Having spent a LOT of time years ago with my one-of-a-kind Haltech turbo programming (which was ultra-simplistic comparatively), and lots of time tinkering last year with a Tunercat and LS1-edit, I hear you. What most people don't realize is that these aftermarket tunes truly have to be reverse-engineered as GM isn't providing anyone any help in getting into the boxes. (BTW, the reason HRC's tune is $1k... lots of R&D time breaking the "DaVinci code" in the box). Once you're in (and I really got to understand this with Tunercat), you're faced with countless parameters, some of which seem to compete with one another. As an example: auto trans shift points-- set them by RPM, then set them by TPS, then set them by torque load via a "backfeed" mechanism, then set all that based on whether TPS is opening or closing, RPM up or down, etc., and then create a completely new class of instructions for WOT conditions... oh... and don't let the pump generate more than nnn pounds of pressure on the valves, and if you get there, throttle back any number of the above paramaters by n% based on where the planetary alignment is.

As Bill says, these aren't (in most cases) on/off switches.

Having said that... hey, Bill... can you hit the "on/off" switch to get me 7000rpm redline in 3rd gear????

 

PROBLEM SOLVED! I have been working with Aaron the last couple of days, quick version of the story is that I downloaded the program over again, (re-synched), re-flashed the cpu, and I NOW have traction control, the "low traction light flashes appropriately, and there is minimal wheelspin when the boost comes up in 1st and 2nd. Might be something to do with th efact that I had one of the first 2 tunes sold, although the software version is the same. Never will know for sure. If I had been more specific in my description of "no TC" with Aaron originally, this probably would have been fixed long ago. So, thanks also to you (XXL) for comparing notes and getting me on the right track!

 

 

cool to know you got it worked out.

 

So is this available for the Automatic based HHR SS? If so does it still take it easy on the trans in 1st and 2nd then open it up for the higher gears?

With the new parameters installed does this just open up the higher end for better performance and still keep good economy when going easy during normal driving?

 

These questions are well covered in other posts specifically on the subject.

 

The HHR SS is the first vehicle where I have ever looked at re-flashing and updating the code to help with performance and economy. I have the Automatic based HHR SS which is my daily driver. Most of the time I take it very easy and try to get the best mileage. However it is nice to have the extra power there when it might be needed.

Upon reading your website about the Tuner you sell I have some questions which perhaps you can clarify.

- The site mentions that when the Tuner is first plugged in that it Marries itself to the vehicle. Does this mean from then on it will only work to tune that particular HHR? What happens if the computer goes bad and is replaced? Would this still work?

- During the process does it take a snapshot of the current firmware in the HHR so it can be restored? If the dealer then updates the firmware can this get an image of that too so that any of the original GM firmware can be restored? That would help in case we don't like a newer version.

- I assume this only handles the main computer for the engine or does this alter any other computer modules?

- Upon installing the TUNE does this just send down a predefined image that you've created or just use that as the starting point? Just wondering if that LCD screen and buttons will let us tweak some of the settings ourselves or if we just get the predefined tunes from you. Can you only use the latest tune from your site or can we keep them on file in case we want to revert to an older one?

Sorry for all the questions but I need to understand what we get for the $1000 investment and how this all works.

 

Bill hasn't been posting here very much of late (I'm hoping he's really busy working on our next upgrades!). Here are _my_ answers to the questions you pose to him. Someone correct me if I get something wrong...


You're buying a license for the specific car. So... you can't buy a second HHR and use the same tuner for it. If the BCM ("Body Control Module") is replaced, just use the BSR to flash the new unit. If you total the car, Bill has indicated in another thread that 'something could be worked out' (seemingly indicating that they might update the "marriage" info if you provided sufficient proof that you weren't just trying to wrangle the ability to tune a second car).

The BSR unit holds the custom tune in one file and has a place in memory to hold the stock tune. The flashing is a 2-part process... copy stock flash to BSR, copy custom flash up to BCM. The BSR only holds the one "current" stock tune... so you don't get to create a library of tunes. You just get the current stock and the current custom, and you get to switch between the two. I don't see any real benefit to creating a library of stock tunes anyway... they aren't performance-related. A newer tune will be made available to fix a problem. I can't imagine anyone wanting to go back to an older tune to pick up the problems they lost with the later tune.

The BCM controls the vast majority of the car's systems. The only other "computers" I am aware of are the XM and OnStar devices.

You get what you get. There are zero adjustments available to the BSR user. However, the BSR can be updated via the web (you get a username and password access to the BSR web site) if/when tune changes are made available. No updates/upgrades have yet been offered.

 

Thank you for taking the time to answer the questions! They do make sense and clear up many gray areas. I only have the one HHR which is my daily driver. The next vehicle will probably be another replacement minivan for the wife so no worries about "tuning" more than one. I'm still not sure if I want to try an upgrade or not. I may just hold tight till the warranty expires and then play.

Since I've never tried one of these before I guess the only other question is what happens in the unlikely event I am not too happy with the difference and just go back to stock. I that case am I just out $1000? Do they offer a trial? If I go back to stock can this be sent back the them an unlocked so I could off it on ebay and recoup some of the cost? I can understand a license to use on one vehicle only but if it comes off the vehicle is it transferable to another as long as it is only used for one vehicle?

The reason I asked about the stock firmware is that once it is stored in the programmer can it be uploaded to my PC?? That would ensure the original GM code doesn't get lost. I hate not having a backup just in case. It would also allow to keep all the GM versions that have been on your car on your PC. That way if one of the newer GM 'Bug fixes' does something I don't like I can always go back. Keeping the options open is a good thing.

The ability to use their tunes as a base and perhaps tweaking some parameterson the fly would be cool. Perhaps by the time I am ready to get one of these that feature will be available.

Sounds like fun.

 

I just purchased HP Tuners Suit package. At $499 it is a much better deal for me since I like to tinker with stuff. The software uses a laptop so you can actually monitor up to 56 different parameters at one time in real time. The tune file is decent but there is still more I can get from the car and as I learn the art of tuning I can make things better.

As a side note, it seems my wifes trailblazer is also supported with the HP Tuner and you get enough credits to do at least 4 different cars or even an entire model year run of one car. Need to do another supported vehicle and you are out of credits just buy some more credits.