This is a newbie question so please mind your manners. What's the difference between purchasing a performance chip verses getting a dyno tune? Which one is better and why? I have a c5, a4, B&B bullets, Zip tie mod. Probably done with the mods for a while.

 

A C/5 does not have a removable e-prom chip. You have to scan and flash the PCM with the appropriate software. So really your choices are buy a packaged tune like Hypertech, get a mail order tune where you send your PCM to a tuner or get a dyno tune.

 

Thank you for your input. I guess I was mislead when someone advised me to get a new performance chip. Will a tune with my almost stock car get me any more HP?

 

What you need is a scan/log tune. The zip tie gains more air with corresponding turbulance. Tuning should be able to give you better throttle response, accel/decel smoothness and a few more hp.

 

as I've never done anything but work on simple (ancient) carbed engines....wheres a good place to start on computer tuning.
Is there a "chipped car tuning for dummies" or ?? I'd like to do something with my c5 but don't know where to start.

 

What mods do you have planned for your car? The amount of tuning you'll need will be based on that. If only minor mods are planned a handheld tuner like predator might work well for you but if you have dreams of heads/cam mods then you might be better off with a full blown editor or having a pro tuner go to work on your car.

 

BlueVette,
This is what I'm doing to my PCM. I'm removing it and sending it to "Wait4MePerformance". I have a '97 and want the '98 OS (operating software) so I can have a wider band of choices to Dyno Tune my '97 if and when the time comes provided I go with headers and cam, etc.
This company will reflash your PCM for a performance package to suit what you now have. Here is the LINK to the company.
Good luck,
Rsty
http://www.wait4meperformance.com/

 

I went with the Predator for the following reasons:
1. Did not plan on any more mods other than Vararam and Corsas (plug/wires/ported TB)
2. I have an auto tranny and I wanted to adjust shifts and remove the Torque Management
3. No local tuner and the closest one wanted $500.00 (Bought the Predator on sale for like $359.00)
4. After my Vararam/Corsas when temps were 95+ I noticed a little pinging at WOT and I was able to remove it with Predator.

I see you have an Auto and if your not planning on many mods then the Predator may be worth looking at. Don’t expect much HP gains. The advertisement shows 10 - 20 HP but I bet it’s more like 5 - 10. I could not tell a difference in HP - just shifts and TM removal. (Which made a huge difference). You can also live monitor several sensors (RPM, AF, Temp, Knock, Timing) with the predator as well as change fan temp setting, adjust WOT A/F ratio, WOT Timing, Read and remove codes and a few other things.

Good luck with your decision!

 

RstyNutz

Thanks for your input. How much more hp do you suppose you will get with the performance package? That may be a good choice for me since I'm probably done with mods for a while, ( but, I may get some headers and high flow cats installed soon). I saw that Texas Speed has a special going on mail order tuning for $175 and free updates for a year.



D_BlueVette

 

JEEP/C5

That sounds like a good idea, but I'm not really versed in the tuning department if you know what I mean. Me having a hand held tuner sounds like an invitation for disaster. Not that I wouldn't mind learning about the subject. Excuse the dumb question, but what will changing shift points and TM removal do for me?

Thanks,
D_BlueVette

 

[QUOTE=D_BlueVette]JEEP/C5

..... Excuse the dumb question, but what will changing shift points and TM removal do for me?


You can change WHEN, how HARD and how FAST your auto shifts, This will make for a quicker 0-60 and 1/4 times as well as just feel better (you can adjust it to your tastes as well). Removing Torque Management will put the full power to the wheels at WOT (I noticed even at 3/4 throttle) instead of the computer trying to soften 1 - 2 shift (as well as 2-3 and 3-4 shifts?) by backing out timing? or cutting back fuel? Its sometimes referred to as "anti-abuse" mode. When its shift from 1st to 2nd now all of the HP goes to the rear tires. In my case my tires cannot handle it and it will kick the rear end out on ramps before AH kicks in, or in straight runs it will chirp long and hard and kick in traction control. After I upgrade tires (z06 size and sticker) that should not be a problem and I feel like it would be a lot faster in 0-60 and 1/4 mile. Hope this helped you. Also talk to "Mikemercury" on this forum. He is very knowledgeable with the Predator. Also search the CF for "Predator" and several old threads on this subject including my favorite - http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=294713
and these:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...or&forum_id=91

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...une&forum_id=1

Good luck.

 

Just sent you a PM on the PCM tune...