Personalized Calibration FAQ

How do I personalize a StealthV calibration?

A five page, electronically interactive, personalization worksheet will be emailed to you when one is ready to place the order.  For each personalization option, there is a “?” nearby that has more information to assist in answering your questions.  To select an option, simply click on the desired choice in the worksheet.

How do I order a StealthV personalized calibration?

Due to the high demand and level of detail required in each calibration, email to setup a mutually agreeable calibration date.  Once StealthV has confirmed the date, the particular personalized calibration worksheet will be sent via email.  Complete the personalization worksheet electronically, print it out, sign and date it and ship the worksheet along with the PCM to StealthV. 

***Important - a specific date of PCM arrival must be mutually agreed upon with StealthV before sending in a PCM; failure to do so may delay the return of the PCM anywhere from one day to a week or more.

How do I pay for a StealthV personalized calibration?

For payment, the easiest method is to send a check or money order along with the PCM.

Why is it called a "personalized" calibration?

The five page, electronically interactive, personalization worksheet allows one create a unique calibration to meet their specific needs.  Want a smoother idle?  Stock idle?  An idle with more lope?  It's the owners personal choice; one is not buying a generic, one-size-fits-all calibration.  With all the calibrations in the portfolio to date, each one has been unique and made exactly to the customer's specifications.  With all the personalization options between the four calibrations, there are over 200 different versions - one can see why no two are the same!

Does StealthV have a calibration for my modifications?

Most standard CTS-V bolt-ons such as popular CAI's, exhaust systems, headers and superchargers have been calibrated and validated since 2004.  There is a very good chance your particular combination is covered.  If not, StealthV is always developing new calibrations and most likely has that new mod on the wish list as well.  Customer demand drives new research and development!

How do I proceed if StealthV hasn't calibrated for my modification yet?

Send an email to StealthV to learn the ETA of when the calibration will be ready.  If there is high enough customer demand for something such as camshaft XYZ or a new to market CAI, StealthV will invest, install, test, calibrate and validate the calibration for the new modification.

Can I get a StealthV personalized calibration for my 2006 V?

The LS2 engine has a new CAN (controller area network) communication protocol which requires new tuning hardware and software.  Currently, LS2 tuning ability is in the R&D phase with field testing beginning soon.  If would like to work with StealthV and have one of the first personalized calibrations done for your 2006, please drop us a line.

GM didn't offer a shift light output or valet/anti-theft mode from the factory, how is it done in the StealthV personalized calibration?

StealthV calibrations utilize the empty memory space left in the PCM to add new features and functionality beyond what GM put in at the factory.

How does one remove the PCM from the V?

The CadillacFAQ.com knows all.

How long does it take to get my PCM back?

Does the price include shipping back to me?

Yes, the price includes return UPS Next-Day Air shipping along with full PCM replacement insurance should it be damaged or lost in transit.  Shipping the PCM to StealthV is not included in the purchase price.

Will this void my warranty?

Per the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act, the personalized calibration would need to be proven to be the root cause of the warranty problem.  The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act is a law which protects consumers from discrimination when dealing with aftermarket products and new vehicle warranties. The Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act states that the original vehicle manufacturer’s warranty shall not be voided if a properly functioning aftermarket product is installed on your vehicle. If a dealership raises the red flag, direct the dealer representative to the Federal Trade Commission regarding the provisions of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Improvement Act. For more information about this law and your rights as an aftermarket consumer, visit www.ftc.gov or contact the vehicle manufacturer. SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) is also very active in protecting aftermarket consumer rights. Please visit the official SEMA website at www.sema.org for more information.

Will my V pass an emissions test?

The personalized calibrations are not CARB certified and are intended for off road use only.

After installing my non factory original PCM, the check engine light instantly came on, what's wrong?

When a PCM is installed in a vehicle, it needs to know the angular position of the crankshaft.  The learned crankshaft position is used for proper ignition and fuel timing as well misfire detection.  Before the engine is first run with the new PCM and the check engine light comes on immediately when the key is switched on, the V may need a CKP which is GM-speak for a crankshaft position relearn procedure.  The CKP learn can be performed by a dealership or with various aftermarket scanning tools such as EFILive.

Can the dealer detect the StealthV personalized calibration?

The TrackPower^NA, WildPower^SC and StealthPower⁺ versions can be detected if the dealer has a reason to go looking for them.

Can the dealer overwrite my StealthV personalized calibration?

Yes, the PCM is not locked unless specifically requested by the owner.

The dealer just reflashed my PCM and I lost my StealthV personalized calibration, now what?

A StealthV reflash due to a dealer overwrite are free for the first year, simply cover the actual shipping costs.

Is a StealthV PCM locked?

No, they can be fully reflashed at anytime by a dealer or with aftermarket tuning software.

Can my PCM be locked to prevent a dealer from overwriting my StealthV personalized calibration?

Yes, the PCM can be hard-locked at the request of the owner.  This lock prevents any data uploads or downloads from the PCM. 

***Important - using this protection strategy, only StealthV can unlock the PCM and return it back to its normal, "open" reflashable state. 

Can I purchase a second PCM for the StealthV personalized calibration and keep my original factory tuned PCM?

Yes, if one wishes to purchase a new PCM it is GM part number 12586243.  A remanufactured PCM is available from GM and is part number 12602801.

Where can I purchase a second PCM?

Contact James (Service Manager) at Lindsay Cadillac in Virginia.

Why can't I change the StealthV personalized calibrations?

TrackPower^NA, WildPower^SC and StealthPower⁺ personalized calibrations have unique, StealthV features that are not part of the standard GM operating system.  Since these functions were not created by GM, commercial tuning programs don't know how to handle the unique StealthV PCM software.

How much does it cost to update my StealthV personalized calibration if I change my V in the future?

To update from one calibration to another, the cost is simply the price difference plus $50 to cover the return shipping cost.  For example, upgrading from a $400 TrackPower^NA calibration to a $450 supercharged WildPower^SC would cost the $50 difference ($450 minus 400) plus $50 return shipping for a total upgrade cost of $100.

Recently I added a Magnuson supercharger, can I upgrade my naturally aspirated StealthV personalized calibration for the supercharger?

Yes, upgrading from a $400 TrackPower^NA calibration to a supercharged WildPower^SC would cost the $50 difference in calibrations plus $50 return shipping for a total upgrade cost of $100.

What if I get my StealthV personalized calibration and decide I want one of the options setup differently?

For the first year, an update (not an upgrade) to the StealthV personalized calibration costs $100 which includes return shipping.

What is a PCM?

A PCM is an acronym for Powertrain Control Module.  The PCM is the computer or "brain" of the V that controls and monitors the engine and other functions on the vehicle.

How many CTS-Vs were in the R&D and pilot phases of development?

Early calibration R&D was performed on two naturally aspirated and two supercharged CTS-Vs, with 2004 and 2005 models of each.  There were twenty Vs in the pilot phase, each with a unique personalized calibration based on the particular modifications.  The pilot group of Vs accumulated over 60,000 miles of validation.

Can I get a StealthV personalized calibration for my other GM vehicles?

Cadillac CTS-Vs make up 95% of the StealthV calibration market to date.  As the ratio indicates, the primary focus remains on Vs.  For a customer that also owns a Hummer, Corvette, Tahoe, Silverado, Escalade, etc., they can be accommodated upon special request.  StealthV has the ability to create custom calibrations for any LS1, LS6, LS2, LS7 or LSx truck engine derivative vehicle from 1999 through 2006.

Is there a noticeable difference after getting a StealthV personalized calibration?

It is the best seat-of-the-pants, plug-and-play modification you can do to your V!

What is required and how do I install a shift light?

The shift light can be any LED or incandescent 12 VDC light found at the hardware or electronics store for a few dollars.

What is required and how do I install the Valet/Anti-Theft/Teenager Mode top speed or rev limiter?

Not much - just a few lengths of wire and a toggle switch!

I never took my V in for the recall, will StealthV update my PCM to the latest GM software?

Yes, any GM software updates are automatically added to the PCM.

What happens if GM updates software in the future?

For the first year, an update (not an upgrade) to the StealthV personalized calibration costs $100 which includes return shipping.

What if StealthV is no longer in business down the road, what happens then?

Every customer will be contacted and sent the details of their StealthV calibrations.  Additionally, internet knowledge centers such as CadillacFAQ.com will contain all pertinent information on how to proceed with future PCM changes.

How can I get a head or cam personalized calibration done for my V?

As these modifications become more popular, matching calibration work will be done.  Please contact StealthV to see if your car can be used for R&D.

Can I bring my V to StealthV and have the personalized calibration installed?

This is the preferred method as it saves shipping costs and allows face-to-face personalization of the V.

What happens to my original factory calibration?

Upon receipt of the PCM, the original calibration is uploaded, stored and archived at StealthV as well as emailed to the customer.  This original calibration file is in EFILive format and can be used by anyone with the commercial or workshop versions of the software to fully reflash the PCM back to as factory delivered.

If I remove the modifications or want to return the PCM to stock to sell my V, what do I do?

There are three ways:  1.  Providing the customer did not choose to have the PCM locked, any dealer can perform a full reflash of the PCM and return it back to original GM specifications.  2.  One could use EFILive software along with their original file to return the PCM back to stock.  3.  Send the PCM to StealthV and have it returned to stock (simply cover shipping costs).