Remote Tuning

[Trawz]

I need some minor remote tuning done to account for my 169* thermostat.
I got a remote tuner from RPD Store years ago that came with "Free remote tunes for life", but with RPD Store gone and dynosteve's inbox is "too full to receive messages", I don't think that claim will be honored.

I need an alternative.

Thanks for the help!

[gtstorey]

I would just find a local tuner to make the changes. Basically, all it is are changes to the fan settings.

Although there is a lot of pushback on HP Tuners forum by the most experienced tuners to not go anything like that low on the thermostat. If I'm ever back into mine again, I'll probably bump mine back up to stock and leave the fan settings a little more aggressive.

[Joe.G]

You can Contact Steve here, Not sure if he will honor the Tunes for life though RDP.


https://www.dspperformancemotorsports.com/

[Trawz]

Originally Posted by gtstorey

I would just find a local tuner to make the changes. Basically, all it is are changes to the fan settings.

Although there is a lot of pushback on HP Tuners forum by the most experienced tuners to not go anything like that low on the thermostat. If I'm ever back into mine again, I'll probably bump mine back up to stock and leave the fan settings a little more aggressive.

I knew about the fan setting needing to be lowered.
However, I was also told by a mechanic who builds endurance race cars for the Lucky Dog race series that the engine "optimal temperature" needs to be changed as well.
He mentioned if the ECU is set to recognize 187* as optimal operation temp, the ECU will put the engine in a "warm up" mode, which is not as efficient, until the temp has reached the programmed value.
If the thermostat is changed to a lower temp one, the ECU will stay in that mode because the temp is not reaching the programmed "optimal" temp.

Not sure if that is true for our cars tho.
This mechanic specialized in BMWs and Audis...

Originally Posted by Joe.G

You can Contact Steve here, Not sure if he will honor the Tunes for life though RDP.


https://www.dspperformancemotorsports.com/

Thank you! I'll see if I can contact him there.

[gtstorey]

You are probably correct, there will be at least some DTC changes to make. But my point really was that this won't need "tuning" of drive cycles, log reviews and multiple changes. It should be a one and done type of change.

[acammer]

Originally Posted by Trawz

I knew about the fan setting needing to be lowered.
However, I was also told by a mechanic who builds endurance race cars for the Lucky Dog race series that the engine "optimal temperature" needs to be changed as well.
He mentioned if the ECU is set to recognize 187* as optimal operation temp, the ECU will put the engine in a "warm up" mode, which is not as efficient, until the temp has reached the programmed value.
If the thermostat is changed to a lower temp one, the ECU will stay in that mode because the temp is not reaching the programmed "optimal" temp.

Not sure if that is true for our cars tho.
This mechanic specialized in BMWs and Audis...

Thank you! I'll see if I can contact him there.

This information sounds questionable at best, and maybe applicable to some other manufacturer's calibration, but not relevant to the 5th gen Camaro. There is no "warm up mode". There are tables that are relevant to temperature throughout the ECM, but nothing to be concerned with when going to a lower temperature thermostat. A 169*F T-stat is going to run in the 185-200* range most of the time, and wouldn't require any specific changes, other than fan tuning if you want to bring those on sooner to facilitate holding the temperature lower when stationary or at low speeds.

If you have an HPTuners MPVI module, and not the RTD module, then it would not be super complicated to make the required changes yourself. I'd be happy to share some screenshots from HPTuners for the fan tuning settings I have used with lower temp thermostats. If you do have an RTD module, those can only be used to write tunes prepared by tuners that use those devices.

If you're looking for a remote tuning resource then you might consider us here at GPI. While your fan tuning needs are very simple compared to the initial cost of remote tuning, if you're planning future modifications we could be a great resource to help you thought those changes as they come. If you've got questions, feel free to reach out directly to andrew@gwatneyperformance.com

[Trawz]

Originally Posted by acammer

This information sounds questionable at best, and maybe applicable to some other manufacturer's calibration, but not relevant to the 5th gen Camaro. There is no "warm up mode". There are tables that are relevant to temperature throughout the ECM, but nothing to be concerned with when going to a lower temperature thermostat. A 169*F T-stat is going to run in the 185-200* range most of the time, and wouldn't require any specific changes, other than fan tuning if you want to bring those on sooner to facilitate holding the temperature lower when stationary or at low speeds.

If you have an HPTuners MPVI module, and not the RTD module, then it would not be super complicated to make the required changes yourself. I'd be happy to share some screenshots from HPTuners for the fan tuning settings I have used with lower temp thermostats. If you do have an RTD module, those can only be used to write tunes prepared by tuners that use those devices.

If you're looking for a remote tuning resource then you might consider us here at GPI. While your fan tuning needs are very simple compared to the initial cost of remote tuning, if you're planning future modifications we could be a great resource to help you thought those changes as they come. If you've got questions, feel free to reach out directly to andrew@gwatneyperformance.com

Andrew Cammer coming in to lay down the facts! Always helpful as usual!
Thank you very much for straightening out that for me.
I didn't think our cars had a "warm up mode", but I didn't know that for sure.

The kind of tuner I have is the RTD style hand-held.
From what you have told me, the fans being programmed to switch on earlier is not essential.
My hood is heavily ventilated with vents from TrackSpec. It holds around 180-185* just through natural convection.
It only goes above that when driven hard or hot days.

There are no plans currently for anything big enough for some fresh tuning.
I need to get her back out on track more since my latest mods to see what she needs next.
I'm leaning at getting the intake done with the GPI Ported and Rod Mod done up probably next year.

[acammer]

Originally Posted by Trawz

Andrew Cammer coming in to lay down the facts! Always helpful as usual!
Thank you very much for straightening out that for me.
I didn't think our cars had a "warm up mode", but I didn't know that for sure.

The kind of tuner I have is the RTD style hand-held.
From what you have told me, the fans being programmed to switch on earlier is not essential.
My hood is heavily ventilated with vents from TrackSpec. It holds around 180-185* just through natural convection.
It only goes above that when driven hard or hot days.

There are no plans currently for anything big enough for some fresh tuning.
I need to get her back out on track more since my latest mods to see what she needs next.
I'm leaning at getting the intake done with the GPI Ported and Rod Mod done up probably next year.

It's a shame about having the RTD device and having paid for tunes for life only for that to come to an abrupt end. I suppose that's the way of the world at times.

I agree that you're fine without any changes. One thing you might consider is using a fan switch to manually control the fans when you want to apply some focused cooling. I have had the PCM of NC switch in my car for nearly a decade, and while I use it sparingly, it is a very nice tool to have at the drag strip or circuit course when I want to really force as much cooling as possible. It also has the benefit of being far cheaper than any of your remote tuning options, and will give you total control.

https://www.pcmofnc.com/product/2010...tch-harness-3/

I also have a how-to for manually over-riding the fans to permanently be on low. You can find that here:

https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showt...oogle_vignette

[gtstorey]

I have one of the PCM of NC fan switches also. I use it to reduce the IAT2 temperature after the intercooler has heat soaked while parked.

[b4wheeler]

https://mailordertuner.com/

Run by the guy that does the Texas Speed Performance tuning.

This will be my tuner soon.

[hesster]

Ted Jannetty of Janetty remote tuned my SC 2010 SS. The other guy that used to be on the Web just took my $1K and bailed. Ted is a seasoned Pro, and has a extensive Tuning process that provides killer results.