So after having my car for a total of about 700 miles...I want more power. Not saying the car isn't a blast to drive and has an abundance of power but I'm just greedy and strive to be able to blast down the track faster and faster! I would love to keep the warranty on this car seeing as I haven't even broken the 1000 mile mark yet. I know that the wonderful "learn down" feature is a big hold back on real power and that a tune is the only way to go if you want major gains. So the question is...buy HPTuners and potentially blow the warranty or wait God knows how long until the Stage kit comes out for this thing?

 

If you can tune yourself then go with HPTuners!!!!

 

get hptuners, tune it, and if you ever have problems just flash it back to stock, and your dealer will never know

 

dont worry about the warranty...cause they end up ******* you anyways

 

If that's the case then I would gladly get HPTuners and just flash back when necessary, but I am under the impression that they can and WILL check for flashes...If they can't then this thread can be closed!! If they can..then the debate conitnues.

 

^^^^^this is true

 

Not quite; the last 15 tunes AND ECM's are stored in a separate computer on the car somewhere behind the firewall between the dash...I can't remember the name of this unit but other members here have quoted it. SO even if you wasted 200 bucks on a separate ECM to swap the stocker back in...the dealer can track that and still void your warranty. Same if you just flash back to stock, it stores the last 15 flashes.

BUT that being said, most dealers are lazy and unless something major happens won't scan for an aftermarket tune. My car has been in for warranty work twice since I installed the tune (brakes and a window rattle) and I had no issues.

Eventually it's going to get caught but I don't care...you have to pay to play and these cars are SO much more fun with a tune! Trifecta is still the best bang for the buck IMO!

EDIT: I'm pretty sure it's the BCM unit that stores the previous flash and ECM info.

 

you wish they would never find out

 

It is in the works (GM stage kit).. not telling you to do this, but the kit is supposed to be inexpensive, according to the prices for the similar kits for the Solstice, HHR, etc... My plan is to wait for the stage kit, keep my warranty, do a few things to the car to get the power up for the next three years.. once I'm out of the bumper to bumper then I'll go all aftermarket. Good luck with your decision. Patience can make all the difference!

 

Aftermarket tune...you have 700 miles on your car and your already dying for more power....gm stage kit sounds like it wont be enough for you. I think its only rated 290 crank...which is no where close to what you will get with hptuners.

 

go with the tune i threw out the warrenty on my balt at 22k (06 ss/sc) when i got it tuned and i dont regret it for a second and i only got 15-20 hp out of mine youll be getting damn near 100which is awsome i would def go for it. take care of your car and it will take care of you

 

now will the stage kit allow for better fueling? I see a lot of people saying how lnf's are restricted in hp due too the direct fuel injection setup. i heard the kit comes with a tune and new sensors.

will the stage kit make the engine more upgradable (500hp+)?

 

I havve no desire to make those numbers but thats a good question!

 

people are having trouble making 400 WHP because of the direct injection issure.