HP Tuners
08-08-2018, 11:02 AM
#1
4th Gear
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HP Tuners
I own a C7 Grand Sport 2018....I am racing in SCCA auto cross and Time Attack events. I have installed cat back Acropovic TI system and the Chevrolet Racing Cold Air Intake. I am about a sec. off the fastest times and need a little extra oomph.....I do not want to install anything that will void the warranty. Have not run race gas but plan to. What would the next upgrade be? I am reading about Tuners that you can plug in to remap the car...Do these work and add HP?...If so, which one is the best. Thanks
08-08-2018, 12:23 PM
#2
Le Mans Master
No.
The engineers at GM went to good schools, and there's not a bunch of hidden power that they missed or forgot about. If you MODIFY the car beyond the bounds of what it can compensate for on its own, then you need a tune, but there's no benefit to changing a stock car other than to turn off features like AFM. But there's no power to be found in stock form. I don't think your exhaust and intake would be something that need to be tuned for, but others can chime in on that, I don't want to make any blanket statements as I just have the exhaust.
In theory you could run it leaner and -maybe- squeeze a few horsepower out somewhere, but as we know the timing is already on the edge of too aggressive already for 92.
The engineers at GM went to good schools, and there's not a bunch of hidden power that they missed or forgot about. If you MODIFY the car beyond the bounds of what it can compensate for on its own, then you need a tune, but there's no benefit to changing a stock car other than to turn off features like AFM. But there's no power to be found in stock form. I don't think your exhaust and intake would be something that need to be tuned for, but others can chime in on that, I don't want to make any blanket statements as I just have the exhaust.
In theory you could run it leaner and -maybe- squeeze a few horsepower out somewhere, but as we know the timing is already on the edge of too aggressive already for 92.
Last edited by davepl; 08-08-2018 at 12:24 PM.
08-08-2018, 02:09 PM
#3
Better Performance
I own a C7 Grand Sport 2018....I am racing in SCCA auto cross and Time Attack events. I have installed cat back Acropovic TI system and the Chevrolet Racing Cold Air Intake. I am about a sec. off the fastest times and need a little extra oomph.....I do not want to install anything that will void the warranty. Have not run race gas but plan to. What would the next upgrade be? I am reading about Tuners that you can plug in to remap the car...Do these work and add HP?...If so, which one is the best. Thanks
08-08-2018, 11:01 PM
#4
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There is room in the tune for more power, a little bit at WOT but there is a TON of opportunity from 0-99% throttle in response, power, efficiency, etc. GM used all their engineering school knowledge to neuter and restrict that can easily be undone.
However, the stipulation of not killing the warranty rules a tune out anyways.
However, the stipulation of not killing the warranty rules a tune out anyways.
08-12-2018, 11:45 AM
#5
Safety Car
I own a C7 Grand Sport 2018....I am racing in SCCA auto cross and Time Attack events. I have installed cat back Acropovic TI system and the Chevrolet Racing Cold Air Intake. I am about a sec. off the fastest times and need a little extra oomph.....I do not want to install anything that will void the warranty. Have not run race gas but plan to. What would the next upgrade be? I am reading about Tuners that you can plug in to remap the car...Do these work and add HP?...If so, which one is the best. Thanks
08-12-2018, 11:53 AM
#6
There is room in the tune for more power, a little bit at WOT but there is a TON of opportunity from 0-99% throttle in response, power, efficiency, etc. GM used all their engineering school knowledge to neuter and restrict that can easily be undone.
However, the stipulation of not killing the warranty rules a tune out anyways.
However, the stipulation of not killing the warranty rules a tune out anyways.
John
08-12-2018, 03:29 PM
#7
Race Director
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Saving your warranty sets your parameters right there and then, limiting tremendously what you can do... as has been said. Enjoy what you have until you decide to change your mind about that. 
08-12-2018, 04:32 PM
#8
Racer
If you are looking for another second in lap time, spend the money and go to a driving school or look more at tires. Since those events are mostly mechanical grip you might look at getting a DSC Controller for your suspension. It makes a huge difference in the car all of the time. I started to go the tuner route then determined it is a never ending pit of expenses which are useless if I don't improve my driving. A good driver will get much more out of an under powered car then an average driver can get out of an over powered car.
08-14-2018, 09:04 AM
#9
Racer
There is room in the tune for more power, a little bit at WOT but there is a TON of opportunity from 0-99% throttle in response, power, efficiency, etc. GM used all their engineering school knowledge to neuter and restrict that can easily be undone.
However, the stipulation of not killing the warranty rules a tune out anyways.
However, the stipulation of not killing the warranty rules a tune out anyways.
There is plenty of part throttle power to pick up, along with torque and timing adjustments you can get into the low/mid 11's. The tune/calibration on these are conservative. This translates into a potential for better lap times,providing you have the driver mod to go with it.
Last edited by Ghostnotes; 08-14-2018 at 09:05 AM.
08-14-2018, 09:52 AM
#10
4th Gear
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If you are looking for another second in lap time, spend the money and go to a driving school or look more at tires. Since those events are mostly mechanical grip you might look at getting a DSC Controller for your suspension. It makes a huge difference in the car all of the time. I started to go the tuner route then determined it is a never ending pit of expenses which are useless if I don't improve my driving. A good driver will get much more out of an under powered car then an average driver can get out of an over powered car.
I do have another question...
Tires seem to be an issue as I hear the Bridgestone RE7 is the best but do not make the,size in a 19/20.......do guys buy wheels to fit that tire or is there a tire out there that will work on the stock wheels....the Michelin Sport Cup 2 looks pretty good, half slick, but do not know if it works...thoughts......
Thanks,for the Comments!
08-14-2018, 03:10 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
Cup 2's are good, but for longer life you could go to 18" wheels and some type of DOT slick like Hoosier makes.
08-14-2018, 04:02 PM
#12
Safety Car
I understand that for sure, I have been racing street bikes since the 80s, Owned several race teams that competes in WERA, CMRA and the MRA. In our last,race, we ran a lightly modified ZX10, pipe and race harness, and won the overall in a 4 hour race by out riding everyone else. I am working on being a better driver....however from what I am hearing, you can add,horsepower and learn how to drive it, where the HP,will help,is on the start and straights. I am talking to SCR Performance in Loveland CO now. We are adding the X pipe,and a different air intake that actually will let more air in. Going to remap the car on a dyno,and then work on the suspension and chassis to get the car to grip. They also statesman the best thing you can do is work on getting the car to grip.
I do have another question...
Tires seem to be an issue as I hear the Bridgestone RE7 is the best but do not make the,size in a 19/20.......do guys buy wheels to fit that tire or is there a tire out there that will work on the stock wheels....the Michelin Sport Cup 2 looks pretty good, half slick, but do not know if it works...thoughts......
Thanks,for the Comments!
To be quite frank here, if you have the kind of money to own race teams, why are you even worried about a warranty? Mod the car, tune it, and take your slight chances that something breaks. It's not like your insurance is going to cover your car if you crash it on the track....not unless you bought the extra racing insurance. If racing is your passion I don't get your logic here.
08-14-2018, 08:27 PM
#13
4th Gear
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To be quite frank here, if you have the kind of money to own race teams, why are you even worried about a warranty? Mod the car, tune it, and take your slight chances that something breaks. It's not like your insurance is going to cover your car if you crash it on the track....not unless you bought the extra racing insurance. If racing is your passion I don't get your logic here.
Ughhh...I have a wife.