Reading on the forum here, I seen talk of people using tuner's to set up their cars. I've been away from "race cars" for a long time now. We used to break out the wrenches and screw drivers to set timing and fuel mixtures and such. Now it's the tuners.

So what's a good tuner to get so that I can store and modify different "tunes" and that is easy to read and understand? What is out there that would help me understand what I'm doing and what affects what when I do it? Is it all trial and error?

I got standard C5 auto LS1.

Of course I've seen the chips and stuff to make 500+ HP and get 30 MPH. Why anyone wants to drive a 500 HP car to get 30 MPH is beyond me. I want horsepower, buying the gas is necessary.

Is there tuners that can download setups from others (tuners), computers, other cars, and possibly from folks like us on the net? When mod's are made, intake, exhaust, etc. is re-tuning necessary, and what types of things are re-tuned?

Thanks for any input on this. There seems to be many products available and I would like to get one that seems to be proven by the folks here.

 

I would like to learn more about tuning myself, this looks like a great place to start.

 

you might consider posting in the "scan & tune" section

 

Yep. Also, LS1 Tech is LOADED with tuner SW info.

 

Very simple.

I can break it down to two basic options.

Handhelds and full computer packages.

Handhelds like the Diablosport Predator will let you do basic tuning (eg. change fan temps, read codes, update gear ratios, and some minor performance tuning). They are safe, meaning that someone with no knowledge whatsoever can't blow up thier car. They also generally don't let you save multiple tunes and someone even reasonably more into the craft will find themselves quickly limited.
List price on the Predator is $399 and it gets locked to the vehicle being tuned, in other words, it will only tune 1 car.

Then there are the full computer packages. The two most popular are HP Tuners and EFILive. Each is very comparable but I'll break it down as simply as possible without starting up a pissing match between fans of either brand. HPTuners is cheaper for virtually the same functionality, but EFILive has the option to add a hardware PCM (Roadrunner) for the ultimate in realtime tuning. My advice is to look at both and see what works for you.
Both work on a credit system, so depending on what you want to tune, for example, HPTuners comes with 8 credits which will allow you to tune up to 4 cars out of the box. Each car takes 2 credits, and more advanced options like real-time tuning and 2 and 3 bar SD tuning cost more credits. HP Tuners is $499 for the base and $649 for the Pro. The pro version has analog inputs to incorporate wideband signals directly into the interface. My advice would be to get the pro.

Either of the computer packages (fyi, you'll need a computer to install the software onto, laptop preferably) are complete tuning solutions in that virtually every parameter of the PCM can be modified. This is both great and can also be bad. It can be bad because you can definately enter bad info and hurt your engine (by running super lean, for example). You have to know what you're doing and be prepared to set aside time and learn, learn, learn. There are plenty of guides and forums to help you, so you're not on your own. But don't think you'll install one of these tonight and tomorrow you'll be a tuning professional.

One thing is certain, there is virtually no wrench tuning anymore. Those days are long gone, and to be quite honest, good riddance. Todays computer controlled cars are signifigantly more refined and deliver the trifecta of better performance, better fuel economy, and better emmisions. All good things.

During tuning after a large cam install, the only bolt I turned on my TransAm was the throttle body position stop. On C5 vettes+, they even use electronic throttles, so that's not even necessary anymore. But with the more control systems, come much greater complexity. That's why I can't stress how important it is to learn as much about tuning as possible.

 

Great advice nj02vette, i agree


I would not recommend you tune your car on your own if you are not familiar with the software. The best way to do it is go to the professional of your choice and ask as many questions you feel you need to know the answer to.

If you are looking to just get a tune for your car, leave it to the professional, if you are looking to learn to do the tune yourself, i suggest again do not go in blind with out any experience, engines are a costly lesson, i don't need to tell you that.

How to find a good tuner? Easy, do a search on the forum to see which shop does tuning, give them all a call and then, you make your choice.

There are a lot of shops out there and there are a lot of happy people out there, we all have our favorites, Chuck CoW here , you just have to be comfortable with who you pick.

Good luck to you

FireEyes

 

My Z06 has a Predator tune on it and honestly, the car runs great with it. I have flashed back and forth from the factory tune to the predator "performance" tune and it is good for what it is. In saying that if you plan on no more than headers and an intake the hand held tuner is probably all you will need. Once you do a cam and more, then you're looking at the dyno tune with tuning software and a laptop. the hand helds cant do that.

 

Thanks for giving your time and your insight on this question. Yeah I figured the screwdriver days are gone. So now instead of drinking beer and turning wrenches, its drink beer (or maybe wine) and download files.

After posting this I saw that someone said I should pot in scan & tune, I did. While there, I noticed that some folks are willing to offer tunes over the net. This the type of thing I was hoping to see and just trading tunes with others (if not on the forum, locally). A timing light, tach & dwel, and vacum gauage could tune as many cars as the beer allowed.

I have read some of the info on the HP tuners and this opened my eyes a bit, especially the credit system. I used to get paid to brainstorm these types of revenue preserving stratagies in other industries, but now I rant.

Again thanks for taking the time.

 

Glad we could help out.

For full tuning, it comes down to either going to a professional or getting the tools (software now) and doing it yourself. It certainly sounds like you want to learn and do it yourself. Even though I live in the NE with litterally some of the best tuners on the planet within an 80 mile range, I both wanted to tweak my own settings frequently and also couldn't justify spending 300+ for each time I made a change. Something simple like changing transmission gear ratios cost close to $200, when it's a freakin' 1 minute tweak.

As for tunes over the net, I can vouch that HPTuners has a repository where you put in your make/model/year and you have instant access to a wide variety of tunes, all with different mods. I've used that to compare others tunes and that's been a real help. Sometimes it's very helpful to learn by example. That also goes both ways since sometimes people post up tunes, to be quite honest, they have no business posting because there's problems with the tune.

Anyway, good luck with what you decide.

 

Hey man... Give me a call any time.... We get lotsa customers coming up from Virginia for some strange reason....

It's actually a really easy day trip if you wanna do smaller mods and tuning and for bigger projects we'll set you up at a hotel/motel of your choice and we'll arrange for transportation and meals if you need....

And heck! Mrs. CoW and the CoW Crew are always good for some cheap entertainment to help pass the time while you wait for your car to be finished!

Any time!
Chuck CoW

 

Intake, headers, exhaust and a dyno tune is your best bet to start. Feel free to give me a call if you need any info or would like to schedule a day to get the work done. Im not terribly far from VA and its tax free here in del. It can all be done in one day.