Thread: Adding Performance Shift [*]

Originally Posted by QwikGT

a stock pcm wont work unless the "performance shift" is enabled in the pcm. meaning you either have to get an aftermarket pcm or flash the tables into the stock one

This statement is true. My PCM was a stock PCM that several people in my local club have helped modify through changes for performance and added the PS in the tranny tables.

Originally Posted by WhiteGT

But as long as I take the pcm out of the car I get the shifter and wiring from will I be fine or could it cause other issues?

You do not need to do this. It appears most GP's always had the performance shift mode in them, but only that GM had it as an active thing in the 99-00 year models. But after that and before 99 they never sold the PS feature with the vehicle. Dunno if it was a money saving thing or what, but it was in the car's. GM just never took the fullest advantage of it.

Originally Posted by boredout

i have that perf light on my se do you think it will work on mine an also do u have to have a programmer to check the shift switches an all that other stuff

More than likely it will work. All the GPs pretty much used the same PCMs, so in theory you should be able to activate the PS mode in your SE. I will not promise it will, as that I have never had an SE to know otherwise YES or NO it will work. You will have to have someone that has a DHP or a HPTuner to look at your tranny tables for the sections I have listed in the write to find out for sure if it is possible or not.

Good luck with it

Originally Posted by WhiteGT

Anyone know if a 2002 gt pcm would be set up for this already? Or would it have to be programed? Thanks!

Your PCM has to have the PS turned on and have a switch or the Leather knob with the PS button on it to run it. But yes once you have the switch and wiring setup, you will be able to run it.

Originally Posted by Iron Indian

1998 is the only year Perf Shift will light up in the Cluster as far as I know, otherwise it will light up in the DIC. You can add the Perf Shift in the cluster too as long as you have the right socket + blub.

I added it to mine so when Perf shift is on my DIC lights up and so does the cluster. I added it because I had a spare blub and socket laying around. Figured what the hell, right? :-)

NOTE: I don't know if this will work on 2001+ that don't have Perf. Shift factory wired up.

I think is mostly correct. My DIC was the one that came with the GTP package so it had the PS indicator there. I never saw it on my dash. I only knew of it on my DIC. And never looked at my dash that closely to see if it was even an option on it. But any of the DICs that had the BOOST feature on it, also had the PS indicator on it as well. They went hand in hand.

You rock.

Originally Posted by GeddyLee

It will not light up until you have your performance switch installed and the PCM is setup to have it run. It was in my 98 GT's DIC and it never light up when I started my engine. It only will light once its engaged.

GeddyLee: By engaged I'm assuming you mean that the setting is turned on in the PCM. Is that right? Who would I go to to have that checked/changed? would a dealer do it? or must i find someone else? I'm out here in easter Idaho and have no Idea where to look for that kind of thing.

For the record, I already have a PS switch factory installed in my GTP. The little Blue Dash Indicator does light up when the switch is pressed in, but i'm trying to get the DIC to light up also.

Originally Posted by littleboybluebvc

GeddyLee: By engaged I'm assuming you mean that the setting is turned on in the PCM. Is that right? Who would I go to to have that checked/changed? would a dealer do it? or must i find someone else? I'm out here in easter Idaho and have no Idea where to look for that kind of thing.

For the record, I already have a PS switch factory installed in my GTP. The little Blue Dash Indicator does light up when the switch is pressed in, but i'm trying to get the DIC to light up also.

The blue light is perf shift.

Your year vehicle has it in the dash not the DIC. Its the same option, just the light is in a different location.

This tutorial is for people who do not have the button on their shifter.

Thank you Freebeer, I am well aware of everything you've just said, I have been seeking an answer to my questions for about 6 months now.

I just want to know if i can change something in the PCM tables that would allow the DIC indicator to light up.

GeddyLee: I'm still hoping for an answer to the question I asked. Am I understanding you correctly? Please Help!

Send him a pm

Ok, I have a problem!!! I installed all the wiring in my GP, but living in the middle of Maine I have not Been able to find someone that can "turn it on" noone seems to have the needed tuner. I first went to a GM dealer and they plugged in and tried as I watched, but he said they couldn't do it .(Access Flash memory) I have since called over 20 places and noone can help! Someone here must be able to help somehow... I realize I need a "flash capable scanner", tuner, or anything else that is "bidirecttional". So, again,.. Any help would be VERY much appriciated!!! Email me at dngr_rngr_iv@yahoo.com or text 2078590291 PLEASE!!

Btt ,.. Anybody.... Help...?

Originally Posted by littleboybluebvc

GeddyLee: By engaged I'm assuming you mean that the setting is turned on in the PCM. Is that right? Who would I go to to have that checked/changed? would a dealer do it? or must i find someone else? I'm out here in easter Idaho and have no Idea where to look for that kind of thing.

For the record, I already have a PS switch factory installed in my GTP. The little Blue Dash Indicator does light up when the switch is pressed in, but i'm trying to get the DIC to light up also.

Dang!!! I am so sorry I missed this post!!!

Yes by engaging I mean turning on the Performance Shift feature. The deal probably will not set it for you. You will most likely need a friend or someone in your local GP club that has a DHP or even an HPTurner scanner that will turn on the feature in your PCM. Only the year models with the already built in Performance Shift feature will have that feature on their PCM already activated. I included in the bottom of my first post the items that need to be turned on in the PCM to make the Performance Shift work.

Now as for your DIC to light up the Performance Switch. You would have to look to see if your DIC is the one that has feature available in it. Not all the DICs back there were created equal. Some had different features than others. The way you can tell if your DIC has the Performance Shift feature included on it, is to look closely at the screen and see right blow the boost bar if you can see the words PERFORMANCE SHIFT written on it.

If you do not see those words on your DIC, then it will not light up. The only ones I know that have it are the ones with the three buttons on the left and then the screen and then two indicator panels to the right and then the Traction Control button. If yours is different than that, it might not have been installed feature on that style of DIC. You will need to get another model like the one described above.

I will try and get a photo or something to better show you what I am talking about. Sorry again for the major delay in replying to your post!

Originally Posted by dngrrngr

Ok, I have a problem!!! I installed all the wiring in my GP, but living in the middle of Maine I have not Been able to find someone that can "turn it on" noone seems to have the needed tuner. I first went to a GM dealer and they plugged in and tried as I watched, but he said they couldn't do it .(Access Flash memory) I have since called over 20 places and noone can help! Someone here must be able to help somehow... I realize I need a "flash capable scanner", tuner, or anything else that is "bidirecttional". So, again,.. Any help would be VERY much appriciated!!! Email me at dngr_rngr_iv@yahoo.com or text 2078590291 PLEASE!!

Hiya Danger,

I understand your problem The people at the GM Shop wont do it plain and simple. The only other alternative would be find someone trust worthy that you can send your PCM to and have them flash it to where it would activate the Performance Shift. Or you can get a performance turned PCM from ZZP or Intense or even Will Overkill's PCM upgrade. Of course that costs more than having someone close by who can do it for free or for penny's on the dollar.

I wish I could give you a better answer. I think you might want to see if there if a Grand Prix club in your state or if your state has a local board you can access to see if anyone might be able to help. Sorry I cant be of anymore help than that.

I have a GT, the DIC that came in my car, the Boost and Perf shift didn't light up, The ZZP tune, with perf shift the perf shift didnt light up, when I loaded in a 2002 GTP bin, both the Boost gauge lit up(and works) and the performance shift now lights up when activated......


Long story short, just needs to be tuned

I just bought a 99 Grand Prix 4d 3.8L And I can use the Performance Shifting Switch and turn it on and off and a light right above the Fuel Gauge and left of the Speedometer shows that its also turning on and off.... But on the Trip Computer is Says "Performance Shift" all the time Doesnt matter if i turn it on or off... So does that mean that its always on then....?

Not quite sure how to answer that one. Maybe Trannyman or someone else might be able to answer that one affectively. It might a wiring issue with the PS or possibly a setting in the PCM for the tranny. Not quite 100% sure. Sorry for not being able to offer you a better answer.

Then maybe its something to do with the PCM becuase today i got a check engine light on with a trouble code of 1336 and it did talk about the PCM as maybe that was a problem... any ideas on how to go about fixing it my self?