Tuning
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
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.
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,795
Likes: 2
From: Noblesville Indiana
CI 7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05
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.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
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?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by 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.
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.
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
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,252
Likes: 181
From: NE OH
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.
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.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Originally Posted by Slow Vette
you can always buy a used programmer if you don't want to pay $500 for a tune, just a suggestion
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
Last edited by David426; Mar 11, 2006 at 07:41 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,720
Likes: 3
From: East Hampton CT
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.
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.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 326
Likes: 0
From: VA
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.
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
Likes: 250
From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Originally Posted by TAGVETTE
I don't really plan on doing much else to this car. IF I do anything else, it'll be headers and high-flo cats.
