a tune then you can use a handheld and do a mail order tune for the AFE , The Diablo I3 actually comes with and AFE CAI tune built into it or call Doug at ECS
Unless you use the Diablo , any tune is going to void your warranty ....
Dave
LT and ST fuel trims should be able to compensate , if you really want a tune then you can use a handheld and do a mail order tune for the AFE , The Diablo I3 actually comes with and AFE CAI tune built into it or call Doug at ECS
Unless you use the Diablo , any tune is going to void your warranty ....
Dave
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
It is on an LT4 when it goes into COT, not before that. I can't say about the LT1 tune. Still, making a blanket statement that the LT and ST will compensate may make some folks think they will make up all problems.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
As you can see, my factory ALL STOCK tune commanded a 12.4 AFR until COT kicks in at about 5,000 rpm, the blue line. But with a CAI it ran a bit leaner and didn't go into COT until higher in rpm, the red line.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 92
Likes: 11
From: Laurel, Maryland
I have a life time warranty on my engine, my service manager and I was talking about what would void the warranty and discussing the long tube headers, x pipe and exhaust. He told me that none of that would void my warranty and as long as I don't go into the engine. Although I was only talking about getting the cold air intake installed only I guess he thought I wanted the whole deal installed. That is probably why he talked against it and said it couldn't be done. Being it was late on the east coast, I called West Coast Corvettes and talked with them. They told me that I didn't need a tune with an AFE Cold Air Intake. I will also call ECS tomorrow for a second opinion, they have tuned my vettes before.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,633
Likes: 25
From: Orange California
With the warranty in place if you do any tuning to the computer they will void the warranty on the engine and power train. We have seen that with our customers who have had this issue. On the AFE intake there is no tune required and they are not know to throw any codes. If you do add the long tubes you will have to have the tune and they will void the warranty. They can see a footprint if you do a tune and then reload the stock one back in. Hope this helps.
__________________
Your #1 Resource For Corvette Parts and Corvette Accessories
1748 W Business Center Dr.
Orange, CA 92867
Phone:714.630.6396 / 888.737.8388
Shop By Model:
C8 Corvette Parts & Accessories
C7 Corvette Parts & Accessories
C6 Corvette Parts & Accessories
C5 Corvette Parts & Accessories
Your #1 Resource For Corvette Parts and Corvette Accessories
1748 W Business Center Dr.
Orange, CA 92867
Phone:714.630.6396 / 888.737.8388
Shop By Model:
C8 Corvette Parts & Accessories
C7 Corvette Parts & Accessories
C6 Corvette Parts & Accessories
C5 Corvette Parts & Accessories
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Dave ...
Safety Car
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 4,827
Likes: 352
From: Albuquerque NM
To the OP: Get your car on a dyno stock. Then when you change something, dyno again. That will ensure you are still safe (or not
) and will show that the part actually made more power. I have taken my car from 580 SAE to 730 SAE with my mods. I checked it (on the same dyno, because they will all read differently) after every mod, now I run a wideband continuously for safety.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 552
From: Pittsburgh PA
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13-'14
The only thing that matters is what the warranty says in writing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Right and a aftermarket tune violates any engine warranty ... even if the dealer is a progressive thinking dealer its GM who has to approve the warranty . When my motor dropped a valve the first thing that was checked was my VCN file .......
Dave
Dave
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 86
From: San Diego CA.
You dropped a valve on your C7? I thought that was a c6, 427 thing. Bummer.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 8,673
Likes: 2,728
From: Atlanta GA
Dave