Stock LS3: Worth the Cost to Tune?
11-04-2018, 09:22 AM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
Stock LS3: Worth the Cost to Tune?
I have an '11 GS MN6. 26k on it now. I've installed a cold air intake shroud, attack blue filter, and catch can. Those are the only engine 'mods'. I've often wondered how much additional performance could be gained by doing a professional dyno tune. By performance, I really mean mid range torque. I don't care about HP gain above 4 -5k. I don't race it. I don't want to add headers. I just want to get the most out of what I have. Would I be able to feel the difference? If not, then I have my answer. Please share your opinions ...and better yet.... data.
11-04-2018, 05:01 PM
#2
Former Vendor
Member Since: Aug 2011
Location: Tampa Fl
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St. Jude Donor '12
Corvette Tuner in Tampa
I think 80% of my clients are stock to headers. All of them notice a nice performance difference after tuning. Most stop their modifications at the bolt ons level. 15% of them add an aftermarket camshaft and 5% go with an aftermarket supercharger.
Usually 20 RWHP come from just tuning at the stock to bolt ons level. Move away from the peak RWHP number, and think more towards everything tuning does to the corvette's performance.
I list most of the changes on my website that I make to the LS series engine. Check it out > www.TampaTuning.com
www.TampaTuning.com
Usually 20 RWHP come from just tuning at the stock to bolt ons level. Move away from the peak RWHP number, and think more towards everything tuning does to the corvette's performance.
I list most of the changes on my website that I make to the LS series engine. Check it out > www.TampaTuning.com
www.TampaTuning.com
11-04-2018, 06:08 PM
#3
Drifting
Thread Starter
I think 80% of my clients are stock to headers. All of them notice a nice performance difference after tuning. Most stop their modifications at the bolt ons level. 15% of them add an aftermarket camshaft and 5% go with an aftermarket supercharger.
Usually 20 RWHP come from just tuning at the stock to bolt ons level. Move away from the peak RWHP number, and think more towards everything tuning does to the corvette's performance.
I list most of the changes on my website that I make to the LS series engine. Check it out > www.TampaTuning.com
www.TampaTuning.com
Usually 20 RWHP come from just tuning at the stock to bolt ons level. Move away from the peak RWHP number, and think more towards everything tuning does to the corvette's performance.
I list most of the changes on my website that I make to the LS series engine. Check it out > www.TampaTuning.com
www.TampaTuning.com
Last edited by jost6453; 11-04-2018 at 06:25 PM.
11-05-2018, 03:25 PM
#4
Advanced
I think what you want to look for are LS3 dyno charts for stock and then retuned on a stock engine, so you can see what RPM range the additional power is in and how much is made. What you probably feel the most wouldn't be the addition of power, but the recalibration of the throttle map, so the feel would be less about additional power and more about feeling that power at various throttle positions.
Last edited by Creedence85; 11-05-2018 at 03:26 PM.
11-07-2018, 11:48 AM
#5
Supporting Vendor
Heres a pair of LS3 dyno charts from our 93 octane tunes.
One from an Auto C6 and the other from a manual Camaro (couldn;t find a manual Vette, but this is a good representation of what you can expect.
Clear torque gains are readily available through the whole rpm range on both applications.
Thanks
Last edited by Mike@DiabloSport; 11-07-2018 at 11:52 AM.
11-07-2018, 01:58 PM
#7
Drifting
Thread Starter
11-07-2018, 07:44 PM
#9
Drifting
Member Since: Jul 2011
Location: Boca Raton Florida
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Originally Posted by Mike@DiabloSport
Lots of solid reviews around here from other LS3 owners using our tuners 
Let me know if you have any questions.
Let me know if you have any questions.
I also drive a 2011 GS MN6 and share the same concerns as the op. My engine is stock. My question to you, thank you for the graphs, but what happens below 3500 RPM where most people drive 90 percent of the time anyhow.
11-08-2018, 08:05 AM
#10
Supporting Vendor
Its not easy to properly load a dyno that low, you'll notice its not common to see pulls start down that low in most cases. Also, you rarely if ever spend time at WOT below 3500....really only in 1st gear in most cases.
You can generally look at the curves and extrapolate their shape as you move down the rpm range to see how it looks.
The gains do tend to increase with rpm until it reaches peak torque.
Thanks
You can generally look at the curves and extrapolate their shape as you move down the rpm range to see how it looks.
The gains do tend to increase with rpm until it reaches peak torque.
Thanks
11-08-2018, 09:57 PM
#11
I have an '11 GS MN6. 26k on it now. I've installed a cold air intake shroud, attack blue filter, and catch can. Those are the only engine 'mods'. I've often wondered how much additional performance could be gained by doing a professional dyno tune. By performance, I really mean mid range torque. I don't care about HP gain above 4 -5k. I don't race it. I don't want to add headers. I just want to get the most out of what I have. Would I be able to feel the difference? If not, then I have my answer. Please share your opinions ...and better yet.... data.
Next year I’m going to have to get stickier tires, she NOW wants to break free launching, 2nd and a little in 3rd. It makes me really, really happy.
11-12-2018, 01:19 PM
#12
Le Mans Master
When I added headers and a custom Diablo Lew tune and a custom TCM tune to the C6, the gain was even greater and the car pulled like a freight train all the way thru to the redline ..... .. I am about to log the C7 again as I want to add a custom tune to my C7
if you are just stock or minor bolt ons the Diablo and Diablo custom tunes are as good as a street tune ....
Dave
11-13-2018, 10:53 PM
#13
Pro
I have a 2011 Base Coupe M6 with NPP exhaust. Tampa Tuning tuned it with their Total Street Performance Tuning Package. Without question it is more responsive. It’s my daily driver and I am really pleased with the difference tuning has made in how it drives. Highly recommend you give it a try.
12-12-2018, 08:50 PM
#14
Race Director
My 2008 LS3 with 800 miles driven went from stock 375/383 (rwhp/rwtq) to 400/400 with tune only.
This was on a wheels off dyno.
But I noticed the biggest feel of power after the long tubes....Torque especially. Saw 422/422 with the headers added and another tune.
Near 50 HP can be felt for sure. 25 too but not in your face.
This was on a wheels off dyno.
But I noticed the biggest feel of power after the long tubes....Torque especially. Saw 422/422 with the headers added and another tune.
Near 50 HP can be felt for sure. 25 too but not in your face.
nice, that’s what my tuner says too. Heads and x pipe on deck to be followed by a cam and someday blower. 
12-15-2018, 07:10 AM
#18
Le Mans Master