ECU software

[BattleTank]

Does ECU software differentiate between PPV and civilian models?

 

[Doubeleive]

Does ECU software differentiate between PPV and civilian models?

yes and no

yes: it may have custom settings (nothing beyond what the engine can normally produce with any other custom tune)
no: if there are custom settings you cannot replace it yourself or reprogram it the same if it went bad, requires a leo organization and special authorization from gm

also no: if you replace it and program it yourself or have it programmed by a dealer it will be stock (in this regard there is no physical difference of any kind)

options: custom tuning from a tuner such as blackbear

** in addtion a ppv may also have a TCM tune to help in pursuit situation by adjusting the transmission tune to maintain a lower gear ratio to keep speed the up based on the engine rev. kind of like driving around the city in 3rd gear which can be fun, lol

 

[BattleTank]

I understand the software will have custom settings. Software is the same, but the settings are different. For one thing I noticed, A/C does not cutout at any throttle percentage. I'm not saying its like that for PPV, but on other makes of GM, I know A/C cuts off at certain points.

I was hoping maybe someone had some clues or a list of actual differences. HPTuners does not allow us users to upload ECU files anymore so I don't have a verified source of ECU files.

 

[Doubeleive]

I understand the software will have custom settings. Software is the same, but the settings are different. For one thing I noticed, A/C does not cutout at any throttle percentage. I'm not saying its like that for PPV, but on other makes of GM, I know A/C cuts off at certain points.

I was hoping maybe someone had some clues or a list of actual differences. HPTuners does not allow us users to upload ECU files anymore so I don't have a verified source of ECU files.

I have mine tuned by blackbear and it does cut off the ac, each organization can request specific needs with GM and so it can vary, they may have the limiter set to only do 119 or it may be set to 160, just depends on what they requested when they ordered.

 

[BattleTank]

Gotcha. Mine is still set at 98. Must be due to 4wd?

 

[mikez71]

In fact the 2015ppv shifts a tiny bit earlier in some gears, guessing because of smaller tires.
Speed limit might be set in the BCM of PPV's, and can be overidden with an ECM tune.
If you're 4WD you don't have a PPV.

 

[Doubeleive]

Gotcha. Mine is still set at 98. Must be due to 4wd?

possibly but having 4wd alone is not a reason to have the limit set that low.
I have had various 4wd gm's and the stock limiter varied anywhere from 98~115, same with 2wd
your only speed limitation with 4wd is when in 4lo which I think is either 35 or 45 otherwise you risk damaging it.
with that said I have not purposely tried to do 140 in 4wd high lol. although possible I wouldn't recomend it. 4wd drive has a time and place which is rare depending on your environment. I guess if you traverse a big mud pit on your daily commute your needs will differ.

 

[Doubeleive]

In fact the 2015ppv shifts a tiny bit earlier in some gears, guessing because of smaller tires.
Speed limit might be set in the BCM of PPV's, and can be over-riden with an ECM tune.
If you're 4WD you don't have a PPV.

ppv's come in 2wd or 4wd, that has no bearing on it.
and the shift setting mostly depends on how you press the big pedal. I can make mine stay in 3rd gear to 100 all dependent upon pedal position.

 

[BattleTank]

If you're 4WD you don't have a PPV

My RPO is SSV, VIN indicates its PPV/SSV. This was established in another thread of mine

 

[BattleTank]

I actually know which dept this one came from down here in Arizona. Even the Border Patrol has 4WD Tahoes.

 

[Marky Dissod]

All Police Pursuit Vehicles are technically Special Service Vehicles, because neither are 'civilian'.
Don't think the insurance racket cares to differentiate between PPV vs SSV; 'civilian or not' is enough for them.
NOT all SSVs are PPVs though. Far more useful though to refer to them mutually-exclusively.

Up until a certain year, ALL PPVs were rear wheel drive, & ALL SSVs were 4WD.
At some point PPVs had optional AWD, but not with 4Lo.

Anyone, please, feel free to correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[BattleTank]

All makes sense.. lol

 

[Doubeleive]

the 4wd is a technically referred to as special service 5W4, not certified for high speed pursuit, still a cop car lol

 

[BattleTank]

the 4wd is a technically referred to as special service 5W4, not certified for high speed pursuit, still a cop car lol

I've wondered if its because of the transfer case being designed for certain speeds?

 

[Doubeleive]

I've wondered if its because of the transfer case being designed for certain speeds?

maybe, might be a variety of factors including weight

 

[ZKWBQD]

Does ECU software differentiate between PPV and civilian models?

The police version is highly desirable. Daytime running lights are already disconnected and or disabled. No need to do it yourself. Engine stop start is usually disabled also. Other undesirable features such as auto engine shut off and other automatic timers are also disabled. It is possible to have these things done to a non-police version. Some dealers will do it, others will not.

 

[Marky Dissod]

Higher speed limiter, different shift tables ...

What I still don't get is how GM won't sell that e-z-clean floor to the general public ...

 

[eraserhead]

yes and no

yes: it may have custom settings (nothing beyond what the engine can normally produce with any other custom tune)
no: if there are custom settings you cannot replace it yourself or reprogram it the same if it went bad, requires a leo organization and special authorization from gm

also no: if you replace it and program it yourself or have it programmed by a dealer it will be stock (in this regard there is no physical difference of any kind)

options: custom tuning from a tuner such as blackbear

** in addtion a ppv may also have a TCM tune to help in pursuit situation by adjusting the transmission tune to maintain a lower gear ratio to keep speed the up based on the engine rev. kind of like driving around the city in 3rd gear which can be fun, lol

So does this mean if I have a PPV Tahoe I can't change the ECM settings myself? I'll have to buy a d program a whole new ECM?

 

[Doubeleive]

So does this mean if I have a PPV Tahoe I can't change the ECM settings myself? I'll have to buy a d program a whole new ECM?

I don't know if you could download the existing ppv tune to something like hp tuners or not but any changes made with sps would be back to stock, gm provides the software to the dealer on a case by case basis to law enforcement organizations only

 

[mikez71]

I don't know if you could download the existing ppv tune to something like hp tuners or not but any changes made with sps would be back to stock, gm provides the software to the dealer on a case by case basis to law enforcement organizations only

Looking at '09 PPV tune vs '08 sub/yukon certainly tweaks..
Don't know if there was a different OS for 07-08 vs 09?

09 ppv shift schedule

08 yukon 5.3 shift schedule (closest comparable file, same gear ratio, same engine)

Don't have a '10-'13 ppv tune to look at..

'15+ no real changes that iirc..