Hundredbeerz wrote:
I completely agree, i was just curious if anyone has herd of this or had any success.
I realize this thread is old, but this is the Internet and a search engine can drop you here just like a current thread.
First, i am sorry to hear Madtuner has stopped business, I was VERY happy with their tune on the GXP.
While " minimal gains" are the best that can be expected, I paid $325 and got 10HP at the wheels and a broader curve. I've seen Corvette guys pay more for less than that.
In an age of computer programmed engine management, " performance" does NOT have to mean Horsepower alone. While another poster mentions " turning off torque management reduces driveability", I find it quite pleasing and completely natural. Non PCM cars don't have it, and removing it increased performance by way of more power to the wheels. My 2005 GXP has the smallest cams of any LD8 or L37 yet I make as much at the wheels as any of the original L37s that had larger, less optimally timed cams and significantly more torque at lower RPMs.
On the subject of CHRF, while they may have a good reputation and have been featured in some of the performance magazines, they are disturbingly lacking on info regarding 2000 + Northstars for "experts"
The idea that the Siemens PCM is not " tuner friendly" is patently false. True, when it came out in the 04-05 Bonneville, there was no aftermarket support, but that was 13+ years ago.
EVERY PCM can be programmed. If that were not true, GM would never have been able to load update, bug fixes and VIN numbers for replacement units. Aftermarket support exists now and Madtuner was using it. The major limiting factor on our cars is the crossover pipe ( fixable ) and 19# injectors ( changeable and tuneable in the PCM)
While I am in no way trying to disparage their name, I don't think they are the first choice for a street Northstar. If memory serves, these guys are primarily Sand Buggy enthusiasts and prefer old style cam profiles that aren't really suited to a daily driven Northstar. I attempted to have a set of cams ground to a more appropriate spec, but the quoted cost was significantly out of line with the work involved. CNC machines have been around long enough that this service should be among one of the least expensive out there. They should already have jigging and fixtures for N*cam work, and shouldn't be having a lot of time invested in programming the machine by this stage of the game.
That's my two cents. I hope someone resurrects Madtuners efforts as I had wanted to have them do an update for larger injectors. I should not have dragged my feet!