BB Tune with Powertain Warranty?

[gmartin1215]

So, I am interested in getting a Black Bear tune, But i just learned that my Tahoe still has the 100K mile powertrain warranty. For anyone that still has the warranty and did get the BB tune, did you ever have any issue with dealer rejecting warranty work because of the tune?

In addition, I understand that after a BB Tune is done, that 89+ fuel needs to be run. Is the BB tune really worth it if all I am looking to gain is better mileage, and maybe better towing?

 

[doubletapdrew]

If you go the Auto Cal route with BB you should be fine since you can flash it back to stock if you need to take it in for warranty work. I'd recommend doing that anyway since if there are ECU updates out the dealers will usually flash your ECU to make sure it's up to date.

 

[gmartin1215]

OK. So there has never been an incident where the dealer may detect that the ECU has been flashed by the Auto Cal, to where they say "looks like you tampered with the ECU. Sorry, can't help you."?

That is the part that I want to be sure about, if they can detect something like this, even if putting the params back to OEM.

 

[doubletapdrew]

OK. So there has never been an incident where the dealer may detect that the ECU has been flashed by the Auto Cal, to where they say "looks like you tampered with the ECU. Sorry, can't help you."?

That is the part that I want to be sure about, if they can detect something like this, even if putting the params back to OEM.

I don't think so, I'll go check with one of our techs (I work at a GMC dealership).
One exception is with the diesel pickups, the Allison trans remembers peak torque input in the TCM memory. We had a guy bring in his "stock" duramax and the tranny's memory showed over 800ft.lbs of peak torque input (this was when they were rated at 660). He flashed the ECU back to stock but not the TCM (if you even can flash the allison TCM).
I don't remember if they honored the claim or not. We are pretty mod-friendly (lots of hot-rodders here) but the manufacturer has final say on whether warranty is honored or not.

Of course there are the much more obvious ones like the guys that bring in their diesel pickups or medium duty rigs with the big ol Edge box plugged in between the harness and ECU, lol. Most of those are out of warranty anyway though so they don't care anymore.