TAGVETTE

I have a Blackwing, Bassanni X-pipe and Borla exhaust installed. Is there any benefit for me to have da vette tuned?

Billdog350

Firstly, there are gains for tuning with any setup....stock, bolt ons, or more.

My friend gained about 7rwhp and 12rwtq just from us learning to tune with TunerCat on a local dynojet. He only had a blackwing and SLP Loudmouth. We are far from professionals.

vettecop1125

You'll get some increase in HP, but most suggest that you do some real mods before a tune to get the most out of it and the most for your money, such as headers or heads and/or cam. When I did my intake and exhaust, I did not have a tune, but when I have my headers installed next month I'll have it tuned then.

Billdog350

Vette Cop is right to a point. We only paid for dyno time so that 7hp was less than $100 or so (plus software). If you had to pay for tuning and dyno time, I would guess they'll charge you $500. If you're paying that much for tuning, then get some larger mods before biting the bullet. Make sense?

NPD337

get the tune done if you are not planning on doing more work in the next few months
i was told to wait to get a tune also then i got one any way and i was running way to lean just from addin a vararam and headers back the computer was adjusting a/f ratio 20% and at 25% engine lights come on. a tune is not only to get more power it is to make sure you do not burn the pistons up ( to lean ) or wash out the rings ( to rich ) just spend the money and be on the safe side. should be able to get a bolt on only tune for around $350

Slow Vette

you can always buy a used programmer if you don't want to pay $500 for a tune, just a suggestion

phils C5 vette

Your a junkie now. save money for the tune for when you get the heads and cam installed. You'll burn a little rich with what you have, but hold off on the tune

muncie21

Factory tune should adjust to the cat back and the CAI pretty easily.

FWIW, if you are a tinkering kind of guy, seriously look at getting a good software tunning package. If you are a drop it off and pick it up afterwards (nothing wrong with that either) then don't bother with a tune or the software until you get more mods.

David426

Keep looking at the C5 Parts for Sale. There are handheld programmers that pop up all the time for a reasonable price. I picked up a used Hypertech for $100 on here. I picked up 8 hp and 13 lbs of torque For $100.. A dyno tune is far superior to the hand helds. But what the hey, better than nothing. You can do your dyno tune when you get headers and or cam, you will need a professional tune at that time. Handhelds are not much good at that point

Billdog350

I personally have had great luck with TunerCat with my LT1 camaro, L05 TBI V8 truck, and more recently my friend and my 1997 LS1 Corvettes. The tunercat package is about $350 for the cable and software with one definition file, but that definition file will do UNLIMITED vehicles within that def (All 1997-1998 LS1's etc)....so if you have friends with Chevy's (or just Vettes) you can split the cost of the cable and tuning software and they just need to buy their def file for $20-50 or whatever it is.

I have not seen LS1 Edit, HP Tuners, or whatever the various other programs are...but I do know TunerCat seems to have all of the options that I need to properly tune the car...and also allows editing of your DIC codes and such so you can turn off O2's and MIL problems.

I'm currently in the process of tuning my MAF for better part throttle economy and performance. That does require yet another cable to datalog, but it is universal across all GM's (you can get universal cables for all OBDII also) so you can monitor and troubleshoot your various vehicles.

TAGVETTE

Thanx for the input.
I don't really plan on doing much else to this car. I have been toying with selling it to a friend and getting a C6. Just a thought right now.....

I'm swaying back on forth on the issue because it's really taken me over a year to get it where I want it. IF I do anything else, it'll be headers and high-flo cats. I'm a little concerned about noise.

phils C5 vette

I think we have all said that. Then a year goes by, you get a return on your taxes, and you get the itch again for another mod . lolol