Trifecta Tune Question

[wer2foxs]

Originally Posted by ColdCamaroSS

All 4 questions are correct for tuning the Bosch ECM for the 3.6.
Vince has been tuning Bosch ecms for the 2.0 sidi cars with these features utilizing his own software

Not sure if this is a true statement for the Camaro though since we have seen Trfecta tunes that only enhanced the shift points of the automatic and was not able to see gains in HP or very minmal at best. There are other threads in this section that have done the tune. I would talk to Vince before investing. Its according to what you want to accomplish.

[jagan323]

I went to the Trifecta website... so they ship the Tuner to you, but you have to ship it back? Is there anyway to keep the device? =p

[devildoc]

The cheapest way is to have the program shipped to you and you load the tune, the problem is that it is what you could call the "base" tune option. Whereas you have several of us that have bought the full kit, and this allows you to do your own data logging, email support direct with Vince, and the ability to upload(or remove) the updates from the data logging directly to your car without having to go through someone else. I paid the $600 (shipping is in that price) and I think it is the only way to go.

[jagan323]

Originally Posted by devildoc

The cheapest way is to have the program shipped to you and you load the tune, the problem is that it is what you could call the "base" tune option. Whereas you have several of us that have bought the full kit, and this allows you to do your own data logging, email support direct with Vince, and the ability to upload(or remove) the updates from the data logging directly to your car without having to go through someone else. I paid the $600 (shipping is in that price) and I think it is the only way to go.

So do you mean you can change the aspects of the tune yourself? What is included in the kit if you don't mind me asking? How are the values adjusted? On the computer? or the handheld?

I would pay for the full kit as well from the sounds of it =D.

[DevilKnightFalcon]

The way I understand it is if you order the $600 kit you get a cable that will connect your laptop to the car and you won't need the handheld and you can revert your car to stock tune anytime you want. You control everything from your laptop. My only question is I have never done anything tuning related before so is it really safe for me to be tweaking things?

[Blade]

Vince does the tunes, you only install and datalog with your laptop, nothing else.

[DevilKnightFalcon]

I'm gonna risk sounding like an idiot here but what is involved with doing the install? Where does the laptop connect with the cars computer? Is it that weird connector down in the drivers side footwell?

[jagan323]

Yeah, the connector would be that port... the OBDII port. As for the side of the laptop, I suppose the only way is USB head.

Thanks Blade for the clarification. However, does Vince charge you everytime you want to adjust a tune? Or does $600 cover his customer service? =p

[DevilKnightFalcon]

I believe from what I have heard the $600 includes ongoing support.

[DevilKnightFalcon]

Originally Posted by DevilKnightFalcon

Can anyone who has had the Trifecta tune done answer a few questions for me. I have been talking with the only authorized Trifecta tuner in Arizona that is listed on their official site and he is telling me some things that I had not heard and I wanted to double check on.

1. He says that in the cars he has done he tied the tune to traction control button. In other words when you are just driving the car uses it's stock tune, when you turn traction control off it activates the Trifecta tune settings.

2. He says that Trifecta is a "ghost tune" that is not currently detectable by GM?

3. The tune can clear any engine codes and CEL caused by the American Racing long tube headers im going to install.

4. He says he has done 1 2010 V6 Camaro and one CTS with the same engine. He claims the Camaro was bone stock and got a +28hp increase

The first and the last one both sound too good to be true IMO. What do you guys think? Can anyone who has had this done weigh in?

Official response from Vince:

1. Our selectable tune feature (traction control button) is available only on the LNF (2.0 turbo). The LLT uses a very similar ECM but we have not implemented a selectable tune feature for the LLT code yet.

2. The LNF tune is a “ghost tune” but the LLT tune is not. As such, we generally recommend that people purchasing our LLT tune also purchase the programming cable so they can revert the car to stock programming at any time (using a Windows laptop computer) they need to visit the dealer. The dealer has no way to check the reflash history, only whether the current tune loaded in the ECM is stock, or not.

3. Yes (however see below for more on this)

4. We saw 23HP and 17TQ gain on the very first LLT we tuned. We were doing the happy dance when we got those numbers initially, but some other people ordered the tune and went to the dyno and saw lower gains. We figured out the reason we got such a large gain on the first car was due to the intake system completely screwing up the fuel ratio at full throttle (it was WAY too lean). What kind of gains can you expect? It depends on how much work the tune needs. I can’t promise you any particular numbers, but I can promise you by the time we are done tuning your car will reach 100% of its potential, and this will be proven by the datalogs we get during the tuning process.


Elaborating on the topic of the CEL and engine codes Vince informed me that reverting to stock settings when you take it back to the dealer means that your dealer is going to see the CEL and engine codes caused by your aftermarket products like headers, intakes, etc. So really it comes down to what is going to get you in more trouble with your dealer warranty wise.

[ColdCamaroSS]

Thanks for clearing this up. I was unaware of the features vs. 2.0 ECM abilities.

[victoryred1ss]

The SS cobalts have the tune activated by the traction control button. My tune is always activated (LS3). Vince can delete all the long tube header codes, plus ship shift on manuals. I think you will see less than 15 rwhp on your V-6 and as far as I know GM can detect the tune. I had Vince tune my Camaro a few months back and have no complaints

[victoryred1ss]

Originally Posted by DevilKnightFalcon

When I say undetectable by GM I mean that it is undetectable by GM tech II

The Tech 2 doesnt work on the 2010 Camaro. We have to use laptops to talk the the ecm's.

[DevilKnightFalcon]

Originally Posted by victoryred1ss

The Tech 2 doesnt work on the 2010 Camaro. We have to use laptops to talk the the ecm's.

Ah good to know. Ya if anything I have decided that I am NOT using the Trifecta Authorized tuner here in AZ because he definitely does not have his facts straight.