How Do I Pick a Good Mail-Order Tune?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,816
Likes: 16
From: Anchorage Alaska
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
How Do I Pick a Good Mail-Order Tune?
Hi guys,
Currently several vendors are offering incredible prices on mail-order tunes. As there are not many dyno facilities in Alaska, this is essentially my only option.
I hear tunes are incredibly beneficial regardless of whether one's Vette is stock or modified. I also know not all tunes are created equal. But that's all I know.
How can I make an informed choice regarding which tuner to give my business to? I would rather not list the tuners as I don't know if it's allowed to compare vendors like that. I know they don't allow it in the Car Care Forums. So, with this in mind... what questions should I be asking, to find out who can provide the best tune for me?
FWIW, i have an 03 Z06, all stock except for a Vararam unit, and no plans for additional "go fast" mods. I also don't drag race or track the car; mostly used for road trips but I do love a good, spirited pass on the highway and wouldn't mind a bit more punch during such occasions.
Thanks!
Currently several vendors are offering incredible prices on mail-order tunes. As there are not many dyno facilities in Alaska, this is essentially my only option.
I hear tunes are incredibly beneficial regardless of whether one's Vette is stock or modified. I also know not all tunes are created equal. But that's all I know.
How can I make an informed choice regarding which tuner to give my business to? I would rather not list the tuners as I don't know if it's allowed to compare vendors like that. I know they don't allow it in the Car Care Forums. So, with this in mind... what questions should I be asking, to find out who can provide the best tune for me?
FWIW, i have an 03 Z06, all stock except for a Vararam unit, and no plans for additional "go fast" mods. I also don't drag race or track the car; mostly used for road trips but I do love a good, spirited pass on the highway and wouldn't mind a bit more punch during such occasions.
Thanks!
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
I would suggest starting with one of the reputable ones and then call them up and talk to them. Explain what you are after and what you expect, make sure you are both on that same page. After that, its a matter of preference.
Personally, I wouldn't spend the money, and the time to get the PCM in and out, on a tune for just a CAI on a stick shift car. An automatic is a different story since they will normally change the shift points, speed and firmness.
Some people will agree with me, others won't, its just my opinion.
Personally, I wouldn't spend the money, and the time to get the PCM in and out, on a tune for just a CAI on a stick shift car. An automatic is a different story since they will normally change the shift points, speed and firmness.
Some people will agree with me, others won't, its just my opinion.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 4,816
Likes: 132
From: Plano TX
Chuck Cow has been doing these for years and has an excellent reputation on this forum.. Do a search on Chuck cow... He is offering a special right now http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ial-hurry.html
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
Unless I am missing something, the best way to get the absolute best tune possible would be to purchase EFI live or HPtuners and a loggable wideband 02 setup, upload the tune, log the results cruising around for a long time, working your way to WOT runs. Send those logs to the tuner so they may modify the fuel to zero out your fuel trims and optimize your WOT fuel. A tuner with tons of experience should be able to use a tune from a comparable car at a comparable elevation to achieve close results though.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
The simple answer is....PICK MINE!
Hi guys,
Currently several vendors are offering incredible prices on mail-order tunes. As there are not many dyno facilities in Alaska, this is essentially my only option.
I hear tunes are incredibly beneficial regardless of whether one's Vette is stock or modified. I also know not all tunes are created equal. But that's all I know.
How can I make an informed choice regarding which tuner to give my business to? I would rather not list the tuners as I don't know if it's allowed to compare vendors like that. I know they don't allow it in the Car Care Forums. So, with this in mind... what questions should I be asking, to find out who can provide the best tune for me?
FWIW, i have an 03 Z06, all stock except for a Vararam unit, and no plans for additional "go fast" mods. I also don't drag race or track the car; mostly used for road trips but I do love a good, spirited pass on the highway and wouldn't mind a bit more punch during such occasions.
Thanks!
Currently several vendors are offering incredible prices on mail-order tunes. As there are not many dyno facilities in Alaska, this is essentially my only option.
I hear tunes are incredibly beneficial regardless of whether one's Vette is stock or modified. I also know not all tunes are created equal. But that's all I know.
How can I make an informed choice regarding which tuner to give my business to? I would rather not list the tuners as I don't know if it's allowed to compare vendors like that. I know they don't allow it in the Car Care Forums. So, with this in mind... what questions should I be asking, to find out who can provide the best tune for me?
FWIW, i have an 03 Z06, all stock except for a Vararam unit, and no plans for additional "go fast" mods. I also don't drag race or track the car; mostly used for road trips but I do love a good, spirited pass on the highway and wouldn't mind a bit more punch during such occasions.
Thanks!
Other benefits....
I always re-tune/update my tunes for FREE.
When the EFI LIVE autocal device is released, I can scan and adjust your tune TOTALLY FREE through your e-mail.
If I do a tuning trip somewhat local to you...you're invited to come for a FREE TEST DRIVE AND CHECK/RETUNE if necessary.
EVERY MAIL ORDER TUNE I do is UPDATED with the LATEST GM SOFTWARE AVAILABLE - FREE!
Trust me...You can't go wrong.
Call me any time.
Chuck CoW
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
Likes: 404
From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
I would do this on my A4, but what happens if I ignore the Tstat requirement? I don't want to mess with it.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,236
Likes: 2
From: Glendora CA
Unless I am missing something, the best way to get the absolute best tune possible would be to purchase EFI live or HPtuners and a loggable wideband 02 setup, upload the tune, log the results cruising around for a long time, working your way to WOT runs. Send those logs to the tuner so they may modify the fuel to zero out your fuel trims and optimize your WOT fuel. A tuner with tons of experience should be able to use a tune from a comparable car at a comparable elevation to achieve close results though.
Also make sure whom ever does the tune does NOT lock the tune. You may want to have someone else do some changes at someother time. If the tune is locked then you are stuck using the same guy again.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix Arizona
Chuck CoW
Chuck CoW is the BEST hands down........... Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. Hundreds of Hundreds of happy customers can not be wrong. Do a search and you find your answers.
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Now, i am sure!
NOW, I AM SURE!
Click HERE for information on ordering AUTOCAL!
Finally, the wait is OVER!
Chuck CoW