BSR PPC Tune Updates?

[jeff_b_wilson]

Bill,

Have you seen or expect to see any movement with BSR on updating the PPC tune for the Solstice GXP? I'm wondering if they feel it is not worth their while since:
A. Other tuners have waded in
B. The car's production life may be limited

[blacksky]

Originally Posted by jeff_b_wilson Bill, Have you seen or expect to see any movement with BSR on updating the PPC tune for the Solstice GXP? I'm wondering if they feel it is not worth their while since: A. Other tuners have waded in B. The car's production life may be limited

To my knowledge there will not be any additional tunes from BSR. Their stage 2 on their website is just the addition of their exhaust system.

[rich71]

BSR REAL STAGE 2 IS A JOKE. Great tune if you do nothing else to the car. I bought this tune with the expectation of a real stage two coming out for mods.....NOTHING and more NOTHING. I don't think BSR ever intended to do a REAL stage 2. I have the Hahn I/C, which they say is considered stage 2- didn't get much more power(great product though!). You would think spending 1k on a tune would get us something besides false promises of ongoing improvements. Not Hahns fault, but still at least with other tuners, we can update the tuning because of mods. istead of being forced to throw away a 1k canned tune and re invest in another. That is the price I paid for just having to get the first available tune out there....I have to admit it is a GREAT PRODUCT for a stock car with no ambitions of mods......ever.

[blacksky]

Originally Posted by rich71 BSR REAL STAGE 2 IS A JOKE. Great tune if you do nothing else to the car. I bought this tune with the expectation of a real stage two coming out for mods.....NOTHING and more NOTHING. I don't think BSR ever intended to do a REAL stage 2. I have the Hahn I/C, which they say is considered stage 2- didn't get much more power(great product though!). You would think spending 1k on a tune would get us something besides false promises of ongoing improvements. Not Hahns fault, but still at least with other tuners, we can update the tuning because of mods. istead of being forced to throw away a 1k canned tune and re invest in another. That is the price I paid for just having to get the first available tune out there....I have to admit it is a GREAT PRODUCT for a stock car with no ambitions of mods......ever.

I agree and it has served me well up to this point but who is going to pay that much for a tune now? Those of us with it, can't even get rid of it and get some of our initial investment back because you would have to do an ECM swap and then still sell cheaper than other tunes available. Who wants to go through all that?

The stage 2 your referring to must be Hahns stage 2 for BSR becasue on the BSR website, the stage 2 is their exhaust and it doesn't even show a hp gain, just a different sound for the exhaust. Whatever...

[rich71]

Ok, let me take some of the spit out of my rant... This topic has been discussed in other threads on this and other forums and the consensus is no new tuning will be coming out of BSR. I knew going into it that unless BSR makes a change, that no one can get into it and tweak it. The impression was there was going to be a stage 2 tune, but nothing happened. With the other tuners coming out, Bsr neglected to take advantage of the market. I feel like they took my 1k and ran. The tune is plenty fast for me, but with the 700 i spent on the intercooler, i don't feel i can get my moneys worth out of it without a real stage 2. I am struggling on trashing it this spring for another tune. Not sure if I can deal with a ppc tuner that I cant do anything with, can't tweak, cant sell it. When they say it marries itself to the car, the aren't lying.

[blacksky]

From my understanding you can sell it if you swap ECMs. That's just what I've heard though. I don't know if anyone has actually done that yet.

If you can, I'm almost tempted to give it to someone rather than just waste it completely when I get a new tune. Maybe give it to a buddy for just the ECM swap if you can do that without any problems. I don't know...

[jeff_b_wilson]

Originally Posted by rich71 Ok, let me take some of the spit out of my rant... This topic has been discussed in other threads on this and other forums and the consensus is no new tuning will be coming out of BSR. I knew going into it that unless BSR makes a change, that no one can get into it and tweak it. The impression was there was going to be a stage 2 tune, but nothing happened. With the other tuners coming out, Bsr neglected to take advantage of the market. I feel like they took my 1k and ran. The tune is plenty fast for me, but with the 700 i spent on the intercooler, i don't feel i can get my moneys worth out of it without a real stage 2. I am struggling on trashing it this spring for another tune. Not sure if I can deal with a ppc tuner that I cant do anything with, can't tweak, cant sell it. When they say it marries itself to the car, the aren't lying.

I know where you are coming from. It was a great tune at the time but has really limited making other mods. I've squeaked by with the Hahn IC, a custom MagnaFlow exhaust, and Solo Hi-Flo CAT; but the Hahn IC will never be able to see it's potential with this tune. But I have too much Scot in me to just throw away $1000.
I gotta admit that even the GM Stage 2 is tempting since it is covered by warranty and apparently has the ability to up-learn, but I wish I had held off and waited for the HP tune to mature. Of course the money would have been long gone by now anywho.

[rich71]

I have heard that a couple people with the BSR and aftermarket intercoolers were able to adjust the wastegate SLIGHTLY to increase boost back to where it was before the larger intercooler was added. I noticed a slight decrease in boost due to the extra volume of the ic. I have to wait until spring to play around with it. My clamps are tight too. I can't remember exactly what my numbers were, but I used to be at 21-22 before my ic change. I am not down to maybe 19-20?? I have to document the car this spring before i do anything. I can't remember the threads, but a couple people have done this with no problems as of yet.....Feel free to tell me I am crazy to do this. Glad I have months to think about it

[Jae]

Rich, has it been cooler since the boost dropped? I also see mine drop to about 19 when it gets under 60 degrees, especially if the engine bay is not fully warmed up (20 min later). I suspect the old torque management system is limiting our power/boost even with the BSR tune. I too am struggling with what to do with the BSR. The ECM trade option is interesting. I wonder if the dealer would be able to tell the difference between ECMs.

[blacksky]

Originally Posted by Jae Rich, has it been cooler since the boost dropped? I also see mine drop to about 19 when it gets under 60 degrees, especially if the engine bay is not fully warmed up (20 min later). I suspect the old torque management system is limiting our power/boost even with the BSR tune. I too am struggling with what to do with the BSR. The ECM trade option is interesting. I wonder if the dealer would be able to tell the difference between ECMs.

That's the thing I'm not sure of. Do the ECMs have our VINs in them? If not then it shouldn't be a problem.

[Silver Fox]

Originally Posted by jeff_b_wilson Bill, Have you seen or expect to see any movement with BSR on updating the PPC tune for the Solstice GXP? I'm wondering if they feel it is not worth their while since: A. Other tuners have waded in B. The car's production life may be limited

I would love to hear from Bill, what's his take is on all of the BSR comments??????

[Cpt_kludge]

Originally Posted by Silver Fox I would love to hear from Bill, what's his take is on all of the BSR comments??????

Joe

[Carpe Diem]

I agree as well. Good at the time, but now an impediment to more torque/power. I think I'll just wait a while, and see what shakes out. There seems to be more and more options every month.

If the opportunity presents itself, I will seriously consider swapping my BSR tune kit and ECM for a stock GXP ECM with someone who will be satisfied with the performance increase over stock that I have been pleased with for the last year or so. Maybe I'll lose some or all of my $1K BSR investment, but it is what it is. Hell, the loss in relative value of the BSR tune is a mere pimple on the ass of a knat on the back of an elephant compared to the loss of equity in the value of my home in today's housing market, or the drop in value in my IRA thanks to the likes of Barney Frank.

[Cpt_kludge]

I like the BSR tune as well. Don't consider myself compentant to make serious tuner changes so it woks well for me. One of the things I thought should be part of it from day one was a code reader that could read & clear codes. Have one now so it's a moot point but would have been a nice idea. All things considered the BSR tune has served me well.
JOe

[EcoBoost]

For clarity's sake, there are essentially three distinct discussion points raised here:

• Advantages of the BSR PPC Handheld approach compared to other tuning options
• Compatibility of the PPC Handheld with other modifications
• The emergence (or lack thereof) of a Stage II BSR tune version

We'll take it from the top!


1. Pros and cons of the BSR PPC Handheld approach versus other tuning options

The most common mistake made in comparing the PPC Tuner to other options is to only consider the strengths of one approach while railing on the perceived (more on perception in a bit) shortcomings of the other. Rarely have I seen candid, unbiased discussion that truly reflects the high points of both types of tuning options.

I will not profess to be the least biased, but as I (and my customers) work with not only PPC, but also other options, I may have the most overall experience. As such, here's my take:

PPC Tuner - Advantages:

• Expert development by the most skilled tuner of Bosch DIS: BSR Tuning.
• Ease of use: can be used by even the least technical among us.
• Return to stock: In under a minute, with a unit you can keep in the car and instantly change for any reason including auto service.
• Internet synchronization: Every PPC Tuner is synchronized with the BSR website, where updates can be picked up free of charge at any time. No other option offers this level of Web-based sophistication.
• PCM stays in car: this one's pretty obvious as to its allure. No need to park the car for days while PCM tours the nation, or buy another PCM for this purpose.
• Supports most basic airflow upgrades: Experience has shown that the PPC Tuner programming is compatible with numerous airflow modifications.

Other types of tuning - Advantages:

• More adaptability to individually tailored changes.
• Greater interaction by tuner and/or owner: some software options allow the car owner to make their own tuning changes anytime, as well as scan/store run data .
• Ability to have multiple tunes: Some software packages, once learned, allow the user to keep and load multiple programs as they see fit for the task at hand.
• Ability to support higher level mods: Larger turbos better served.
• Ability to support unique combos: If one has a unique combination of equipment from different suppliers, one is better served by the individual adjustability some software programs offer.
• Lower cost: In some instances, these other options can cost less. Overall cost must be kept in mind (additional PCM's, dyno tuning sessions, charges for upgrades).

In summary, the PPC is best suited to cars who will not see extensive mods, and those who wish to have instant return to stock and/or unparalleled ease of operation. It remains the only handheld unit that allows such ease and results.

Here's that perception thing: I know, it's hard for some of the gearheads here to understand how the more casual enthusiast might not even want to break out a laptop, remove their PCM, and/or get their hands dirty, but the fact remains that the PPC is a great option for many who care not to get "under the hood" and just want to tune their car quickly and easily.