Dynotech tuning trip
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
Dynotech tuning trip
Having recently completed multiple mods (LPE LT headers, X pipe, Borla quad stingers and Halltech Stinger induction) it was time for a tuning job. After researching local and midwestern tuners I choose DTE in Ft. Wayne for the job.
After slip sliding my way over to Ft. Wayne Friday morning (no matter how our C5's are equipped snow and Vettes are not a good combination) I was greeted at the door by Phil who is the president and chief engineer at DTE. We had a good laugh about my trip and got down to business. Getting started meant a full trip around the impressive DTE facility. The first thing I noticed was a shop full of performance cars, mainly corvettes of all descriptions. My observation was there were some very serious machines in the shop for all manner of mods; engines, FI work, HC, along with racing applications - there was even a Cannonball One lap of America racer in for some tuning. The chassis dyno cell was DynaJet equipped and had a '03 Vert strapped to it, mine was next in line.
We started with examining the header install where Phil noticed right off that the wrong header gaskets had been used, we decided to get the correct gaskets installed that afternoon. We went on to get a baseline and determined my '03 Z06 was making 354 RWHP and 349 RWTQ SAE corrected. Not bad, but like the rest of you I wondered where the cummalitve effect of all my bolt ons were, and like you all, I realized that all of the bolt on manufacturer claims were overly optimistic.
So back to the shop for header gasket replacement and driveability tuning. I left to head for Indianapolis. The next morning I learned that Phil and his crew had been hard at it until 11pm that evening accomplishing all of the driveability tuning before a fresh 3 inches of snow arrived. The final cold start and warmup pull netted me 374 RWHP and 362 RWTQ, which I think was a great improvement, a run out to the airport and back confirmed that the car was much smoother and developed great power along with much better full mileage, the a/fr was in the 10:1 and as low as the 9's creating a lousy rich condition and putting the fuel mileage in the ditch. Phil settled on a 12.8:1 afr which I'm very happy with.
I drove back to central IL. yesterday afternoon and average 27.5 mpg at 80 mph (after exercising my right foot a number of times) and I am very happy with both the mileage and performance.
I would highly recommend the friendly folks at DTE for your performance upgrades from major to minor, these guys impressed me with their depth of experience and focus on customer service which was second to none. I'll consider them when it's time for the heads and cam work which will likely come next.
Thanks to Phil and his team for making my tuning experience a very educational and superior experience!
TJ
After slip sliding my way over to Ft. Wayne Friday morning (no matter how our C5's are equipped snow and Vettes are not a good combination) I was greeted at the door by Phil who is the president and chief engineer at DTE. We had a good laugh about my trip and got down to business. Getting started meant a full trip around the impressive DTE facility. The first thing I noticed was a shop full of performance cars, mainly corvettes of all descriptions. My observation was there were some very serious machines in the shop for all manner of mods; engines, FI work, HC, along with racing applications - there was even a Cannonball One lap of America racer in for some tuning. The chassis dyno cell was DynaJet equipped and had a '03 Vert strapped to it, mine was next in line.
We started with examining the header install where Phil noticed right off that the wrong header gaskets had been used, we decided to get the correct gaskets installed that afternoon. We went on to get a baseline and determined my '03 Z06 was making 354 RWHP and 349 RWTQ SAE corrected. Not bad, but like the rest of you I wondered where the cummalitve effect of all my bolt ons were, and like you all, I realized that all of the bolt on manufacturer claims were overly optimistic.
So back to the shop for header gasket replacement and driveability tuning. I left to head for Indianapolis. The next morning I learned that Phil and his crew had been hard at it until 11pm that evening accomplishing all of the driveability tuning before a fresh 3 inches of snow arrived. The final cold start and warmup pull netted me 374 RWHP and 362 RWTQ, which I think was a great improvement, a run out to the airport and back confirmed that the car was much smoother and developed great power along with much better full mileage, the a/fr was in the 10:1 and as low as the 9's creating a lousy rich condition and putting the fuel mileage in the ditch. Phil settled on a 12.8:1 afr which I'm very happy with.
I drove back to central IL. yesterday afternoon and average 27.5 mpg at 80 mph (after exercising my right foot a number of times) and I am very happy with both the mileage and performance.
I would highly recommend the friendly folks at DTE for your performance upgrades from major to minor, these guys impressed me with their depth of experience and focus on customer service which was second to none. I'll consider them when it's time for the heads and cam work which will likely come next.
Thanks to Phil and his team for making my tuning experience a very educational and superior experience!
TJ
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 433
Likes: 0
From: Brookfield WI
I'm dropping my car off there in about 2 weeks for some work. I've spoken with Phil from DTE several times over the past few months and have also exchanged many email with him. Very knowledgeable, very fair, and above all very professional. I'm looking forward to getting my car a week later.
So, I second your recommendation of DTE.
Chip
So, I second your recommendation of DTE.
Chip
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: Vancouver WA
Dynotech tuning trip
Chip,
I think you'll be very pleased with Phil and his crew, as you observed very professional and his philosophy of done right the first time and cut no corners made me feel right at home.
TeamSpeed you have a graduate of the LPE team right in your back yard. I'd recommend Phil and DTE to you and save yourself the drive, I think you'd be impressed if you liked LPE.
TJ
I think you'll be very pleased with Phil and his crew, as you observed very professional and his philosophy of done right the first time and cut no corners made me feel right at home.
TeamSpeed you have a graduate of the LPE team right in your back yard. I'd recommend Phil and DTE to you and save yourself the drive, I think you'd be impressed if you liked LPE.
TJ
Collections Hold
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,899
Likes: 6
From: Fort Wayne Indiana
TJ-
As always, thank you for your business and it was nice meeting you.
Maybe next time you come around, we could go over to the airport and rent a plane so you can show me Fort Wayne (and our shop) from a bird's eye view! 
Enjoy!
Best Regards,
Phil- DTE
As always, thank you for your business and it was nice meeting you.
Maybe next time you come around, we could go over to the airport and rent a plane so you can show me Fort Wayne (and our shop) from a bird's eye view! Enjoy!
Best Regards,
Phil- DTE
Pro
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
From: Northeast IN
I will have to stop by, I bought HP Tuners and have yet to utilize it due to winter, and would really like to have a before/after set of numbers and have it tuned properly up front, then have something to play with afterwards.
Phil, do you use or have you used HPTuners? It is no problem for me to upload my stock program, then after you tune it, get a new upload of the tuned program. I am sure there are improvements to be made to the stock Z06 program, and especially since I added the stinger CAI.
Phil, do you use or have you used HPTuners? It is no problem for me to upload my stock program, then after you tune it, get a new upload of the tuned program. I am sure there are improvements to be made to the stock Z06 program, and especially since I added the stinger CAI.
