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Tuning the C8

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Old Aug 11, 2019 | 11:05 PM
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Default Tuning the C8

It is my understanding that the C8 cannot be tuned because the ECU is encrypted and locked. Witch I understand GM/Chevrolet wants you to buy the Z06/ZR1 if you want more power and performance.

This is not fair, I would like to tune my C8 and Run it with E85. Also maybe modifying the engine for more Power

Does anyone have any input on tuning the ECU?

Last edited by Montu; Aug 11, 2019 at 11:17 PM.
Old Aug 11, 2019 | 11:16 PM
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The car is not in private hands yet. How are we supposed to know the answer to that question?
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 12:52 AM
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How are we supposed to be able to answer this when production doesn't start until the end of the year?
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 04:24 AM
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Another great thread.
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 05:32 AM
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We’ll know soon enuff. I used the Trifecta tuning on my C7, since sold. Those guys are pretty sharp, among others.
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 06:40 AM
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Tuning the C8 will be allot harder than the C7 ZR1. All the control units now talk to each other. So it isn't a matter of breaking into the ECM and/or TCM only.
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 07:17 AM
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No matter how much power a vehicle has, there are still people who want more. I don't get it. Why not buy the car that has the power you want instead of modding the lesser model you shouldn't had bought? I have a GS. If I want more power, I'll buy a Z06. If I want even more, I'll get a ZR1. You can't have too much power while driving to the grocery store.
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 07:19 AM
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If you do ANY research on the subject then you already know the answer from GM regarding this.

These C8 threads have gone far beyond ridiculous ..
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Old Aug 12, 2019 | 07:33 AM
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Originally Posted by ByRiver
No matter how much power a vehicle has, there are still people who want more. I don't get it. Why not buy the car that has the power you want instead of modding the lesser model you shouldn't had bought? I have a GS. If I want more power, I'll buy a Z06. If I want even more, I'll get a ZR1. You can't have too much power while driving to the grocery store.
Great logic until someone wants more power than the ZR1 offers...next step is to mod/tune
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 07:51 AM
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Originally Posted by ByRiver
No matter how much power a vehicle has, there are still people who want more. I don't get it. Why not buy the car that has the power you want instead of modding the lesser model you shouldn't had bought? I have a GS. If I want more power, I'll buy a Z06. If I want even more, I'll get a ZR1. You can't have too much power while driving to the grocery store.

How about, I don't want an extra 100 lbs of SC BS on the nose of the car? How about I like NA? How about I like high revving NA engines so I am going to build a de-stroker for the GS? What am I supposed to do, buy a 911 GT3 to get that because it fits into your worldview? Just sayin'. Some people just like to tinker to make it their own..... That said, I am falling back into your idea because I have too many projects already.....
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 08:06 AM
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There may be simple solutions to obtain additional horsepower for the C8 instead of a tune. Technology is really pushing these new cars to the limit to where you really don't have to do that much to go faster. 2.9 0 to 60 mph is crazy fast for a 495 hp car. And due to this claimed hp the car has to flatten out somewhere. On this particular car, I would just do safe bolt ons and let it be. Just my .02.
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by fzust
How about, I don't want an extra 100 lbs of SC BS on the nose of the car? How about I like NA? How about I like high revving NA engines so I am going to build a de-stroker for the GS? What am I supposed to do, buy a 911 GT3 to get that because it fits into your worldview? Just sayin'. Some people just like to tinker to make it their own..... .
You can believe "professionals" like Katech who have a NA LT1 with ~700 hp will figure out how to do it and that info will get out! Obviously you don't care about warrantee so "there are always ways!

PS: That extra weight on the C8 'Z06" will be on the back! But I agree rather have a high revving NA engine!

Last edited by JerryU; Aug 12, 2019 at 08:10 AM.
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 08:35 AM
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WTF?????
Run it on E85?
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 09:25 AM
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Yes and it will be over the air through WiFi
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 10:03 AM
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Originally Posted by Iker
Yes and it will be over the air through WiFi
cool!
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by Phanni
WTF?????
Run it on E85?
Certainly!
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 10:09 AM
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Originally Posted by Fore58
There may be simple solutions to obtain additional horsepower for the C8 instead of a tune. Technology is really pushing these new cars to the limit to where you really don't have to do that much to go faster. 2.9 0 to 60 mph is crazy fast for a 495 hp car. And due to this claimed hp the car has to flatten out somewhere. On this particular car, I would just do safe bolt ons and let it be. Just my .02.
This car probably wouldn’t benefit from bolt-ons. It already has tubular exhaust headers and the air intake is already a very short flow path to the throttle body.

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Old Aug 12, 2019 | 10:21 AM
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Tuning and a cam will be the easy place to get improvements. The intake and exhaust are going to be darn ideal already.

Would be cool if GM offered some sort of key to allow you to tune, and at the same time acknowledging that you have lost your drivetrain warranty. But I wouldn't count on it.

I enjoy a tuned car, they just feel more alive. Often more eager feeling than the stock higher power version. As such I've tuned every personal vehicle I've ever owned including the 3 I own now.
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 10:29 AM
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Originally Posted by fzust
How about, I don't want an extra 100 lbs of SC BS on the nose of the car?
Turbo systems add roughly equivalent weight. As JerryU has already mentioned, the majority of that weight would be on the back of the car.

Originally Posted by fzust
How about I like NA? How about I like high revving NA engines so I am going to build a de-stroker for the GS?
You can like whatever you like. High-revving engines lose a lot of power and efficiency due to hydrodynamic drag. All things considered, it works out better to boost a lower revving engine.

Originally Posted by fzust
Some people just like to tinker to make it their own..
I get that. Putting in aftermarket floormats may still be legal.

Last edited by Warp Factor; Aug 12, 2019 at 11:29 AM.
Old Aug 12, 2019 | 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Iker
Yes and it will be over the air through WiFi
What will be over wifi? How you access the ECU?

I did read that the entire CAN will be over ethernet.




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