Risks with Trifecta Tune.

[m3t4lm4n222]

So I feel like I have made this thread before, yet, here I am again, making another Trifecta Tune.

My basic question is. What are the risks warranty wise. I've already been told that if the tune if found, Chevrolet will void warranty, however, I have also seen countless times forum members saying "I recommend the tune to anyone" and "The risk of the tune being detected is minimal" I've also heard people referencing that the 6 speed manual sonics (Which I have) do not have a TCM, so the dealerships cannot see any flash counts.

I've looked around CruzeTalk, Sonic Forums, etc regarding the whole warranty/trifecta situation

Well. What are your thoughts? At this point in time, the only thing preventing me from getting the tune is warranty concerns. I wouldn't mind spending $300-$400 if it gave the car a whole new feel, I just don't want to risk my transmission/engine exploding and having to pay the full repair costs.

Thanks guys!

 

[Sneakerfix]

Do what every one does just flash it back to stock when you need to go to the dealer. The only time the dealer will check counts is when GM support tells them too..

 

[Breezybro]

Seriously don't worry about it, bro.

 

[Yosemite Sam]

Like Sneakerfix says, just flash it back to stock when you take it in. That also means you need to keep the red cable. Also the tune won't be blowing things up!

 

[m3t4lm4n222]

Really thinking about it..LoL

 

[RMinNJ]

I think if I had a tune I would want the ability to flash back to stock quickly..maybe one of those new tunes
that comes with a little tuner box I can keep in the car?

My thinking is, if I had to bring it in for some strange problem I know they would only be skilled in working on stock cars...my dealer has no time for anything out of the ordinary..they are just too high volume.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

There are other options for tunes that let you keep the handheld in your vehicle for situations like this, EFILive's AutoCal (just the hardware, you need a tuner to build the tune) or SuperChips are the ones I can think of offhand.

I believe Trifecta's tune delivery mechanism for now is their red cable which requires a laptop.

The ECM has the flash counter, I havent looked enough at the T76 yet to see if it does or not as my RS is a 6MT and doesnt have a TCM.

A tune always comes with some risk, IMHO it is minimal if the tuner has done their due diligence and created a tune that safely increases power. I.e. not running too much spark timing, too rich/lean at WOT, not going overboard with boost, etc. A tune, especially on a FI vehicle will net great results, but remember you're now pushing the engine/trans harder which can lead to premature wear on some components.

That said, my TBSS has been tuned for years and when I drive it, I DRIVE it. I've held out about as long as I can with my Sonic...

 

[Casablanca]

The tune won't be blowing things up!

Sam, I am
Down with the program
Green eggs and ham
Yosemite Sam!

Alright Sam. You have THREE of these things? And they're all tuned?

My main worry is this - not that I cannot most likely avoid detection, due to the reasons many times stated, but that the tuned car will not detonate in the FIRST PLACE.

Head gasket? Intake? Cooling-related stuff...
Smoked turbo? Seals? Intercooler? Waste gate? Other shyte?
Blown up tranny shifty shifter systems? I -need- those.
And the dreaded one.... it thunderfarts and explodes, sending $100 bills everywhere. You in LV might have seen that.

You get my drift. I'm a carburetor / distributor guy, not a tuner. I tuned with timing lights, dwell meters and my nose. This fancy turbo gizmatic car stuff is new to me. I'm not gonna race it. I just want to have fun. WHEEEEE :banana:

What kind of miles have you logged with your cars? Any failures like I mentioned?

Thanks

 

[m3t4lm4n222]

The funny thing is the dealer who sold me on the Sonic had a Sonic himself. It's actually been featured on this website under the "Boost-o-latern" and he had the Trifecta Tune and I recall him telling me it was the "Best $300 i've spent" lol. I wonder where he is with the warranty situation.

 

[Topaz blue turbo]

Tuned within a week of purchase

You won't regret it. The tune turns the sonic from jekyl into mr mini me hyde with a simple computer flash. I have 11,000 miles . My first sonic was totalled after 4.5 months so i didn't wait to have this one done. I ordeded the tune from trifecta the day my car arrived at the dealer. No hiccups and its been almost 7 months. The dealer knows what i did and no questions about voided warranty claims yet. Have fun and a tune multiplies that several times over.

 

[busterbrown]

That said, my TBSS has been tuned for years and when I drive it, I DRIVE it. I've held out about as long as I can with my Sonic...

My GMT360 was tuned 3 years ago as well. Still have the factory PCM. Wouldn't reinstall it if someone paid me to. The truck just drives so much better. Haven't had an single issue after 50,000 miles (truck now has 130K). Just picked up my 2014 Sonic two days ago and am hoping this is the first mod I throw at it. That and a good pair of snow tires as the Hankooks are worthless in Michigan winters.

Nice to see some Nation folk out and about.

 

[ranvette]

The only cars we would look into ! Would be a car that appears to have mods.If it looks stock they really wont dig into things.Unless you have strange repeat power train claims.

 

[Sonic]

Just do it. You won't regret it.

 

[barrstev]

for the super paranoid, has anyone considered picking up an ECU at a junkyard and tuning that? Then just swap in the stock unit when going to the dealer?

 

[Sneakerfix]

for the super paranoid, has anyone considered picking up an ECU at a junkyard and tuning that? Then just swap in the stock unit when going to the dealer?

Tried that I couldn't get it to work. I was later told I would need a brand new pcm that has never been programmed

 

[barrstev]

good to know. thanks for the info.

 

[ScarabEpic22]

My GMT360 was tuned 3 years ago as well. Still have the factory PCM. Wouldn't reinstall it if someone paid me to. The truck just drives so much better. Haven't had an single issue after 50,000 miles (truck now has 130K). Just picked up my 2014 Sonic two days ago and am hoping this is the first mod I throw at it. That and a good pair of snow tires as the Hankooks are worthless in Michigan winters.

Nice to see some Nation folk out and about.

Welcome! I'm around on the TBSS forums a decent amount, dont get much chance to get over to the 'Nation much though.


If you picked up a j/y ECM, it will work as long as the bootblock/OS are compatible with your Sonic's. This isnt something you can tell simply by looking at it, so I'd suggest either buying from someone who has validated this and flashed the proper OS/calibration in or simply buying a new one (expensive).

Also, I believe there is a mileage counter in the E78, I havent validated this but I've heard rumors from a few places about it. Treat it as hearsay until it's validated though...