What are the advantages /disadvantages of one over the other? best for the money?

 

With a programmer like our inTune or Trinity, you have the option of putting the pcm back to stock at any time, no need to drag a laptop around for tuning, and can make simple tune adjustments in the driveway if needed

 

You've brought up a great question.

I'll start by discussing the Pfadt tune:
The great thing about the Pfadt tune is that it has been validated for all driving conditions just like an OEM tune is. Unlike most dyno tuners that just make changes to your WOT, the pfadt tune will refine the entire driving experience. To make things even better (especially when you consider the pricing), the Pfadt tune allows for data logging (just like what a dyno tuner would view for example!). This means that you drive your car, how you drive your car, and then the engineers here can then review the data logs and validate that the Pfadt tune is operating flawlessly. It's almost like having a dyno tuner drive around with you for weeks just to ensure that you are hitting a home run.


Another huge advantage of running a Pfadt tune is that you can get tune upgrades for Pfadt hardware. With the Pfadt tune you can add our headers, cam, supercharger....anything, and I can send you a new tune file created specifically for your Pfadt hardware. In the long run it saves a lot of money. If using a dyno tuner, you would likely have to pay to have it re-tuned each time which can get expensive


Dyno Tune: Dyno tune can let you hit cells easily that are impossible to hit on the street (and not risk getting tickets). This is the reason that all of our tunes are actually developed on the dyno before they undergo thousands of miles of real world testing during their R&D phase. The cost should be very similar (400-500) to the other options. You also will receive a dyno chart with your dyno tune.

The primary disadvantage is that your car isn't really be tuned around a large data set( i.e only a few dyno pulls). Also, idle, mid/light throttle, etc aren't always tuned. Many tuners will only have you on the dyno for a short period and focus on WOT only. Another disadvantage is that if you upgrade your hardware, you'll likely have to pay for another tune.


Tuning Software: The primary advantage is self reliance. The primary disadvantage is the learning curve associated with tuning, and possibly damaging your car.

Hope this helps



Tune review:


Tune installation demo:


Pfadt Race Engineering
888-972-2464
info@pfadtracing.com

 

Thank you. The tune link on your wesite isn't working, can you give me an idea on pricing?

 

We are launching a tune sale today for all platforms for the holidays. $399 with data logging. We also have the Gambler package which includes a tune and lowering bolts for 499 on sale. I should have everything posted later today

 

Awesome video
Crap. I've been doing this all wrong. I spent years trying to figure this stuff out and all I really had to do was have a burger and a beer and plug some thingy in my computer.
Too bad I really hate beer. Do you have a tune that utilizes fine Tequila? I really like Don Julio 1942. That would make much more power, I'm sure.

 

try a maragarita with fire roasted jalapeno and pineapple infused tequila, fresh cilantro, grand marnier and lime juice! awesome flavor with a little tingle to the tongue from the jalapeno! Testing the car after this not recommended!

 

Andy, its Eric I hope all is well

 

My C7 is on its way. I know this question is sort of "out of line" with the intent of tuning but I have to ask it. We (wife and I) use our Corvettes for travel. We put on about 15000 miles per year with cross country trips visiting family and friends. I am a firm believer that there is no such thing as too much HP but and concerned with potential huge losses in MPG with your tune.
One or two MPG reduction is not too much to pay for 20 added RWHP but any more that that would take away the fun of the additional HP.
Also, would it be possible to easily take the tune out prior to a cross country trip to retain the stock MPG and then reinstall the tune at the end of the trip.

 

Great question!
In the ECO mode, you should see a slight increase in MPG if anything. It is my understanding that the software engineers have slightly extended the DOD window to help improve MPG on longer trips. I will have to verify that information however.

I am 100% certain that if you drive the car in an identical manner, you will see a slight increase in MPG with our tune. That has been verified by the engineering team to me in the past. If you have any further questions, please direct them to our tune thread http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c7-t...y-to-ship.html

 

Thanks for the quick response. I will follow up on the site.

 

If both are available, I would always go with a dyno tune over a "canned" programmer.

I am still not sure how the tuners are getting around the counter in the PCM like the Camaro's have. I understand the stock tune can be loaded back into the computer with the stock calibration #'s and CVN's showing, but it will show history that can not be undone. I'd be curious to see one of these claims of being undetectable actually tested.

 

In your shop, what types of warranty work would cause the PCM to be checked for history?

 

What history do you feel will be shown?

Do you personally have access to the tools at the dealership that you feel will show this history? If so, what vehicles would you have available to test on if I decided to send you a tool to flash them with so you could report your findings?

 

PCM calibrations are required for any engine failure that would require the replacement of the engine. In addition, GM is also requiring the calibrations for replacement of cat converters, transmissions and differentials. Transmission replacements will also require the calibrations to be pulled from the TCM if it's an automatic application.

The new PCM's have a history counter that will record the number of calibration changes the car has. Along with the calibration part number, the calibration verification number (CVN) will show for each of those flashes to the PCM. If the car is returned to stock (for example with the tune being loaded back in with a handheld), the part numbers and CVN's will show correct for the stock tune, but the history would now show 3 tunes (the original, the handheld tune and then the stock tune again).

I just verified this on a 2013 Camaro SS that a customer told us had a stock tune in it. He was correct, the PCM did show the stock tune in positions #1 and #3 of the history, but there was an aftermarket calibration in the #2 slot. Once I asked him about it, he told me he installed a handheld tune and then reflashed it back to stock when it needed work.

I have access to all Chevrolet, Buick and many other models that I can verify this on if you're interested. As far as I know the 2014 Stingray, the 2014 Silverados, the 5th gen Camaro's and multiple other GM vehicles now use a similar (or the same) PCM that has the ability to store this info.

 

Richie,

Outstanding info - thanks and a Merry Xmas

 

ok, none of that is really new. Same protocols have been in place for several years on various makes, including the Duramax applications.

The good part is, we leave no trace to be found there. We have a few former GM calibrators on staff, and they know their way around this stuff like nobody else
Let me see if I can work something out after the holidays once I'm back in the office. I'd love some independent verification of what i know to be very true

Happy holidays everyone.

 

MONEY POST right here... please do whatever you need to get this done. If you believe your product does what you say and isn't showing up, and Richie can verify this... YOU WILL EASILY and I mean EASILY sell so many more units it wouldn't be funny and I think you know this too.

It will bring the skeptics to the bank. I think so many of us are worried now with the tuning... Because honestly I feel the tuning is safe, but should something happen to the engine (that would even happen if it was stock) - well you know the Manufacturer is going to blame the tune, and then you are SOL.

 

This does not seem to be resolved yet. We have a GM dealer saying that an after market tune DOES show up (handheld) and a handheld dealer saying it does not. Hopefully we will get proof that THIS handheld is the exception even though more expensive tuning software is not.

 

I've used Diablosport in the past (several times, in fact) on different applications, and never had an issue.

I can also say that Pfadt's tuning platform is able to defeat the write cycle counter and assign/replace the correct CVNs.

Seems like the only software that's behind the curve there is HPT and the like.