How to tell if the car was tuned / chip enhancement???

[micmac143]

New here.... Pontiac-er for life. Drove a '84 Grand Prix 305 from age 16-21.. A '95 Grand Am GT from 2000-2003. First new car was a 2003 Grand Prix GT. Then leased a '07 G6 GT, purchased a '08 Torrent AWD... and hit the mother load by trading in the G6 for a '08 G8 GT LOADED!!!

So I have owned this G8 for 30 days now and just realize that there is an OTR intake installed, much to me pleasant surprise but my issue is... I have no clue if the chip was also tuned following the enhanced air flow when the intake was originally installed. Advice on how I can decipher would be much appreciated, without spending $$$ for a pro to diagnose would be my preference!!!

[WickedMom]

That is a new era OTR intake.
A tune is not required for it, how to know if it's tuned.... That's a great question.
Maybe it was another members car... Where did you buy it?

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[WickedMom]

Oh and WELCOME to grrrrrrrr8!


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[jeff]

Have you drove a stock G8 for comparision? You could dyno?Your tranny shift aggressive?You use 87 octane and it runs smooth?I think you should be able to tell if its tuned,especially if you could drive a stock maybe. Like Jessica said.....Maybe you can find the previous owner.Good luck and welcome.

[micmac143]

Thanks for the welcome and comments. Great point about the prior owner possibly being a Forum member. I purchases the car in Chicopee MA. A former lease, contract broken early, assuming so based on the fact that I purchased it with 25k miles.

No, I have not driven a stock G8 GT, but mine has tons of low end power, rips through 1-3rd. Have owned the car about a month now and fueling only 93 octane, runs smooth but aggressive through the gears in sport mode (and manual).

[jeff]

If in fact it has a ECM/TCM tune you should probably bark 2nd and maybe 3rd under WOT.If it was a lease maybe you just have the OTR intake and nothing else.Get with a forum member in your area to find out man.It should be easy to figure out whats modded and whats not.At any rate glad to see you got a G8 GT.Enjoy!! At least you got a start on your first mod.LOL!! Watch the intake man.Be sure to protect from water getting in that type.Just a heads up man.What color is you car??

[travis gore]

welcome to the forum. hard to tell if it is tuned,from what you are saying it could be. the trans is lazy stock so the way you described ripping thru the gears it probably is. As mentioned above if you can chirp 2nd or 3rd it is tuned. as far as the intake it appears to have the new cover so you should be fine

[G8GT721]

Welcome to the site, and it sounds like you tuned

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[micmac143]

My car is black, I think my profile pic is the image of the car. I'll be honest, I have not churped in 2nd or 3rd yet... Now 1st no problem and especially when I turn off traction contol, but haven't churped 2nd or 3rd (may not have tried yet without T/C so I'll try that). I'll probably take it to a specialist that can take a look at the chip, and maybe have them see if they can get some extra HP out of it. Was quoted around $200 - 300 for a tune.

[-Ray-]

My car is black, I think my profile pic is the image of the car. I'll be honest, I have not churped in 2nd or 3rd yet... Now 1st no problem and especially when I turn off traction contol, but haven't churped 2nd or 3rd (may not have tried yet without T/C so I'll try that). I'll probably take it to a specialist that can take a look at the chip, and maybe have them see if they can get some extra HP out of it. Was quoted around $200 - 300 for a tune.

Just so you know, you don't have a "chip". The ECM is on the passenger side under the hood. If you don't get a chirp in 2nd gear, your G8 is not tuned.

[micmac143]

Thanks. Good to know. I just watched a few youtube vids of G8's chirping 2nd and 3rd... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0maqVrVGyE .. and mine is't chirping but certainly sounds as mean as this guys in the linked video... and I get the same acceleration. May be a function of "user error" cause I usually piss out and shift around 4k opposed to 6k. Either way, I'll get it checked out.

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

If you went from a G6 with a V6 to a G8 with a V8 it'll seem awesome even if it has the stock tune. From the way you described the shifting it doesn't sound like it's tuned to me.

[micmac143]

Thanks for the info. I would agree, I watched a few youtube vids of g8's chirping 2nd and 3rd with just an intake and tune - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0maqVrVGyE - and mine is not quite there, although I would say performance wise it feels the same, no chirp. Although, the no chirp may be "user error" in that I have never driven a standard (so no prior chirp practice) and I usually pussy out and shift at 4k opposed to 6k. But will probably invest in having a pro take a look at the chip and maybe have it tuned.

[wnt2gofst]

Congrats on the G8. Welcome to the boards.

Look into diff cold air. That's my opinion.

[G8GT721]

Thanks for the info. I would agree, I watched a few youtube vids of g8's chirping 2nd and 3rd with just an intake and tune - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0maqVrVGyE - and mine is not quite there, although I would say performance wise it feels the same, no chirp. Although, the no chirp may be "user error" in that I have never driven a standard (so no prior chirp practice) and I usually pussy out and shift at 4k opposed to 6k. But will probably invest in having a pro take a look at the chip and maybe have it tuned.

Don't even bother using manual mode, it blows stick with drive and sport


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[edmanet]

New here.... Pontiac-er for life. Drove a '84 Grand Prix 305 from age 16-21.. A '95 Grand Am GT from 2000-2003. First new car was a 2003 Grand Prix GT. Then leased a '07 G6 GT, purchased a '08 Torrent AWD... and hit the mother load by trading in the G6 for a '08 G8 GT LOADED!!!

So I have owned this G8 for 30 days now and just realize that there is an OTR intake installed, much to me pleasant surprise but my issue is... I have no clue if the chip was also tuned following the enhanced air flow when the intake was originally installed. Advice on how I can decipher would be much appreciated, without spending $$$ for a pro to diagnose would be my preference!!!

Do you know anyone with HP tuners ??? If so, have them read the tune and compare it to a stock tune. It wouldn't cost anything. If you lived close to me I'd do it for you.

And there's no chip.
It wouldn't cost anything.

[micmac143]

so seems rpm revs out at 5500 - 6000 in that range. No, it isn't tuned. Just the OTR intake. Cause it ain't exibiting the characteristics folks are specifying here. Been researching a superchip unit - https://www.superchips.com/#pn=onlinestore&vsc=true&vfid=1143 - where then when I bring for service I can untune on the fly. Anyone think bringing it to a pro with a dyno is a better option?

Oh and... I only use D cause I know it't the most fuel efficient, otherwise It's Sport / Manual all the way! This is me talking pre my first winter in New England with the car...

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

I have the Superchips tuner and it works great, plus it's so easy to use. They have CAI specific tunes you can download and updating the tuner is free. If you're not planning on headers, high flow cats or a cam, the Superchips tuner will do the trick.

[micmac143]

Any feedback on the Diablo Predator? 80 bucks cheaper then the superchip, seems they tote more HP gain as well. I do like the fact that the Superchip Cortex has a 2 year engine warranty, but then again... having to offer it makes me fear tuning it in the first place. New ground for me, first fast car and all!

[mikesgt]

Just so you know, you don't have a "chip". The ECM is on the passenger side under the hood. If you don't get a chirp in 2nd gear, your G8 is not tuned.

Dittto. No chirp, no tune.

[SRG963]

Welcome!


Any feedback on the Diablo Predator? 80 bucks cheaper then the superchip, seems they tote more HP gain as well. I do like the fact that the Superchip Cortex has a 2 year engine warranty, but then again... having to offer it makes me fear tuning it in the first place. New ground for me, first fast car and all!

Last time I checked, the Predator didn't support the TCM on the G8....things could have changed though....

I have the Cortex, and I am pleased with it. Besides tuning your car (and many other GM models), you can data log, and read/reset codes. Sure, it's not as customized to your car as a dyno/street tune would be, but for a daily driver with basic mods, it's great IMO.

[DRCUSTOMPARTS]

Micmac I bought my S/C tuner on Ebay for $200, so maybe you can find a good deal there too.

[-Ray-]

Thread cleaned.

[youngrushhour]

Thread cleaned.

What happened? My post and, I'm guessing, a lot of others were deleted. Didn't think advocating a dyno tune over a mail order one was wrong, though. Especially since he asked.

[wnt2gofst]

Not going to get into what is better again superchips or dyno tune. But the dealer can tell if you have had either in the car if they really look. Most new cars store info telling last 5 times tune was changed. With my 08 silverado they was checking some stuff and told me how I changed the tune and certain other things with there little computer.

[SRG963]

Not sure about that, since it's been posted, many times, buy many different tuners, that there is no flash counter in the G8. Now, if you go in with a tune loaded, then yes, they can see the changed parameters.

[johnh]

Quote Originally Posted by G8 Ray View Post
Just so you know, you don't have a "chip". The ECM is on the passenger side under the hood. If you don't get a chirp in 2nd gear, your G8 is not tuned.
Dittto. No chirp, no tune.



Not necessarily true. Lots of tunes don't chirp 2nd, depends how the tune is setup. I personally don't like 2-3 chirp...

Best way: Have someone with HP Tuners read it. As posted above if you can find someone nearby I am sure they'd do it, it doesn't take long or cost anything.
Check your shift RPM and check brake torque rpm (stock won't let you go past 1500).

[-Ray-]

Yeah, but you can probable count the number of tunes on one hand that won't get 2nd gear rubber.

[micmac143]

Great info! A bit concerned with the comment about GM mechanics being able to detect past tunes... but I assume I can go to a "friendly" mechanic, know a few around here that "have my back", and they can submit any work they do through GM for warranty payment... true? I know that was the case the last time I had work through warranty done (4 years ago). But in all I would say, based on the posts, majority promote Cortex / S/C and may be able to find a deal via ebay / craigs... so I'll start saving!

So a bit ticked I got taken by a BMW 2008 535ix the other night. Buddy of mine... passed me on a back road... once I noticed I didn't react quick enough in manual 5th... and by the time I figured to down shift he was past. Poor reaction on my part but with the Twin Turbo 6, without a tune I am not sure I could prevented it at the 60-100 range.

[-Ray-]

I have my car serviced at a dealer that is mod friendly. The service writer was a GTO owner and part of our local forum.