To all members with the Vector Tune

[Vector MS]

Hello all,

Because of the other thread on the Vector Motorsports tune I thought it was best to clear up a couple of points. As most of you know Chris is out of town, I am Kirk, the engine calibrator for Vector Motorsports. I am new to posting so be easy on me if I screw up!!

The Trailblazer SS calibration has been extensively tested before release. Both Chris and I both own this truck and we had 4 beta testers in the Detroit area and 2 testers in the southern (warm) states. There have been no issues with knock. We now have 26 TB SS Vector calibrations in the field with no problems.

This truck will knock about 3 degrees from the factory with 93 octane fuel. It will knock 8-9 degrees with 87 octane fuel. This means that the computer will remove this amount of timing from the main timing table. I must note that this is only under 85% or above throttle position.

GM releases this truck to the public under the assumption that many people will run cheap (87 octane) fuel in the vehicle. This is where we come in. We calibrate the vehicle so that you MUST run high octane fuel to get the benefits of the performance calibration. That is how we extract the extra performance from the truck, along with the reduced torque management and performance shift points. And a few other "secret" things!

Here is the important part. You must run 93 octane (or 91 for the CA tune) fuel to get most of the the performance benefit. Stay away from "cheap" high octane fuels. This means alcohol blended fuel I have found that Amoco, BP or Mobil fuels work best. You will notice that these fuels cost more, there is a reason for that "Quality."

My truck has the exact tune you have. If I run 93 blended fuel I will get knock, not enough to set a code but I get reduced power. If I run 89 octane I will set a low octane code as has been described in the other thread. You can not damage your engine by running low octane fuel by accident with the Vector tune. The knock sensors have more than enough control to keep the engine safe. The timing will return when the engine does not sense knock any more.

That said, I have tuned over 450 full sized supercharged GM trucks in the last 5 years. Most of them have been Escalades and Hummers. I have not had an engine or transmission failure. I have also tuned over 800 GM LT1 & LSX vehicles (on the dyno) in the last 8 years.

Sorry for such a long post.

If any of you have questions about this calibration or any other ECM/TCM related issue please feel free to call me at 586-453-9030 or email at vectormotorsports@direcway.com

Thanks for all of your support.

Kirk Dearhamer
Vector Motorsports

[FattyTBEXT]

Excellent explanation.

Now if you and Chris can work on something for us 4.2L guys. :hail:

[TonyGXP]

how do you know who uses what premium mix?? I'm lost, thought friggin 93 was 93 & 94????

[Vector MS]

In Michigan the gas station must post on the pump if there is any type of alcohol in the fuel. They will tell you if you ask also.

Octane is not always a good measure of burn rate of blended fuels. This is because of the specific gravity of alcohol. Most fuel tanks at gas stations are vented to the atmosphere. The alcohol evaporates rapidly, and so does the octane.

Don't get me wrong, the tune will support blended 93 octane fuel, but there may be reduced performance.

Kirk

[deathbynosleep]

Excellent explanation.

Now if you and Chris can work on something for us 4.2L guys. :hail:

That would be great.

[SUVette06]

After reading that, I gotta believe after you burn through that tank of fuel, all will be well! Hang in there:yes:
If I ran anything but 94 octane in my z28, I paid the price.

[Dacomputernerd]

I think a tune for less $$$ the westers should be released for the 5.3V8 with DOD :D

I can dream...

[fredg369]

I don't have the Vector tune but heres what I concluded with gas stations.

I been trying differant gas stations around me to see if i get a better idle.
So far

Sunoco 94 ...ok...can live with

Amoco 93 ..the worst..so rough I had to buy some octane boost,that 108 stuff..work pretty good....feels good now...still a little rough but much better then the 94.

Gulf 93 the best yet...will continue to use...may try it with the octane boost and see what happens.

This idle makes me feel like :suicide: .....the red light seems longer now-a-days.

Is the octane boost bad for the fuel system or any other system if used to much?:undecided

[Red SS]

Offtopic, but a supercharged hummer sounds RETARDED :crazy:

[TrailblazerSS]

Thanks Kirk! That was a great post! But the tune is even better.:D

[Vector MS]

fredg369,
I have also noticed the rought idle. I believe it is because of the larger cam duration (its a 2001 ZO6 cam) and the fact that the engine mounts are very tight. An Escalade engine will move twice as much when you brake torque it as the TBSS does.

You will most likely find that the lower the octane fuel the better the engine idles. What you are doing is advancing the timing in effect by burning low octain fuel. As most of you know the lower the octane the faster the burn rate. I often find that the best fuel for performance has the worst idle quality.

Fuel octane additives will not hurt your engine as long as they are labled oxygen sensor safe. Do not get pulled into their "adds 5 points to your octane" ploy though. 5 points in octane is .5 of an octane number!!

RedSS,
I agree, but a supercharger on a 3.5 ton H2 does make it less scary getting on the highway or passing someone. It is still not quick by any means.

Kirk

[Fishhunter911]

Kirk,

Thank you for clearing up some of the issues that have been raised. Keep up the great work!

[Darkside]

fredg369,
I have also noticed the rought idle. I believe it is because of the larger cam duration (its a 2001 ZO6 cam) and the fact that the engine mounts are very tight.

Kirk

Thats interesting, and I kind of enjoy the idle of my Z. Thanks for the info.

[Essque]

interesting thread. gas has really been an afterthought for me with the tune, i've ran 93+ octane for about 6-7 fill ups now and even used Meijers gas and everythings been good.

[SSportWagon]

Here is the important part. You must run 93 octane (or 91 for the CA tune) fuel to get most of the the performance benefit. Stay away from "cheap" high octane fuels. This means alcohol blended fuel I have found that Amoco, BP or Mobil fuels work best. You will notice that these fuels cost more, there is a reason for that "Quality."



Just wanted to add that normally I *Only* use BP/Amoco in my GS ... got caught low on fuel and filled up with Gulf this past weekend and the car is running like I P!$$ed in the tank.

[TB SS]

I really wish I had read all the way through this thread before today. I installed my Vector Tune (Calif 91 version) tonight and quickly got a check engine light after 10 minutes of driving. Onstar says it's a drivetrain error and to "take it to the dealer ASAP", something to do with engine missfire (they don't provide ECM codes). So I'm assuming it's this fuel related issue. Unfortunately, I filled up today (before installing the tune) with Shell 91 Octane which I thought would be good quality (anticipating the tune arrival). After going back to the station, the pump reads "up to 10% ethanol". :duh:

I don't recall the fuel requirement being mentioned before this thread (and the other ECM code thread)... and I really wish it had. Perhaps it was in the mass PM that I missed. :undecided No mention of it in the paperwork that came with the ECMs either. I can understand requiring 91 octane (or 93 for those luck to have it available with the appropriate tune), but the tune should work with ALL 91/93 octane fuels, not just some, without throwing a code IMHO.

While I'm not averse to paying a higher price for "Premium" premium, the thought of being stuck in a situation (such as on a road trip) where such high grade may not be available, and the resulting check engine light doesn't sit too well with me. If I had known, I probably would have considered my options a bit longer before taking the plunge for the tune. I just hope it's easy to find this "Premium" premium out here in LALA land. :worried:

So Kirk, if I add a bottle of octane "boost" to the full tank, will the check engine light go away? :confused: Should I get the code read specifically to be sure? What's involved in the Crank relearn? (I do NOT want to take it to the dealer for this.)

I hope I'm not going to be the first to take advantage of the return policy. Just a bit miffed at the moment.

[Vector MS]

TB SS,
If you chect the code you will find that it is a 0315 code as stated in the instructions.
This has nothing to do with fuel.
You need to have a crankshaft variation learn performed on the vehicle. Anyone with a Tech 2 or good Mac or Snap On scan tool can do it. The CV controlls the missfire system on the vehicle.
The vehicle will drive fine, but if a spark plug wire came off (for example) the computer would not know what cylinder had the problem. They use this for diagnostics only.
Please feel free to call me direct or email me as I stated above if there are problems. I am testing & tuning vehicles most days and do not have a chance to check this web site every day.

Kirk

[TBSSTony]

TB SS,
If you chect the code you will find that it is a 0315 code as stated in the instructions.
This has nothing to do with fuel.
You need to have a crankshaft variation learn performed on the vehicle. Anyone with a Tech 2 or good Mac or Snap On scan tool can do it. The CV controlls the missfire system on the vehicle.
The vehicle will drive fine, but if a spark plug wire came off (for example) the computer would not know what cylinder had the problem. They use this for diagnostics only.
Kirk

Maybe I missed this the other day when we talked, but how can you know the difference between bad fuel and the CV code just like that? How do you know my problem is fuel and his is CV? I'm a bit nervous to drive a full week +/- thinking I just have bad fuel if it might be the CV afterall.

[Z06 Tom]

Getting the re-learn done is no big deal guys... Cost me $35.00 and about 20minutes. Just get it done with your next oil change.

[Vector MS]

TBSSTony,
I believe in your other post you said the OnStar people told you it was a knock code. Is this correct?
The best way to know for sure is to have the codes read. Most chain auto parts stores will do this for free.
If you recieve cores that have been in a different TBSS there is a 50% chance you will need a re-learn. If you recieve brand new cores you will always need a re-learn.
Kirk

[TBSSTony]

Getting the re-learn done is no big deal guys... Cost me $35.00 and about 20minutes. Just get it done with your next oil change.

Where??? I just called several local chains and they all said they don't have the 2006 scanners yet. Said probably only the dealer would be able to do it. Where did you go?

[Fishhunter911]

Where??? I just called several local chains and they all said they don't have the 2006 scanners yet. Said probably only the dealer would be able to do it. Where did you go?

He went to a dealer.... as did I ..... do not go to the dealer you bought it from.. as they will probably give you grief cause of the tune.. call another dealer tell them u need a crank relearn done.

[Frayles]

Just a question to those guys having trouble with the codes being set. Did you send in your original ecm/tcm or did you opt for the core program?

[Fishhunter911]

Just a question to those guys having trouble with the codes being set. Did you send in your original ecm/tcm or did you opt for the core program?


I got the core... when I got it it was fresh, never used, all i had to do was get the crank relearn done, which IKNEW i had to do. just one of those things you have to do when you do upgrades, it wont hurt your truck, I drove for a day without the relearn, as stated earlier, it only senses misfires, in a brand new vehicle the chances of a miss fire happening is slime to none. the only other code that has been reported was the knock sensor. Most likely due to bad gas.

[Vector MS]

If you send your ECM & TCM to be programmed you do not have to do any relearn procedure.