Unreal difference with an ECS tune. Doug is the master.
Debating on a tune
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 21
From: Orlando Florida
Debating on a tune
I'm going to be doing some mods to my car and will need a tune.
I was debating between HP Tuners and sending it in to ECS for a mail order tune.
I really don't feel like pulling the ECM and sending it in, time is a factor because I will have less than 4-5 days for sending it in and getting it returned.
I e-mailed HP Tuners, my buddy has their program and suggested I use them. My understanding is that they don't sell tunes?
I really don't understand them and am weary because:
1. They do not have a telephone # to call
2. I e-mailed a guy there for a telephone # and he responded with a number but said that he would be busy
Here is the time frame I'm looking at: Sat-Sun, work will be done on the car. The following Fri, I will be driving 850 miles to visit home over Easter.
Any ideas?
I was debating between HP Tuners and sending it in to ECS for a mail order tune.
I really don't feel like pulling the ECM and sending it in, time is a factor because I will have less than 4-5 days for sending it in and getting it returned.
I e-mailed HP Tuners, my buddy has their program and suggested I use them. My understanding is that they don't sell tunes?
I really don't understand them and am weary because:
1. They do not have a telephone # to call
2. I e-mailed a guy there for a telephone # and he responded with a number but said that he would be busy
Here is the time frame I'm looking at: Sat-Sun, work will be done on the car. The following Fri, I will be driving 850 miles to visit home over Easter.
Any ideas?
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,607
Likes: 1
From: ECS Sales & Service Advisor
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
HP tuners is the actual software used for tuning. You would use this to alter your own tune, provided you have a good working knowledge of the software, and the necessary changes that will need to be made in the PCM to set your car up properly.
We at ECS actually put together a tune and upload it to your PCM with the software (we use EFI live) during a mail order tune senario.
You can do either, or both. But I'd be certian you have a good knowledge of what you should and shouldnt do in the PCM before tweaking your tune. Many a motor has been blown to a bad tune.
Mail orders are still only $149.
Feel Free to give us a call at the shop if you have any questions... 609-752-0321.
We at ECS actually put together a tune and upload it to your PCM with the software (we use EFI live) during a mail order tune senario.
You can do either, or both. But I'd be certian you have a good knowledge of what you should and shouldnt do in the PCM before tweaking your tune. Many a motor has been blown to a bad tune.
Mail orders are still only $149.
Feel Free to give us a call at the shop if you have any questions... 609-752-0321.
Last edited by Mike69@ECS; Mar 23, 2010 at 08:54 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 5
From: South East coast Florida
I'm going to be doing some mods to my car and will need a tune.
I was debating between HP Tuners and sending it in to ECS for a mail order tune.
I really don't feel like pulling the ECM and sending it in, time is a factor because I will have less than 4-5 days for sending it in and getting it returned.
I e-mailed HP Tuners, my buddy has their program and suggested I use them. My understanding is that they don't sell tunes?
I really don't understand them and am weary because:
1. They do not have a telephone # to call
2. I e-mailed a guy there for a telephone # and he responded with a number but said that he would be busy
Here is the time frame I'm looking at: Sat-Sun, work will be done on the car. The following Fri, I will be driving 850 miles to visit home over Easter.
Any ideas?
I was debating between HP Tuners and sending it in to ECS for a mail order tune.
I really don't feel like pulling the ECM and sending it in, time is a factor because I will have less than 4-5 days for sending it in and getting it returned.
I e-mailed HP Tuners, my buddy has their program and suggested I use them. My understanding is that they don't sell tunes?
I really don't understand them and am weary because:
1. They do not have a telephone # to call
2. I e-mailed a guy there for a telephone # and he responded with a number but said that he would be busy
Here is the time frame I'm looking at: Sat-Sun, work will be done on the car. The following Fri, I will be driving 850 miles to visit home over Easter.
Any ideas?
Pick what ever process makes you most comfortable and fits within your schedule.
Good Luck
Ed M
Last edited by mowton; Mar 23, 2010 at 09:03 PM.
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Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
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Likes: 1,226
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
What Mods are you considering, and how proficient is your buddy at tuning? If Bolt-ons only, tuning may not be that complicated for you. If H/C or FI.....different story. The HPTuners Forum can offer you assistance as well.
Pick what ever process makes you most comfortable and fits within your schedule.
Good Luck
Ed M
Pick what ever process makes you most comfortable and fits within your schedule.
Good Luck
Ed M
Ed, your basically asking him to take on a new hobby, and a hobby with possible negative ramifications if done incorrectly. I'm certainly not saying it cannot be done, or it is some kind of rocket science, but most people do not have the time, want, or are willing to take the risk to save $149. Especially if credits are needed to be purchased to use the software on his car ($100 I think).
Thanks for the kind words guys!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,568
Likes: 264
From: Near Charlotte NC
Unless you are trying to get every hp you can( by dyno tuning),I would go with either ECS or buy a hand-held unit and DIY.I chose the hand-held because I like to be able to make the changes I want when I want to...especially fan adjustments.
It can can really hot here in the carolinas in the summer.
\db2
Carolina
It can can really hot here in the carolinas in the summer.
\db2
Carolina
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,572
Likes: 9
From: Jackson Tn
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09
Another thing to consider if you are thinking about getting into tuning is time and the cost. If you buy HP Tuners, you need to get the HPT Pro ($650) plus get a good wide band ($250) plus the time to learn.
$900+ investment and several months to learn just the basics. If you want to speed up the learning process add another $500 for tuning school.
That $150 mail order tune looks like a better deal unless you want to learn how to tune.
$900+ investment and several months to learn just the basics. If you want to speed up the learning process add another $500 for tuning school.
That $150 mail order tune looks like a better deal unless you want to learn how to tune.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 5
From: South East coast Florida
Ed, your basically asking him to take on a new hobby, and a hobby with possible negative ramifications if done incorrectly. I'm certainly not saying it cannot be done, or it is some kind of rocket science, but most people do not have the time, want, or are willing to take the risk to save $149. Especially if credits are needed to be purchased to use the software on his car ($100 I think).
Thanks for the kind words guys!!
Thanks for the kind words guys!!
I agree, it depends what the OP's desires are near term and far term....If simple bolts on and no aspiration to pass on to the dark side like the rest of us then you have the right solution.
If his mod plans are Headers/CAI now and HC/FI later than he might consider taking on the hobby of tuning. His investment of $650 would include the ability to tune 4 cars. I still haven't seen the OP's mod plans so I cannot conclude a final response
I am surprised no one else asked!I started with investing in HPTuners, learned the LT/STFT tuning approach (bolt-ons) and now have the ability to tune E38/40's with 80 Lb injectors and boost (1 bar, 2 Bar or 3 Bar), Wide band (LC-1/LM-1) including what I have learned from Gregs tuning/scaling techniques..
Hope to see you soon
Ed M
Last edited by mowton; Mar 26, 2010 at 09:42 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,774
Likes: 66
From: SoCal
In your time frame, I would get the car tuned. Tuning software is good to have and learn if you plan to make changes later. 500 or so a pop per mod gets expensive. It does also take time to learn as well.
Seems like ECS can get you setup quickly. Best route to take
Seems like ECS can get you setup quickly. Best route to take
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 21
From: Orlando Florida
I'm thinking the most I'll do is refresh the heads with a set of larger ratio full roller rocker arms. That's about it. By the time I could get around to doing something more major, I will have made 1LT or CPT by then and by then, it would probably be easier to get a C6 Z06 or even a C6 ZR1. 
I would think at this point, my goals are relatively minor and that going with an ECS tune would be the way to go.
I would think at this point, my goals are relatively minor and that going with an ECS tune would be the way to go.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 5
From: South East coast Florida
I'm thinking the most I'll do is refresh the heads with a set of larger ratio full roller rocker arms. That's about it. By the time I could get around to doing something more major, I will have made 1LT or CPT by then and by then, it would probably be easier to get a C6 Z06 or even a C6 ZR1.
I would think at this point, my goals are relatively minor and that going with an ECS tune would be the way to go.
I would think at this point, my goals are relatively minor and that going with an ECS tune would be the way to go.
Ed M
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,599
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From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321