Purple... I popped for the Trifecta tune on a second ECM last fall. I was torn also. After putting on the CAI I knew I needed a retune...another $75, & so on. Thinking I could save the trifecta tune & flash over it with HP Tuners, I bought it to learn how to tweak myself. Trouble was, since Vince uses a custom OS, I could read the trifecta tune & save it, but not open it with HP Tuners. Trifecta says they don't lock the ECU, but to overwrite it I would have to do a "Write Entire" including the OS, and from what I learned, it's about 50/50 that it works. Otherwise the ECU becomes a brick.

I kept the Trifecta tuned ECU intact, tuned the stock ECU with HP Tuners & bought another stock ECU in case I sell the car, ect.

My point is, if you go with Trifecta, figure on using them for all mods in the future or spending more $$$ on another (In my case 3rd) ECU.

I like the flexibility that HP Tuners gives me and I have learned a lot in the last month with the help of a few good posters here and on the HP Tuners forums. Just my 2 cents, ymmv.

I like the Trifecta tune fine, no problems there, just like to do it myself. Been that way for a long, long time.

 

Until I see proof that a GM tech CANNOT find it if he wants...I won't believe it only because of how GM flashes work.

Not just any GM tech...anyways you can flash a car with HPTuners to stock and they can find out.

They can't tell what tune was on there...but they can tell. This is known fact because of how the flashes work.

NOW, I am not in any ways doubting Vince at all...I won't believe it until someone nads up and takes it to a tech who knows how to look for it, not random dude A who works at a GM dealership.

 

As long as the CVN number on the file numbers match.... it will pass at the dealership level. I don't think many other tuners besides a tech2 can flash a calibration and get the CVN numbers right ......thats why flashing back to stock with HP tuners doesn't work . Vince has said in a post here that he can make the tune file numbers and CVN numbers match and make it look legit when it's checked by a tech 2 .

The tech2 check is a very simple , very basic procedure ........ if they send the pcm into engineering .........your screwed .

 

I ordered My BSR PPc from hahn a few days back and talked to Bill Hahn. He said that you can reprogram your ECU to your cars specific Original Tune. although there is a stipulation. it will show that there was a tune done on your car but it will not specify what it was. therefore they actually dont have any supporting evidense that your problem was directly caused by the tuned that they have no idea what it was. does that make sense? there is a law out there i dont know what it was called. but they cannot tell you your waranty it void. its illegal. they have to find a way if possible to associate the problem directly with your mods. and another thing he said it really depends on your relationship with the dealer. if you have bought a few cars fropm them or visit their service departsment when ned be. that most the time they will just turn their cheek and fix the car. the guy at my service department said he wouldnt tell me not to mod it. but he wont tell me to mod it either... so it is really on you.

 

whether they can read / find the tune with their equpment is irrelevant. Any trained monkey will be able to tell a tuned tc after driving it or reading the history and finding 20+ psi...

extra pcm or FAIL.

 

So he CAN beat the CVN.

And he knows this how?

Not being a jackass, I am being sincerely curious to whether or not he has the proof is all.

And you're right, once the PCM gets sent in, all bets are off.

 

ok man here look at this here. this is the Magnuson-Moss Warranty act. this **** was set in place by congress.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnuson-Moss_Warranty_Act

look at the last line under limitations. that is gold tright there. there dealership has to PRove that your car broke due to the tune. if you reflash the ecu to stock settings they can tell that you ad a tune. but they will never be able to know what it was or if it caused the problem.... read the whole thing learn the terminology and understand. you can be covered jsut dont be retarded about it. Bill Hahn told me this fellas. he said himself. "they will be able to tell you had a tune. but they wont ever be able to tell what it was or if it caused the problem." he then said its in our discretion. there are always gonna be douchebags out there that are gonna try and void your warranty. but im serious tell them to look up the magnuson-moss warranty act. be smarter than the supplyer.

 

If the PCM has been flash more times than your GM service history can account for .........Magnuson-moss isnt going to help you .

I'm pretty sure he posted that he followed the TSB posted for finding aftermarket tunes and used it to test if the CVN's worked out or not .

If you need to see what CVN's GM has on file for your car you can plug your VIN in here
TIS

And this is basically what will show up ......This is my history for my SS/TC, it hasn't been updated since i bought it a couple of months ago

VIN: *removed per user request* -REIGN SS
Controller: ECM Engine Control Module



Calibration History for: Main Operating System
Part Number CVN Bulletin # Description
12629314 36BA9010 - Main Operating System

Calibration History for: Engine Operation
Part Number CVN Bulletin # Description
12633168 5A8F2E60 - New calibration to address issue occuring at the assembly plant only.
12632162 C852ED40 - New calibration to address issue occuring at the assembly plant only, does not address any service issues.
12631117 5E387E88 - New calibration to address issue occuring at the assembly plant only, does not address any service issues.
12630758 1570E644 - New calibration to ensure proper operation of generic scan tools.
12629324 EC15FE49 - Engine Operation

Calibration History for: System
Part Number CVN Bulletin # Description
12629325 0BFCA7E8 - System

Calibration History for: Speedometer
Part Number CVN Bulletin # Description
12629326 EF998203 - Speedometer

 

vince told me when i spoke with him, that he had a customer of his take their car to chevy and try it and it came back as original

soo hptuners ftw?

 

The problem with these hidden tunes is that if someone at the dealer hits the traction off button or whichever is the trigger and all of a sudden the car is hitting 22 psi instaed of 15 psi. They might have you then. If you break something stock tuned or otherwise if the dealer suspects abuse they will deny the claim anyway.

 

the dealers deny warranty on stock tunes as it is. I've been dealing with my dealer about these chewed up brakes @ 6k.

 

Either one is FTW if you have a spare ECU so you can swap back to the untouched stock one. Tune the spare. Only way to absolutely hide a tune.

 

If rolling my eyes made a sound it would make a sonic boom.

All they have to do...is scan the car.

Problem solved...Jesus attack of the nubs today

Exactly

 

Anyone else have a problem with this...I smell a rat!?

 

What do you mean? Tis2web has been around forever. I used it in 2006 to check that my stage tune on my SS/SC was installed correctly.

 

Maybe just paranoid, but vins are unique...everyone gathers data on the web everyone No ill intentions towards you.

 

Ahh i see. That is a GM site. Thats the same one that the tech's use to grab your calibration history. Just as long as you don't think i'm a GM snitch or anything like that lol.

All thou I'd be wary of some of the new members offering to look up stuff for people. Especially if you have a tune or 2nd ECM listed in your sig.

 

ok man. you obviously have no idea what your talking about. i have have experiences with this and i know what im tlaking about. my freind is the tech at a dealer here. i asked him he told me i took it in he lok and coudlnt tell what the exact tune was. you an idiot so dont open your mouth unless you know what your talking about.

 

Half the techs at my old Dealership (place of employment) could careless if you were tuned.

 

exactly. because either way they just want to roll through your car and get to the next one. either way they get paid ya know?? they dont care how. if they wanna be a dick they would bring it 8up and tlak **** but i mean it has to be something pretty bad...

 

really your calling steddy an idiot ? look and read your ******* post

 

listen man. i am saying from personal experience. obviously its to complicated for you to comprehend. but whatever. my car is tuned and i have no issues. so listen to waht you want think what yuou want.

 

i never agreed or disagreed about the topic smart guy

oh and theres spell check in the corner for a reason. its right above the smilies if your having too much trouble finding it yourself

 

The trifecta tunes little secret should have only been spread through word of mouth from one cobalt owner to the next. Or am I smoking pills???

Roll on Vince harder, guys. And plant some evidence while you're at it. Or is there something I don't know? Cuz I don't know much of anything. I didn't even finish reading the whole thread before my amazment forced a quick reply.

 

im not worried about spell check dipshit. my spelling has nothing to do with the topic. you obviously have nothign important to say if your going to nitpicka t someones spelling. so when you have something important to say or that has to do with the topic or if you have any questions for me, dont waste your breath on trying to insult me over the internet. i dont have time for internet thugs.