When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
A tune by itself is not going to add anything really. The whole idea of a 'tune' is the ability to adjust fuel trims and such for significant mods like headwork, cams, E85 fuel, etc or to allow forced induction without piggyback hacks. The ECM itself being 'unlocked' is not going to add any power.
Almost everyone seems to agree that the factory has given us about as much as is possible without major changes. The wide-band O2 sensors can already deal with bolt-ons like intake and exhaust, so you don't need a tune to get the most out of those sorts of mods. If you want to go beyond that, then you need a tune to make the bigger mods work.
Most Tuners are being honest about gains with the 93 octane which is not much of a gain for what you are paying for. And most are encouraging to go with the E85 tune in order to notice big gains. With a tire and full Bolt-ons, these c8s are capable of pulling 10.70s or better.
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Originally Posted by Fore58
Most Tuners are being honest about gains with the 93 octane which is not much of a gain for what you are paying for. And most are encouraging to go with the E85 tune in order to notice big gains. With a tire and full Bolt-ons, these c8s are capable of pulling 10.70s or better.
Yeah that's a great way to put it.
Open your PCM and add E85 to some healthy bolt-ons. Possibly add in a full NA Cam/Port Heads package combined with a Killer Tuner like CPR. While you're at it fully delete AFM/V4 and Cold Start. A healthy DCT can be matched to with this and today can Rev manually to 7K rpm. G Force axles and a Williams 103mm TB works well.
E85 tune, everything else was bone stock. Cost around $4,700. $1,600 shipping and having HP Tuners unlock the ECU, $400 for credits, $400 for interface between laptop and the car. So you're $2,400 in the hole before starting any tuning. Then you need parts to make the car a true duel fuel car, then fee for the tuner and dyno time. Here are the end results.
E85 tune, everything else was bone stock. Cost around $4,700. $1,600 shipping and having HP Tuners unlock the ECU, $400 for credits, $400 for interface between laptop and the car. So you're $2,400 in the hole before starting any tuning. Then you need parts to make the car a true duel fuel car, then fee for the tuner and dyno time. Here are the end results.
So, if I am reading this correctly is this a 28 hp peak gain?
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Originally Posted by OLD_GOAT
E85 tune, everything else was bone stock. Cost around $4,700. $1,600 shipping and having HP Tuners unlock the ECU, $400 for credits, $400 for interface between laptop and the car. So you're $2,400 in the hole before starting any tuning. Then you need parts to make the car a true duel fuel car, then fee for the tuner and dyno time. Here are the end results.
This particular PowerDyne/Mustang Dyno numbers for a C8 E85 on 93 Octane is not reality. Not doubting you in any way! Assuming from your post this isn't your C8.
Is this from a C8 or possibly a Mustang? A stock C8 baselines at 420-435, depending on whether the state you live in supplies 91 or 93 octane. This baseline shows 389 rwhp and being in Texas where 93 Octane is the premium is even more hard to believe. Max rear hp reads 417, rtq 406 and as stated without any mods.
This is my C8 on E85 with only 91 octane. Would have liked to have numbers from 93 Octane but only 91 Octane exists in AZ.
Last edited by ArizonaZ06; Jun 4, 2025 at 01:28 PM.
You're right......just watched a video from Late Model Racecraft. Stock C8 421 rwhp, added the Halltech Cold Air Intake and Stainless catback....445 rwhp, then 93 octane tune .....458 rwhp. I was surprised that the Halltech and catback made a 24 hp gain.
Who cares what the dyno says at baseline? The thing that matters is the increase. Approximately 30whp over the entire rev range is what makes E85 untouchable from a cost per horsepower under the curve perspective.
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Never seen a lower baseline but your right the baseline number doesn't matter when comparing for the increased rear wheel HP on a opened PCM that is Flex Fuel tuned to E85. With my prior C8 mods I was able with only 91 octane see a rear wheel HP increase of 51 and TQ of 41. Wonder what 93 octane would bring, which this car requires per my 2020 manual.
With an opened PCM, you can if you prefer, to Delete Stop/Start, Cold Start and AFM/V4, it's your choice. E85 does allow for cleaner injectors, valves and plugs which can especially occur from a DI VVT engine.
[QUOTE=combatninja;1608853380]Who cares what the dyno says at baseline? The thing that matters is the increase. Approximately 30whp over the entire rev range is what makes E85 untouchable from a cost per horsepower under the curve perspective.[/QUOT
Well, it appeared that the owner stopped at the 93 tune for some unknown reason.....wasn't that far from a E85 Tune. As you can see only 13 hp out of the tune..... I guess around $3500. An E85 tune with full Bolt-ons is the way to go.
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
[QUOTE=Fore58;1608853887]
Originally Posted by combatninja
Who cares what the dyno says at baseline? The thing that matters is the increase. Approximately 30whp over the entire rev range is what makes E85 untouchable from a cost per horsepower under the curve perspective.[/QUOT
Well, it appeared that the owner stopped at the 93 tune for some unknown reason.....wasn't that far from a E85 Tune. As you can see only 13 hp out of the tune..... I guess around $3500. An E85 tune with full Bolt-ons is the way to go.
That's like making it to the dance and to just shy for the next move.
Not everyone has ethanol available in their area. I have one or two stations that sell it about 20 mins off my normal routes. Not really worth it to me.
From: Early 2020 Z51 Coupe, Original Owner, Ahwatukee Foothills, AZ
Originally Posted by combatninja
Not everyone has ethanol available in their area. I have one or two stations that sell it about 20 mins off my normal routes. Not really worth it to me.
Excellent point. At this time there are 6 states in the US that do not carry E85. In PHX Metro we have 7 stations that test at E85 and 8 that test at E50.
Not everyone has ethanol available in their area. I have one or two stations that sell it about 20 mins off my normal routes. Not really worth it to me.
