A tune and headers has turned my 06 a6 into a beast.
What a difference a tune makes
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 260
Likes: 0
From: Holbrook NY
What a difference a tune makes
Wasn't this the first line of a song? Sorry if this is a little long. Anyway ...
Quick History:
Took my car to a local tuner who I thought did a descent job installing headers, CAI, T'stat, Corsa Sports & Kirban shifter. At least the Kirban shifter and CAI install was good (I think?). While getting 4.10 gears put in the rear by Corvettes of Westchester (CoW ... Chuck), he fixed up issues with everything else in the original mod set AND WOULD NOT LET ME PAY HIM FOR IT! (I will not name original tuner to avoid flames). The only thing not touched was the tune though Chuck checked it and said he could do a lot better (and did not need a dyno to do so). Out of money after the gears so took the car home still wishing I had Chuck do the tune.
Update Today:
Took the car back up to Chuck to fix the myriad of issues from the "other guy's" tune related to the t'stat and related parameters as well as give his tune a shot (see Hot Engine thread). Chuck does an incredibly thorough and detailed update especially focusing on the 2000-4000 rpm band ... the real street band ... without negatively affecting the high end performance. All I can say is WOW. While not as big a SOP feel as the gears, you can without a doubt feel the impact in street driving even more than the headers and CAI. Frankly, I have to agree with Chuck that you don't need a dyno to tune the engine through the full RPM band. The parameters are scientifically determined (with a little art thrown in) and do not require the car screaming at WOT on a chassis dyno ... at least for a mildly modded car like mine. For me, the only thing I would want the dyno for is to look at the area under the curve before and after for curiosity sake (I'm an engineer and like to see charts and graphs). I can tell in my well tuned butt that the car is seeing a lot more torque in the lower RPM bands.
Thanks ... Chuck ... you are the man and I am a fan. Wish I did not have to drive 1 1/2 hrs each way to have you work with my wheels but ... I want things done RIGHT with a mind towards how I drive the car (99.9% street). I will make the drive any day. Is Chuck the cheapest tuner on the forum? Probably not but I don't give a d-mn. When I pay my money, I want my car done right by a guy who takes the time to understand what I am looking for. I'd rather pay a little more for quality work by a guy who actually understands what he is doing ... not just mimicking someone else's tune. By the way ... Chuck also will not talk you into a lot more mods than he thinks you need (or will like) just to sell you more stuff. He does, however make good reasonable suggestions about a balanced approach to the mods including engine, brakes and suspension. I trust this guy based on real experience. End of story.
Quick History:
Took my car to a local tuner who I thought did a descent job installing headers, CAI, T'stat, Corsa Sports & Kirban shifter. At least the Kirban shifter and CAI install was good (I think?). While getting 4.10 gears put in the rear by Corvettes of Westchester (CoW ... Chuck), he fixed up issues with everything else in the original mod set AND WOULD NOT LET ME PAY HIM FOR IT! (I will not name original tuner to avoid flames). The only thing not touched was the tune though Chuck checked it and said he could do a lot better (and did not need a dyno to do so). Out of money after the gears so took the car home still wishing I had Chuck do the tune.
Update Today:
Took the car back up to Chuck to fix the myriad of issues from the "other guy's" tune related to the t'stat and related parameters as well as give his tune a shot (see Hot Engine thread). Chuck does an incredibly thorough and detailed update especially focusing on the 2000-4000 rpm band ... the real street band ... without negatively affecting the high end performance. All I can say is WOW. While not as big a SOP feel as the gears, you can without a doubt feel the impact in street driving even more than the headers and CAI. Frankly, I have to agree with Chuck that you don't need a dyno to tune the engine through the full RPM band. The parameters are scientifically determined (with a little art thrown in) and do not require the car screaming at WOT on a chassis dyno ... at least for a mildly modded car like mine. For me, the only thing I would want the dyno for is to look at the area under the curve before and after for curiosity sake (I'm an engineer and like to see charts and graphs). I can tell in my well tuned butt that the car is seeing a lot more torque in the lower RPM bands.
Thanks ... Chuck ... you are the man and I am a fan. Wish I did not have to drive 1 1/2 hrs each way to have you work with my wheels but ... I want things done RIGHT with a mind towards how I drive the car (99.9% street). I will make the drive any day. Is Chuck the cheapest tuner on the forum? Probably not but I don't give a d-mn. When I pay my money, I want my car done right by a guy who takes the time to understand what I am looking for. I'd rather pay a little more for quality work by a guy who actually understands what he is doing ... not just mimicking someone else's tune. By the way ... Chuck also will not talk you into a lot more mods than he thinks you need (or will like) just to sell you more stuff. He does, however make good reasonable suggestions about a balanced approach to the mods including engine, brakes and suspension. I trust this guy based on real experience. End of story.
Last edited by mitchm11741; Nov 17, 2007 at 08:29 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 26,900
Likes: 2
From: Bann Camp & N.Y.C.
St. Jude Donor '08
Chuck is the best! .....and stories like this (Chuck makes it better) are common thru out the tri-state area 
I am going back to Chuck for gears real soon........
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(hope this thread remains civil)
I am going back to Chuck for gears real soon........
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
(hope this thread remains civil)
Team Owner
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 26,900
Likes: 2
From: Bann Camp & N.Y.C.
St. Jude Donor '08
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,733
Likes: 15
From: SC
Nice review! I too had Chuck re-do my tune a previous tuner did for my car on a dyno. 2-3 pulls and my car was "tuned." Fast forward to this fall and had Chuck install the Vararam and gave his tune a shot....night and day differance in low end power and the car is more responsive.
He also fixed a problem due to the former tuner installing the WRONG t-stat in my car (refer to False Engine Hot thread) which caused it too run way too cool at all times (highway engine temp was pegged at 160 or lower!)
I fully agree that Chuck does a terrific job and does the job right, very glad I have turned to him to be my tuner......he'll be doing all the work on my car from now on.
He also fixed a problem due to the former tuner installing the WRONG t-stat in my car (refer to False Engine Hot thread) which caused it too run way too cool at all times (highway engine temp was pegged at 160 or lower!)
I fully agree that Chuck does a terrific job and does the job right, very glad I have turned to him to be my tuner......he'll be doing all the work on my car from now on.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2,597
Likes: 3
From: READING PA
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
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Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Thanks Everyone......!
While I can wake the car up quite a bit with my MAIL ORDER TUNE.....I can only tune the engine through the mail.....
However, you can send the pcm to me now....and when the EFI LIVE AUTOCAL is released, (you will need to purchase that device) all re-tunes by me will be FREE!
The second option is to come to TEXAS in January to meet me or try to organize a tuning trip for your area.....(I'll go anywhere it's warm...he he)
Call me if you have any futher questions.....
STAY TUNED!
Chuck CoW
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 350
From: Auburn Mass
That did not take too long to out grow! I just put headers on and need to get back to see Chuck to enhance the tune. Maybe I will see you there again.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 111
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Washington
Unfortunately this is not the warm, let alone the dry time of the year in the PNW. However you can't beat Summer in the PNW. When is the new EFI Live Autocal due to be released? I am currently waiting for better weather to do some bolt on's in the Spring. Only 35 currently 
with snow in the forecast.
I plan on doing the following:
Tune
160 T-stat
Vararam
Ported Intake & TB
Flowmasters (just for noise)
with snow in the forecast.I plan on doing the following:
Tune
160 T-stat
Vararam
Ported Intake & TB
Flowmasters (just for noise)
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
Yuck!
Unfortunately this is not the warm, let alone the dry time of the year in the PNW. However you can't beat Summer in the PNW. When is the new EFI Live Autocal due to be released? I am currently waiting for better weather to do some bolt on's in the Spring. Only 35 currently with snow in the forecast.
I plan on doing the following:
Tune
160 T-stat
Vararam
Ported Intake & TB
Flowmasters (just for noise)
with snow in the forecast.I plan on doing the following:
Tune
160 T-stat
Vararam
Ported Intake & TB
Flowmasters (just for noise)
YUCK! Snow here too for monday....bummer.
The autocal should be (and please don't hold me to it....) available in possibly the next two months....
I have one of the test units here and we're actively testing and re-testing it to be sure it's tight!
As soon as EFI LIVE tells me it safe to do so....I will post photos and more information on the forum..
Look for it...it won't be long now.....
Chuck CoW
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 823
Likes: 0
From: Seguin Texas
Thanks Everyone.....
While I can wake the car up quite a bit with my MAIL ORDER TUNE.....I can only tune the engine through the mail.....
However, you can send the pcm to me now....and when the EFI LIVE AUTOCAL is released, (you will need to purchase that device) all re-tunes by me will be FREE!
The second option is to come to TEXAS in January to meet me or try to organize a tuning trip for your area.....(I'll go anywhere it's warm...he he)
Call me if you have any futher questions.....
STAY TUNED!
Chuck CoW
While I can wake the car up quite a bit with my MAIL ORDER TUNE.....I can only tune the engine through the mail.....
However, you can send the pcm to me now....and when the EFI LIVE AUTOCAL is released, (you will need to purchase that device) all re-tunes by me will be FREE!
The second option is to come to TEXAS in January to meet me or try to organize a tuning trip for your area.....(I'll go anywhere it's warm...he he)
Call me if you have any futher questions.....
STAY TUNED!
Chuck CoW
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 11,792
Likes: 255
From: Ossining New York
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'12-'13-'14
VARARAM and LG MOTORSPORTS!
We're going to be at VARARAM! World Headquarters!
and quite Possibly at The LG MOTORSPORTS HIGH PERFORMANCE EMPORIUM!
Seriously though...We're likely going to be at BOTH locations....
If you're interested, Please call either LG or VARARAM! and tell them that you're interested.
STAY TUNED!
Chuck CoW
and quite Possibly at The LG MOTORSPORTS HIGH PERFORMANCE EMPORIUM!
Seriously though...We're likely going to be at BOTH locations....
If you're interested, Please call either LG or VARARAM! and tell them that you're interested.
STAY TUNED!
Chuck CoW
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 11,733
Likes: 15
From: SC
BTW anyone wondering about heat and a C6 160 t-stat need not worry. As long as you have right t-stat you'll get plenty of heat. I was driving around last night with temps in the low 20's.....car ran great and I was nice and toasty inside 
