Has anyone tuned a second ECU?

JonDaddy82 · 09-23-2019, 12:41 PM

Since we all know that tuning voids the warranty, and that the cars computer counts the flashes, has anyone purchased a second ECU to have tuned and shelved the stock one? They seem to certainly be cheap enough at $175.

Squatch · 09-23-2019, 12:45 PM

not sure on 6-Gen Camaro's but on Subaru's all the computers talk and report any reprogramming. so you have to replace them all...Think there is quite a few.

SFV1LE · 09-23-2019, 01:05 PM

Ok but I think he's asking if you remove the original ECU and install a 2nd ECU and tune that, can you then reinstall your stock ECU when you go for warranty work and hide the warranty voiding tune you run on from GM?

That used to work on my 2001 Audi S4, I had a second tuned ECU from APR. I think the reply above points out that this probably won't work because when you install the new ECU it syncs with your car/VIN and the GM data link, and will send info about any ECU modifications to GM voiding your warranty.

Maybe if there was a way to disable this wireless communication between the car and GM, but that might void the warranty too if they could prove you did it.

I wish we had options like the current BMW M3/M4 owners have for an affordable piggyback/signal intercept style ECU that isn't detectable by GM and can be easily removed for dealer visits.

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 09-23-2019, 03:03 PM

There's a thing called fraud...

JonDaddy82 · 09-23-2019, 03:52 PM

Move'n Up · 09-23-2019, 04:30 PM

Yes, it can be done.

SFV1LE · 09-23-2019, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can'tHave2MuchHP

There's a thing called fraud...

GM often, if not usually usually, denies warranty service for a motor with a spun bearing or fried piston, when a customer brings the car in with a properly installed and functioning catch can or CAI, knowing these aftermarket parts had no impact on the problem and in direct violation of the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act. This is their standard approach.

They know they can break the law because they have a team of lawyers sitting around all day until someone fights them, and the average person can't afford to pay a lawyer to fight. Fraud to fight massive fraud and abuse of power is ok with me, I'm on the side of the underdog. If the OEMs honored their warranties and followed the law, I might have a different opinion.

Trochoidal · 09-23-2019, 05:05 PM

This was a topic discussed in older threads.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=469581

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514953

arpad_m · 09-23-2019, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SFV1LE

GM often, if not usually usually, denies warranty service for a motor with a spun bearing or fried piston, when a customer brings the car in with a properly installed and functioning catch can or CAI, knowing these aftermarket parts had no impact on the problem and in direct violation of the Magnuson–Moss Warranty Act. This is their standard approach.

They know they can break the law because they have a team of lawyers sitting around all day until someone fights them, and the average person can't afford to pay a lawyer to fight. Fraud to fight massive fraud and abuse of power is ok with me, I'm on the side of the underdog. If the OEMs honored their warranties and followed the law, I might have a different opinion.

Understandable, yet you're basically saying you'll stop siding with the underdog ("little" fraudster) when every single OEM (the "large" fraudsters) perfect their corporate behavior.

The problem is everyone says that. "They" fix it first, then I'll follow. I decided not to try and screw the dealer over with petty crap, disclosed my mods to them and let the chips fall where they may, should something fail because of my mods, I'm not putting OEM parts back etc. I decided to mod, I bear the risk.

Again, I am not being judgmental at all, I do understand how some abuse their temporary power, it's just that nothing will change unless we start it ourselves, one way or another.

Stealth7 · 09-23-2019, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Can'tHave2MuchHP

There's a thing called fraud...

+ the ECU usually stores mileage. If THE ECU is on the shelf and the car is run with another ECU, then it is likely that the mileage on the car and first ECU will not match... .

Vtor_ZL1 · 09-23-2019, 08:15 PM

Many problems.. few, cycle on cycles wont match, mileage wont match - many red flags.

JonDaddy82 · 09-23-2019, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vtor_ZL1

Many problems.. few, cycle on cycles wont match, mileage wont match - many red flags.

Do you work in a service department? Just wondering if you could expand on what you’re saying a little bit.

cmitchell17 · 09-23-2019, 08:52 PM

All GM Global A vehicles (2010+ Camaro) have numerous security features. There is a security ID that is stored in GM's cloud and assigned to the car's VIN number at manufacturing. Most of the modules know this code and there are a lot of modules, if you swap a module (TCM, ECM, BCM, etc.) it will not work at all until you use the a scan tool with a valid GM TIS subscription to properly flash the correct calibration per the VIN. This means a dealer unless you want to buy a GM TIS subscription yourself. I think they are in the thousands per year.

I have seen no aftermarket solutions around this, and just to bring more bad news the new Corvette is one of the first GM vehicles to use Global B, which is the same thing, but now the module data local to the car is end to end encrypted, which makes trying to hack or reverse engineer it basically useless also.

09-23-2019, 12:41 PM	#1
JonDaddy82 Drives: 2018 ZL1 Coupe NFG M6 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Nolensville, TN Posts: 618	Has anyone tuned a second ECU? Since we all know that tuning voids the warranty, and that the cars computer counts the flashes, has anyone purchased a second ECU to have tuned and shelved the stock one? They seem to certainly be cheap enough at $175. Attached Images __________________ 1989 Forumla 350 WS6 <- High School 2000 Trans Am Firehawk <- After High School 2017 Colorado Z71 <- Daily 2018 ZL1 M6 <- Not Daily

09-23-2019, 12:45 PM	#2
Squatch Camaro pilot Drives: 69 Camaro, 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: Medford OR Posts: 299	not sure on 6-Gen Camaro's but on Subaru's all the computers talk and report any reprogramming. so you have to replace them all...Think there is quite a few. __________________ 2014 ZL1 Camaro 1969 Camaro

09-23-2019, 03:52 PM	#5
JonDaddy82 Drives: 2018 ZL1 Coupe NFG M6 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Nolensville, TN Posts: 618	__________________ 1989 Forumla 350 WS6 <- High School 2000 Trans Am Firehawk <- After High School 2017 Colorado Z71 <- Daily 2018 ZL1 M6 <- Not Daily

09-23-2019, 04:30 PM	#6
Move'n Up Drives: 17 Z06/Z07, 17 2SS Fifty, Ram 2500 Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 247	Yes, it can be done. __________________ Build Date 8/1/2016 1,109 out of 5,982\| Club F1FTY

09-23-2019, 05:05 PM	#8
Trochoidal Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: May 2019 Location: USA Posts: 1,656	This was a topic discussed in older threads. https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=469581 https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=514953 __________________ Roto-Fab w/sound tube delete, Katech ported TB, Pray IM, Velossa, DD side markers, DSX FF, UPR Catch can, Halo brace, My custom vent gauge pod Originally Posted by arpad_m - “Aww, yet another oil thread with almost the same question in the OP“

09-23-2019, 01:05 PM	#3
SFV1LE Drives: 2018 Hyper Blue ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: CA Posts: 1,360	Ok but I think he's asking if you remove the original ECU and install a 2nd ECU and tune that, can you then reinstall your stock ECU when you go for warranty work and hide the warranty voiding tune you run on from GM? That used to work on my 2001 Audi S4, I had a second tuned ECU from APR. I think the reply above points out that this probably won't work because when you install the new ECU it syncs with your car/VIN and the GM data link, and will send info about any ECU modifications to GM voiding your warranty. Maybe if there was a way to disable this wireless communication between the car and GM, but that might void the warranty too if they could prove you did it. I wish we had options like the current BMW M3/M4 owners have for an affordable piggyback/signal intercept style ECU that isn't detectable by GM and can be easily removed for dealer visits.

09-23-2019, 03:03 PM	#4
Can'tHave2MuchHP Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,696	There's a thing called fraud...

09-23-2019, 08:15 PM	#11
Vtor_ZL1 Who Needs to KNOW? Drives: 18 ZLE Join Date: May 2018 Location: Left Side of the Moon Posts: 1,771	Many problems.. few, cycle on cycles wont match, mileage wont match - many red flags. __________________ ing for grip. Are you in the NY/NJ/PA/CT region? Join us for autox fun at MetLife Stadium. HUGE lots, tons of runs. http://www.motorsportsne.com/

09-23-2019, 08:52 PM	#13
cmitchell17 Drives: 17 2SS, 8L90, Cam, Heads, E85 Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: US Posts: 1,201	All GM Global A vehicles (2010+ Camaro) have numerous security features. There is a security ID that is stored in GM's cloud and assigned to the car's VIN number at manufacturing. Most of the modules know this code and there are a lot of modules, if you swap a module (TCM, ECM, BCM, etc.) it will not work at all until you use the a scan tool with a valid GM TIS subscription to properly flash the correct calibration per the VIN. This means a dealer unless you want to buy a GM TIS subscription yourself. I think they are in the thousands per year. I have seen no aftermarket solutions around this, and just to bring more bad news the new Corvette is one of the first GM vehicles to use Global B, which is the same thing, but now the module data local to the car is end to end encrypted, which makes trying to hack or reverse engineer it basically useless also.

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