Can anyone please educate me....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
Can anyone please educate me....
Since joining the Forum I've have learned what a "tune" is. I have read so many different posts that my head is spinning. Alot of people say that a tune even without any mods will help performance. Why is the Vette not tuned for optimum performance from the factory ? Are they (GM) worried about warranty issues ? It doesn't seem that adding 20-30 hp would hurt anything. Also what the hell is TM or torque management ? Can someone please explain exactly what this is ? I would appreciate any information I can get thanks.. 
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,922
Likes: 4
From: Cheektowaga NY
St. Jude Donor '08
This is the simplest way to put it,when you slam the gas pedal to the floor,you would think that you are getting all the power-but your not.The computer steps in and reduces the giving power to save the tranny and rear end. Here is a ex... The SRT8 Jeep Grand Cherokee,when this vechilce slams the pedal to the floor in first gear it only puts down 75% at wide open throttle. Nothing is ever tuned perfect from the factory,thats why there are tuners. You gotta remember that there are different climates all over the world so they cant just tune for the best-they tune to be safe. Hope this helps
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
OK so if I got a tune is the car less reliable ie: trans & rear end ? I don't drag race the car but I do run it once in a while however, mostly after already moving. The only mods I plan on are Vararam & B&B Rt.66 cat back. Sorry it's my 1st Vette & dream car. Just a little nervous about messing something up. Thanks for the info.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
Since joining the Forum I've have learned what a "tune" is. I have read so many different posts that my head is spinning. Alot of people say that a tune even without any mods will help performance. Why is the Vette not tuned for optimum performance from the factory ? Are they (GM) worried about warranty issues ? It doesn't seem that adding 20-30 hp would hurt anything. Also what the hell is TM or torque management ? Can someone please explain exactly what this is ? I would appreciate any information I can get thanks..
- Emissions
- Drivability
- Durability
- Fuel economy
- Performance
- etc
Changing the calibration can improve some of these attributes while compromising others. It's a trade off. For example, with a different calibration, you can get more power at the cost of lower fuel economy and higher emissions.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 45,449
Likes: 892
From: Texas
CI 1-4-5-8-9-10 Vet
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '10, '17
OK so if I got a tune is the car less reliable ie: trans & rear end ? I don't drag race the car but I do run it once in a while however, mostly after already moving. The only mods I plan on are Vararam & B&B Rt.66 cat back. Sorry it's my 1st Vette & dream car. Just a little nervous about messing something up. Thanks for the info.
) , power is reduced when the computer determines that the powertain is under a heavy load or subject to shock (from your right foot). This power reduction is probably achieved from reduced throttle angle and less spark advance. Based on the above, with the factory tune, there is room for improvement in both HP and throttle response. A custom tune would increase spark advance, lean A/F ratio slightly, and reduce TM. A tune can also turn on the cooling fans at a lower temp, disable CAGS for manual tranny's, and improve shifting for auto tranny's. If you are a little nervous about messing with that, just leave your tune stock. With your mods, there's nothing wrong with that. Another option is to get the mods, and study / read up on tunes here and decide later if you want to tune.
Last edited by need-for-speed; May 12, 2007 at 01:27 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,516
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Bch VA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
From the factory, air fuel (A/F) ratios are skewed slightly towards the rich side to reduce the risk of detonation and keep the cats cool. Spark advance is less than optimum to allow for lower octane fuel and prevention of detonation. With torque management (TM) (assuming you believe it exists ) , power is reduced when the computer determines that the powertain is under a heavy load or subject to shock (from your right foot). This power reduction is probably achieved from reduced throttle angle and less spark advance. Based on the above, with the factory tune, there is room for improvement in both HP and trottle response.
A custom tune would increase spark advance, lean A/F ratio slightly, and reduce TM. A tune can also turn on the cooling fans at a lower temp, disable CAGS for manual tranny's, and improve shifting for auto tranny's. If you are a little nervous about messing with that, just leave your tune stock. With your mods, there's nothing wrong with that. Another option is to get the mods, and study / read up on tunes here and decide later if you want to tune.
) , power is reduced when the computer determines that the powertain is under a heavy load or subject to shock (from your right foot). This power reduction is probably achieved from reduced throttle angle and less spark advance. Based on the above, with the factory tune, there is room for improvement in both HP and trottle response. A custom tune would increase spark advance, lean A/F ratio slightly, and reduce TM. A tune can also turn on the cooling fans at a lower temp, disable CAGS for manual tranny's, and improve shifting for auto tranny's. If you are a little nervous about messing with that, just leave your tune stock. With your mods, there's nothing wrong with that. Another option is to get the mods, and study / read up on tunes here and decide later if you want to tune.
Yea what he said 
Well put "need"
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,253
Likes: 0
From: Royse City Texas
So when you get a tune, you actually tell what you want, kind of ala carte? Or, is a tune a tune? You either have it or you don't?
I've been reading about it on CF, but I'm like 072...still trying to get educated because so much info is confusing. I'm wondering if a CAI and tune for me is worthwhile. No track or drag racing, just regular on the road, mostly daily driver stuff, but I'd like better performance (if possible), and tighter shifts (A6).
While I'm at it, I'll ask...
Can you get things like a CAI installed and a tune done at Vette events like Bloomington Gold? I've never been.
Thanks to all for your patient explanations.
I've been reading about it on CF, but I'm like 072...still trying to get educated because so much info is confusing. I'm wondering if a CAI and tune for me is worthwhile. No track or drag racing, just regular on the road, mostly daily driver stuff, but I'd like better performance (if possible), and tighter shifts (A6).
While I'm at it, I'll ask...
Can you get things like a CAI installed and a tune done at Vette events like Bloomington Gold? I've never been.
Thanks to all for your patient explanations.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 279
Likes: 0
From the factory, air fuel (A/F) ratios are skewed slightly towards the rich side to reduce the risk of detonation and keep the cats cool. Spark advance is less than optimum to allow for lower octane fuel and prevention of detonation. With torque management (TM) (assuming you believe it exists ) , power is reduced when the computer determines that the powertain is under a heavy load or subject to shock (from your right foot). This power reduction is probably achieved from reduced throttle angle and less spark advance. Based on the above, with the factory tune, there is room for improvement in both HP and throttle response.
A custom tune would increase spark advance, lean A/F ratio slightly, and reduce TM. A tune can also turn on the cooling fans at a lower temp, disable CAGS for manual tranny's, and improve shifting for auto tranny's. If you are a little nervous about messing with that, just leave your tune stock. With your mods, there's nothing wrong with that. Another option is to get the mods, and study / read up on tunes here and decide later if you want to tune.
) , power is reduced when the computer determines that the powertain is under a heavy load or subject to shock (from your right foot). This power reduction is probably achieved from reduced throttle angle and less spark advance. Based on the above, with the factory tune, there is room for improvement in both HP and throttle response. A custom tune would increase spark advance, lean A/F ratio slightly, and reduce TM. A tune can also turn on the cooling fans at a lower temp, disable CAGS for manual tranny's, and improve shifting for auto tranny's. If you are a little nervous about messing with that, just leave your tune stock. With your mods, there's nothing wrong with that. Another option is to get the mods, and study / read up on tunes here and decide later if you want to tune.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 18,396
Likes: 169
One thing to keep in mind, should you decide to tune a relatively stock car.................. it will void your warrenty should the dealer catch it. Plus, if you take your car to the dealer for service, and there is a software update for your car and they install it, your tune will return to the original parameters. Complete waste of money, IMHO.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
From: Helotes Texas
So when you get a tune, you actually tell what you want, kind of ala carte? Or, is a tune a tune? You either have it or you don't?
I've been reading about it on CF, but I'm like 072...still trying to get educated because so much info is confusing. I'm wondering if a CAI and tune for me is worthwhile. No track or drag racing, just regular on the road, mostly daily driver stuff, but I'd like better performance (if possible), and tighter shifts (A6).
While I'm at it, I'll ask...
Can you get things like a CAI installed and a tune done at Vette events like Bloomington Gold? I've never been.
Thanks to all for your patient explanations.
I've been reading about it on CF, but I'm like 072...still trying to get educated because so much info is confusing. I'm wondering if a CAI and tune for me is worthwhile. No track or drag racing, just regular on the road, mostly daily driver stuff, but I'd like better performance (if possible), and tighter shifts (A6).
While I'm at it, I'll ask...
Can you get things like a CAI installed and a tune done at Vette events like Bloomington Gold? I've never been.
Thanks to all for your patient explanations.
If you like fast cars I believe in a tune. There is a notable difference and they are relativly in-expensive.
Most events do offer some type of tunes.
Personally I would go to a local tuner for the simple reason there are many and reputable ones, and if a problem arises thier there. Attending local car-shows will expose these dyno houses.
Last edited by 06C6Z; May 13, 2007 at 07:20 PM.