I see the value of an aftermarket set up but can't you achieve the same thing with add on controllers? Just wondering. The ECM we used was the run of the mill ECM for the Avalanche. You would be surprised what a good programmer can do. I'll give Baker Engineering the credit here. They even assigned a special set of parameters to the tow haul button so when in the sand it is set up for all out performance. My 442 has the E38 which is 58X and uses the CANBUS set up.
You can use aftermarket controllers, but that adds $$$.
I used EFI-Live prior to my Holley, so pretty similar to HPT and cost almost as much as my Holley HP with the LS truck harnesses. I have poked around and tuned with EFI live on a few vehicles, I'm not a great tuner but I pretty much understand how it works and what can be done with what GM built into the software. You won't find the engine and transmission protection stuff in the Holley setup, but I can run a wide band and log without a laptop. I guess it's the little things you don't have to add to make it work (i.e. wideband, nos controller, TCC lockup, boost control, E-fan control, shift lights, trans brake, bump box, launch control, logging, traction control, etc) that make it cheaper for a race oriented street car.
If I was building a street cruiser that will run a near stock setup and won't be evolving as I go, you are 110% right and I agree with you, gm spent a lot of money developing it so, stock stuff all the way. If you are interested in tuning and modifications are down the road or you are running a power adder, I don't think you can beat the package and the ease the terminator X offers. I would have absolutely gone that way over my HP setup if it was available last year.
And once you add in the digital dash, forget it, a stock ECM tuned setup doesn't hold a candle to what it will do and how easy it is to do it.
