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Old May 3, 2008 | 12:07 AM
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Just wondering if any of you guys have noticed that the guy that is going to do your tune here is also gong to lock your computer? .........
Just ask him.

Last edited by CanadaGrant; May 3, 2008 at 12:13 AM.
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Old May 3, 2008 | 12:29 AM
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Originally Posted by CanadaGrant
Just wondering if any of you guys have noticed that the guy that is going to do your tune here is also gong to lock your computer? .........
Just ask him.

Almost all the best tuners lock the computer as you so say. It can still be reflashed back to stock though.
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Old May 3, 2008 | 12:58 AM
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Originally Posted by Racer44
Almost all the best tuners lock the computer as you so say. It can still be reflashed back to stock though.
Good luck...
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Old May 3, 2008 | 02:07 AM
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This issue has been discussed and there seems to be 2 sides. I have my own opinion, but not why I'm posting. I do have a related question and see who can answer this (cuz I cant). After its tuned and locked, is there anything my dealer would need to access in the computer thats not related to air, fuel, shift points, idle etc that is done during a tune. Meaning if something else goes screwy in my car, some sensor or something, will the pcm being locked prevent anyone else to get into there to fix or check something?

Flashing back to stock is ok if you need to fix something but then the tune could be WAY off after its fixed no? I'm only trying to become more educated here so please dont bash on either side, this is MY legit question!! and if you flame me, I will hunt you down!!

Last edited by GettReal; May 3, 2008 at 02:10 AM.
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Old May 3, 2008 | 02:27 AM
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I realize why some tuners lock the pcm but I sure wouldn't want mine locked. After taliking with 3 local shops and Doug Rippie in Minnesota, none of them lock pcm's.
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Old May 3, 2008 | 07:36 AM
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The tuners are just locking the computer to stop their tuning perameters from being used on other cars.
If you had just a few bolt on mods, intake, headers, exhaust and someone had the same or simular mods you could copy to another car with DHP/EfiLive etc and tweak it in.
I feel that a tune for a MN6 car would be not that hard to do yourself but for the automatics there is quite a bit of torque managment that you can work with.
If you are programming for a cam, heads, injectors, forced induction then there is a ton of parameters/tables that need to be adjusted and modifed.
I can see why a tuner who spends many hours/days of adjusting their first cars and goes through this inital learning curve want to keep there code and ideas to themselves.
If you are doing it as a hobby then it might be different, but as a buisness then you CYOA.

If in event that you need your computer back to stock the dealer should be able to flash it back, but all updated code by the tuner would be lost.
You could also look at getting another computer, as I have done in the past and have a OEM backup and a modified unit if the tuner where to go out
of biz or if you plan to sell the car and go back to stock.
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Old May 3, 2008 | 07:43 AM
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Originally Posted by flybyu
You could also look at getting another computer, as I have done in the past and have a OEM backup and a modified unit if the tuner where to go out
of biz or if you plan to sell the car and go back to stock.
Best idea I have heard yet! I'm not crazy about a locked computer but understand why it is done. Most good tuners will reflash for free if you have any problems anyway. I am going to buy another computer if I can find one cheap to have on hand!
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Old May 3, 2008 | 08:40 AM
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Originally Posted by Cdn ZR1 Mike
Best idea I have heard yet! I'm not crazy about a locked computer but understand why it is done. Most good tuners will reflash for free if you have any problems anyway. I am going to buy another computer if I can find one cheap to have on hand!
My tuner (Westers in AB) will upgrade or downgrade the tune for the life of the vehicle at no extra cost You pay for it once and that's it.
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Old May 3, 2008 | 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by RAGGDOLL
My tuner (Westers in AB) will upgrade or downgrade the tune for the life of the vehicle at no extra cost You pay for it once and that's it.
Chuck from CoW does the same.
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Old May 3, 2008 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by RAGGDOLL
My tuner (Westers in AB) will upgrade or downgrade the tune for the life of the vehicle at no extra cost You pay for it once and that's it.
you go all that way for a tune,
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Old May 3, 2008 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by RAGGDOLL
My tuner (Westers in AB) will upgrade or downgrade the tune for the life of the vehicle at no extra cost You pay for it once and that's it.
you go all that way for a tune, on a carbed car?
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Old May 3, 2008 | 09:13 AM
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Originally Posted by NOCRISIS
you go all that way for a tune, on a carbed car?
GMC Sierra, 5.3 L HO
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Old May 3, 2008 | 09:26 AM
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i dont think i would want mine locked either..i understand the tuners dont want their tunes flashed to another car for nothing, but i dont like the idea of not having access to it after i payed for their time and expertise to tune it..doesnt seem right to me...
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Old May 3, 2008 | 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by RAGGDOLL
GMC Sierra, 5.3 L HO
oh,lol,figured that one out.They just send a chip?
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Old May 3, 2008 | 09:31 AM
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I'm not a tuner, I did purchase software & hardware so it is easy to email your tune. Makes it simple for changes & your tuner.
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Old May 3, 2008 | 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by NOCRISIS
oh,lol,figured that one out.They just send a chip?
He e-mails a specific tune we determined would meet my needs to his dealer, this one is in Courtice. I go there, Martin uploads it to the PCM via the diagnostic port....whamoo, done!

I had a 87/89 octane tune, upgraded to a 91 octane "hot tune" Have to take you for a spin in my truck, you'd be suprised
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Old May 3, 2008 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by CTD
I'm not a tuner, I did purchase software & hardware so it is easy to email your tune. Makes it simple for changes & your tuner.
I have ls2 edit and have my stock tune on my laptop. I can load it back in the ecm in less than 5 mins. I would never let anyone lock my computer but that's just me...
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Old May 3, 2008 | 10:41 AM
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Originally Posted by CanadaGrant
I have ls2 edit and have my stock tune on my laptop. I can load it back in the ecm in less than 5 mins. I would never let anyone lock my computer but that's just me...
I guess it all depends on what you want, these guys are the best for a reason, they WILL get more HP out of their tune than Joe Corvette owner. As someone said, they all will retune if needed for a small fee or free. Some guys are not comfortable with it and some guys it's an absolute "NON ISSUE" You can take this down to the very basic level ..Some guys mod their new cars at the risk of being denied warranty, some guys wouldn't put an aftermarket air freshner in their car. It's your decision and you will have to live with it.
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Old May 4, 2008 | 10:13 AM
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Default tune

Locked tune and you at a dealers will be tough for you as your car needs something other than a stock tune...the tuner would need to send the tune and have someone if not the dealer put it back in the car.
This fella is upfront that his tune is locked with lifetime, I guess his or yours, service...BUT take it to a dealer or get a stock tune and I don't think YOUR car will like it.
Some tuners ask ...some don't.
Hope this helps...Ian
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Old May 6, 2008 | 05:35 PM
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Originally Posted by cdn ws6
I realize why some tuners lock the pcm but I sure wouldn't want mine locked. After taliking with 3 local shops and Doug Rippie in Minnesota, none of them lock pcm's.

None of the top tuners' lock the tunes, LPE, LG, ECS, Cartek. We don't either. If the tune is locked it's not recoverable from the dealer either, nor eligibable for updates as GM is always updating there PCM's calibration. That goes for something simple such as the recall on the column lock-the delaer would try t flash it and tur your car into paperweight. You would need to send the pcm back for a reflash or buy a new PCM.

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