Question about ECU programing for performance - gurus welcome

**aliskerov** · 02-09-12 10:49 PM

Dear members. Over the months of owning my 05 V8 STS I've looked into many different ways of increasing power of this car. Not that it's slow by any means, I love how this car performs; but the mod bug has bit me hard since being a young teenager and ever since I've been hooked on making the most of what I had. Here's the dilema:

From what I understand, intakes and exhausts added to our cars yields little to no power gains. This was explained by the engineers squeezing the most out of this engine. Here's my issue with that: the late 2000s mustangs came with 4.6L engines, and, while the displacement usually plays a large factor in possible gains, this car still managed to benefit from substantial gains of 20-30hp from intake and exhaust bolt-ons. Yes yes, I know, it's a different technology, engine, and automaker; I'm just bringing up an example. The point is, it's been mentioned that no one has ever bothered to reprogram our ECUs (2005-2007 STS V8s). What if this is key? Is it possible that any possible gains from these mods get defeated by the ECU and variable timing controls due to their specific programing? If so, how can it be reprogrammed. I'm willing to get in touch with some pros and see if they can figure out how to program our ECUs, opening a door for all of our members who want some extra power. If a shop figured out the ultimate tuning for the stock STS, STS with intake, STS with exhaust, and STS with both, I am sure that we could potentially tap into a nice chunk of power.
I guess this thinking is a bit wishful, but I think that its a good place to start. What I need to know is what is involved in such tuning and what type of specialist should I look for. Is this something that a local performance shop can achieve, or do our ECUs require some sort of specific Cadillac equipment. Is there any reason that these ECU couldn't be reprogrammed? I know that some people here shutdown these performance aspirations by saying "not worth it" or "save up for a V", but I truly feel like, with enough knowledge, we can figure out a way to give our naturally aspirated V-8s a few more ponies (I dont need 469hp, but 360 would be very nice)

**dkozloski** · 02-10-12 02:06 AM

Do some searches on the forum. You'll find any number of threads, some which continued for more than a year describing unsuccessful attempts to crack the ECM. There have been many different approaches tried. The concensus is that Cadillac didn't leave enough laying on the table to make it worthwhile. If you have six-figures to blow you might as well go for it anyway.

**mckellyb** · 02-10-12 05:51 AM

I can tell you I've spoken with the guys at Black Bear performance, and the ECU was not re-programmable until '07.

This was the status as of two weeks ago. Beyond more power, I was also interested in firming the transmission's shift, but it's not going to happen.

**EChas3** · 02-10-12 07:35 PM

Check with all the performance shops in your area and the nearest large city. There may be somebody willing to give it a try. Nothing is impossible.

If someone is willing to take it on, be prepared to lay out some cash with no guaranteed results. They'll probably need your car for awhile, too.

**550HP STSV** · 02-11-12 02:36 PM

When i had an 06 STS V8, i searched this for months. It cannot be done, plain and simple. As dkoz said, if you have 6 figures to blow, you might get somewhere.

Just do what I did. Sell teh V8 and get an STS-V. Youll have much more horsepower and much more money saved.

Also, if you think you can get 40hp out of a tune, you have far more research to do.

**orange57** · 02-12-12 09:49 AM

Say our ECU's are re-programabile, I don't know that a tuner shop would venture into them, as I don't see there being a lot of profit in it for them. I feel the STS community is fairly small, and the percentage that are looking for vast power improvements is even smaller. Don't get me wrong, I would love an extra 20-50HP, but I'm not holding my breath. I think it is easier for tuners to look at cars that have a much larger following, with much more people looking to gain a little something here or there.

I also agree with some of the above. If you do find a shop that is willing to take on the task, they probablly will need your car for a while, placing it on the dyno and doing numerous runs/pulls to see if the are getting changes and power increase that you would be looking for.

Let us know if you do find something.

**aliskerov** · 02-12-12 02:50 PM

The numbers I threw out were considering the fact that the ECU is what defeats power gains from intake and exhaust bolt-ons. This car is still damn fast lol, I read motortrend and car & Driver and the new Benz and Beemers still put down similar 0-60 and 1/4 mile numbers. I just always wanted to have a car I can mod the heck out of. I missed that with my first car - Chrysler 300M, though it was a fun car to drive and the interior was HUGE. That car dies this summer, so I was out to get a new one. After extensive research of performance, options, and reliability and about 13-16 grand to spend I had 3 choices: Infinity G35 coupe (manual), 5.7L Pontiac GTO (manual), and the V8 STS (RX8 would be a fun car too, but apparently it eats it's manual transmission synchros for breakfast). As a daily driver, the STS beat out the other 2 instantly with more doors and more luxury. Then I found one with 24,xxx miles - fully loaded (V8, Navi, sunroof, performance brakes, clean title.). The driver was just too old to drive it. That made the decision even easier. And to this day I dont regret it, but it does come to mind sometimes that the other 2 cars could be moded with ease, meanwhile the STS is stuck with the power it has.
I guess the only way to improve is to get a V, but honestly, I've grown to like the tan interior of my car, as well as the woodgrain; I also hear the V has it's own issues with the half-shafts. If I was going to sell for an upgrade, I think I'd buy the latest year with a V-8 and THEN add the exhaust and intake and take it to a tuning shop (maybe get a bored throttle body and port&polish while I'm at it).

**550HP STSV** · 02-13-12 12:45 PM

I think 2 v owners have had problems with half shafts, both at the track.

**rics8** · 02-23-12 12:43 PM

the most the 3.6l with bolts can get is 15hp total if done right. that it. the 3.6 is at top end for mods in our car.
the 3.6 in the carmaro is a re-worked 3.6l, cam,fuel,intake etc but the same block.