Where are the tuners?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 159
Likes: 9
Where are the tuners?
I have been searching for a good shop to tune my car once I’m done with my build but it seems as though there’s only a few left that will tune our stuff and the best are in the Midwest. I’m in Atlanta, Georgia. So for me and anyone else who might be in the same predicament, where are the shops that still tune our cars?
EDIT: For those looking for a shop, I'm going to keep this first post updated with the shops recommended in this thread.
Chicago area - Finish Line Performance, HP Tuners
Minneapolis area - TPI Specialties
Waterloo, IN - Sinister Performance
EDIT: For those looking for a shop, I'm going to keep this first post updated with the shops recommended in this thread.
Chicago area - Finish Line Performance, HP Tuners
Minneapolis area - TPI Specialties
Waterloo, IN - Sinister Performance
Last edited by LOJ Garage; Aug 16, 2022 at 08:55 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 1,710
Likes: 739
From: Stay dangerous my friends
Look for a shop that really knows your ECM. If still OEM, there are only couple of people out there who know it well and can help you tune it and provide a good baseline for your combination. Holley EFI on the other hand is fairly well supported in this regard, and you will have no trouble finding a local tuner in a big city like Atlanta.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,720
Likes: 557
From: Seattle Washington
A couple of years ago I had my C3 Dyno Tunned by a local shop. The shop has built some record setting FWD Drag cars. The young tech was very knowledgeable. However he treated my Engine as though it was a model T. He even asked me about changing the Timing by manualy twisting the Distributor he had always herd thats how it used to be done he just had never done it before !
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 159
Likes: 9
Look for a shop that really knows your ECM. If still OEM, there are only couple of people out there who know it well and can help you tune it and provide a good baseline for your combination. Holley EFI on the other hand is fairly well supported in this regard, and you will have no trouble finding a local tuner in a big city like Atlanta.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
There must be several corvette clubs in the Atlanta area. They are usually a great source for local trusted shops for tuning various generations of corvettes.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,876
Likes: 764
From: Sligo PA
If ECM conversions weren't so cost prohibitive, I'd be all about it. But from what I can find, you're likely talking at least another $1000 to do the conversion and then you have to install/wire it all up and then you still have to have it tuned. A custom mail-order tune should make it drivable for around $300 with another $60 for each retune. That's the route I'm going to go unless I can find a shop in Ga to do a proper dyno tune with the stock ECM.
In today's day in age I wouldn't mess with a factory ECU. I would just go aftermarket and make it do exactly what you want. I even have a check engine light that comes on with knock count, oil pressure, fuel pressure, and AFR. Not to mention the progressive nitrous control. If you are running boost then the sky's the limit.
Last edited by Phobos84; Aug 17, 2022 at 06:30 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,161
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Some of the stuff is now so dated that you need to learn it yourself, so few left know the software and have the hardware to reburn the chip. PCMforless was doing them, dont know about now. Ed Wright did one for me, then he retired. My other chip was custom done on a dynojet about 8-9 years ago, so there are people around who have all the Craig Moates stuff to do it. I keep meaning to buy all that up but never seem to have the spare $$$ to buy it.
Here, I'd just point you back to @tequilaboy .
I'm sure there's some folks in ATL who understand the OBD1 stuff well enough, you just have to find the shop.
Here, I'd just point you back to @tequilaboy .
I'm sure there's some folks in ATL who understand the OBD1 stuff well enough, you just have to find the shop.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 2,422
Likes: 202
Unfortunately Atlanta is too far. Depends on what you did. doing? A live tune is the ONLY way to go.
Unless you build an exact copy of a perfected build tune combo.
I can send you my BIN. 89 TA 355 Holley stealth ram/CC 08-306-8 cam, 36lb Inj tune. i perfected everyday. the response and power was fantastic!
Unless you build an exact copy of a perfected build tune combo.
I can send you my BIN. 89 TA 355 Holley stealth ram/CC 08-306-8 cam, 36lb Inj tune. i perfected everyday. the response and power was fantastic!