Mileguru

Does anyone know how HPTuners is able to unlock the T87A? Can we learn how to do this and do it ourselves? Of course the quick answer is "No, only HPT knows how to do it," but hey, maybe someone out there knows what they are doing and the word can get out.

BTW, there are people that have been successful with taking a 2016 T87 TCM and getting it to work in a 2017 truck. Personally, I tried it and didn't have success. A GM-Trucks forum member just had success with this. He said he was using the MDI2 tool with the help from a friend that works at a dealership and the install onto the T87 kept saying failure to program halfway through. But then they did a transmission fast learn and the truck responded by revving up and shifting through all the gears while sitting in the driveway. It then accepted the transmission tune and worked perfectly in his 2017 8-speed truck.

madmann26

iTrader: (7)

@smokeshow

JADSCOOP

I hate the idea of sending the TCM out and waiting to get it back from HP. I need the truck for work.

Mileguru

I hear ya. There is the $400 option where they send you a new, unlocked T87A that you just swap out with the original one.

smokeshow

iTrader: (16)

I could probably figure it out, but it would cost more than $400. Its also not exactly my area and I prefer to stay out of that arena. I leave those things up to HP Tuners.

Mileguru

Understood. Do you think that tuning the 8-speed provides a significant benefit? I've heard lots of people say that they either don't change much in the trans tune or that the 8-speed already does a good enough job. I have a TVS1900 on mine and wish it would down shift faster when I get on it (that's my biggest complaint), hold gears slightly longer, and not pull power/torque out when it gets to higher RPMs (sometimes it feels like it disengages the torque converter or opens the clutch or something and just spins the rpms - I don't know exactly how to describe it...maybe it's that it is shifting to a higher gear too soon and provide torque at that rpm).

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

If you can find someone that still uses or has Tuner Cats, it can be done for $45 with there cable. No need to send anything but an email with the security seed for the ECM/TCM and the Vin.

Not sure Why HP tuners can't do it the same way, but thats on them.

Mileguru

THANKS! I'll explore this.

1FastBrick

iTrader: (17)

To answer your first question, I believe they are lifting the chip off the board and they cracked one of the files and are flashing an unlocked file and then changing the vin to match your application. Or they using 3rd party software to get in and marking up the charges.

Choda

iTrader: (1)

I had HP tuners unlock mine. not sure it was worth the money and hassle for my basic daily truck.