Sounds a little high?

[Flhermit]

I'm working on a project (2011 Express 4500) 6.0 l96 with an E38 ECM. My donor ECM came from a 2012 Express. All I want to do is update the donor ECM with some minor changes (vat and cat delete) The only one I can find locally that will even attempt this wants $700. The program ( Delco TDS) is $45. Not sure what pass thru I need but VC nano is like $100. What am I missing? Is TDS that big a deal to download and edit? This is a one time deal, I don't want to go into the programing business just to get my bus running. Any help sending me down the right path would be greatly appreciated.

[blindsquirrel]

GM TDS flashes with a stock calibration according to the VIN you feed it. No editing. It's dealership-type stuff only.

HP Tuners uses its own proprietary interface that only works with the HP Tuners software, which allows editing the ECM, but does not work with TDS/SPS.

[Flhermit]

GM TDS flashes with a stock calibration according to the VIN you feed it. No editing. It's dealership-type stuff only.

HP Tuners uses its own proprietary interface that only works with the HP Tuners software, which allows editing the ECM, but does not work with TDS/SPS.

I paid a guy to delete my vats and o2 sensors (still setting code) so I have the HP tuners file for the donor ECM. Is there someplace I can get the stock tune so I know what to change on the donor ECM?
And second, What hardware do I need to do this (yea I'm the stupid new guy) I have a laptop and an ECM what goes in-between? and can I get something that will will work with both TDS and HP turners?

[blindsquirrel]

If you buy HP Tuners you'll get a customer login page, and on there will be a link to the tune repository where you can look for stock tune files. Whether there's one in there for... whatever you are looking for, I have no idea. They're just files uploaded by other users so it's not meant to be a file for every vehicle/RPO combo ever made. For sure there will be something with the same year and same engine, at least.

HP Tuners software and HP Tuners hardware are both proprietary and each only works with the other, and nothing else. Pro-pri-e-tar-y. Look it up if you need to.

[Flhermit]

If you buy HP Tuners you'll get a customer login page, and on there will be a link to the tune repository where you can look for stock tune files. Whether there's one in there for... whatever you are looking for, I have no idea. They're just files uploaded by other users so it's not meant to be a file for every vehicle/RPO combo ever made. For sure there will be something with the same year and same engine, at least.

HP Tuners software and HP Tuners hardware are both proprietary and each only works with the other, and nothing else. Pro-pri-e-tar-y. Look it up if you need to.

Proprietary I got (I guess you missed the stupid new guy thing) Looks like between hardware and credits I'm back in the $700 range. I think I will continue my search for someone who can do this for me. But thanks for the education it is a start. FYI. I was in the automotive industry for 45 years and met lots of guys that were born knowing everything there is to know about a car. I'm sorry I am not one of those people I have to learn.

[GHuggins]

Well, to begin with you're going to have to find someone with old software to do the cat delete - probably why your codes are still setting for it. It was removed from all newer software unless you get into the base coding of it. There are still some of us out there that have the older software to do this - thanks to other members on here, but you have to do PM's as no one will probably tell you on here.

You're also probably not going to find a stock "4500" tune calibration in the repository. Very few of us have actually tuned them and they are different. You'll need to set your torque models and everything up for the 4500 chassi too - it's much heavier and you don't want to fry the trans. Whilst on the subject - what trans are you running and are you able to tune it? If you're running the Allison, you'll have to tune the ecm to work with the Allison TCM....

Either way - if you're going to a remote tuner, you have to have your own interface. It does come with initial "free" credits, so you're actually only out the $300 and something. Then a remote tuner will probably charge double that...

Here's a stock 4500 6l tune, but it's a 16' model if it'll help you any....

[Flhermit]

Well, to begin with you're going to have to find someone with old software to do the cat delete - probably why your codes are still setting for it. It was removed from all newer software unless you get into the base coding of it. There are still some of us out there that have the older software to do this - thanks to other members on here, but you have to do PM's as no one will probably tell you on here.

You're also probably not going to find a stock "4500" tune calibration in the repository. Very few of us have actually tuned them and they are different. You'll need to set your torque models and everything up for the 4500 chassi too - it's much heavier and you don't want to fry the trans. Whilst on the subject - what trans are you running and are you able to tune it? If you're running the Allison, you'll have to tune the ecm to work with the Allison TCM....

Either way - if you're going to a remote tuner, you have to have your own interface. It does come with initial "free" credits, so you're actually only out the $300 and something. Then a remote tuner will probably charge double that...

Here's a stock 4500 6l tune, but it's a 16' model if it'll help you any....

THANK YOU !
I am about to scrap this whole project. I don't need a turbo or nitrous all I want to do is get the damn cel out. After searching thru the endless list of interfaces and pass thru hardware and a dozen different programing platforms, Hell I just paid $200 for a scanner to bleed my brakes, I decided to just let someone else do it. With all the hype of having an lS why doesn't anybody work on them? I can only find 2 people that will even look at it. One that said he will check the codes for $75 (parts store does it for free) and the guy that will put it back to stock for $700 (to load a $45 program?).

So I am back to doing it myself. What I'm have a problem with is hardware. What hardware works with which programing software. It doesn't make much sense for a one time shot but at this point I don't see that I have a lot of options.

End of rant If your still reading what I'm working on is a 2011 Chevy Express 4500. I think the trans is a 6L90 and a 4:10 rear end. (spedo is 10 mph off) The ECM came from a 2012 Chevy express 3500.
Donor VIN 1GAZGYFG8C1183984
Project VIN 1GB6G5BG4B1143595

Like Grandma Mart always said "If you cant' say something nice, Don't say anything at all"

[GHuggins]

Just get the hpt interface. You have scanner and calibration access both. Kill vats then no need to worry about flashing to stock 4500.

How much you planning on hauling with it?

[Flhermit]

Just get the hpt interface. You have scanner and calibration access both. Kill vats then no need to worry about flashing to stock 4500.

How much you planning on hauling with it?

I was going to reload the stock 4500 to have a place to start. I know the diff is different and the 2012 had traction control so I have an ABS light, and I don't know what all else is different between the 2 ecm's?
I had it weighed and it's 10,960 lbs. but I have air ride (it was a kneeling bus) and don't plan on pulling anything.

[mbray01]

I can only find 2 people that will even look at it. One that said he will check the codes for $75 (parts store does it for free) and the guy that will put it back to stock for $700 (to load a $45 program?).

if youhave been in the automotive business for 45 years as you say, then you must know the faults in what you just said.
no comparison between a free code scan and a shops diagnostics, I mean seriously, you should know better

now for the $700, your looking at this from a consumer, not a business. First off, its entirely unreasonable to walk into a business and expect to buy something from them at cost. Second, maintaining equipment to perform factory calibrations is very expensive. Its time consuming as well staying on top of it.

Now, with acdelco tds, their new system is extremely unreliable. Its not uncommon to take 4 hours to get a flash into a vehicle, when the system crashes, and you have to perform massive updates, etc just to get a $45 flash into your vehicle. The shop is more than likely aware of these issues and charges accordingly. (4 hours at hd labor rate, $150+, plus gm license costs after markup i would take to be $700 all day every day.

Im willing to bet that a GM heavy duty dealer will be just as expensive.

Now you can purchase the hptuners device, save a few dollars, and hope you dont brick anything by trying to flash a stock(maybe) calibration into your ecm, and hope that its correct for your vin, then you have to figure out correcting the vin, because hptuners may not be able to do that depending on the file.

Me, id pay the $700 and know its right!

[blindsquirrel]

Be careful, accurate information isn't enough with this one, you also apparently need to hold his hand and stroke his hair just the right way and explain how everything will be OK.

[Flhermit]

I can only find 2 people that will even look at it. One that said he will check the codes for $75 (parts store does it for free) and the guy that will put it back to stock for $700 (to load a $45 program?).

if youhave been in the automotive business for 45 years as you say, then you must know the faults in what you just said.
no comparison between a free code scan and a shops diagnostics, I mean seriously, you should know better

now for the $700, your looking at this from a consumer, not a business. First off, its entirely unreasonable to walk into a business and expect to buy something from them at cost. Second, maintaining equipment to perform factory calibrations is very expensive. Its time consuming as well staying on top of it.

Now, with acdelco tds, their new system is extremely unreliable. Its not uncommon to take 4 hours to get a flash into a vehicle, when the system crashes, and you have to perform massive updates, etc just to get a $45 flash into your vehicle. The shop is more than likely aware of these issues and charges accordingly. (4 hours at hd labor rate, $150+, plus gm license costs after markup i would take to be $700 all day every day.

Im willing to bet that a GM heavy duty dealer will be just as expensive.

Now you can purchase the hptuners device, save a few dollars, and hope you dont brick anything by trying to flash a stock(maybe) calibration into your ecm, and hope that its correct for your vin, then you have to figure out correcting the vin, because hptuners may not be able to do that depending on the file.

Me, id pay the $700 and know its right!

Michael,
You are 100% correct I know what it takes to run a shop. Just ask the Snap-On guy, I put 2 of his kids thru college. My problem is finding one I can trust. The guy that offered to read the codes was going to do just that read the codes and tell me what they are NO diagnostics. I found a guy in Oklahoma that will reload my stock tune for $100. That is only 2 days away from me so is starting to look good as long as I don't trash something on the trip. I have already paid someone to delete the vats and o2 sensors and don't want to lose that but still cheaper than $200 for a new ecm.

[Flhermit]

Be careful, accurate information isn't enough with this one, you also apparently need to hold his hand and stroke his hair just the right way and explain how everything will be OK.

And that's what I said from Jump Street I need someone to hold my hand. Hair stroking is optional.

[mbray01]

michael,
you are 100% correct i know what it takes to run a shop. Just ask the snap-on guy, i put 2 of his kids thru college. My problem is finding one i can trust. The guy that offered to read the codes was going to do just that read the codes and tell me what they are no diagnostics. I found a guy in oklahoma that will reload my stock tune for $100. That is only 2 days away from me so is starting to look good as long as i don't trash something on the trip. I have already paid someone to delete the vats and o2 sensors and don't want to lose that but still cheaper than $200 for a new ecm.

this has got to be a troll post, surely your not driving two days to save $600