"Tuning"
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 3
From: Maine
"Tuning"
What exactly can someone expect from a "Custom Tune" on a stock
C5 LS1 with an automatic transmission.
The only thing this car has is an older BBN air intake with a K&N type
air filter.
The tuning shop I'm considering has a good reputation and say's that the rework of the " torgue management" will give me a noticeably improvement
in performance.
Since I'm completely new to this I would like any an all input from those
of you who are more we schooled in these matters.
Thanks
Bob
C5 LS1 with an automatic transmission.
The only thing this car has is an older BBN air intake with a K&N type
air filter.
The tuning shop I'm considering has a good reputation and say's that the rework of the " torgue management" will give me a noticeably improvement
in performance.
Since I'm completely new to this I would like any an all input from those
of you who are more we schooled in these matters.
Thanks
Bob
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
The biggest change in feel since you have an auto trans is the reprogramming of the shift points, firmness and line pressure. Really wakes up the car. The stock programming for the trans is VERY conservative. I've driven a few auto C5's and they all feel very sluggish next to my 6MT, that changes after a tune.
There are adjustments they will likely make to several other tables as well. If the tuner is reputable and the price is right go for it.
There are adjustments they will likely make to several other tables as well. If the tuner is reputable and the price is right go for it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 23,220
Likes: 3
From: HOUSTON
St. Jude Donor '06 thru '15, '19
I dont think its worth the money for tuning stock, I dont think you will gain anything , but I am not an expert. Gets some headers and high flow cats then tune it ... 
edit , I didnt think about shift points as mine is a 6 speed, good point.
edit , I didnt think about shift points as mine is a 6 speed, good point.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
Get a mail order tune from ECS. With your basic mods it will be just as good (or probably better considering the number of corvettes they tune) and I believe it only costs $150...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,396
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Are you in MAINE or Florida?? What type of TUNE is said shop going to do? CANNED tune (up-load a tune that works on the average LS engine) OR a professional tune and the TUNER uses a WIDE BAND and does actual adjustments to the Volumetric Efficiency table, MAF, Timing tables, WIDE OPEN THROTTLE AFR Adjustments etc etc...
That Info is very important to know as you may think you’re going to be getting more than you actually get!
I’ve had BOTH and I was NOT very happy with the quickie canned tune. It did NOTHING for fuel efficiency and minimal gains for performance. There was a difference but, nothing to write home about.
I had Corvettes Of Westchester do a complete tune and gained performance and almost 5 MPG. PHENOMAL RESULTS!
If it were me, I would do some mods that will make the tuning worth the effort .
A set of headers and a tune will make you think you have a new car!
BC
That Info is very important to know as you may think you’re going to be getting more than you actually get!
I’ve had BOTH and I was NOT very happy with the quickie canned tune. It did NOTHING for fuel efficiency and minimal gains for performance. There was a difference but, nothing to write home about.
I had Corvettes Of Westchester do a complete tune and gained performance and almost 5 MPG. PHENOMAL RESULTS!
If it were me, I would do some mods that will make the tuning worth the effort .
A set of headers and a tune will make you think you have a new car!
BC
Team Owner
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 23,480
Likes: 9
From: East Meadow NY
St. Jude Donor '12
I got 19rwhp from a tune and with just a halltech stinger. It really does wake up an A4. Based on your other posts though, you are considering future modes. I would wait until the other mods are done.
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,591
Likes: 1,214
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Thanks!
Many have said our mail order tune is the best mod they have done, and I would love to put you on that list as well!
Here is a link to our mail order tuning special.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-s...post1578770626
.
__________________
C5/C6 and C7 Supercharging Specialist
ECS Supercharger Kits / Mantic Clutches
www.EastCoastSupercharging.com
Facebook Page
ECS YouTube Channel
C5/C6 and C7 Supercharging Specialist
ECS Supercharger Kits / Mantic Clutches
www.EastCoastSupercharging.com
Facebook Page
ECS YouTube Channel
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
7 Bolt-On Upgrades From Extreme Online Store to Level Up Your C6 Corvette
Pouria Savadkouei
How Likely Are These Five 2027 Corvette Rumors to Be True?
Brett Foote
9 Best Corvettes You Can Buy for Half Price (& 1 You Should NEVER Buy!)
Joe Kucinski
8 Very Best Corvettes of Amelia Island 2026
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 WORST Corvette Engineering Failures of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
10 Records the C8 Corvette Generation Has SMASHED (& 1 Glaring Failure)
Joe Kucinski
7 Wildest Corvette Concepts Ever Made
Brett Foote
Premium Supporting Vendor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 23,591
Likes: 1,214
From: Providing the most proven supercharger kits for your C5/6/7 609-752-0321
Are you in MAINE or Florida?? What type of TUNE is said shop going to do? CANNED tune (up-load a tune that works on the average LS engine) OR a professional tune and the TUNER uses a WIDE BAND and does actual adjustments to the Volumetric Efficiency table, MAF, Timing tables, WIDE OPEN THROTTLE AFR Adjustments etc etc...
That Info is very important to know as you may think you’re going to be getting more than you actually get!
I’ve had BOTH and I was NOT very happy with the quickie canned tune. It did NOTHING for fuel efficiency and minimal gains for performance. There was a difference but, nothing to write home about.
I had Corvettes Of Westchester do a complete tune and gained performance and almost 5 MPG. PHENOMAL RESULTS!
If it were me, I would do some mods that will make the tuning worth the effort .
A set of headers and a tune will make you think you have a new car!
BC
That Info is very important to know as you may think you’re going to be getting more than you actually get!
I’ve had BOTH and I was NOT very happy with the quickie canned tune. It did NOTHING for fuel efficiency and minimal gains for performance. There was a difference but, nothing to write home about.
I had Corvettes Of Westchester do a complete tune and gained performance and almost 5 MPG. PHENOMAL RESULTS!
If it were me, I would do some mods that will make the tuning worth the effort .
A set of headers and a tune will make you think you have a new car!
BC
Bill,
I'm not sure which "canned tune" you went with, but I feel your post is categorizing all tunes per your single experience. Our mail order tunes are derived from dyno tunes of the specific operating system in the vehicle, where we have made changes to "VE tales, MAF, WOT A/F, timing etc etc.
We have had many people go from a dyno tune to our mail order tune and end up with a better running/faster car with better mileage too. Just because the car went on a dyno, does not necessarily mean it was done correctly IMO.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 3
From: Maine
Maine and Florida
I live in Maine AND Florida. Maine during the good weather and Florida in the winter. The car will going to Florida for the winter and was planning on having ' Tampa Tuning" work on the car.
Some people have stated "wait till your done modding" before tuning.
The fact is I don't WANT to MOD any thing. I just want to know what a custom " Tune " will do for my stock vehicle.
Bob
Some people have stated "wait till your done modding" before tuning.
The fact is I don't WANT to MOD any thing. I just want to know what a custom " Tune " will do for my stock vehicle.
Bob
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
I live in Maine AND Florida. Maine during the good weather and Florida in the winter. The car will going to Florida for the winter and was planning on having ' Tampa Tuning" work on the car.
Some people have stated "wait till your done modding" before tuning.
The fact is I don't WANT to MOD any thing. I just want to know what a custom " Tune " will do for my stock vehicle.
Bob
Some people have stated "wait till your done modding" before tuning.
The fact is I don't WANT to MOD any thing. I just want to know what a custom " Tune " will do for my stock vehicle.
Bob
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,599
Likes: 1
From: Long Island, Nassau County New York
I was thinking about getting a street tune as well. I have the Blackwing and B&B catbacks. Someone told me that due the mileage on the car(107,000) a tune might not be a good idea....Anyone agree with that statement?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
I'd disagree with it. IMHO any component that fails after a tune was going to fail soon anyway unless the tuner does something really stupid...
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,902
Likes: 21
From: Oak Hill Virginia
If he doesn't track his car I'm not sure how much of a difference he'd notice. I don't think you'd "feel" the difference from a blackwing to a vararam... Your numbers might get a little better though.
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
Do any of these tuning programs change the fuel cut off at red line. I can tell my C5 6 speed has more go at the 6200 rpm cutoff and I'm assuming the factory does this intentionally.
Thanks, I'm new to this performance modification game.
Thanks, I'm new to this performance modification game.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 4,237
Likes: 11
From: Lacombe Louisiana
I went from a stock airfliter to a Blackwing and got zero,zip,nada,nothing in performance gains at the track,nor in the seat of my pants.Changed to a Vararam and went almost 4/10's quicker immediately! Throttle response was better on the street also.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,628
Likes: 15
From: Seattle WA
The motor might have some pull left in it, but the stock springs won't hold up. If you get that cutoff removed and bounce to 7 grand or more, expect a broken valve spring and major valve/piston damage.