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Old Aug 7, 2006 | 10:23 PM
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Default Dyno Tune Question

Is it worth it to do a Dyno tune on my stock 2000' C5? All I did was install a Blackwing air cleaner, Air Coupler, NGK TR55 plugs, and MSD wires. I figure I could get the fans to come on a little sooner and get the tranni programmed to shift harder. I don't know how many more HP I would get, maybe 5-10 HP?
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Old Aug 8, 2006 | 01:28 AM
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Hi LS7 -

I thought it was worth it on my Z06 - it made more of a difference than I thought it would, and I would do it again in a second.

I am considering buying some tuning software and doing our 99 myself.

best regards -

mqqn
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Old Aug 8, 2006 | 02:10 AM
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yes and no.

i wouldnt really suggest a "dyno" tune with your mods. you would benefit, but not enough for it to be worth the money.

you can get some simple "tweaking" done a whole lot cheaper. there are tuners that will change your fans and change around tranny settings for reasonable prices!
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Old Aug 8, 2006 | 03:34 AM
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I would wait on the tuning. There is not much to pick up with just an air cleaner. When you get to headers you will often gain 10 to 15 rwhp with tuning.
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Old Aug 8, 2006 | 05:26 AM
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I’m lurking on this one. From what I understand, factory tunes leave some room for getting all the power potential out of your car. Which makes sense as they have to have a tune that encompasses all climates and driving conditions pretty much worldwide…

As Sigforty stated there really isn’t that much to be gained by only intake bolt-ons. My experience is (depending on rear gearing) it sometimes takes a 40 or 50 HP increase to make a noticeable difference. Now having said that, does anyone have any real numbers on a STOCK C5 before and after a quality tune? I’m very curious to see those numbers…

Tim
99 Coupe
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Old Aug 8, 2006 | 06:51 AM
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If you can buy a lifetime tune, like 21st Century has, where the tunner will do a baseline for $500 and then there is no charge when they do future mods, I'd say do it!
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Old Aug 8, 2006 | 06:10 PM
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I asked this same question of a shop in Kansas City - they basically told me that on a stock car with only an air intake and cat back exhaust, it probably isn't worth the expense for a tune. You will get some gain, but not much. They advised me to wait until I decided to put headers on the car, then do a tune.
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 04:45 AM
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JD,

Thanx, that's what I was looking for. I find it hard to believe but the shop did turn down some work with that advice so I gotta believe it. BTW nice car you got there!

Tim
99 Coupe


Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I asked this same question of a shop in Kansas City - they basically told me that on a stock car with only an air intake and cat back exhaust, it probably isn't worth the expense for a tune. You will get some gain, but not much. They advised me to wait until I decided to put headers on the car, then do a tune.
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 06:25 AM
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Originally Posted by JDs00PewterCoupe
I asked this same question of a shop in Kansas City - they basically told me that on a stock car with only an air intake and cat back exhaust, it probably isn't worth the expense for a tune. You will get some gain, but not much. They advised me to wait until I decided to put headers on the car, then do a tune.
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 07:54 AM
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I just got my C5 done a couple days ago. I went up 7 rwhp at the peak but don't forget the area under the curve is important too so peak isn't the whole story. I also got the computer done. It was $350 at Carolina AutoMasters in Durham and it includes future tweaks if I change anything. I love the package.
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 08:03 AM
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These numbers were on my wifes 04, A4, coupe, Corsa Indy pace car exhaust otherwise bone stock. Just with a tune. Big difference noted after the LS1 edit. Shift points were also edited.
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 08:10 AM
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Originally Posted by tstar
I’m lurking on this one. From what I understand, factory tunes leave some room for getting all the power potential out of your car. Which makes sense as they have to have a tune that encompasses all climates and driving conditions pretty much worldwide…

As Sigforty stated there really isn’t that much to be gained by only intake bolt-ons. My experience is (depending on rear gearing) it sometimes takes a 40 or 50 HP increase to make a noticeable difference. Now having said that, does anyone have any real numbers on a STOCK C5 before and after a quality tune? I’m very curious to see those numbers…

Tim
99 Coupe
You want numbers???

Well here they are for my STOCK A4 2000 coupe (3:15 rear):

1st pull ~ 282.41 rwhp
4th pull ~ 313.75 rwhp

Net gain = 31.34 rwhp
Cost = $300.00

Two months later, after CAI/headers/Xpipe/hiflows/indy exhaust:

1st pull ~ 313.75 rwhp
4th pull ~ 342.24 rwhp

Net gain = 28.49 rwhp
Cost = $3000.00

Those are the numbers..... You tell me which one was better.

My feeling is that because most people wait for a good dyno tune, until after they made the mods, they are getting all the gains from the bolt ons...... In my case, not true. You can't include the 30+ rwhp gain from the tune, to the bolt ons.

I guess if you want to see a really big jump in rwhp gain, you need to S/C the car......
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 10:01 AM
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A good tune will give you the most bang for your buck, stock or with bolt ons.

Most stock cars have 5-15hp sitting there ready to be tuned. More for exhaust and CAI changes.

This of tunes as a hand in hand item to match all significant mods.
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Old Aug 9, 2006 | 10:10 AM
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Originally Posted by C5 KIDD
yes and no.

i wouldnt really suggest a "dyno" tune with your mods. you would benefit, but not enough for it to be worth the money.

you can get some simple "tweaking" done a whole lot cheaper. there are tuners that will change your fans and change around tranny settings for reasonable prices!
I had a local tuner who was going to tweak mine for $150. Once he put it on the dyno, he realized that it had been tuned by the previous owner and only charged me $45 for a dyno run. I didn't know this as I purchased the car from a dealer.
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Old Aug 11, 2006 | 05:01 AM
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Thanx alot!!!! That is exactly what I was looking for, and those are the gains from a good tune on a stocker that I was suspecting. At least it brings the car closer to the "advertised" HP rating....

I agree with you on the exaggerated gains from bolt-ons as few people get a good tune prior to adding them. Now if we can only get a handheld to give us a good tune...........

Tim
99 Coupe



[QUOTE=NJ Vette Guy]You want numbers???

My feeling is that because most people wait for a good dyno tune, until after they made the mods, they are getting all the gains from the bolt ons...... In my case, not true. You can't include the 30+ rwhp gain from the tune, to the bolt ons.

QUOTE]
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