Trifecta Performance, an aftermarket automotive tuning company that specializes in tuning GM vehicles, has just announced that it is developing a native tuning product for the Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing.
“We are happy to announce that Trifecta has purchased our own CT4-V Blackwing to develop our flash / native tuning product,” the company said in an announcement. “Our solution will require ECM modification, and once completed, the ECM can be flashed / updated / datalogged in-vehicle without expensive and unreliable ‘piggyback’ solutions.”
In order to flash the ECU in a CT4-V Blackwing, Trifecta states that the unit must be removed from the ultra-high-performance sedan and sent to the tuning company for modification. After this process, the ECU can then be reinstalled, and allows the customer to flash back and forth from stock to custom performance modes. Additionally, the modification allows customers to receive updates from Trifecta, eliminating the need to remove the ECU from the super sedan again in the future.
“This is the real deal,” Trifecta adds. “We’ve settled for nothing less than actually tuning the ECM!”
Flashing the ECU of a CT4-V Blackwing is no easy feat, as the super sedan uses the GM Global B (also known as the Vehicle Intelligence Platform) electrical architecture. The Global B system is highly advanced to prevent hacking. This safeguarding, however, also makes it difficult for aftermarket tuners to modify the vehicle’s ECU to coax more power from the powerplant.
For example, several aftermarket tuners have attempted to modify the ECU in the Chevrolet Corvette C8, which also features the Global B architecture. That’s why it has proved particularly difficult to improve power output from the C8 Corvette, despite the addition of turbochargers, superchargers, and other mods. With that in mind, it will be particularly impressive if Trifecta’s efforts to ECU flash the CT4-V Blackwing prove successful.
As of this writing, the following GM vehicles feature Global B architecture:
- Cadillac CT4 (2020 – present)
- Cadillac CT5 (2020 – present)
- Cadillac Escalade (2021 – present)
- Chevrolet Tahoe (2021 – present)
- Chevrolet Suburban (2021 – present)
- GMC Yukon (2021 – present)
- GMC Yukon XL (2021 – present)
- Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (2022 – present)
- GMC Sierra 1500 (2022 – present)
- Cadillac Lyriq (2023 – present)
The 2022 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing is the range-topper of the CT4 family. The super sedan is powered by the twin-turbocharged 3.6L V6 LF4 engine rated at 472 horsepower and 445 pound-feet of torque. In that regard, its bone-stock drivetrain certainly isn’t short on power. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, while a 10-speed automatic is optional. Power is routed exclusively through the rear wheels.
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Comments
I would assume this would apply to the encrypted ECUs as far back as 2018/19
HP Tuners has done similar 2ish years ago. An expensive ECU unlock and requires a core program. Once you have an unlocked ECU you’re free to tune
This is the real deal! Yep, as in voiding the warranty.
I’ve ran tunes on my cars/trucks over the past 10 years, pass most state emissions and stay within warranty with flyin colors. The tuner company/shop has to tell you it’s illegal to do so otherwise it’s lawsuit city…
IMO, I would wait post warranty for the tune if interested. I’ll have to pass since the 4 Blackwing is plenty fast as is.
And it does exactly what?
If it can convince the car not to Kill you, that would be an improvement for any GM vehicle; but that’s doubtful.
I’ve been writing to the Engine Control Units (ECU’s) on cars and trucks for fifteen years. I just return them to stock before servicing and there’s never been an issue. The dealership I go to plugs into the OBDII port to read the ECU before servicing the vehicle.