new member
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 173
Likes: 38
From: Blissfield Michigan
Performance tune
The quick answer to your question is that these cars came with a warranty and they tuned them from the factory to be safe. They wanted them to run rich enough so they would not detonate with bad gas causing engine problems (warranty repairs). By getting a tune alone to get the AFR in check you can pick up around 12-15 rwhp not doing anything else to the car. With headers and catback you will pick up around 30 rwhp +/- what system you put on. Catback system is for sound only on these cars, you don't get any performance benefit out of them for the most part.
Welcome to the Madness. Nice Car.
Welcome to the Madness. Nice Car.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 173
Likes: 38
From: Blissfield Michigan
Performance tune
GM as do other manufacturers have many considerations to take into account when setting up a mass production car. Among them are widely varying altitudes the car will operate at, overall driveability, emissions standards, manufacturing tolerances of the end production vehicle, long term maintenance (or lack there of) the vehicle will receive, the engine technology of the time and the engine management software technology of the time to mention just a few. They tuned the vehicles to be a happy medium that will keep them (GM) out of court. The HP wars were less of an issue at the time these cars were being produced than they are today. HP delivered at the time these care were in production (14 to 20 years ago) was quite acceptable given the weight of the car compared to the then competition.
If you are not happy with the HP of your car, take your blank check down to a good performance shop/tuner and the HP can be hugely improved. Money will buy just about anything when it comes to automobiles.......
If you are not happy with the HP of your car, take your blank check down to a good performance shop/tuner and the HP can be hugely improved. Money will buy just about anything when it comes to automobiles.......
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
Since your car is an auto I would recommend it for sure. Not just better engine performance, the transmission tune would be a nice addition as well. There are tuners out there that do mail order tunes that would work well for you for reasonable cost (149 dollars). Downside is you have to send your pcm to them. More expensive options can tune with pcm in car. Either way, you would notice it for sure. Another option if you are a diy person is to buy a handheld unit and upload a tune from the device. That's what I did when I first got my car. I used a diablosport predator device. There are options out there.
Last edited by RedRiderZR1; Jan 25, 2018 at 06:30 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 173
Likes: 38
From: Blissfield Michigan
performance tune
Since your car is an auto I would recommend it for sure. Not just better engine performance, the transmission tune would be a nice addition as well. There are tuners out there that do mail order tunes that would work well for you for reasonable cost (149 dollars). Downside is you have to send your pcm to them. More expensive options can tune with pcm in car. Either way, you would notice it for sure. Another option if you are a diy person is to buy a handheld unit and upload a tune from the device. That's what I did when I first got my car. I used a diablosport predator device. There are options out there.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 173
Likes: 38
From: Blissfield Michigan
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 173
Likes: 38
From: Blissfield Michigan
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,244
Likes: 885
From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
I have a mill. yellow 2000 that I bought four years ago with 15000 miles. It is stock except for the air cleaner. It is an auto, now with 28,000. I have had 7 previous to this one. Two 64s a 68,69,70, and a 71 that I sold to buy this one. My wife says I can only have one at a time. I wanted one I could drive more and take on some trips. I grew up with the C1s and C2 so while they are great cars at 72 I want something more comfortable to drive. This has been a great car.
If the Winds of Fate keep on blowing right, my 03 Coupe with 117K miles at present, and me will be headed California way about May. Heck, I'll be 75 yrs old then. Kinda wanna retrace my foot steps from the early 60's from my town to San Diego on the old roads that are left and up the coast by Camp Pendleton and Long Beach while I still can.
Put over 7K miles since buying it for my 74th birthday last March and fixed a bunch of stull that was not working and coding and fender bender deal so all is good at present.
Put over 7K miles since buying it for my 74th birthday last March and fixed a bunch of stull that was not working and coding and fender bender deal so all is good at present.
Thanks to you and awches for driving your cars (although, Denny, you're averaging 4300 miles a year and awches has about 7000 for his year
)!
Advanced
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 76
Likes: 15
From: Galesburg MI
Welcome Denny! Great looking car! There is a reason Corvette racing uses yellow, it is the fastest color! 
On a serious note, this is the best forum I have been a part of. Lots of knowledge and members who really want to help.
On a serious note, this is the best forum I have been a part of. Lots of knowledge and members who really want to help.
Last edited by Principal Lewis; Feb 22, 2018 at 10:08 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,545
Likes: 17
From: Bartlett Tennessee