Powerchip vs VCM retune

[Cod]

I’ve been reading the FAQ and some other older threads regarding retunes for the VZ 175kw engine but they’re all a few years old.

Anyone know what’s the latest info on Powerchip’s re-flash vs a custom VCM done tune? Some people were claiming that you can do a lot better with a VCM retune but in my opinion that would rely completely with the tuner. Are there some decent pre-done VCM tunes that can be reflashed over my old?

After recently buying a 2005 VZ auto I’m very disappointed with the doughy throttle response you have to really put your foot down to get the car to move, I read this is improved upon if the torque management is disabled.
I’m in perth and there only seems to be one powerchip dealer and will cost me $900.

[strgas]

Having the tune on the dyno is the best as it retunes your car as it sits . condiser what mods have been done to your car as not one program suits all cars even when a power chip is used it still requires checking on a dyno afterwards for the best settings and timing to be set up

[Kal123]

Never heard of a powerchip with the alloytec, but I've heard nothing but praise for the VCM Suite.

FI though, is another story.

[Cod]

I'm not after dyno tuning or modifying the car much, I just sold my 12sec Lancer I had spent alot of $$ on that was my fun car. This VZ is meant to be a "family car" my wife would have my head if i started playing around with it, I just wanted something to clean up the shitty factory performance.

[the_trademarc]

Getting a powerchip re-flash isn't gonna give you a whole lotta power and torque, but it will improve the fuel economy and your throttle response will be a lot more instantaneous. My mate got one done on his VZ (SV6 though, Auto), and you could feel the difference, and he was pushin my SV6 (Manual, plus more) off the line.

I got a VCM Suite Tune done on mine because it does give you a whole more power at the wheels and increased torque low down. The fuel economy and throttle response also improved, but then again, mine's a Manual, so different results and drive ratios.

I think the VCM tune depends more on the mods you have on your car as opposed to who does it. A stock car that uses regular petrol is not gonna get anywhere near the results of a modded car on Premium petrol.

Either way, I'm pretty sure you will see an improvement on the fuel economy and throttle response: how much of an improvement depends on your expectations I guess. It'll probably come down to a time and cost factor. A re-flash is around 700, tune 1000. A tune will usually take 4-5 hours, a re-flash, I think for the VZ is an overnight thing, I'm not sure.

[Cod]

Yes i'm after something that will bring the performance of the 175 alloytech up to where it should be, the same engine is in my fathers VE wagon and his drives a shitload better. Better throttle response will be good, I only ever put bp ultimate 98 in my cars so I could try powerchips 98 tune. $900 for just plugging in a laptop and pressing "upload" is a bit steep though in my opinion.

[VzVzVz]

Yes i'm after something that will bring the performance of the 175 alloytech up to where it should be, the same engine is in my fathers VE wagon and his drives a shitload better. Better throttle response will be good, I only ever put bp ultimate 98 in my cars so I could try powerchips 98 tune. $900 for just plugging in a laptop and pressing "upload" is a bit steep though in my opinion.

I heard somewhere (maybe on this forum) that as soon as you take the car in for the next service, the computer is reset and the powerchip tune is lost. Is this true?

[the_trademarc]

I heard somewhere (maybe on this forum) that as soon as you take the car in for the next service, the computer is reset and the powerchip tune is lost. Is this true?

Yeah you gotta make 145% sure you tell the dealership to not touch the computer, at any cost! It will mean they cannot complete certain sections of the service, but they will reset the computer, so it kinda is a bit here and there.

I've already told my dealer (mines up for the 90 000) that I don't want the computer changed at all: if they want to reset the next service reminder and the error code list they can.

[Cod]

Decided on a powerchip reflash. Going in on tuesday to get the "read" done, then coming back the next day for the "upload" done, each will take about 20 minutes to complete. $100 for the powerchip reseller to plug the laptop then they email powerchip my cars tune, they then make the changes and email it back. $890 goes to powerchip themselves for replying to an email :-/ Fair enough they had to do the initial tune on these cars but $900 to me is too steep and should be half that.

the_trademarc you're crazy for getting your car serviced at a dealership, they charge far and above what they should. Ultratune or some place like that will do the proper servicing for half or less than a dealership charges whilst maintaining warrantee. Plus imo dealers have less qualified mechanics (a lot of apprentices), ive had bad experiences with them before.

[the_trademarc]

Yeah fair enough. I do realise that dealerships are rubbish, however, I do play cricket with the Service Manager at my local dealership, so he 'fixes' the price for me to make it more reasonable, i.e. cheaper than UltraTune/Lube Mobile, etc.

I get my Astra serviced independently though, a lot cheaper through UltraTune.