Tuning without voiding warranty?

[truckguy82]

Hi Everyone, just picked up my first GM truck, 2014 Sierra All-terrain with a 6.2. I was interested in possibly tuning it but voiding 100k powertrain warranty is not something I want to do for obvious reasons.

 

From what I understand (from reading on this forum), if there is a major failure of a powertrain component, GM may ask to see the ECU and then will be able to detect if the ECU was ever flashed. Even if you revert it back to stock they will still see how many times it was flashed. Sounds reasonable.

 

The last time I was interested in tuning anything was way back during the obd1 days, so forgive me if I'm behind the times.

 

My question is, aren't there tunes available, such as diablosport, which don't require an ecu flash? Don't they simply piggyback onto the existing ECU parameters.

 

It seems on some of the performance car forums, they believe once the piggy back is unplugged, it's gone, no trace of it.

 

I don't really understand how they operate, but I'm guessing a real ECU flash will modify the actual ignition and fuel tables in the ECU, where as a piggy back may simply modify the existing sensor outputs or ecu commands. I would seem fairly logical that a piggy back tuner may leave no trace at all when removed from the vehicle.

 

Anybody understand this enough to comment?

[truckguy82]

probably should have posted this in the engine section.....oops

[AZRenegade]

Start here: http://www.silveradosierra.com/engine/diablo-intune-questions-and-answers-t346114.html

 

And if that doesn't answer all of your questions, get a hold of a gent called 06MontiSS.

[Deanjo]

Bottom line is that if GM is able to detect a tune, yes they will be able to void your warranty. If they see too many flashes and they do not correspond with the documented service work of the vehicle that GM has then it is pretty easy for them to come to the conclusion that a tune has been done. So if you do choose to tune, be prepared before hand that any major malfunction of the powertrain will trigger an investigation into the flash history and likely end up voiding your warranty.

 

They brought out a tech bulletin for the techs on how to discover a non-athorized tune back last year titled

09-06-04-026K: Identifying Non-GM (Aftermarket) Engine Calibrations for Gasoline Engines Using Tech 2 or GDS 2 (U.S. and Canada) - (Jul 28, 2015)

 

1. Engine, Transmission, Transfer Case, Rear Axle Components and Catalytic Converter Failures Due to Non-GM ECM Calibrations Being Installed

Notice :

^ Be advised that GM REQUIRES retrieving the Calibration Information and performing the Calibration Verification Procedure as outlined in this Bulletin, whenever diagnostics determine a hard part failure may have occurred on internal engine parts and BEFORE disassembly, repair or replacement of an engine assembly under warranty.

 

 

There isn't a lot of leeway or forgiveness if they detect an unauthorized flash. Warranty claims are immediately put on hold until a Brand Quality Manager makes his decision.

 

(GM won't even allow their own techs to do something as simple and innocent as bumping up the minimum warm idle rpm).