ECU/Chip mod - Is it real?

[SDG8GT]

At the dealership, the sales guy commented about how a new G8 owner chipped/reprogrammed his vehicle that resulted in 400+ HP. The comment was made in passing and thought the guy was yanking my chain.

Yesterday I read something online (kicking myself for not saving the link) about a dealer installable programming that takes the G8 GT to somewhere above 400HP that doesn't void the warranty.

Can someone confirm or deny this mod's existence? And if it is possible, where does one get it?

[mem]

Originally Posted by SDG8GT

At the dealership, the sales guy commented about how a new G8 owner chipped/reprogrammed his vehicle that resulted in 400+ HP. The comment was made in passing and thought the guy was yanking my chain.

Yesterday I read something online (kicking myself for not saving the link) about a dealer installable programming that takes the G8 GT to somewhere above 400HP that doesn't void the warranty.

Can someone confirm or deny this mod's existence? And if it is possible, where does one get it?

Yes I have heard of it. In order to not void your warranty it has to be done through the dealership. We were told where we are that you have to pay for the licensing fee and a charge for the time to do it, it should be around 200 dollars. It will boost the HP to 401 is what we were told. We are having ours done here in Reno after the first oil change.

[SDG8GT]

That is awesome!

Question: What are the advantages of waiting till after the first oil change?

[The Stig]

Do you just go to your local dealership and ask them for the upgrade? What is it called so I can ask them about it?

Thanks!

[mem]

I don't really know what the advantages of waiting until the oil change are, but that is what the service manager advised us to do. He is a friend, so I trust his judgement. As for what it is called, I believe that he called it reprograming of some sort. You aren't installing anything per say, just reprograming what is already in the car. Possibly reprograming the ECU? I'll have to ask again. My retention for car information isn't what it would be for a guy!

[chiefpontiac]

There are several ECM tunes out there on the market. The one you refer to is Vector. Buying direct from the vendor can save you some cash. Buying from the dealer DOES NOT afford you any additional warranty protection, regardless of what line the dealer is handing out. Bottom line, any product, even Genuine GM Performance Parts, regardless of where or when purchased or who installs it can be cited as cause of driveline failure due to hp increase from factory and may result in denial of an otherhwise valid warranty claim.

[The Stig]

Where can I get the Vector reprogramer, and how much is it?

[GRRRR8]

Vector Motor Sports <not yet a SV, # removed>Mon-Fri 9-5 EST I use all their products and they work. No I am not sponsored by them. I only promote or advise on products that I use or test. The VMS Flash Express is the only system that is plug and for the DIYer. Their products have taken my car into the 12s with the GRRRR8 mods added to the combo.

[mem]

Originally Posted by chiefpontiac

There are several ECM tunes out there on the market. The one you refer to is Vector. Buying direct from the vendor can save you some cash. Buying from the dealer DOES NOT afford you any additional warranty protection, regardless of what line the dealer is handing out. Bottom line, any product, even Genuine GM Performance Parts, regardless of where or when purchased or who installs it can be cited as cause of driveline failure due to hp increase from factory and may result in denial of an otherhwise valid warranty claim.

I asked my husband last night and he said it is not an EMC tune, nor is it anything from Vector. Part of the charge is for softward from Microsoft. I'm confused as to how something installed by the dealership could void the warranty. I am being told by the dealership that is the ONLY way to avoid voiding the warranty, if what we do is purchased from them and installed by them the warranty would be intact. So they are lying to me?

[GRRRR8]

Originally Posted by mem

I asked my husband last night and he said it is not an EMC tune, nor is it anything from Vector. Part of the charge is for softward from Microsoft. I'm confused as to how something installed by the dealership could void the warranty. I am being told by the dealership that is the ONLY way to avoid voiding the warranty, if what we do is purchased from them and installed by them the warranty would be intact. So they are lying to me?

Contact Vector, they released a way of flashing this weekend that is "stealth" no way for the dealer to know!

[SDG8GT]

Here is the link:
vectormotorsports.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse&c ategory_id=39&Itemid=28

[chiefpontiac]

Originally Posted by mem

I asked my husband last night and he said it is not an EMC tune, nor is it anything from Vector. Part of the charge is for softward from Microsoft. I'm confused as to how something installed by the dealership could void the warranty. I am being told by the dealership that is the ONLY way to avoid voiding the warranty, if what we do is purchased from them and installed by them the warranty would be intact. So they are lying to me?

Yes, even, repeat, even Genuine GM performance parts installed by dealer do not guarantee that any related failure is covered by GM. If the dealer principal wants to put their neck on teh line - get it in writing and have a lawyer look at it. If you raise hp above factory setting and the rear diff or axle bearings for example fails, you may be on the hook (standard GM and other mfgrs fine print)

[mem]

Well, then I would have to think twice before doing any sort of modification to my car. I bought the GM extended warranty because of all the trouble that I had with my Solstice GXP before it was bought back. I don't want to do anything that would void any warranty. It isn't worth it to me.

[chuck88]

This is just the kind of info I was looking for. Thanks, chuck88