INTENSE PCM for GTP

Ok, i decided that its time for a new PCM, i have heard that INTENSE's PCM is better then DHPs. I have one question though. Most of you will probably label me dumb after i ask this, so feel free to pour it on lol. My question is, i was looking at the core charge for an INTENSE PCM for my 97 GTP and it says a core charge of 50 $ for a 97 grand prix. Im confused on the whole core charge thing and what that means. What is a core charge and how does it work and why is it not just included in price. The pcm itself cost 169.00. Do they need my pcm and reprogram it. Or do they send me a new PCM. I have always wondered about this. There is an option to mail your PCM to them and you do not have a core charge. Also, if they just reprogram your pcm, then dont you have to mail it to them anyways? So basically im asking what a core charge is in general and specifically applying to the INTENSE PCM. I know that ZZperformance refunds all the core charges when you send them the original part. someone please educate me,


Travis

Well they charge you core if you don't return yours. They keep the money. But you send yours in after you swap it for the one they send you, then bingo, they refund your core. It's more like a Security deposit.

ahhhh gotcha, yeah thats what i was thinking because ZZperformance refunds it all if you return it, just wasn't sure. Thanks man..

Intense isnt better than DHP....there are a couple threads about this over at clubgp.com

Intense PCMs seem to be causeing a couple blown engines!

Here's how it works.......You have three options when you buy a reprogrammed PCM, regardless of which vendor you choose.

1) Pay price for PCM plus core charge. They send you a PCM. You send them your original PCM after you install the new one. They refund your core charge.

2) You remove your PCM and mail it to them. You pay only for the programming....no core charge. They send your PCM back and you install it. This option only works if you can afford to leave your car sitting while you wait for your PCM.

3) Pay price for PCM plus core charge. They send you a PCM. You keep new PCM AND old PCM. They keep core charge. This option is good if you want to keep your original PCM for what ever reason.

I've had the Intense AND the DHP in my '02 GTP. No significant difference based upon my Seat-O-Your-Pants dyno. Price difference is huge. I think most of the Intense-related engine failures have been on '04 GTPs.

OK Cass,
For the few of us that picked #3. What do they charge to reprogram my spare PCM?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/logo9.jpg

Intense - $169.99
DHP - $215.00

I think we should just buy the stuff and do it ourselfs.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP004.jpg

you can do that Kid, if your a computer genius. INTENSE offers the BIN or Binary file for 99$, what you do with it then is beyond me. So if you know someone that can use a PCM binary file to program PCMs, 99$ and do it all you want i suppose

There has been a couple people ripped off by that, and INTENS won't back the PCM that people are selling under their name. When the thing craps out, your SOL.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/logo9.jpg

......and that, my friends, is why I no longer have an Intense PCM on my car. Some guy bought the binary file and started programming his own PCMs in his basement and selling them on ClubGP as Intense - Standard. The PCM seemed to work great but I didn't want some "Home Brewed" POS in my car.

I now have a DHP................thanks KId, you're my hero! :worshippy

See, I never said who. And I feel if Intense sells the codes, they should replace. McDee's get sued when when of their burgers make people fat, and they don't own the stores, just the idea.
Spoiler will go on Tuesday. Paint shop too busy to do today. Maybe they are fixing the rest of their junk work.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v425/kustomkid54/1998PontiacGrandPrixGTP004.jpg