I think I have determined that I will be getting the combination of a Vararam VR-B2 with the powerduct and Melrose headers for my 2002 (already has Borla cat backs). My queation is will I need to get it tuned after I install these parts- if I don't, what do I risk? The two places I checked near me both want about $500 for the tune. I have heard that is a little high, so I guess I could also ask who is around the Chicago area and knows a good tuner and doesn't charge $500? Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

For those minor type of mods you dont need a full on dyno tune. The computer will adjust. Now if you want the most amount of available hp out of your new mods then yes get it tuned. A good compromise between doing nothing and a full dyno tune is a mail in tune from ECS. Send them your PCM and they will flash it with a proven tune for the mods you tell them you have. They do set it a little conservative since they dont see your actual car but it will do wonders for what you already have.

 

Our $149 mail order tune special would work great for your needs, let me know if we can help with anything. Here is a link to the thread in C5 scan n tune.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-s...nly-149-a.html

 

You're leaving a lot of power on the table without a tune after headers. Not to mention that your car will smell awful because you'll be running ridiculously rich...

 

Yes The Varraram is known to throw some "lean codes" after installation--- The increased airflow sometimes makes the fuel trims go into the +20 range --this will throw codes--- The larger the fuel trim the longer it takes to 'learn out" but sometimes in the 20's it never will
As far as your LT's go --I have seen some cars that made even less HP or very little without a tune--So absolutely get a tune--Why spend all that $$$ and not take full advantage of them--
Also-- the LT's open up a whole new can of worms for your P/T or "closed loop fueling" beacuse the 02 bungs are furher back than the stock manifolds were--(sometimes up to 3') you get erroneous 02 voltage readings--The fuel ends up going rich--Typical is something like in the 14.0-14.2 range rather than the Stoich. of 14.68---Tuning can help to get it back to 14.68--Thats why LT's are illegal in most states as they maket he fuel go rich and the HC's go way up and it won't pass smog-
BUT although tuning helps there is NOT a precise method to get the fuel back to 14.68 as the narrowband stock 02's have a very small range where they are accurate--I have had the best luck with lowering the 02 switching points and leaning down the VE table from around
2200 RPM on down--

 

ECS

 

OP are you planning any more performance mods?

If yes, than I would suggest that you wait on the tune until you do those mods. (Heads, cam, S/C.......)

If no, than I suggest that you send your PCM to Doug and have him do a mail order tune, he has probably done thousands of them. He did one for me after my ECS blower cam, headers, and VR and the car was perfect!

For $150, you won't find a better deal, or a better tuner!

Also just for the heck of it, my brother lives in Marsellies!

 

As has been mentioned by others, without the tune, you will not get the full benefit of those complimentary mods without the tune. Doug@ECS can get you a mail order tune that will be dead on for much cheaper than $500. My current car has a similar set up with his tune and it is perfect.

Here's a good article that ECS was involved in on this very subject:

http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...sy_article.pdf

About a year back Motor Trend or one of the other big car mags did a similar test with a Subie STI and they concluded that when installing a new CAI and headers you needed a tune to realize the full potnetial of those mods.

 

Great article- can't wait to do the mod

 

I paid $500 for a Dyno Tune and it was money well spent.

 

On a Turbo car, those mods make monumental differences that cannot be adjusted without tune. (Had 2 sti`s)

Hopefully I get some Melrose headers soon, too. Wouldn't feel safe without a tune.

I'd like to see some dyno's of just headers/intake before and after tuning!

 

Pay for dyno.do it right.and my shop will redyno for 150 if any upgrades arw done after.ask your local shops..i had mi e done with blackwing only. And he got another 29 hp.not just from intake but the car was off.just wasnt making normal power.so comp dosnt adjust properly all the time..gl

 

I live in the chicago area and i'm telling you from my experience and still trying to fix their ****** tune by SPEED INC DO NOT USE THEM they are the cockiest (if that's a word) a-holes around. They put a total of around 5 hrs of tuning on my car for almost $1200 for a ****** tune. After they tuned my car they said change this and change that and your car will by fine. Will i did that and it still had problems and let me remind you it didn't have these problems when i brought my car to them. After changing what they recomeened i took it back and the tuner siad it not my tune my tune is perfect spot on it's your car. What a-holes. Since that i will never bring my car back to that shop ever again. Remember this is my experience with this shop i tryed to talk to them gave them opportuniy to fix their ****** tune and they said no they will charge me by the hr to fix their mess up. I guess that's how they make their money. This is how they tuned my car they put in about 3 to 4 hrs of work and that's it what ever the car is running at that all they will do and say it's your car not my tune it's your car that's not right. What a cop out. Charge almost a $1000 for 3 to 4 hrs of tuning no thacks enver again. I've pruchaced hptuner sofeware because it these mornons at speed inc could do it icould do it well anyway a rather try myself instead of giving them a penny more for an incompetent tuner to charge 200 bucks an hr to tune a car redicules. Well since i got hpt two weeks ago. And slowly learning this stuff i've found out how bad their tune really is i actual have values that they put in that don't make any sence even to other tuners. With the help from member on the forum and ahole lot of reading i made some changes to their bad tune and my car is already running better. What how could that be they said their tune is spot on and it's my car. That just proves they get the car to their level of experience and that's all but charge you full price inadaqte tune because their tuner need more schooling or something. I mean i only had this hptuner for two weeks and i already see that they don't know how to get the car to run good but get it to their level and blam the rest on the car. I have to stop because i could go on and on with them jerks so stay away from them or you could give me your money and i could a better job then them morons. I goes both ways on this forum i'll give good respond to good work and i'll give ****** respond to vendors that deserve it expectly when i give them opportunitys to fix there mess up. At least my tune is heading in the right direction now since speed inc is not toching my car any more.

 

Thanks for the heads up- I will make sure and stay away from them

 

Just out of curiosity--can you list your mods when you took it to them AND tell us WHAT the car was doing badly (idle dying surging etc ) Want to see if I could tell just from that where the probelms are and which tables they messed up--Thks

 

I got a 2002 coupe, a Borla catback exhaust and a duel K&M intake. I don't know if this is a Varraram or not. I bought the car with these mods already so I'm not sure if any tune was done. Is this enough modification that would justify a tune?

 

Vararam is a brand just like K&N. So your K&N intake is not a Vararam. The cat-back is pretty much just for sound; net power increase from catback alone is negligible.

If you are planning on doing any other modifications to your car (i.e. long tube headers etc.) then a tune would be a waste of money for you at this point. If you are planning on leaving your car as it is a tune would be a great idea as a good dyno tune will make a pretty noticeable difference on even a stock car; especially if you have an auto...

 

i have a shop in new lenox il at the end of my building theres a place call straightline perf that tunes a ton of c5 and c6 there installing my header and xpipe and tuning my c5 there # is 815-485-7741

 

Thanks- I will give them a call. Does anyone else have any feedback on Straightline Performance?

 

I had a few friends have some work done by Straightline, they do very good work and their prices are better than most in the Chicago area. The owner is Nick and a really good guy to deal with. Doug from ECS tuned my car there last summer and my MAF blew apart on the dyno, I was screwed until Nick walked up to me and gave me an extra one he had so I could finish my tune and drive home! That was really cool of him to do that!

I agree with Helga as I have only spoke to Speed Inc on the phone to have some work done and I chose to go somewhere else as I felt like I was talking to a 14 yr. old kid on the phone. Also their labor rates are through the roof! I have herd very little positive things about Speed!