Ok, after much reading and much octane driven soul searching, I almost bit on the Trifecta tune since Bad News Racing was offering a free flash cable new years sale. Then, I got thinking and talking to my trusted and very honest GM Service manager. He straight up told me that most likely my aftermarket extended warranty would never notice the aftermarket hidden tune or how many times the car was flashed, but if any catastrophic failure happened to tranny or engine they could send an inspector (which happened this year to me when he insisted to the warranty company that the entire fan assembly and module needed to be replaced even though they couldn't reproduce my overheating) they may catch it and I would be taking a chance. He wouldn't call me out but there's always that chance i may be left out to dry and out of his hands.

So, I'm thinking the GM upgrade from crateengiunedpot with the plug & play and Forge BPV may be my best bet. Eat the extra money for the GM tune and then at least have the sensors and BPV for a more aggressive tune from Trifecta when my warranty runs out.

1. Will this GM tune really put a big smile on my face or am I going to still be missing the couple extra bits of power that Trifecta could give?

2. Do I really need to Forge BPV to maintain steady boost with the GM tune?

Thanks!

 

I see you have a '09...do you know what month your warranty expires?

I would say that trifecta/HPtuners is definitly a step better on the highway over GMTU...the extra 3-4psi is a noticeable difference...and the forge bpv was worth the money to me...but it isn't necessarily needed, just that the boot is known to have issues in the stock valve...

the only issue is if you are trying to stay under warranty...If your warranty is up in a month or two, I wouldn't even bother with the GMTU

but to answer your original question...It will be a completely different car with ANY tune..

 

It's a 2008 ( I had to update my profile). I have an aftermarket extended warranty that is up in another 2 years or 20,000 miles and I have the option of renewing it.

But I do wonder how the warranty company would know that the car wasn't flashed PRIOR to me purchasing it? Hmmm

 

Its a big price difference, but if your worried about fixing things under warranty, I had my tranny rebuilt and paid $1400 because I was out of warranty at 66,000 miles....Its up to you if its worth the risk...I mean that kit installed can be $800 or so if I remember right VS $220 for trifecta budget tune...

 

Yeah It's about $730 installed out the door vs $465 for the full trifecta and cable to reflash if I need.

 

I like mine.

I got the GMTU because I had a lot of the factory warranty left to go.
Since you're dealing with a aftermarket warranty, I guess it would all depend on "if" they checked for a reflash. Hard to say.

 

Yeah, and I go back and forth about all the clearance issues with the lower sensor with the GM upgrade

 

The clearance issue isn't one since it has been found out. Several different ways to deal with it. My fix was easy enough and didn't cost a dime. Just a little labor time.

 

What did you use, the bracket?

 

I have had the GM tune since 08 and not an issue since. It has performed great and never let me down.

I was the one who found the clearance issues back then and we had to do was to put a few washers under the IC mounts. The only reason I had an issue was my IC was replaced due to damage and when it was bolted on it had the Two bar sensors and it was just bolted in farther back. It was not a problem till we put the new one on. Couple fender washers and It has been issue free.

I really don't think you can complain about either one just beware that many warranties have a lot of fine print and many aftermarket ones can screw you so read the fine print to know just what you are dealing with.

I went with the GM one as my car was new and had the full GM warranty. I also was able to order the kit from my work but I had a Dealer install it for the full warranty. I only have $400 invested.

If I had to do it again I would not change a thing.