I don't know what constitutes "normal" as I never toggled the switch before the tune, but it is absolutely "different" when toggled now that the tune is there. With TC on (light OFF), I can spin the front tires a little bit, but have to do some clutch work to get them spinning... then you can tell the computer is fidding with things as it's not a strong spin. With the TC off (light ON), I can boil the tires in first... as in, on a decent blacktop, if I don't let up, it will NEVER stop spinning. I wonder if either 1) your TC just isn't working, or 2) your tune is different. Hmmm.

 

Hey, that is very interesting. There is definitely no difference with mine, and when I asked Aaron (at Hahn) he said that they confirmed that TC is disabled with the tune. Time to ask Bill "what's up?"

 

mine feels like it's working. will test it out after edourd(sp) leaves town lol!!!

 

I hope your joking......

I have owned more than a couple fast cars in my life. My wife has driven a manual into the 11's on more than one occasion and truth be told I would put her against most on this site for $$ in identical cars.

If this tune eliminates TC completely I would consider it a faulty product. The car comes with 3 stages of traction control for a reason. All of my tuned cars were able to make great HP but still gave you the choice to employ a factory equipped safety feature.

Now if the car is simply over powering the computer a bit I understand that. My blown vette would still over power traction control a bit before the computer had time to kick in.

I am all for modding and adding power... If I have learned anything about new cars it's to wait on new product development and avoid being the test mule at all costs.

 

Blower sticking out of the hood. Poor computer.

Controlling the right foot in the rain is maybe a bit more important than any sort of computer control.

 

So this is from Aaron at Hahn. You could read it that we are both correct regarding the TC (sort of, almost).

"Yes it seems that the traction control is almost non- existent once the PPC is installed. All we received was a flashing low traction light and didn’t feel anything trying to stop the spin. But then again we weren’t trying to roast the tires off. This HHR really gets up and moves once the PPC is in!!. "

 

In context, a little bit. But... I think you and I are making correlative points. You're saying that TC shouldn't be disabled (safety) and I'm saying that people should get some rain driving experience (safety).

BTW, c2vette... just to double-check myself, I did a 'controlled' test this afternoon in the office parking lot. Same start point (which is slightly uphill... makes for easy wheelspin), same WOT clutch dump from a dead stop. With TC identified as off (light ON), the wheels would have spun forever, or at least until the security guard came over and beat me to death with his high powered 4-D cell flashlight. With TC identified as on (light OFF), the car chirped the wheels pretty hard, with intermittent hook-up, and I drove up the hill about 100 feet before backing off. TC is unambiguously functioning with my HRC tune.

I don't know Aaron, nor do I mean this to infer his overall expertise... but on this issue, he is simply wrong to state that TC doesn't work when the car is tuned. As an parallel anecdote, Bill seemed to echo an adamant feeling about safety (that's my read) in his response to my suggestion of turning on Competitive Mode by default here.

 

"I wonder if either 1) your TC just isn't working, or 2) your tune is different. Hmmm."...XXL

Me too (wondering). Thanks to your info I am going to explore this more. I was trying a bit today, and the wheel spin in 2nd MIGHT be less with TC on (light out). Really don't like wearing my tires out and "abusing" my baby too much though, so my experimentation is going to be limited. Vedy inderezting....

 

Hi everyone!

Our Tech Support specialist Aaron's knowledge of the usage and application of the Tuner is nigh-encyclopedic, as he's worked with literally hundreds of recipients over the last couple of years. He's my go-to for application questions from the field, as he is more in touch with the 'rank-and-file' than me by far!

On the Engineering side, I take the lead, and this is where I can tell you: this tune has been evolving all along, and that some characteristics such as traction control have been changing 'behind the scenes' in subtle ways. With literally thousands of parameters at my beck and call in these cars, not every aspect massaged will be instantly understood by our field techs like Aaron...the logistics are just too intense for such, he'd have to be in my office and lab all day long!

As noted here, traction control is not negated by the Tuner. TC's characteristics are, like most functions in this very sophisticated engine controller, practically infinitely adjustable, not just an 'on-or-off' proposition. So we've adapted them to best suit the task at hand. It may not suit every driver's taste's perfectly, but neither does the stock traction control, so this is not a detriment.

Thanks for the interest and the opportunity to clarify.

 

Our tuner allows you to return the car to stock in under a minute for service, valets, Mom, anything you wish. Just plug it into the ALDL port under the dash, press the button, and the tune is removed.

While a GM dealer can see the car's been reflashed at some point, they cannot tell with what program, so it's very dicey for them to propose denial of powertrain warranty on this basis...insufficient proof of actual 'mischief' exists. We've yet to hear of this happening, and we've placed hundreds of these tuners in the field via our other Ecotec LNF applications.

What's perhaps even more encouraging is this...we've yet to hear of a single case of any engine or transmission problem on a car with the Tuner, making the whole question rather moot!

As usual, we don't advocate warranty fraud, and we feel that a car owner's choice to modify the car is also decision to possibly be denied warranty coverage. In the end, it's your car, and your decision to modify, so the responsibility for the outcome rests solely on...you. No matter the mod, from a bolt-on exhaust to a turbo upgrade or Nitrous, they all increase the power of the car, and can complicate warranty claims should a powertrain component fail. GM should not be reasonably expected to cover power levels in excess of stock. But again...since these cars are not showing signs of stress related to these mods, you can proceed with great confidence.

Always bear this in mind..our components and tuning are the results of literally decades of capability, and while we definitely make the power, we also enjoy a sterling reputation for durability. Let's face it...this is the best way to hedge your bet. If instead, you go with a newcomer, then enjoy the thrill...for it's not unlike placing a few grand on the craps table and awaiting that roll of the dice!