Superchips Cortex + Nbs = Junk

Blacklabel Denali · March 14, 2008

I purchased the new Superchips Cortex 2950 a little over a month ago and installed in on my 07 NBS Sierra Denali mostly because I wanted to get rid of the top speed limiter and I was hoping for some improvement in shifts and response.

First off I was surprised and a little taken back by the fact it had a 87 octane tune. I know the truck can run on it, the computer will compensate for the lower octane so why need a tune? Well I wrote them to ask and have still have not received a reply. Next I put the performance tune on and went for a drive...Death rattle is the only way I can describe it. It was louder than a ping but not loud enough for a knock. Scary to say the least, I took it off immediately and figured it needed to be updated since it was so new, fair enough? I think more then fair.

Well I decided to try out the real time, "data acquisition", feature...no go, it told me I had to register first, great. Well I finally registered last week and I don't consider myself paranoid but the info they request for something you paid so much for creeped me out but I wanted the product to work as described. I had a lot problems getting the Cortex to update and finally emailed customer support. I never heard back from them.

I finally got it to update and wouldn't you know it, no "data acquisition" and she still has a death rattle on performance tune, so in my opinion if you are considering the Superchips Cortex for NBS GM trucks, Don't, it is junk and so is the customer service. I tried to return it but they only allow for returns for 30 days. So now I have to wait for them to get there tune together or move on.

alaska511 · March 14, 2008

I purchased the new Superchips Cortex 2950 a little over a month ago and installed in on my 07 NBS Sierra Denali mostly because I wanted to get rid of the top speed limiter and I was hoping for some improvement in shifts and response.

First off I was surprised and a little taken back by the fact it had a 87 octane tune. I know the truck can run on it, the computer will compensate for the lower octane so why need a tune? Well I wrote them to ask and have still have not received a reply. Next I put the performance tune on and went for a drive...Death rattle is the only way I can describe it. It was louder than a ping but not loud enough for a knock. Scary to say the least, I took it off immediately and figured it needed to be updated since it was so new, fair enough? I think more then fair.

Well I decided to try out the real time, "data acquisition", feature...no go, it told me I had to register first, great. Well I finally registered last week and I don't consider myself paranoid but the info they request for something you paid so much for creeped me out but I wanted the product to work as described. I had a lot problems getting the Cortex to update and finally emailed customer support. I never heard back from them.

I finally got it to update and wouldn't you know it, no "data acquisition" and she still has a death rattle on performance tune, so in my opinion if you are considering the Superchips Cortex for NBS GM trucks, Don't, it is junk and so is the customer service. I tried to return it but they only allow for returns for 30 days. So now I have to wait for them to get there tune together or move on.

You can sell it on Ebay, I have always sold my handheld tuners there and only taken a $50-$75 hit on what I paid for them. Just a thought if you want to move on to something different. Best of luck, I hope it all works out for you.

svensk · March 14, 2008

Time for a custom mail order tune. The money you probably paid for that thing...mannnn.

wlvrn1215 · March 14, 2008

svensk...love the new sig pic

svensk · March 14, 2008

svensk...love the new sig pic

Thx man!

Blacklabel Denali · March 14, 2008

You can sell it on Ebay, I have always sold my handheld tuners there and only taken a $50-$75 hit on what I paid for them. Just a thought if you want to move on to something different. Best of luck, I hope it all works out for you.

For some reason I thought that they were tied to one vehicle...

Lincoln30 · March 14, 2008

There are tied to one vehicle when the tune is installed on the vehicle and stock tune is saved on the tuner. Once you restore the stock tune to the vehicle the tuner can be used another vehicle.

omegafiler · March 14, 2008

Did you try the latest internet updates? I also know they have 2 separate updates, one with and another without the data acquisition.

Were you also running at least a full tank or 2 of premium octane when you switched to the Performance Tune?

Handheld and custom tuners can tune a vehicle for 87 octane, it just won't be as aggressive or provide as much HP/TQ as if you use a 91/93 octane tune.

Also, many handheld and custom tunes offer dual octane tunes. Some require you to re-tune your vehicle while other custom tunes use the PCM's native ability to switch between various octanes.

But if you're still having issues, just call their tech support, or visit their forum. Make sure they fix it.

Or just eBay it... whatever...

Blacklabel Denali · March 14, 2008

Did you try the latest internet updates? I also know they have 2 separate updates, one with and another without the data acquisition.

Were you also running at least a full tank or 2 of premium octane when you switched to the Performance Tune?

Handheld and custom tuners can tune a vehicle for 87 octane, it just won't be as aggressive or provide as much HP/TQ as if you use a 91/93 octane tune.

Also, many handheld and custom tunes offer dual octane tunes. Some require you to re-tune your vehicle while other custom tunes use the PCM's native ability to switch between various octanes.

But if you're still having issues, just call their tech support, or visit their forum. Make sure they fix it.

Or just eBay it... whatever...

Thanks for the suggestions but this is reason I posted in public. I did contact their tech support and got no response. I also waited to allow them additional time to come out with an update sort of 2.0, (guess these computers are training us for accepting junk initially and waiting till later for them to "work it out"). But when updated I had no real time data and still no usable tune.

Btw the Sierra Denali only uses Premium fuel so I had a tank of the good stuff but with that death rattle there's just no way I would drive it around letting it get used to it.

Bostonsfavson · March 15, 2008

Sorry to hear about your problems. If you want my advice, go with a custom tune if you can physically take your truck somewhere and have them do it (this is necessary to tune your TCM). Otherwise, order HP Tuners and start reading up

Paul58 · March 15, 2008

If you really want a handheld tuner, get the Edge! Mine has been great! I also hear good things about the Diablo. I purchased a Superchips tuner when I had my Exploder and it killed it! I actually had to disconnect the battery overnight in order to crank the vehicle again after I loaded the tune! Never did get to see if it helped as the truck would not crank with the tune installed! I shipped that sucker back the following day and never looked back! I say sell it and get one that's proven to work with our trucks!

mdenali · March 15, 2008

One man's meat is another man's poison...

I ran the Diablo chip in my F150 SuperCrew and it was absolutely amazing, hence the reason the Predator was my first choice for my SD. What a mistake that was! It is awful.

Personally, as I am learning quickly, the number of and complexity of the ECM/PCM/BCM/VCM's or whatever's in these very late model vehicles is so great that trying to get it right with a canned, handheld tune is hit or miss at best, and for those that did get a nice set up with one congrats.

In any case, my extra PCM is here and it will be going off to Westers shortly, and it looks like I have a third on the way as well for whatever, probably an HP Tuners. Besides, I can change the physical PCM in 1/4th the time it takes to re-flash one!

ATEYSIXED · March 15, 2008

How's everyone doing? I'm new here and was thinking of getting the Edge Evolution for my 2007 Sierra with the 5.3. I was just wondering if anyone knows if that model also raises the speed limiter?? 90 MPH is just not cutting it for me.

VMax2007 · March 15, 2008

How's everyone doing? I'm new here and was thinking of getting the Edge Evolution for my 2007 Sierra with the 5.3. I was just wondering if anyone knows if that model also raises the speed limiter?? 90 MPH is just not cutting it for me.

Do a search on "edge evolution" and you will find about 2 hours worth of reading. So, get a snack and comfy chair and cold beer.

Then, when you are done, scrap that whole idea and get a custom tune.

ATEYSIXED · March 15, 2008

How's everyone doing? I'm new here and was thinking of getting the Edge Evolution for my 2007 Sierra with the 5.3. I was just wondering if anyone knows if that model also raises the speed limiter?? 90 MPH is just not cutting it for me.

Do a search on "edge evolution" and you will find about 2 hours worth of reading. So, get a snack and comfy chair and cold beer.

Then, when you are done, scrap that whole idea and get a custom tune.

Heh, that's definately something I would be interested in. My only concern is the effect it would have on my warranty. I know the generic tuners allow you to reset the factory settings for factory maint etc. Don't know much about the custom job? Would you enlighten me??