If you read my previous thread RE: the revival of my LT4 396, I was concerned with the OBDII tune being ready for an inspection.

I got a quick response from Ed Wright, saying that not only could he meet my needs, but after 8 years, he'd only charge me $150 as an "update". I was fully prepared and expected to pay full price. I'd say that's over and above, thanks very much, Ed!

 

its funny that chip tuning threads can be volatile, if someone says "x" tuner is good someone else will say they are rubbish,
but I have had Ed do my first chip and all went well (keeping in mind that mine is an '85 computer) and Ed did my second chip and mailed it back just as the tornado's were bearing down on Oklahoma and his workshop, so i have to second that vote of confidence !

 

I also love the fact that he's still helping us LTx guys out... when so many shops/tuners just moved on to strictly LSx motors.

 

Been away from this long enough that I wasn't aware there is a volatility regarding LTx tuners, but, yes, I was afraid as I got back into this car that there would no longer be any support for it. I knew darned well that I'd never get the thing passed with the OBDI computer in it.

No intent to be controversial, I'm not comparing one tuner to another here, but I think Ed's offer to retune the OBDII computer as a $150 update was exceedingly generous after 8 years.

 

I think that's a great deal, and tuning software has advanced greatly (regardless of the computers in our c4's). Larger injectors are easier to tune as well, as an example.

 

That's good to hear, as this was a new build 8 years ago and the tune was far from finalized. It still had the stock LT4 injectors and they were maxing out. We were seeing some inconsistency in A/F on the dyno, so Ed is going to tune it for bigger injectors and I'll add them when I pop the computer in. Figured it best to replace injectors that had been in 8 year storage, anyway.

 

Do you have data logging software? With your engine and a mail order tune it may be the only way you get a spot-on tune. Once Ed does the tune, you run the data log and he can make adjustments from there.

 

No logging software, but I thought I'd get the car up and running, attend to all the issues that will likely arise from the long store, then put it on his dyno for a final tune. I'm in Dallas, Ed isn't all that far away.

What's the preferred data logger, and any idea of approximate cost?

 

I thought you were doing a mail order tune. With a dyno tune Ed W will do the data logging.

 

Yes, a mail order tune to get me up and running, have the car inspected, etc. Once the car is sorted from 8 years of storage, I can drive it up to Ed for fine tuning on the dyno.

 

Ed doesn't have dyno anymore.

 

Seriously?!?

 

Yes, I talked to him a few months ago.He can still do everything,but a dyno tune.

 

Another tuner in Texas is Moe Bailey, known as Moe Horsepower. He did a mail order and then a dyno tune on my 396 at a shop near Waco. He tunes a lot of fast LT Camaro's.

After making a couple of upgrades, dyno'd at a local shop, sent the results and ECM back to Moe for more programming at no extra charge. He's the man for LT tuning

 

Ed is a great guy, and an awesome tuner!

 

Ed spends a lot of time on LS1tech in the LT1 section, giving tons of advice and shares his knowledge. He tells you when your combo is tight and when it is crap. Very stand up guy.

 

Ed did this computer back in the day he locked them so no one could have access/read his tunes. (Hasn't done that in years, though.) My 396/CC 306/LE stage III is a common combination with which Ed's had years of experience. I can't afford to race the car anymore, so squeezing the last 5 hp out of it is not at the top of my priorities. I do expect gains over the 400 n/a rwhp that the tuner got back in the day w/the OBDI computer, I found out too late that despite talking a great game, he was in way over his head. The last time I had dealings with him, he called me and said if I'd bring my car down to his dyno, he'd been finding 20+ hp over his previous tunes and he'd upgrade it for free. The resulting tune actually softened the car, and he claimed he couldn't restore the previous tune. That was the wake-up call that sent me packing never to return. Meh, old news.

The first order of business is get this thing running and inspected, and for $150, Ed's assistance is greatly appreciated. As a side note, we're tuning for 36 lb FAST injectors so I don't expect to see the A/F issues/maxing out of the stock LT4 injectors that I saw on the last go-round.

 

Don't know if Ed does dyno-tuning or not, anymore.

But......if you drive the car up there, he may do a on-the-street tune for you.....which may suit your needs better, anyway.

Couldn't hurt to ask .

KW