Can't I just buy a new computer? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

NoleLife · 12-21-2012, 02:53 PM

So custom tunes void warranty, and Ive been told it's impossible to hide that it's been done on the computer from GM techs. But is it possible to just buy another computer from a used LS3 off ebay (I think I saw some for around 150 on there) and have that installed and the tune done on it and keep the original in case the car needs to go in for maintenance or warranty work?

I'm not looking to do this myself (Dont have mods to warrant a tune, or money to get either) but saw ECMs on ebay when browsing engines and had a "I wonder..." moment.

Rhyder · 12-21-2012, 02:55 PM

its illegal Im told, the comp has vin and other information, putting a new one on there is the same as trying to falsify your vin........

I also think they said there were issues with emissions as well, it flags it.

Theres a couple threads on this already that goes into more detail

NoleLife · 12-21-2012, 03:05 PM

So theoretically if you ruined your computer some how and it's no longer warrantied you can't find a used LS3 computer and put it in under law?

I'm by no means planning on doing this but Im at the point of just being curious. If some one did do it, is there a way anyone would know if it was switched back?

Denis · 12-21-2012, 03:12 PM

I had the same idea actually. And I don't see how if my computer fries and I throw another on in I'm somehow breaking the law.

nyrfan · 12-21-2012, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Denis

I had the same idea actually. And I don't see how if my computer fries and I throw another on in I'm somehow breaking the law.

There is a difference between your computer frying and trying to circumvent the system to hide a tune.

Mr. iNCREDIBLE · 12-21-2012, 03:19 PM

it's not a law thing.

the PCM keeps track of various things like mileage, so if you have 20K miles on the car and put a new PCM in, it won't show 20K miles it will show 0 and be 20K behind the ODO.

when the GM tech compares the files in the PCM to the other modules in the car and finds they don't match and are out of sync, then they will know it is changed.

Yes it is probably possible to have the PCM corrected, but again, GM tracks how many legit flashes are done to your VIN, if the PCM flash counter shows a different number than the other modules or what they have on record, again, they will know it was tampered with.

has nothing to do with legality, has to do with GM's warranty and their direct declaration that tampering with the cars computer voids it.

DanSSRS · 12-21-2012, 03:20 PM

I don't know if you can do it on the camaro but I know you could do it with my old cobalt SS turbo. Everyone used to get a 2nd comp tune it and keep the stock one just in case. Funny thing is you couldn't do it with the cobalt SS supercharged. I think if the comp is Vin coded to you car you can't swap them.

Rhyder · 12-21-2012, 03:21 PM

I think it also is your odometer, it is illegal to change your odometer reading, so perhaps switching out the computer would be considered as falsifying your odometer as the readings would not match the vehicle?

blue-bayou · 12-21-2012, 03:29 PM

Odometer is retained in BCM

Rhyder · 12-21-2012, 03:30 PM

here you go..

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/car...w-guidelines#b

Rhyder · 12-21-2012, 03:32 PM

not related to this post but there were several posts about turning off the daylight running lights where I was yelled down for saying its illegal to remove safety features once they are installed on your car

"...you are not allowed to remove or disconnect safety equipment such as hazard lights, day time running lights, or signal lighting...."

Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/car...#ixzz2Fiyeu8Sn

IndeedSS1 · 12-21-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanSSRS

I don't know if you can do it on the camaro but I know you could do it with my old cobalt SS turbo. Everyone used to get a 2nd comp tune it and keep the stock one just in case. Funny thing is you couldn't do it with the cobalt SS supercharged. I think if the comp is Vin coded to you car you can't swap them.

This was also easy to do with the GM W-body PCMs. I always had a spare in case I bricked one. I tuned a lot and figured eventually I'd have one of those uh-oh moments. Proud to say after putting 96k miles on my Impala SS and too many tunes to count, I never had a problem.

I don't know first hand about the Gen5 ECM swapping, other than having a personal reliable source tell me that with this new system, if it could be done it wouldn't be easy.

partymn · 12-21-2012, 04:02 PM

If the car is being driven hard enough that you think that you may need your warrenty why would you want to add more power by getting it tuned? Doesnt make a lot of sence. My warrenty is voided because of my turbo, and I am fine with that.

LSX Camaro · 12-21-2012, 05:34 PM

To answer the original post question. Yes it can be done. I'm not going to debate the legality but with certain equipment you can have 100 computers if you want. The new ECU comes blank/un-programmed from GM. The first step is programming a stock factory calibration. There is also some security programming to be done.

I have personally done this so I know it can be done without the dealer involved. Programming equipment that the dealer uses is available to the public. And I am Not talking about HP Tuners, SCT, EFI Live etc.

12-21-2012, 02:53 PM	#1
NoleLife Drives: 2013 2SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Tallahassee, Fl Posts: 205	Can't I just buy a new computer? So custom tunes void warranty, and Ive been told it's impossible to hide that it's been done on the computer from GM techs. But is it possible to just buy another computer from a used LS3 off ebay (I think I saw some for around 150 on there) and have that installed and the tune done on it and keep the original in case the car needs to go in for maintenance or warranty work? I'm not looking to do this myself (Dont have mods to warrant a tune, or money to get either) but saw ECMs on ebay when browsing engines and had a "I wonder..." moment.

12-21-2012, 03:12 PM	#4
Denis Drives: 2010 SS Join Date: May 2012 Location: Yorktown Heights, NY Posts: 7,695 View My Garage	I had the same idea actually. And I don't see how if my computer fries and I throw another on in I'm somehow breaking the law. __________________

12-21-2012, 03:19 PM	#6
Mr. iNCREDIBLE Drives: 2012 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: SoCal Baby... Posts: 2,530	it's not a law thing. the PCM keeps track of various things like mileage, so if you have 20K miles on the car and put a new PCM in, it won't show 20K miles it will show 0 and be 20K behind the ODO. when the GM tech compares the files in the PCM to the other modules in the car and finds they don't match and are out of sync, then they will know it is changed. Yes it is probably possible to have the PCM corrected, but again, GM tracks how many legit flashes are done to your VIN, if the PCM flash counter shows a different number than the other modules or what they have on record, again, they will know it was tampered with. has nothing to do with legality, has to do with GM's warranty and their direct declaration that tampering with the cars computer voids it. __________________ *I'm only responsible for what I say, not for what you fail to understand.*

12-21-2012, 03:29 PM	#9
blue-bayou Drives: 2010 IBM SS/RS/Stick Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: The Holler Posts: 231	Odometer is retained in BCM __________________

12-21-2012, 04:02 PM	#13
partymn Drives: 2014 1ss 1LE Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Goose Creek, SC Posts: 878 View My Garage	If the car is being driven hard enough that you think that you may need your warrenty why would you want to add more power by getting it tuned? Doesnt make a lot of sence. My warrenty is voided because of my turbo, and I am fine with that. __________________ 2014 1SS 1LE, bone stock for now.

12-21-2012, 02:55 PM	#2
Rhyder Drives: 2012 45 Anniversary Vert Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: atlanta Posts: 2,511	its illegal Im told, the comp has vin and other information, putting a new one on there is the same as trying to falsify your vin........ I also think they said there were issues with emissions as well, it flags it. Theres a couple threads on this already that goes into more detail

12-21-2012, 03:05 PM	#3
NoleLife Drives: 2013 2SS M6 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Tallahassee, Fl Posts: 205	So theoretically if you ruined your computer some how and it's no longer warrantied you can't find a used LS3 computer and put it in under law? I'm by no means planning on doing this but Im at the point of just being curious. If some one did do it, is there a way anyone would know if it was switched back?

12-21-2012, 03:20 PM	#7
DanSSRS Drives: 2011 Camaro 1SS RS Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Ottawa Ontario Posts: 47	I don't know if you can do it on the camaro but I know you could do it with my old cobalt SS turbo. Everyone used to get a 2nd comp tune it and keep the stock one just in case. Funny thing is you couldn't do it with the cobalt SS supercharged. I think if the comp is Vin coded to you car you can't swap them.

12-21-2012, 03:21 PM	#8
Rhyder Drives: 2012 45 Anniversary Vert Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: atlanta Posts: 2,511	I think it also is your odometer, it is illegal to change your odometer reading, so perhaps switching out the computer would be considered as falsifying your odometer as the readings would not match the vehicle?

12-21-2012, 03:30 PM	#10
Rhyder Drives: 2012 45 Anniversary Vert Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: atlanta Posts: 2,511	here you go.. http://www.doityourself.com/stry/car...w-guidelines#b

12-21-2012, 03:32 PM	#11
Rhyder Drives: 2012 45 Anniversary Vert Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: atlanta Posts: 2,511	not related to this post but there were several posts about turning off the daylight running lights where I was yelled down for saying its illegal to remove safety features once they are installed on your car "...you are not allowed to remove or disconnect safety equipment such as hazard lights, day time running lights, or signal lighting...." Read more: http://www.doityourself.com/stry/car...#ixzz2Fiyeu8Sn

12-21-2012, 05:34 PM	#14
LSX Camaro Master ASE, GM, LSX Tech. Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,034	To answer the original post question. Yes it can be done. I'm not going to debate the legality but with certain equipment you can have 100 computers if you want. The new ECU comes blank/un-programmed from GM. The first step is programming a stock factory calibration. There is also some security programming to be done. I have personally done this so I know it can be done without the dealer involved. Programming equipment that the dealer uses is available to the public. And I am Not talking about HP Tuners, SCT, EFI Live etc.