Westers GXP Tune

Deepbluegxp · 03-10-2008, 08:12 AM

Initial tests:
Go-N Def, Dark Tech and I had our ECM updated to the latest Westers tune on Saturday and was seeing 23lbs of boost in every gear. It hit 23lbs really fast. We all previously had the Wastegate mod and tune. The new tune w/wastegate mod caused everyone's DIC boost guage to stop indicating boost after 3 seconds of WOT. Additional WOT tests indicated nothing on the DIC, yet you could hear the boost and feel the power. Go-N Def's external boost guage was still indicating 23lbs while the DIC reported 0. Once the car had been turned off and restarted, the boost indicated OK. So we had to come up with a fix.

The fix:
After several discussions and recalling the conversations about another tune that shouldn't be done with the wastegate, we decided to back off the hardware on the wastegate mod. I now have 3 threads visible on the right side of the rod. The Now the boost reads at 22 at WOT and the there isn't any issues with the DIC.

First impressions:
Holy crap, it is like getting a new car again, wait, it's even better. I have to be more gentle with the gas as to not spin the tires. The traction control light flashes more now "Low Traction"

This is the mod to have

I need to get to a dyno.

You may have seen LilGoats new Dyno Sheet post Latest dyno run. He has the Westers tune and is seeing 22.1 lbs boost on the Dyno.

If you send in your ECM to Westers, this post is a must read
In the fuse box above the batter, pull fuses 42 and 43, re-insert the fuses after you re-install your ECM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imaj

For those of you who are about to do the tune or you 08 guys and gals bitting your nails awaiting the Westers tune....Here is a small list of what you need to do when sending in your ECM. Plus, what you must do once you get it.

I just got an email from Westers. If you are shipping your ECM, use the US post office Priority mail or Priority Global express, the Global express gets it there in 2 or 3 days, DO NOT ship on a Thursday or Friday and Wednesday is ify. If it hits customs on Friday it can get very delayed. Insure the package for $20 no more unless you want to pay the extra taxes, he has to pay taxes on the declared value. YOU WILL GET TO PAY THE EXTRA TAX! He usually does the tune the same day he receives the ECM and ships them back Next Day Air for free. I have shipped an ECM up early Monday morning and gotten it back Friday, it doesn't always work this well but it can.

I think I just made sure I had the VIN and sent it in, pick a number it is mostly so he can match up the form with the ECM in case they get separated. I just shipped it and sent an email. It is more expensive to use the Priority Global express which is Fed Ex through the USPS but it's worth it, gets through customs much faster. He will ship it back to you fast, it's getting it there that is a pain. Make sure $20 on the insurance and you must insure it! If you don't they open the box to determine a value and you are screwed for days in customs.

On his website it says to label it temporary unit for repair. is this necessary? In your earlier post you said not to ship on friday

Warranty return on the customs doc is important, as long as it has the $20 value should be OK. If it doesn't say return they get taxed as if it was a new item they are buying. It just cost them more to get it in, they will share the cost with you if they have to pay extra.

Here are instructions from Westers after you get your ECM back or with a new ECM, you may not have to do if you send in your ECM, but for sure with a new one, just in case here they are.

The 'passkey' relearn will have to be done...which has to be done first before the vehicle will even start up.

1. Attempt to start vehicle.
2. Relax key to the 'run' position
3. Anti-theft light will 'flash' or remain on solid for 10 minutes and then go off.
4. Shut key off after the light has gone out.

Repeat steps 1-4 again another 2 times.
These procedures have taken 30 minutes (minimum).

5. Start your vehicle.

I removed the text for the case relearn as the GXP's have a different ECM that the NAs and case relearn isn't required

lil goat · 03-10-2008, 09:01 AM

Let me say Westers Garage is not as yet a supporting vendor here. He is a supporting vendor on NASSOA. He is a small company and if there is enough interest to cover his expenses he will become a supporting vendor here. In order to get the tune you do have to send in the ECM, or I will be working with him to do a one time install of the tune for anyone who pays at least a week in advance and sends in there VIN to him so he can build the tune at the Southern MD mod meet in April, he does a custom tune for every car. I am trying to help my friend so he can become a supporting vendor here. The tune is a kick in the butt for sure!

Moose GXP · 03-10-2008, 09:11 AM

Sounds interesting. Were any of the initial test cars stock before the tune? Besides the wastegate mod that is. If I were to get this I'd stay stock for the most part everywhere else and am curious as to the benefit w/o catback or I/C upgrades.

Deepbluegxp · 03-10-2008, 09:22 AM

Go-N Def - Solo Street Race, Solo CAT, Dejon IC Pipes.
DeepBlueGXP - Magnaflow Exhaust, Solo CAT.
Dark Tech - Magnaflow Exhaust.

All three tunes are working great.

mikeysolstice · 03-10-2008, 09:26 AM

Is that tune something that can be done with the HP Tuners software? Not sure I understand why the ECM would have to be sent in. Can someone explain? I just ordered the HP Tuners software and I'm hoping I can do a decent amount of stuff with that. Always interested in what others are doing though.

Thanks,
Mike

PAO · 03-10-2008, 10:30 AM

Wester's will give all NASSOA members a $125 discount on their tune...that includes $100 off the tune and $25 on shipping.....they will pay return shipping to you.....we are finalizing the order form now that can be downloaded directly from the NASSOA members section......annoucement coming shortly

LatinVenom · 03-10-2008, 10:44 AM

Mike:
I believe in the past there was some piracy involved, so he has decided to lock the tune to the car VIN #.
This is what Lil goat posted before if I am relating it correctly.
It may be possible since you have the HP tuners software, that once you have it done you might be able to play with it, but I would ask Westers 1st since it maybe completely lock.

Deepbluegxp · 03-10-2008, 10:54 AM

Lil Goat has been authorized from Westers to perform installs of the tune at the next mod meet April 12th. PM Lil Goat for details.

lil goat · 03-10-2008, 11:30 AM

LV has it correct. He has also figured a way to access parts of the code that can not be accessed with HP tuners. By sending in the ECM he has a copy of your factory tune on file with your VIN, he has engineered some sort of copy protection. I don't know what. It is a part of the tune. Just some insight on Lyndon Wester, he wrote and sells and licenses his own ECM tuning software for GM vehicles, he was one of the first if not the first to crack the OBDII code back when GM switched in 1995. He is working on a full blown solution for the Bosch ECM and that is how he can do what he is doing. You can download the tune with HP Tuners but there are parts of what he did you can not see or change with HP tuners. If you check with any other tuners who are doing GXP tunes, all of them require you send in the ECM. On other vehicles and the NA, Westers sends out a replacement ECM and you send yours back. GM won't sell the ECM's for the GXP so you have to send it in. I will sacn every car before I install the tune and send the scan to Lyndon. He has several authorized independent tuners in the states, check his website. They use his software to tune Vette's and the like. If one of them wants to buy the license agreement for the Solstice you will be able to drive in and get a tune. That is up to each individual shop. If a Westers shop is near you you could have them call Westers about becoming an authorized installer for the tune, that is up to them.

MyNewSolstice · 03-10-2008, 11:45 AM

Lil Goat,
Is this tune Gains affected in anyway by the style bar not being a roll bar?

mikeysolstice · 03-10-2008, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lil goat

LV has it correct. He has also figured a way to access parts of the code that can not be accessed with HP tuners. By sending in the ECM he has a copy of your factory tune on file with your VIN, he has engineered some sort of copy protection. I don't know what. It is a part of the tune. Just some insight on Lyndon Wester, he wrote and sells and licenses his own ECM tuning software for GM vehicles, he was one of the first if not the first to crack the OBDII code back when GM switched in 1995. He is working on a full blown solution for the Bosch ECM and that is how he can do what he is doing. You can download the tune with HP Tuners but there are parts of what he did you can not see or change with HP tuners. If you check with any other tuners who are doing GXP tunes, all of them require you send in the ECM. On other vehicles and the NA, Westers sends out a replacement ECM and you send yours back. GM won't sell the ECM's for the GXP so you have to send it in. I will sacn every car before I install the tune and send the scan to Lyndon. He has several authorized independent tuners in the states, check his website. They use his software to tune Vette's and the like. If one of them wants to buy the license agreement for the Solstice you will be able to drive in and get a tune. That is up to each individual shop. If a Westers shop is near you you could have them call Westers about becoming an authorized installer for the tune, that is up to them.

Thanks for the info. Makes sense. I was mainly wondering if it was a tune I could just pay Wester's for, download it, and install it with HP Tuners. Sounds a little more involved than that though.

Mike

lil goat · 03-10-2008, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MyNewSolstice

Lil Goat,
Is this tune Gains affected in anyway by the style bar not being a roll bar?

My style bar has no style, and it makes the car handle so bad now because it is top heavy I don't think the tune is working at all, But my new light wheels and lug nuts may counter act the effect.

Wester used to do that exact thing, he even sold the HP tuners. Then his tunes were been given away, he has 100's of hours in developing this tune. He even has a free test car from Pontiac of Canada. He just wants the money he deserves for his efforts. He almost quit working on the tunes for the GXP. He is trying to give people a good tune for a good price and still make money. He would really like to be able to do the ECM swap like he does on his other tunes if someone can find even one GXP ECM that would help. Maybe in a junk yard even if it is intact. For now he has set up a trust relationship with me so people won't have to send them in if they are close by. He and I have been friends since long before I owned a Solstice. I was the first GXP he did and I sent my ECM in twice, second time for an update. He did my first tune having never seen a GXP and I still hit 260 HP at the rear wheels a nice 35 hp bump on a stock car.

lil goat · 03-10-2008, 03:11 PM

If anyone can find a spare ECM for a GXP it would make everyones life easier. I will try and get you a sweet deal if you can find one so Westers can do swaps.

turboman808 · 03-10-2008, 03:51 PM

Hmmm Maybe a trip to Maryland is in order. Solo exhaust, cat and westers tune. Hmmm Well I will think about it a few days LOL

lil goat · 03-10-2008, 04:05 PM

Some updates, I am working on finding at least one ECM so Wester can do swaps, you would have to do a crank relearn, that can be done with a Dashawk or the dealer can do it. He would send you a tuned ECM you install it and send your old one back. No you can keep the old, they are way to hard to find. If you find your own then fine.

Here is some big news where you guys owe ME, I spent the money and had my car dynoed, then got all the snap sheets (AFR BOOST DATA and other stuff tuners really love) and sent it to Westers. He has done and updated tune for a car with an aftermarket intercooler. He thinks we may be able to crack 300rwhp with this tune. Now I am going to sell my kidney so I can buy some more dyno time. The sacrifices I make.