For those seeking additional control over the C8 Corvette Z06 and ZR1s engine control modules (ECMs) for performance tuning, we appear to have some good news coming from HP Tuners. In a post Facebook post on Wednesday afternoon, we see the 2026 Arctic White ZR1 owned by Cleetus McFarland (aka Garrett Mitchell) on a dyno, and in the post it shows the car on the dyno where it made 1180hp/1094tq with a tune and “downpipes,” and running on MS109 race fuel.
That additional power was made possible by HP Tuners gaining access to GM’s Global B E68 ECM that is found on the Z06 and ZR1. HP Tuners had previously cracked the E99 EMC back in 2023 which is used on the C8 Stingrays. Pro tuners and enthusiasts could then connect their HP Tuner VCM Suite software through the ODBII port for changing the engine’s factory tune.
As with the Stingray’s E99 ECM, the process involves sending them your Z06 or ZR1’s E68 ECM which is then cracked and then sent back to the customer or shop for its performance tuning. You’ll get access to engine parameters like boost, camshaft time, air/fuel ratio, injector timing, ignition timing, rev limiters, torque management and hundreds more to build a customized tune for your vehicle.
The cost for this service from HP Tuners is $1499.
While this news is only a few hours old, Matt Sanford with HP Tuners put out a very detailed and informative post also on Facebook which dives into these details, and he offers some caveats about what exactly is being done. Instead of trying to paraphrase the highly technical post, you can read it for yourself here:
From Matt Sanford/HP Tuners on Facebook:
From HP Tuners via Facebook:
Here is a new video from Cleetus showing his ZR1 with the tune:
Source:
Garrett Mitchell / Facebook and Matt Sanford/HP Tuners
Related:
[VIDEO] HP Tuners Cracks the Code and Now Offers Tuning Support for the C8 Corvette
Tuners Could Have Trouble Modding the C8 Mid-Engine Corvette
[VIDEO] Cleetus McFarland Takes a Tour of the Assembly Plant and Then Picks Up his C8 ZR1
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Yeah, it’s great!
Until you blow your engine and GM denies your warranty claim because you altered the ECM.
How do these guys think they can outdo top engineers at GM?
Why would you take a chance like that for a 3%, unsafe gain in HP?
1180 whp? why? Running in the low 9’s or high 8’s is not enough? I’ll stay sock, save $1500. and not worry about warranty. My days at the drag strip or on the tract are just for fun now. No pressure to achieve anything except enjoyment. In my time I had a ’66 GTO running in the low 13’s and thought it was fast. When I got my C8 Z06 running in the 10’s that was a holy sh!t moment. 9 second quarter mile times is rarified air for me. I’m happy with the car the way it is.
So if all of this is being achieved then what should everyone expect from the most powerful Corvette to come out after zr1x ? This only means that whatever GM does next will have to be indistructable engine and transmission components.
Lets compare an ECU and ECM functions: While the ECU covers a broad spectrum of vehicle management including safety features like anti-lock braking systems and electronic stability control, the ECM is “solely” dedicated to fine tuning the engines performance for optimal operation. The ECU’s broad scope make it akin to a vehicle overarching brain, coordinating various subsystems, whereas the ECM’s specialized focus allows for detailed and precise engine optimization. The ECU’s decisions impact the vehicle’s overall behavior, while the ECM tailors its actions to meet the immediate needs of the engine, ensuring efficient performance under all driving conditions. Thanks Ray
Only the high entry price will keep these cars from beginning a new era of the popular Buick Grand National.
Tampering will be detected and warranties will be voided of course. But some guys like to argue with corporations and have even more money to throw away.
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