Rob 02

I have been doing my own mechanical work since I could ride a bicycle but I know next to nothing about tuning.

I purchased my 02 C5 base coupe 135K miles last year from a salvage auction as a project car. It was declared a total loss due to a hydro-locked engine, #7 connecting rod bent.

I rebuilt the engine with LS6 cam, slightly ported and milled 799 heads, thinner head gasket, gutted pre-cats, Ti exhaust, and K&N with zip tie mod.

ECS did the mail order tune but I expressed some concerns about the health of the drive line (A4 w/3.15 gears) since I didn't know its history.

It turns out that as a result of my paranoia, that Doug left the torque management stock. He said I could send it back for an upgrade if I want. Great guys at ECS.

I haven't had a chance to send it back because I am using the car as my daily driver while I am working on my truck.

The whole time I am thinking, why not learn a thing or two about tuning from the great people of the forum.


My questions are:

What tuner can I get on a budget? I'm not even sure what a budget is but I'm not a shop or a racer. Can I get a used one?

+Anything else I need to know. I am fairly technical minded.

Thanks

enoniam

You just missed getting in on an HPTuners group buy that closed on Tuesday...

Rob 02

I saw the add but didn't make the impulse buy not knowing much about them.

Is HPTuners is the one that most are using? I see it talked about here a lot.

RedRiderZR1

HpTuners and efilive are 2 of the popular tuning tools out there. Couldn't go wrong with either. Pricier than the handheld tuner programs but offer more options to tune your vehicle yourself. I use HpTuners and really like it.

Rob 02

Thanks.

What would I need to change shift points and torque management ?
I'm not much of a racer but want to make it respond a certain way and have the ability to change my mind.

If having the ability to re-flash my tune is an option then it would be nice.

RedRiderZR1

It all comes down to how far you want to go with it.
Shift points and torque management could be done with a Diablo handheld or other handhelds as well. If just looking to do small changes and no engine mods and re tuning than those are a cheaper option, especially if you buy used. If you are looking to mod your car and tune it yourself, than the two I mentioned previously would be the way to go.

Rob 02

I modded about as far as I am going to so it sounds like a hand held will work for now.

Can you recommend one?

RedRiderZR1

Personally, the only one I have ever used is the Diablo predator. Now the one to get to replace that one would be the Diablo iTune. I liked diablosport back when I used it. Others can give you their views on devices they have/do use.

Rob 02

Doug @ ECS.

If I purchase the Diablo Sport i2030 in Tune i2, would it play nice with my existing mail order tune and would I be able to receive future mail order tunes from you via the web?

I am not sure I am up to the learning curve of the more sophisticated tuners at this point.

CindysC5

I'm looking to do the same thing soon actually. A friend of mine just told me he did his own tune with a Hypro Tech programmer and it worked as promised. He's been very happy with it. Other than that, I don't know much about them myself....

Zilla617

I am looking at the Diablo Sport to tune my 2000 coupe (automatic). So far, I have changed the intake, larger wheels, cat back exhaust, and upgraded to the Z51 suspension. When I was at the Corvette show in Carslile last year, the Diablo Sport was the unit being sold there. Was hoping to see some reviews before buying.