C6 Tech/Performance LS2, LS3, LS7, LS9 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Dyno Tune A Stock LS3?

Old 02-02-2008, 07:13 AM
  #1  
Cool Rod
Pro
Thread Starter
 
Cool Rod's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: Miami Florida
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Dyno Tune A Stock LS3?

I've read a lot about tuning a stock LS3 with A6 but I've never seen any performance increase data. It's always SOTP subjective impressions.

I'd like to know that my car is performing at its highest potential without bolting on anything that's going to affect the warranty, which recently forced me to change my plan to add a blower.

In the real world, what could I expect to gain if I went to a performance shop and got a Dyno tune? Would there be any difference in the time it takes my paddle shifters to change gears, in other words reduce the lag?

All Corvettes are plenty fast, but would I see a boost in acceleration off the line, the kind of activity I'd do the most in city driving? The top end is more or less theoretical to me, since I'll never get to 185 MPH!

I guess what I'm leading up to here is whether or not adding a Vararam, a new thermostat, and a performance tune will be worth the $1000 or so it will cost.

Has anyone here actually done this on a Dyno and are there any before and after printouts I could look at?

Thanks
Old 02-02-2008, 08:05 AM
  #2  
Boomer111
Race Director
 
Boomer111's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2005
Location: Bay Area Ca.
Posts: 14,999
Received 191 Likes on 151 Posts

Default

I have a LS3 MN6 and I had 375 rwhp and 383 rwtq stock.

After tune I got 399 rwhp and 407 rwtq

No other mods just tune. Car had 800 miles at the time.

A/F 12.4

Dynopack chassis dynometer

Last edited by Boomer111; 02-03-2008 at 08:27 AM.
Old 02-02-2008, 10:21 AM
  #3  
Cool Rod
Pro
Thread Starter
 
Cool Rod's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: Miami Florida
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Wow Boomer that's a pretty good jump.

Thanks for the info.
Old 02-02-2008, 12:31 PM
  #4  
HOXXOH
Race Director
 
HOXXOH's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: Peoria/Phoenix AZ
Posts: 16,555
Received 2,060 Likes on 1,505 Posts
C6 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019

Default

It seems you're not the only one here who wants to know how much is gained with each mod. Tonight at the strip I'm establishing a performance baseline bone stock. First mod is a tune next week. Stay tuned for results.

'08 A6 F55
Old 02-02-2008, 01:34 PM
  #5  
From C6ZO62C8
Drifting
 
From C6ZO62C8's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,480
Received 45 Likes on 31 Posts

Default

Old 02-02-2008, 01:52 PM
  #6  
Jimmyz28
Drifting
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Jimmyz28's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA.
Posts: 1,322
Received 45 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

heading out to do some WB O2 logging with HPT's now. Will let you know how FAT the motor is.
Old 02-02-2008, 03:16 PM
  #7  
Cool Rod
Pro
Thread Starter
 
Cool Rod's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: Miami Florida
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by HOXXOH
It seems you're not the only one here who wants to know how much is gained with each mod. Tonight at the strip I'm establishing a performance baseline bone stock. First mod is a tune next week. Stay tuned for results.'08 A6 F55
Alrighty then HOXXOH!

I've got the same setup, '08 A6 F55, so I'll be extremely interested in what you find. A lot of others here will be waiting to hear from you too.

Old 02-02-2008, 03:51 PM
  #8  
slvr76
Pro
 
slvr76's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2006
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

The first thing you should do is try to establish a relationship with a dealer's service department. They can tell you what mods they will allow, while still honoring your warranty. Just a tune could void aspects of your warranty, if the dealer wants to use this as an excuse. You may be able to do more than you think, depending on the dealership. As far as performance gains, dyno numbers etc.. these are valuable tests that help determine how much you've gained, but don't discount "subjective SOTP" increases. Firming up the shifts in your A6 and eliminating tq management with a tune will probably increase your driving pleasure far more than track times or dyno numbers.
Old 02-03-2008, 07:06 AM
  #9  
TLewis4095
Le Mans Master
 
TLewis4095's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2001
Location: Bradenton FLORIDA
Posts: 8,145
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I would go for the tune...and a good CAI, T stat, & complete tune here is ALOT less than $1,000!
Old 02-03-2008, 07:35 AM
  #10  
Cool Rod
Pro
Thread Starter
 
Cool Rod's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2007
Location: Miami Florida
Posts: 682
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Thanks, TLewis.

That $1000 number was just a ballpark guess based on what ChuckCOW told me to expect with him. It included a Vararam CAI for about $500, which seemed exhorbitant to me but I think it's what they get.

On the general subject of talking to your dealer to see what his approach to mods is, if he doesn't put it in writing I don't think it would stand up later. On top of that, if you broke down out of town and had to go to a different dealer they probably wouldn't care much what someone else had told you.

Do any dealers do performance mods that don't mess up the GM warranty? Just curious because someone told me that a dealer in Miami transferred the blower from one guy's Corvette to a new one he purchased from them.
Old 02-03-2008, 08:19 AM
  #11  
Vetteoholic
Melting Slicks
 
Vetteoholic's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2006
Location: Gainesville Georgia
Posts: 2,228
Received 4 Likes on 1 Post

Default

Excellent thread Nice gains from the tune as posted above!
Man those 08's put down some nice #'s right from the factory
Old 02-03-2008, 12:39 PM
  #12  
vetterlatethannever
Race Director
 
vetterlatethannever's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2003
Location: Texas
Posts: 12,599
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default

Originally Posted by Vetteoholic
Man those 08's put down some nice #'s right from the factory
Old 02-03-2008, 01:10 PM
  #13  
Sativa
Burning Brakes
 
Sativa's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2006
Location: Miami FL
Posts: 780
Received 9 Likes on 9 Posts

Default

Originally Posted by Cool Rod
Just curious because someone told me that a dealer in Miami transferred the blower from one guy's Corvette to a new one he purchased from them.
What dealer was that?
Old 02-03-2008, 01:22 PM
  #14  
Jimmyz28
Drifting
Support Corvetteforum!
 
Jimmyz28's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2003
Location: Atlanta, GA.
Posts: 1,322
Received 45 Likes on 35 Posts

Default

Wow!! First few scans @ WOT w/mods in my sig were FAT!! 10.56 a/f ratio!! I thought for sure it'd be lean w/CAI, Headers and CB.
Old 02-03-2008, 01:53 PM
  #15  
Redline Motorsports
Melting Slicks
 
Redline Motorsports's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2001
Location: NY-South Florida
Posts: 3,034
Received 124 Likes on 84 Posts

Default

We just finished a 2008 LS3 Z51 that made 390/389 stock. After a tune and stock intake it made 415/405! This car was the strongest one I have seen.

The A6 cars really need a trans tune as well. There laziness really doesn't bring out the best of the LS3. I also wouldn't get too consumed with the peak dyno results and realize that a proper tune which also enhances part throttle transitions is what really wakes up the car.

If you plan on doing a CAI and headers I would wait on the tune.

Howard
Old 02-03-2008, 02:03 PM
  #16  
TurboLuigi
Racer
 
TurboLuigi's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2001
Location: Ft Lauderdale Fl
Posts: 451
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default

Cool Rod,

Just so that you know, the Callaway Supercharged package does come with a 3yr/36K Mi warranty http://www.callawaycars.com/las/CallawaySNSCPricing.htm

There are a couple up here in the Ft. Lauderdale area already and at least one 08 in the queue.

-Luigi
Old 02-03-2008, 07:30 PM
  #17  
Nd4spd2
Safety Car
 
Nd4spd2's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2005
Location: Madison Wisconsin
Posts: 3,639
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 6 Posts
St. Jude Donor '08

Default

Originally Posted by TurboLuigi
Cool Rod,

Just so that you know, the Callaway Supercharged package does come with a 3yr/36K Mi warranty http://www.callawaycars.com/las/CallawaySNSCPricing.htm

There are a couple up here in the Ft. Lauderdale area already and at least one 08 in the queue.

-Luigi
Isn't the warranty just on the blower itself and not the engine/drivetrain?

Get notified of new replies

To Dyno Tune A Stock LS3?

Old 02-10-2008, 12:47 AM
  #18  
spdnvet
Instructor
 
spdnvet's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2006
Location: Rancho Cucamonga CA
Posts: 136
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Listen to the responses you are getting back on your question.
Make sure that you are going to a person that knows what they are doing. ChuckCOW was referenced and he did my tune last week along with other vettes. He scheduled a trip to So. Ca.
I did not know what to expect but after the tune was completed, it really woke up the car. Shifts are very responsive and I am very pleased with the results.

good Luck!
Old 02-10-2008, 02:56 AM
  #19  
pimpinvcu
Instructor
 
pimpinvcu's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2007
Location: Fairfax VA
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

From the Callaway website:

Vehicle/Powertrain: GM vehicle and powertrain warranties apply with supplemental 3 year/36,000 mile warranty on Callaway powertrain components; Callaway 3 year/36,000 mile "bumper-to-bumper" warranty (on non-powertrain related components). Callaway warranty also covers any GM engine parts compromised by failure of Callaway components.
Old 02-11-2008, 06:22 PM
  #20  
Joe Lynch
Pro
 
Joe Lynch's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 2000
Location: Midland Texas
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
St. Jude Donor '09-'11

Default

Originally Posted by Jimmyz28
Wow!! First few scans @ WOT w/mods in my sig were FAT!! 10.56 a/f ratio!! I thought for sure it'd be lean w/CAI, Headers and CB.
Not necessarily. When the MAF sees more air due to the mods, computer adds more fuel. Also log your commanded air fuel ratio so you can see if the cat overtemp protection is kicking in.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Dyno Tune A Stock LS3?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:39 AM.