Flashpaq super chips

matt grz · May 27, 2024

Im looking at getting the flashpaq by super chips and running the 87 tune and disabling the DFM BS. Has anyone done this? I’ll be doing this in a 2020 GMC Sierra 5.3 10 speed.

My main concerns are Illinois emissions and towing.

I’m wondering if I will fail emissions or get a “not ready” status running this tune with DFM disabled? I’m also wondering if it’s ok to tow with that 87 octane tune. The one video I watched on it said it’s not for towing for some reason.

Just wondering if anyone else has gone this route and can answer these questions and maybe give me some honest feedback about the flashpaq. Thanks.

schwingaling · August 3, 2024

Matt,

I have the Superchips Flashpaq. I ran the 87 tune for one tank, and I will tell you it is not worth it. The tunes will not affect emissions, but if you are considering using it for towing, use the "tow tune" and run the higher octane fuel. The 87 tune will likely not get you the performance you want.

For context: I have a 2021 GMC Sierra AT4 with a 5.3 10 speed. Exceptions - I am running a Fabtech 4" lift, 35x12.5x20 Toyo AT3 tires, Cold Air Inductions CAI, and the Borla S-type exhaust.

Flashpaq bonuses: the button memory is great; it disables all the silly things you don't want a V8 to have. The calibration for tire size is pretty much spot-on. The pedal sensitivity adjustment is enjoyable, but it can decrease fuel economy due to the fun of it all. My "real world" numbers on 93-octane and the performance tune: average of 425 miles to empty on fill up; 17-18.5 mpg by hand and on the computer (400-mile distance calculation), and incredibly fun to drive.

Respectfully,

Doug

matt grz · August 3, 2024

49 minutes ago, schwingaling said:

Matt,

I have the Superchips Flashpaq. I ran the 87 tune for one tank, and I will tell you it is not worth it. The tunes will not affect emissions, but if you are considering using it for towing, use the "tow tune" and run the higher octane fuel. The 87 tune will likely not get you the performance you want.

For context: I have a 2021 GMC Sierra AT4 with a 5.3 10 speed. Exceptions - I am running a Fabtech 4" lift, 35x12.5x20 Toyo AT3 tires, Cold Air Inductions CAI, and the Borla S-type exhaust.

Flashpaq bonuses: the button memory is great; it disables all the silly things you don't want a V8 to have. The calibration for tire size is pretty much spot-on. The pedal sensitivity adjustment is enjoyable, but it can decrease fuel economy due to the fun of it all. My "real world" numbers on 93-octane and the performance tune: average of 425 miles to empty on fill up; 17-18.5 mpg by hand and on the computer (400-mile distance calculation), and incredibly fun to drive.

Respectfully,

Doug

Appreciate all of this info Doug! Thank you!

johnnyquick · August 3, 2024

1 hour ago, schwingaling said:

Matt,

I have the Superchips Flashpaq. I ran the 87 tune for one tank, and I will tell you it is not worth it. The tunes will not affect emissions, but if you are considering using it for towing, use the "tow tune" and run the higher octane fuel. The 87 tune will likely not get you the performance you want.

For context: I have a 2021 GMC Sierra AT4 with a 5.3 10 speed. Exceptions - I am running a Fabtech 4" lift, 35x12.5x20 Toyo AT3 tires, Cold Air Inductions CAI, and the Borla S-type exhaust.

Flashpaq bonuses: the button memory is great; it disables all the silly things you don't want a V8 to have. The calibration for tire size is pretty much spot-on. The pedal sensitivity adjustment is enjoyable, but it can decrease fuel economy due to the fun of it all. My "real world" numbers on 93-octane and the performance tune: average of 425 miles to empty on fill up; 17-18.5 mpg by hand and on the computer (400-mile distance calculation), and incredibly fun to drive.

Respectfully,

Doug

Hi, so is there a HP/ TQ gain with this in the performance tune or is it just the throttle sensitivity?

Is the the one that has the "locksmith" to unlock the ECM and the TCM?

schwingaling · August 3, 2024

49 minutes ago, johnnyquick said:

Hi, so is there a HP/ TQ gain with this in the performance tune or is it just the throttle sensitivity?

Is the the one that has the "locksmith" to unlock the ECM and the TCM?

The performance tune has a modest HP/TQ gain in addition to the throttle sensitivity. The "performance" tune is more HP than TQ, while the "haul" tune is TQ-focused. The power increase is not as drastic as the numbers you are going to see with the 6.2 (which are the numbers they advertise), but I have no issues with get-up-and-go running a lift and 35s while doing truck things. For the 5.3, it definitely increased the joy of driving and seat-of-the-pants performance.

It is important to note the "performance" tune is not for hauling, but with the ease of switching tunes, it is not a terrible headache to switch when I need to haul something (which is not very often and planned well in advance).

Yeah, you have to send the ECM to the company (Holley is the parent company, I believe) to have it unlocked to work with the handheld flash tuner. It was about a 72-hour turnaround.

My only concern now is whether or not I am able to add a supercharger since another company unlocked the ECM. I am going to send inquiry emails to tech support at Magnuson and Whipple to see if I can use my current ECM or if I need to get a new one for the supercharger tuning.

schwingaling · August 31, 2024

Update: You no longer have to send the ECM to the company for unlocking. They sell the FlashPaq with Locksmith device, which allows you to unlock everything in your garage using the hand tuner and update software via your personal computer. The new system (2849-F) allows you to unlock the TCM previously unavailable on the older FlashPaq tuner for the 19-22 Sierras. This is great because, depending on what tune you used, some of the shift points would be a little off (surge/holding high RPMs when not accelerating).

I have reached out to Superchips to see if there will be a kit/software update for those of us with the older FlashPaq (2847-S) so we can benefit from unlocking the TCM and correcting some of the shift issues.

website: https://www.holley.com/products/tuners_and_programmers/handheld_tuners/superchips_f5_flashpaq/gm_flashpaq_with_locksmith/parts/2849-F

website: https://www.americantrucks.com/superchips-sierra1500-flashpaq-f5-tuner-locksmith-2849-f.html