[Z06] Tune ?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 963
From: Communist Colorado
Tune ?
If I do no mods at all, would it be beneficial to get a tune or would I see no difference at all? I am at a higher than normal altitude (5300')....dont know if that matters or not 
2002 Z 18k miles
K&N filter (insert) & a smooth air coupler are my only engine changes from bone stock.
2002 Z 18k miles
K&N filter (insert) & a smooth air coupler are my only engine changes from bone stock.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,297
Likes: 12
From: Wheaton IL
I don't know for sure, but it would seem like wasting money. Use the money and start with a Vararam B2 it's about $325 and aeasy to install. There are a lot more knowledgable people on this site, so I'm sure they have a better opinion.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,923
Likes: 1
From: Cleveland Tennessee
To get a tune you will have to shell out the registation to open your program from the tuner. (Here that is $400 intitially, then all re-tunes are free with dyno time paid for, at $150 per hour) plus with your initial tune payment you will need some time on the dyno to check readjustments, the last time I had this all done was on my 94 coupe 6 speed, pulled the first run at 269 RWHP and 3.5 hours later he got it up to 298.7 RWHP so you figure if it is/was worth it. The total was $850 for that visit.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
If you are planning any mods, I would wait to tune until they are complete. Otherwise it wouldn't hurt to get a good tune to make sure the engine is running at optimal levels. I have been given highly varying quotes for a tune, depending on if they are going to make you purchase a license for the software or just use their license.
I paid 350 for a tune on the road that adjusted not only A/F ratio but timing tables, and many other aspects of how the car runs. Spent a couple hours tweaking the tune and road testing after every modification, quit when the PCM reported safe A/F ratio and I was happy with how the car performed. Next we will go and finish the tune on a dyno to make sure A/F is set correctly, possibly pick up a few more HP, and get the final result of what I am putting down to the rear wheels (praying for 390's).
I paid 350 for a tune on the road that adjusted not only A/F ratio but timing tables, and many other aspects of how the car runs. Spent a couple hours tweaking the tune and road testing after every modification, quit when the PCM reported safe A/F ratio and I was happy with how the car performed. Next we will go and finish the tune on a dyno to make sure A/F is set correctly, possibly pick up a few more HP, and get the final result of what I am putting down to the rear wheels (praying for 390's).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Hi 81c3 -
I think a good professional dyno-tune is one of the best things you can do to a stock Z.
I gained a noticeable increase on my Z.
By the way - I had mine done by Ernie Francis (Breathless Performance) and it was $400 with a couple of dyno runs.
I later had him adjust the tune after adding some mods, and he chared me $100 for that, so it's not like you are wasting your money if you later decide to upgrade and need a tweak - just talk to your tuner first and do come comparison shopping - $800 is way too much for a tune and some dyno runs in my opinion (and experience).
As an additional item of note, LGM did a baseline ru, installed my headers, and then tweaked my tune on the dyno, all for $400 -
best regards -
mqqn
I think a good professional dyno-tune is one of the best things you can do to a stock Z.
I gained a noticeable increase on my Z.
By the way - I had mine done by Ernie Francis (Breathless Performance) and it was $400 with a couple of dyno runs.
I later had him adjust the tune after adding some mods, and he chared me $100 for that, so it's not like you are wasting your money if you later decide to upgrade and need a tweak - just talk to your tuner first and do come comparison shopping - $800 is way too much for a tune and some dyno runs in my opinion (and experience).
As an additional item of note, LGM did a baseline ru, installed my headers, and then tweaked my tune on the dyno, all for $400 -
best regards -
mqqn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,228
Likes: 5
From: Gainesville Georgia
Originally Posted by jbauch357
If you are planning any mods, I would wait to tune until they are complete. Otherwise it wouldn't hurt to get a good tune to make sure the engine is running at optimal levels. I have been given highly varying quotes for a tune, depending on if they are going to make you purchase a license for the software or just use their license.
I paid 350 for a tune on the road that adjusted not only A/F ratio but timing tables, and many other aspects of how the car runs. Spent a couple hours tweaking the tune and road testing after every modification, quit when the PCM reported safe A/F ratio and I was happy with how the car performed. Next we will go and finish the tune on a dyno to make sure A/F is set correctly, possibly pick up a few more HP, and get the final result of what I am putting down to the rear wheels (praying for 390's).
I paid 350 for a tune on the road that adjusted not only A/F ratio but timing tables, and many other aspects of how the car runs. Spent a couple hours tweaking the tune and road testing after every modification, quit when the PCM reported safe A/F ratio and I was happy with how the car performed. Next we will go and finish the tune on a dyno to make sure A/F is set correctly, possibly pick up a few more HP, and get the final result of what I am putting down to the rear wheels (praying for 390's).
Or If you don't plan on any or very little mods, alot of people go the (Predator) route & seem to like that tuner. With mods though your best bet would be to get a dyno tune~but like everyone said...after your mods~
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,923
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From: Cleveland Tennessee
Doesn't the tuner have to pay to get into each vehicle's VIN program? If not that is what I was lead to believe. Are you saying that a professional tuner can use a program to enter and change anyones perameters at will without having to register said vehicle? And if so, how reliable and individual can this method be for differing cars and their program? 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
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From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Originally Posted by RonVette2
Doesn't the tuner have to pay to get into each vehicle's VIN program? If not that is what I was lead to believe. Are you saying that a professional tuner can use a program to enter and change anyones perameters at will without having to register said vehicle? And if so, how reliable and individual can this method be for differing cars and their program?
They way I understand it - you can buy a one vin version of the tuner software (hp tuners or ls1 edit etc), or one that allows x number of vins to be tuned, or a tuner version that is MUCH more expensive but allows any number of vins -
There is a lot more to it - Hp tuners uses a "credit" sytem and you can buy an unlimited license for a certain model and YEAR (like 1999 c5 for instance).
As far as the tuning goes - most reputable tuners (read that the good ones) have a set tune that they put in and then tweak it for each individual car.
If you are happy with your tune and your tuner stands by you then you got your moneys worth.
best regards -
mqqn
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 8,578
Likes: 963
From: Communist Colorado
Excellent info guys, thank you. I will probably leave everything as it is now. This car has plenty of power to keep me satisfied. My trane of thought was because I am at a higher than normal altitude, (ie: not at sea level or close to it) that maybe adjusting the fuel injector timing & ignition timing tables in the computer may help me sqeeze out the maximum potential for my stock LS6.....
Am I on the right path or not?
Am I on the right path or not?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,094
Likes: 5
From: The 7th layer of hell - Western Washington
Originally Posted by 81c3
Excellent info guys, thank you. I will probably leave everything as it is now. This car has plenty of power to keep me satisfied. My trane of thought was because I am at a higher than normal altitude, (ie: not at sea level or close to it) that maybe adjusting the fuel injector timing & ignition timing tables in the computer may help me sqeeze out the maximum potential for my stock LS6.....
Am I on the right path or not?
Am I on the right path or not?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,788
Likes: 6
From: Winchester TN
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St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'11
Originally Posted by 81c3
Excellent info guys, thank you. I will probably leave everything as it is now. This car has plenty of power to keep me satisfied. My trane of thought was because I am at a higher than normal altitude, (ie: not at sea level or close to it) that maybe adjusting the fuel injector timing & ignition timing tables in the computer may help me sqeeze out the maximum potential for my stock LS6.....
Am I on the right path or not?
Am I on the right path or not?
Yes - a tune is well worth while, and money well spent.
Yes it will help you maximize the potential of your car.
Now explain the concept of enough power
best regards -
mqqn