Aftermarket tuning and Corvette C7 Stingray warranty-another danger for second hand buyers

Like with the previous generation of Corvette, aftermarket tuners try their hardest to save +General Motors money on factory warranty.

Specifically, according to +General Motors :

When alteration to the GM-released engine or transmission control calibrations occurs, it subjects powertrain and driveline components (engine, transmission, transfer case, driveshaft and rear axle) to stresses that were not tested by General Motors.

It is because of these unknown stresses, and the potential to alter reliability, durability and emissions performance, that GM has adopted a policy that prevents any UNAUTHORIZED dealer warranty claim submissions to any remaining warranty coverage, to the powertrain and driveline components whenever the presence of a non-GM (aftermarket) calibration is confirmed – even if the non-GM control module calibration is subsequently removed.

Now, considering the number of the problems new Corvette is already demonstrating, only a complete fool would attempt to alter the factory software for both engine and automatic transmission.  As intelligence is a commodity rarely found among Corvette buyers, there are quite a few Stingrays out there with so called aftermarket tunes.    Once the factory software is altered, the evidence of alteration cannot be removed, even though the original software is reactivated.

Here is the real danger for used Stingray buyers that supposedly are still under factory warranty: the original owner booting up an aftermarket tune and then removing it prior to sale, in order to pass emissions inspection.  Should anything happen to the car after the car is sold and new owner attempts to have the car repaired under warranty, the first thing any GM dealer is required to do is to check for software alterations.  If the record of alteration is there, poof goes the factory warranty.

Watching the reaction of the proud used Stingray owner should be quite a scene, LOL.