Got the VMS ECM and the DashHawk yesterday and installed it this morning.

Any of those that are unhappy with the G8 tranny need to get the TCM flashed....NOW! Apparently they included it in the new ECM tune 'cause now all of the goofy little things that the 6 spd. used to do are simply gone. Shifts are faster and smoother in all 3 modes, even the rev-matching in M mode is faster and smoother.

(VMS, if you didn't include the TMC flash in my ECM, PLEASE don't let anyone know. Most of the guys on the forum already suspect that I'm totally bonkers (quite true & proud of it), and this would put me over the edge for sure! :p

:secret: :wall:

Got the VMS ECM and the DashHawk yesterday and installed it this morning.

Any of those that are unhappy with the G8 tranny need to get the TCM flashed....NOW! Apparently they included it in the new ECM tune 'cause now all of the goofy little things that the 6 spd. used to do are simply gone. Shifts are faster and smoother in all 3 modes, even the rev-matching in M mode is faster and smoother.

(VMS, if you didn't include the TMC flash in my ECM, PLEASE don't let anyone know. Most of the guys on the forum already suspect that I'm totally bonkers (quite true & proud of it), and this would put me over the edge for sure! :p

:secret: :wall:

Glad you like your tune. If you thought it was fun to drive before, just wait. LOL

I don't think they include the TCM tune though LOL. I could be wrong but I am pretty sure you have to plug into the OBDII and flash the TCM. Swapping ECM's wouldn't do this. Oh, and if you think the shifts are good now. You haven't seen a thing. You won't recognize the car once the TCM is flashed.

You WILL have to do a seperate TCM tune...however, just changing the ECM creates a tremendous change in getting the tranny to shift.

Dodson, when you took your car to the dealer, I assume they flashed your ECM with the new update per the service bulletin posted in another thread?

You WILL have to do a seperate TCM tune...however, just changing the ECM creates a tremendous change in getting the tranny to shift.

Dodson, when you took your car to the dealer, I assume they flashed your ECM with the new update per the service bulletin posted in another thread?

Not really sure. LOL

I swapped out the VMS tune ECM just in case. I spoke with VMS about that as well. They use the GM website and the ECM had all the newest updates already. So if they did now both ECMs have the correct updates. They also said the TCM part of the TSB was a typo. There is no update for the TCM. They did do a great job of fixing what I needed fixed though. It's much more solid than when I bought it. Had to wait on the other two things because I wasn't trying to spend all day there. I was in and out in an hour.

Not really sure. LOL

I swapped out the VMS tune ECM just in case. I spoke with VMS about that as well. They use the GM website and the ECM had all the newest updates already. So if they did now both ECMs have the correct updates. They also said the TCM part of the TSB was a typo. There is no update for the TCM. They did do a great job of fixing what I needed fixed though. It's much more solid than when I bought it. Had to wait on the other two things because I wasn't trying to spend all day there. I was in and out in an hour.
There seems to be some confusion here. Perhaps VMS can clarify for me.
This is the email I got from them yesterday:

Got the ECM and DashHawk via UPS today, all in good condition. So
tomorrow I'll swap out the ECM and drive the car for awhile, then decide if
I need to do the
FlashXpress TCM flash.

Thanks,

Penguin



----- Original Message -----
From: "Vector Motorsports" <sales@vectormotorsports.com>
To: "'Randall Matthews'" <r.penguin@comcast.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 7:17 AM
Subject: RE: Fw: Vector Motorsports announces its new FlashXpress system!


The TCM upgrade is part of our G8 calibration. They work together.

Kirk

Vector Motorsports Sales
sales@vectormotorsports.com
www.vectormotorsports.com
586-790-2970
586-790-2098 fax

There seems to be some confusion here. Perhaps VMS can clarify for me.
This is the email I got from them yesterday:

Got the ECM and DashHawk via UPS today, all in good condition. So
tomorrow I'll swap out the ECM and drive the car for awhile, then decide if
I need to do the
FlashXpress TCM flash.

Thanks,

Penguin



----- Original Message -----
From: "Vector Motorsports" <sales@vectormotorsports.com>
To: "'Randall Matthews'" <r.penguin@comcast.net>
Sent: Wednesday, April 30, 2008 7:17 AM
Subject: RE: Fw: Vector Motorsports announces its new FlashXpress system!


The TCM upgrade is part of our G8 calibration. They work together.

Kirk

Vector Motorsports Sales
sales@vectormotorsports.com
www.vectormotorsports.com
586-790-2970
586-790-2098 fax

I'd read that as they are saying you need to get the TCM tune as well because the ECM they sent you is setup to run with the TCM tune.

I am sure they will chime in soon. There is no reason for them to send out their flash software if they can tune it by doing the ECM swap alone.

I'd read that as they are saying you need to get the TCM tune as well because the ECM they sent you is setup to run with the TCM tune.

I am sure they will chime in soon. There is no reason for them to send out their flash software if they can tune it by doing the ECM swap alone.
That makes sense.

Kirk simply meant they are designed to work hand and hand with each other. You'll need the FlashXpress to load the TCM tune but that IS included in the price of the ECM tune. If you think the ECM tune is good, wait till you get the TCM done.

If you think the ECM tune is good, wait till you get the TCM done.

TRUE DAT!!! :gears:

Do you lose the AFM with the tune?

Do you lose the AFM with the tune?

Nope, but you do gain 2-3+ MPG in fuel economy ;)

Kirk simply meant they are designed to work hand and hand with each other. You'll need the FlashXpress to load the TCM tune but that IS included in the price of the ECM tune. If you think the ECM tune is good, wait till you get the TCM done.
Thanks guys,

Well, damn! If it was any better I'm afraid I'd wet my new heated leather seats. :p

I was also under the impression that the TCM tune was part of the deal.....VMS: I thought thats what you guys had told me??!! I guess not. SO how much is the TCM tune and do you mean that you need to rent the cabel again to flash the TCM???? This is really confusing!!!

So if you switch the ECM back when you go to the dealer, do you still have the TCM tune in place????

How much extra is the TCM tune??

I was also under the impression that the TCM tune was part of the deal.....VMS: I thought thats what you guys had told me??!! I guess not. SO how much is the TCM tune and do you mean that you need to rent the cabel again to flash the TCM???? This is really confusing!!!

So if you switch the ECM back when you go to the dealer, do you still have the TCM tune in place????

How much extra is the TCM tune??

The way it worked for me was they sent the cables you scan your TCM email them the file. They send you back via email the TCM tune and you flash the TCM. Then you mail the cables back to them. This was all included in the ECM price. At least it was for me.

If you swap the ECM the TCM still has the tune on it.

The way it worked for me was they sent the cables you scan your TCM email them the file. They send you back via email the TCM tune and you flash the TCM. Then you mail the cables back to them. This was all included in the ECM price. At least it was for me.

If you swap the ECM the TCM still has the tune on it.
I beleive you've got it...............100%! VMS iz gud folks!

I was also under the impression that the TCM tune was part of the deal.....VMS: I thought thats what you guys had told me??!! I guess not. SO how much is the TCM tune and do you mean that you need to rent the cabel again to flash the TCM???? This is really confusing!!!

So if you switch the ECM back when you go to the dealer, do you still have the TCM tune in place????

How much extra is the TCM tune??

The TCM tune is INCLUDED in the PRICE of the Tune you HAVE to get the flashxpress rental to actually load the tune into the TCM though which you got. Follow the instructions with the Flashxpress unit and you'll be fine.

I am new here and I am getting my GT G8 soon.

The tuning you are talking is all that just done through the computer port or do I have to take some of the car apart?

I am new here and I am getting my GT G8 soon.

The tuning you are talking is all that just done through the computer port or do I have to take some of the car apart?

If you buy a new core ECM you just swap the ECM's out. The TCM tune is done via the port on the car.

If you buy a new core ECM you just swap the ECM's out. The TCM tune is done via the port on the car.

Where is the ECM located at?

Thanks for your help!!!

Where is the ECM located at?

Thanks for your help!!!
If you are standing in front of the car with the hood open, look under the fuse box.

The fuse box is just behind the passenger side headlamp. The silver thing with the two HUGE wire bundles going into it is the ECM.