A8 unlocking questions
 

I see its possible to purchase an extra TCM ,my question is can I purchase one have it unlocked instead of using the original? And after purchasing and getting unlocked will it work or does it need to be programmed for my car. If not what do I need to do so I can drive to my tuner?

Wow nobody?

I have a '16 and HPT unlocks it fine. I beleive '17 and newer require purchasing an unlocked. I believe I read somewhere that HPT now offers them.

https://www.hptuners.com/product/new...ked-t87a-tcms/

yes you can now purchase spare TCM's from HPT that will come unlocked for 17-18's.

If you purchase a spare TCM that's already unlocked from HPT, that TCM would still required to be programmed with your cars VIN number. So unfortunately you would need a GM TIS subscription in order to program your VIN to this new TCM, so yes that means you would have to pay a dealer to do it. That's where the world is heading with all these do gooders pushing driverless cars and other stuff its going to basically eliminate vehicle customization and tuning, turning them into basically iphones. This makes me want to get away from GM products, since I always though they were the least "locked down" apparently not though, but I believe every other manufacture is on board as well.

The HPT website requires that you provide vin. Hopefully they are coding that in prior to shipping????

HP Tuners is programming your VIN into the new & unlocked TCM:
https://www.hptuners.com/product/new...ked-t87a-tcms/

Thanks guys for the info, this is very good news, but unfortunately it says they are out of stock.

Thanks for the info guys this was exactly what I was looking for.

Still out of stock..... how necessary is it to get the A8 tuned while also tuning the engine?

100% un-needed but if your going for a full complete tune 100% need. There are TM tables in both the Engine and TCM side that can be adjusted that and if you suffer from any transmission shudder or want crisper more productive shift points that's all TCM.

Alternatively, you send your TCM in for unlocking, no need to buy another one.

unless tuning for e85, most of the gains are from TCM tuning.

So it looks like HP tuners got ahold of some more TCMs or either has a different method of unlocking them, their website now shows both TCMs in stock but it looks like they are requesting the Serv# on your TCM to tell which one you have. I have to find time to dig into my front end to see if the Serv# is visable without removing anything. Anyone try this yet?

https://www.hptuners.com/product/new...ked-t87a-tcms/

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