I was wondering if I could do 2 things at once... Could I purchase the HPTuner VCM Suite with the GMS1 calibration as the baseline tune, and then buy the GMS1 hardware from a vendor, thus negating the need to go to a dealership?

When I bought my Ford SCT tuning kits, they always asked for the catchcode which identifies the calibration of the vehicle and that is used as the baseline.

I'm wondering if it would be possible to do this with the GMS1 calibration.

 

yes. I have the 3 bar sensors and was tuned by term2. Never went to a dealership.

 

You won't be getting the actual GMS1 tune, but you can get a tuner's version of it. Why bother, though? If you're going to pay a tuner to tune your car, then let him give you his best tune, not some copy of the GMS1. It'll be the same price either way, I imagine. The ONLY reason to go with the GMS1 tune is to keep your warranty, and you'll already be negating that by not using an actual GMS1 kit that is installed by a certified GM Tech.

 

I am looking to buy the HPTuner VCM Suite or whatever DIY tuning product is available for my SS/TC. Usually with my Fords, I'd tell the vendor my PCM catchcode so they give me the baseline tune based on that catchcode (the OEM calibration).

What I am asking is if I can buy the HPTuner VCM Suite WITH the OEM GMS1 calibration as the baseline tune? I'd like to buy the GMS1 hardware kit, the VCM Suite/DIY tuning software and not have to go to the dealership. This way I can tune for the K&N SRI, add the 3 bar MAP sensors, and get the GMS1 settings at the same time. I can understand if it is a tuner's version of the GMS1 tune instead of the OEM GMS1 tune.

I wasn't planning to go to a tuner, the main reason being I don't want to keep going to someone to make minor changes and most are unwilling to give me a copy/allow access to whatever they tuned. In the 10+ years I've been using SCT's Advantage on my Fords, I've probably made numerous minor changes over the years and well worth its original cost.