• Sign Up! To view all forums and unlock additional cool features

    Welcome to the #1 Dodge, Jeep and RAM Forum dedicated to FCA owners and enthusiasts. Register for an account, it's free and it's easy, so don't hesitate to join the SRT Forum today!


Unlocking the original pcm vs buying unlocked pcm

covidcommander

1000 Posts Club
Member ID
#7706
Messages
1,094
Reactions
1,563
Likes
162
City
Clementon
State
NJ
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Charger
#1
is it better to buy an unlocked pcm or just unlock my original oem pcm?
 


jonx96

4000 Posts Club
8 Second Best E/T
HFCOTM
Member ID
#4957
Messages
4,338
Reactions
10,746
Likes
302
City
Small town
State
MI
Country
United States
Vehicle
2019 Challenger Redeye
#2
Well with hp tuners when you buy credits or device they will unlock for free. Hard to pass up free. The only reason to buy another pcm is to "attempt" to keep your warranty.
 


OP
covidcommander

covidcommander

1000 Posts Club
Member ID
#7706
Messages
1,094
Reactions
1,563
Likes
162
City
Clementon
State
NJ
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Charger
Thread Starter #3
Well with hp tuners when you buy credits or device they will unlock for free. Hard to pass up free. The only reason to buy another pcm is to "attempt" to keep your warranty.
Guessing that doesn't work. Heard it shows a code so they know the ecm was removed
 


vortecd

Poster Club Hall of Fame
Premium Account
Donating Member
9 Second Best E/T
HFCOTM
Member ID
#1248
Messages
54,101
Reactions
180,794
Likes
402
City
Middleville
State
MI
Country
United States
Vehicle
2016 Charger Hellcat
#4
I bought the HP tuner (was able to get it cheaper) then went on to hps site and bought the 6 credits. You add in the unlock and at checkout the unlock price drops off so you are just buying the credits. You could also buy the tuner and credits from them at once. I paid to have it shipped to them but they paid for shipping back

I bought my MPvi2+ for $300 right before they went to $400. Jon did say the new + loads faster then the old MPvi2. My car is out of the warranty so it was the cheapest way to go then buying another computer
 


white1

Active Member
9 Second Best E/T
Member ID
#5684
Messages
267
Reactions
411
Likes
67
City
Prairieville
State
LA
Country
United States
Vehicle
2020 hellcat charger widebody
#5
I wouldn't say one way is "better" than the other.
As stated there is a code that triggers "aftermarket calibration detected" when you swap the PCM, so the warranty point is not true.

The code can be disabled, at that point it doesnt matter which PCM is in the car

The biggest advantage to a new pcm is less down time.

Most of the unlocks we have been sending out end up being 12-14 day turn around from the time we ship them out until we get them back, and the vehicle is inoperable during this time.

We have purchased the equipment to perform the unlock in house, but as mentioned, if you purchase the credits and unlock at the same time through HPT the unlock is free
 


16GoManGoHC2

3000 Posts Club
Founding Member
9 Second Best E/T
Member ID
#1139
Messages
3,481
Reactions
8,234
Likes
252
City
Nanticoke
State
PA
Country
United States
Vehicle
2016 Challenger He’ll Cat
#6
A acquaintance of mine is trying to buy a PCM at the moment and can’t find one. Are they hard to get at the moment? Or is he just looking at the wrong vendors? His car is a 2015 out of warranty and I told him to just unlock the stock one but he doesn’t want to.
 


Idoru99

Active Member
Premium Account
U.S. Navy Veteran
Donating Member
Member ID
#4871
Messages
305
Reactions
577
Likes
67
City
Springfield
State
VA
Country
United States
Vehicle
2021 Challenger Redeye WB
#7

Boris

2000 Posts Club
Founding Member
Member ID
#1015
Messages
2,159
Reactions
3,713
Likes
252
City
Northern
State
IL
Country
United States
Vehicle
Rammer
#8
Guessing that doesn't work. Heard it shows a code so they know the ecm was removed
It does show a code.
Even the Demon displays the code when the crate ECU is installed.

Wondering how the Direct Connect deal will work.
 


Hickster

4000 Posts Club
Founding Member
HFCOTM
Member ID
#781
Messages
4,892
Reactions
6,293
Likes
302
City
Seminole
State
FL
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Hellcat Challenger
#9
That PCM is a big liar. But it will tell on ya. Out of warranty,,, do what you wish. Screw em.
 


16GoManGoHC2

3000 Posts Club
Founding Member
9 Second Best E/T
Member ID
#1139
Messages
3,481
Reactions
8,234
Likes
252
City
Nanticoke
State
PA
Country
United States
Vehicle
2016 Challenger He’ll Cat
#10

Idoru99

Active Member
Premium Account
U.S. Navy Veteran
Donating Member
Member ID
#4871
Messages
305
Reactions
577
Likes
67
City
Springfield
State
VA
Country
United States
Vehicle
2021 Challenger Redeye WB
#11
Yep, he must not have looked to hard lol. I forwarded him the link, he’ll probably unlock his stock one when he sees the price lol
I picked up Ron's extra here on the forum about a month ago. I think that's the only way to get them cheaper. Just keep an eye out on the forums and not be in a hurry.
 


OP
covidcommander

covidcommander

1000 Posts Club
Member ID
#7706
Messages
1,094
Reactions
1,563
Likes
162
City
Clementon
State
NJ
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Charger
Thread Starter #12
It does show a code.
Even the Demon displays the code when the crate ECU is installed.

Wondering how the Direct Connect deal will work.
Interesting
 


OP
covidcommander

covidcommander

1000 Posts Club
Member ID
#7706
Messages
1,094
Reactions
1,563
Likes
162
City
Clementon
State
NJ
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Charger
Thread Starter #13
I picked up Ron's extra here on the forum about a month ago. I think that's the only way to get them cheaper. Just keep an eye out on the forums and not be in a hurry.
Yeah they like 800-1000 for one of them.
 


Hickster

4000 Posts Club
Founding Member
HFCOTM
Member ID
#781
Messages
4,892
Reactions
6,293
Likes
302
City
Seminole
State
FL
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Hellcat Challenger
#14
They and the tuners have gotten quiet pricey the past 8 years. I looked at the tuners and they are twice the price of when I was buying them. But they do a lot more. Easier to use. Just takes time.
 


jonx96

4000 Posts Club
8 Second Best E/T
HFCOTM
Member ID
#4957
Messages
4,338
Reactions
10,746
Likes
302
City
Small town
State
MI
Country
United States
Vehicle
2019 Challenger Redeye
#15
They and the tuners have gotten quiet pricey the past 8 years. I looked at the tuners and they are twice the price of when I was buying them. But they do a lot more. Easier to use. Just takes time.
I agree it seems hemi tunes are way more than other platforms.
 


Hickster

4000 Posts Club
Founding Member
HFCOTM
Member ID
#781
Messages
4,892
Reactions
6,293
Likes
302
City
Seminole
State
FL
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Hellcat Challenger
#16
I went looking the other day and they are at $3,200. For the vetts I paid $1,400 for each. Then if you want to pay a tuner and have a dyno done. Talking another, low balling, $2,000. Then if you were under a warranty, you want be then. The cpu will tell the Uconnect and right to the cpu it goes. Then get rid of that piece of shit.
 


OP
covidcommander

covidcommander

1000 Posts Club
Member ID
#7706
Messages
1,094
Reactions
1,563
Likes
162
City
Clementon
State
NJ
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Charger
Thread Starter #17
i dont want to spend the $ on an pcm but i dont want to mess with the original.

But i guess its irrelevant. if it breaks id have to buy a new one anyway. and if i buy a new one now the original one is just going to sit on a shelf (next to the factory airbox) till whenever.

i guess i just use the pcm $ to buy the unlock and hp tuners credits. then use that money to get my ATI balancer. Seems the smart thing to do.

p1400 code :censored:
 


vortecd

Poster Club Hall of Fame
Premium Account
Donating Member
9 Second Best E/T
HFCOTM
Member ID
#1248
Messages
54,101
Reactions
180,794
Likes
402
City
Middleville
State
MI
Country
United States
Vehicle
2016 Charger Hellcat
#18
My car was in storage for the winter so I thought that would be a good time to send it in. Only had to go the next state over and it was only a week total turn around
 


Hickster

4000 Posts Club
Founding Member
HFCOTM
Member ID
#781
Messages
4,892
Reactions
6,293
Likes
302
City
Seminole
State
FL
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Hellcat Challenger
#19
Yes that makes cents. I have 1/2 of the garage dedicated to factory parts. Any one want to buy a factory top, white, for a 1996 vette?? Sill in the box. I divorced my old blower.
 


OP
covidcommander

covidcommander

1000 Posts Club
Member ID
#7706
Messages
1,094
Reactions
1,563
Likes
162
City
Clementon
State
NJ
Country
United States
Vehicle
2018 Charger
Thread Starter #20
My car was in storage for the winter so I thought that would be a good time to send it in. Only had to go the next state over and it was only a week total turn around
Smart. I don't daily mine so it don't really matter long as it's only 1 weekend no car.

So much fun to drive it.
Always had shitty cars... now I can enjoy something nice for once.
 




Top