do I have an unlocked ECU

[trippinonprozac]

hey guys,

I have recently purchased a vx series 2 calais ls1. I am quite interested in getting a mail order tune, but most state that you need to send an unlocked ECU back to them. Are standard ECU's unlocked?

If not, how do I go about unlocking mine?

cheers,

Andy

[V8Silverfox]

First piece of advice from a majority of the members on here regarding LS1 tunes is do not go for a mail order tune, a custom tune is far superior and are generally in a similar price range.

This may help -> LS1 Guide to Power Stage I

[QldKev]

First piece of advice from a majority of the members on here regarding LS1 tunes is do not go for a mail order tune, a custom tune is far superior and are generally in a similar price range.

This may help -> LS1 Guide to Power Stage I

I'm looking at a mail order tune myself. I've been quoted $1,000 to $1,200 for a dyno tune down in Brisbane; plus ontop of that I would need to drive there and back, so 2 tanks of fuel plus accomodation. I can get a mail order tune for $400 and $15 postage. I was off the understanding (and I could be wrong) the mail order tune will get you within 5-10rwkw of the dyno tune, so why wouldn't someone go the mail order?


edit: I'm also intrested in how to tell if your ECU has been locked.

QldKev

[ARATIC]

Oztrack (for example) claim they can get their mail order tunes within 'a few' kw of a custom tune.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but the PCM will only been locked if it has been tuned previously.

[V8Silverfox]

I'm looking at a mail order tune myself. I've been quoted $1,000 to $1,200 for a dyno tune down in Brisbane; plus ontop of that I would need to drive there and back, so 2 tanks of fuel plus accomodation. I can get a mail order tune for $400 and $15 postage. I was off the understanding (and I could be wrong) the mail order tune will get you within 5-10rwkw of the dyno tune, so why wouldn't someone go the mail order?


edit: I'm also intrested in how to tell if your ECU has been locked.

QldKev

You have both been looking at Oztrack tuning?
More like 20-30rwkw difference, a mail order tune is not tuned for your specific car, just your model. If distance is your problem then a remote tune may be a better option?

[trippinonprozac]

well my car has never been tuned... so I am guessing it must be unlocked.

I am not after massive power, just a good balance between fuel economy and power.

[V8Silverfox]

This post may also assist ...

This is the same with the powerchip.

Every engine varies slightly, therefore does benefit from a proper custom tune.

There are a few types of tunes for an LS1.. i would say the V6 is the same...

- You can get a proper custom tune for $1000 that tunes to your specifications. This is the best tune, and you will get the best performance.
- You can get a mail order tune for around $400, that is sort of like a custom one mentioned above, but will not be optimized for your car.
- You can get a powerchip, which as mentioned is bascially a standard tune that has been modded a bit to get better performance.

Out of the above, a custom tune is the best. I believe that you can get these for the V6, i'm not sure where though. They will be your best bet. Here is a comparison for your..
Quote from powerchip site regarding LS1:
In standard form, the Commodore VY SS / SV8 5.7 V8 produces 235 kW and 465 Nm.
Powerchip has a range of chips to suit your car, which can increase it's power to between 253 kW and 258 kW, and it's torque to between 502 Nm and 511 Nm.

So thats an increase of 23kw at the engine, which is about 15rwkw!!! Peanuts.
LS1's with an exhaust and an intake with a custom tune get around 320kw at the engine (240rwkw!). So my guess is a proper custom tune without all the extra mods would get you about 270-280kw at the engine... much better than powerchips quoted 258kw.

Also, on the VCM site their is a VZ/VE SS that for 40rwkw alone from a tune.

[ARATIC]

You have both been looking at Oztrack tuning?
More like 20-30rwkw difference, a mail order tune is not tuned for your specific car, just your model. If distance is your problem then a remote tune may be a better option?

I considered a mail order before getting a custom dyno tune done. The deciding factor was being able to see the gains on paper, and also knowing its done to the specific vehicle helped as well.

I dont think there would be a 20-30rwkw difference between a custom and mail order tune, maybe 5-10kw at the most. A Typical mafless tune will net you around 30rwkw, so thats def not right

[s_ikari2015]

Don't get the wrong idea, a mail order tune is far better than standard, but yes a dyno tune should ensure the most precise tune for you car and it's easier to specify your preferences towards effeciency and/or power.
Typically a mail order tuner will ask for any mods you've installed and generally can cater for MAFless OTR or other CAI. Until you start modifying with things like extractors/exhausts, cams etc in my opinion a mail order is a "best value for money" purchase. If you look at an exhaust I'd say best factor in the cost for a dyno tune as well and get better value for money out of the upgrade.

[V8Silverfox]

I considered a mail order before getting a custom dyno tune done. The deciding factor was being able to see the gains on paper, and also knowing its done to the specific vehicle helped as well.

I dont think there would be a 20-30rwkw difference between a custom and mail order tune, maybe 5-10kw at the most. A Typical mafless tune will net you around 30rwkw, so thats def not right

Depends what you call a typical tuner, i've seen tuners using VCM suite advertise 248rwkw for a MAFess tune.

EDIT: OK, my bad, just rang this tuner .. point to add ... always read the small print ... 248rwkw was with extractors / exhaust and a OTR CAI.

[ARATIC]

Yeah. That figure looks on the high side too, not many get near 250rwkw with 'just' those mods.

When talking to my tuner, he said a typical standard LS1 gets 215-220rwkw, and a full exhaust system with add around 10rwkw. OTR would probably give another 5-10rwkw based on what Ive seen.

Anyway going slightly off topic here.... To the poster, OzTrack seem to have one of the better reps for mail order tunes. For your purpose of wanting slightly better performance and economy from your LS1, a mail order will be fine

[vt1538]

To the OP. All tunes are locked from the factory. The usual tuning suites like Efilive & HPTuners know how to get around this factory lock to access the tune file.
That being said, once tuned, the tuner has the ability to change the seed/key to prevent someone else from accessing the tune file. Hence the term a locked tune.(since the tuning suites no longer recognise the new seed/key combination)
Once locked by another tuner, the only easy way to unlock a PCM is to remove the flash chip from the board & reprogram it to standard that way. The cost of this can go anywhere from $50-$150 depending on who you know.
Steve at Oztrack or Dan at Chipmaster are well known for their mail order tunes. Steve also has a remote tuning service to tweak the last bit of power/economy. Brad at Enhanced Automotive (forum sponsor) also has a mail order service that is very reasonable in price. I have driven one of his mail order tunes up here & was quite impressed.(A4 tune)

[QldKev]

I'm doing the LS1 stage 1 mods, extractors/opened cats/exhaust, OTRCAI, 3.7 diff (A4), and tune (in my case will be mail order)

I'm getting my exhaust next weekend. 1 3/4 XForce extractors into opened cats into XForce 2 x 2 1/2 exhaust.
I think it may be awhile before I can get the OTRCAI & Tune (bit over $1,000) and also a diff change (also a bit over $1,000 - i need to get a LSD at same time)

Can I leave the car with the exhaust mods without a tune for long periods?

Should I get the OTRCAI & Tune now, then need to adjust it for a Diff swap?
Will I need a full retune, of just a change for the speedo correction?

Leave the tune for now and get the Diff done; but I guess I will still need the Speedo calibration. And get the OTRCAI later?


QldKev

[ARATIC]

If your worried about cash, save the tune for last, as every time you make a mod there will be a touch up tune cost. Best to talk to your preferred tuner about it though. But you could possiby do the tune before the diff, as that only requires a simple adjustment (I assume you are getting diff gears too?).

There is no issue running an aftermarket exhaust without a tune, you just wont be getting the potential from it

[blow thru]

I have a mail order mafless tune from steve an very happy with it,i have full exhaust,otr 3.7s an a4 an on street tyres first time out went 13.1 108. Will get a 12 next time out with a better launch an that tune cost $500, no stuffing around an the pcm was at my door 2 days later.He can get the tune within only a couple of kw difference to a dyno if its bolt ons with standard camshaft.

[QldKev]

Thanks for the replies; keep them coming.

I will be going with Steve and also using his OTRCAI. So looks like the mail order is the way to go. Maybe I should just try and convince the wife we should do the lot now. blow thru did you have the exhaust / tune prior to the 3.7 gears; or was it all done together. Just interested in how much the gears make a difference around town.

Also sorry to trippinonprozac asI think I've manage to take over your topic here.

QldKev

[BOGANV8]

^^^^

I have the same system on my ss. Xforce Staino extractors ( Incl cats) A twin 2.5 cats back. Also a Maffless tune from Steve @ Oztrack incl the Duspeed OTRCAI. I loved it after i got it and was awesome. I had to go to Sydney to see friends so ducked into Steve and got him to fix up a few issues. Ie was stalling after you give it a rev in D but he was so easy going and fixed up for while i was there and not a prob since. Will be going back to him when i get the cam done so he can dyno tune it properly, Might even get the cam from him so he knows what he is tuning. Then thats it no more mods

[Wagonboy77]

Hi. i hav a vy ss wagon. i havnt had i tuned yet . but i am runing a OTR. with the maff. the stock computer took a week or so to change a little. but the feeling of power feels a hell of alot more on take off.

[QldKev]

Hi. i hav a vy ss wagon. i havnt had i tuned yet . but i am runing a OTR. with the maff. the stock computer took a week or so to change a little. but the feeling of power feels a hell of alot more on take off.

Get yourself the mafless tune from Steve. I've been running mine for 3 weeks and loving it.

QldKev