BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

So that neither Edit or Tuner can get into it? I was told by Livernois Speedworks, was Detroit Speedworks, that I could not get into my car's PCM that was tuned by them w/ Edit, if I bought Edit. Could Tuner get in, or would I have to get a factory reset of the PCM? Thanks.

horist

a PCM can be locked... and if locked properly it can not be acessed by any tuning software (and from what I understand can't even be reflashed by GM)

Locking a PCM as far as I'm concerned is an underhanded practice and I would not support any company that did it....

wrencher

iTrader: (2)

I totally agree with this, I wouldn't support any/one/place that does this.....

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Here is what I was told:

Mr. Adams,

I spoke with Greg and he said that the pcm is not locked, but LS1 edit cannot read the program. It can however be written over.

Regards,

Rick LeBlanc
Livernois Motorsports

unit213

How many times are you going to post the same thing?

https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ghlight=locked
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...ghlight=locked

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Sorry--I have emailed the company several times w/ no luck, so I thought I would try again here.

unit213

I guess I'm confused. Rick emailed you back...

Mr. Adams,

I spoke with Greg and he said that the pcm is not locked, but LS1 edit cannot read the program. It can however be written over.

Regards,

Rick LeBlanc
Livernois Motorsports

Sounds like the PCM is not locked to me. Did you ever call Greg? Emailing will do you no good. Get your info from the horse's mouth. I highly doubt they lock PCM's since they run a reputable shop.

2MuchRiceMakesMeSick

I think its a racket, why...
1. Its your pcm ( you own it)
2. Your paying them (usually alot) to do it

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

I emailed Livernois back three times since they emailed me back, I should have stated that. I guess I am going to have to call. To be, it sounds like the tune is locked, not the pcm, so I cannot go in there and modify the tune a little, say change my stall lockup points or something of that nature, w/o losing the whole dyno tune. So I have to start from new.

ponykiller511

A tuner can lock his program to keep someone from copying it to other cars with the same combination. The PCM is yours but the tune is his.

gameover

Bottom line is *before* you get a tune ask the tuner what his policy is on locking PCMs and *also* on unlocking them. I don't really have a problem with tuners locking PCM's so long as there is a reasonable unlocking policy. eg. "returning to stock" is not an option on some h/c cars, since they won't even idle...

BoneSS

iTrader: (9)

Here is the info I received this week, Greg was very helpful:

Although the processor itself is not "locked", some utilities such as LS1 edit and HP Tuners may have trouble reading the existing code. This is because they perform the checksum function differently than our in-house software. If you wish to change the gear ratio and shift points in the existing calibration, we should be able to do that here if you send us the PCM.

unit213

BoneSS - Greg's a good guy and is knowledgable about tuning beyond my comprehension. He'll take care of you.

jimmyblue

iTrader: (11)

In my opinion unless it is a "canned tune" that the
tuner already had produced,on his own nickel, any
tuning done on your car that you paid to have done
is a "work for hire" and you, not the tuner, are the
rightful owner once the bill is paid. But if you don't
stand up for your copy rights, you get what you get.

Just like the magazine, not the staff writer, owns the
copyright of the published article. The magazine says
"you want paid, I get the copyright". If a tuner wants
both, you are best off giving them neither (unless you
value their artistry so highly you're willing to forfeit any
future options). That would be one hell of an artist.

Speaking as someone whose ex-employer owns all his
patents and whose professional society owns all of
his published papers' copyrights....