[19Nasty1le]

I've been tempted with the thought of tuning but the main concern i have is the whole "what if" with the warranty issues. I've talked to some people who have tuned etc and said they went from 540WHP (which seemed low to me) to 620WHP which is a nice jump. Just not 100% sure how reliable these engines are Before / After tuning, or what other issues might favor not tuning it

[FoundNemo]

No way to tell. Tune quality impacts risk for sure. Safeguards are being disabled if you're exceeding factory torque limits, harder shifting, etc.

Also no way to tell about issues underlying that dont crop up at first but would later cause issues. Even if not caused by the tune, if an underlying issue crops up, then you're going to pay the bill if tuned if its the engine/tranny most likely.

The latter is why i wont tune my car if i dont want to replace the motor on my dime.

[RideZX6R]

I'm sure there have been some, but personally have not heard of any tuned engine failures in the LT4 with a tune only, I've barely heard of anything with much higher hp levels. They seem to be proving pretty reliable overall.

Of course, tune quality is everything - I'd go with someone who is well know and has experience with LTx vehicles (specifically LTx, not LSx - as the differences are significant)

Also, obviously your warranty coverage becomes questionable with this. Magnusson-Moss act states the dealer/manufacturer has to prove whatever mods you did caused the failure directly - but changing ECU programming isn't something that's easy to defend

[LT4Greg]

I wouldn’t have a tune done if you value your drivetrain warranty! Since you have a 2019 you have some years left on the factory warranty!

[ericedelman]

I like to think these questions as, "What's the worst thing that can happen?".....

So in this case, Chevrolet will sell you a brand new, LT4 crate motor for just under $15,000 (USD, I noticed you are in Ontario).

On the other hand, do you really think Chevrolet's development and drivetrain engineers were "only" able to get 540rwhp out of the LT4 while still making it reliable and pleasant to drive, but "some tuner with a dyno" can get 620rwhp?

[L78toLT1]

The paradox regarding the drivetrain warranty is that the most likely cause of a catastrophic failure on a stock or "lightly" modded LT4 is oil pump failure. Unfortunately, if you're modded, you will be stuck holding the bag even though the mods probably had no affect on the failure.

[TJay74]

Originally Posted by L78toLT1

The paradox regarding the drivetrain warranty is that the most likely cause of a catastrophic failure on a stock or "lightly" modded LT4 is oil pump failure. Unfortunately, if you're modded, you will be stuck holding the bag even though the mods probably had no affect on the failure.

Not really, it really depends on the dealer and the failure.

My 17 SS 1LE is fully modded, my LPFP went out and my dealer replaced it under warranty. 3 months later the oil pan was leaking oil and again they replaced it under warranty.

The dealer can make or break the warranty coverage at the end of the day.

[L78toLT1]

Originally Posted by TJay74

Not really, it really depends on the dealer and the failure.

My 17 SS 1LE is fully modded, my LPFP went out and my dealer replaced it under warranty. 3 months later the oil pan was leaking oil and again they replaced it under warranty.

The dealer can make or break the warranty coverage at the end of the day.

I agree that it helps to have the dealer on your side, but with a major repair such as an engine replacement the dealer will almost certainly have to get the repair approved thru gm. If mother GM figures out your blown motor was tuned, you're going to play hell getting them to cover it under warranty.

[Hell Raiser]

If you got a good relationship with your dealer even if tune the dealer can reflash your computer back to stock if you kept you old files. That's the bottom line IF and If so its all up to you and the dealer. It is best to know your service manager so he knows it is you
That's the person who can help or break you.

[SJFGTO]

No reason to tune unless you go beyond the pure bolt on mods such as a cat back, CAI and a ported TB. Once you add headers and a pulley, port the supercharger, add a larger TB, etc, then a tune makes sense. The quality and reliability of a tuned LT4 depends on the tuner. The engine itself is stout.

[L78toLT1]

Originally Posted by SJFGTO

No reason to tune unless you go beyond the pure bolt on mods such as a cat back, CAI and a ported TB. Once you add headers and a pulley, port the supercharger, add a larger TB, etc, then a tune makes sense. The quality and reliability of a tuned LT4 depends on the tuner. The engine itself is stout.

This^ If you don't lose an oil pump, which in all likelihood you won't, your LT4 should prove to be absolutely bulletproof at your power level, which is slightly more than the op was looking for.
With the exception of the occasional oil pump, I have never heard of an LT4 failure at any sane power level. It would just suck to be the guy who lost a motor due to a pump with minor mods and a tune.

[19Nasty1le]

I was looking at http://championmotors.ca/ they’re a pretty renown tuner here in the area and lots of experience. Wouldn’t be a crazy amount of power, I’m sure the engine is just as reliable with another maybe 100whp

[MillieDad]

Also worry about it.

[Juiced1]

There is good power in just a tune and if you're not heavily modded a dealer won't even notice the car is tuned. 99% of all LT4 engine failures occur for two reasons....defective oil pump in the first few thousand miles and the other would be cars pushing 1000rwhp. If you have some miles on the car and the oil pressure is good I wouldn't worry about blowing your motor.