DO I really need a tune?

[scrboy2002@aol.com]

Okay. So,I;ve just ordered a set of 1 7/8" Dynatech Headers with 2.5" collectors, 2.5 COrsa Catback exhaust, and a Roto-Fab CAI.

I've got a guy telling me $350 for install?

Sound good?
Also says +$400 for a dyno tune. Do I need a tune? I am NOT looking to void my warranty, and I know a tune would kill it. Suggestions, please!

[BlownSS]

1. Why did you order all of this stuff if you are worried about your warranty?
2. Who did you buy it from and what is their suggestion?
3. Sounds like a high price for a 3 hour project that you could do in your garage.
4. The only way to be sure that you are getting the most of your additions and to be sure that you are not going to encounter a lean situation (blown motor), you should have it tuned and dyno tested.
5. You could spend the bucks that he is going to charge you for a tune and buy a diablo from Jannetty Racing.....he will give you the custom tune for free and then you will have a tool to put the tune back to stock as well as a tool to do data logging and erase codes if they arise.

[toehead93]

I personally would get a handhel tuner like Diablo or SCT. If you purchase it from a C5 vendor they will include a custom tune for the mods you have at no cost. So you'll save alittle bit of money this route and then you'll also be able to flash the ECM back to stock if you go in for warranty work. The only thing that may come up with the stock tune with LT headers is the CEL warning, but not everyone has this problem. If you get a custom dyno tune you need to pay the tuner everytime you want a change and from what I understand you can't hide the tune by flashing back to stock. I personally would save a dyno tune for majors mods, like a cam install. Do you have an LS3 or L99?

[DSteck]

$350 for install doesn't really sound that bad. As far as a tune goes... You're going to end up with a check engine light if you don't have a tune, and you have no gaurantee that it's going to run efficiently.

If you want to modify your car, you should be ready and willing to give up your powertrain warranty.

[Mr_Draco]

1) Install the CAI yourself. It is really simple and can be done in less then 30 mins.

2) You do not NEED a tune for the mods you have. If your headers are long tubes then you might want to look into a tune later down the road but it's not needed.

3) $350 install is way to much. A complete exhaust can be installed in 2 hours in your garage with your car on jack stands. Somewhere with a lift can do it quicker. Personally I wouldn't pay no more then $200 for install, $150 preferred.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

1) Install the CAI yourself. It is really simple and can be done in less then 30 mins.

2) You do not NEED a tune for the mods you have. If your headers are long tubes then you might want to look into a tune later down the road but it's not needed.

3) $350 install is way to much. A complete exhaust can be installed in 2 hours in your garage with your car on jack stands. Somewhere with a lift can do it quicker. Personally I wouldn't pay no more then $200 for install, $150 preferred.

Not everyone is as Handy as you Draco, a customer just reported an 8 hour install of just headers and cats, so he was struggling a bit.

Most handy guys are doing it in 4-5 hours for headers, cats, and full cat back making sure everything lines up nice.

350.00 is a very fair price for CAI, Headers, Cats, and exhaust install, Remember Labor Rates Vary from 50-150 per hour depending on where you live.

Ted.

[MEDISIN]

Originally Posted by toehead93

I personally would get a handhel tuner like Diablo or SCT. If you purchase it from a C5 vendor they will include a custom tune for the mods you have at no cost. So you'll save alittle bit of money this route and then you'll also be able to flash the ECM back to stock if you go in for warranty work. The only thing that may come up with the stock tune with LT headers is the CEL warning, but not everyone has this problem. If you get a custom dyno tune you need to pay the tuner everytime you want a change and from what I understand you can't hide the tune by flashing back to stock. I personally would save a dyno tune for majors mods, like a cam install. Do you have an LS3 or L99?

Not necessarily. My local performance shop charges $400 for custom dyno tuning which includes all future tuning as upgrades/needs require. A good alternative for those of us who wish to leave the tuning to the professionals.

[BlownSS]

Originally Posted by MEDISIN

Not necessarily. My local performance shop charges $400 for custom dyno tuning which includes all future tuning as upgrades/needs require. A good alternative for those of us who wish to leave the tuning to the professionals.

I got my handheld from Jannetty Racing and he has done all of my tunes and I can assure you that my tunes are done by a professional as well (Ted Jannetty). As a matter of fact, Ted sent me my recent tune and I did some data logging. He got it dead on first time! When I took it in for the dyno run, the guy had every opportunity to change anything he wanted but He said "this is dead on ....somebody knows what they are doing!"

[scrboy2002@aol.com]

Okay, so I should purchase a Diablo tuner?

Then all of the "tunes" and/or "programs" they create offline, and i download them to the portable tuner?

Ive never done any mods to my Vettes, Camaros and Trans-ams that required tuning, so tuning is to me like the republican party to Obama.

[scrboy2002@aol.com]

Originally Posted by toehead93

I personally would get a handhel tuner like Diablo or SCT. If you purchase it from a C5 vendor they will include a custom tune for the mods you have at no cost. So you'll save alittle bit of money this route and then you'll also be able to flash the ECM back to stock if you go in for warranty work. The only thing that may come up with the stock tune with LT headers is the CEL warning, but not everyone has this problem. If you get a custom dyno tune you need to pay the tuner everytime you want a change and from what I understand you can't hide the tune by flashing back to stock. I personally would save a dyno tune for majors mods, like a cam install. Do you have an LS3 or L99?

Its a 6M.

[BlownSS]

Originally Posted by scrboy2002@aol.com

Okay, so I should purchase a Diablo tuner?

Then all of the "tunes" and/or "programs" they create offline, and i download them to the portable tuner?

Ive never done any mods to my Vettes, Camaros and Trans-ams that required tuning, so tuning is to me like the republican party to Obama.

The reason that I went with Jannetty and my Diablo was because there is nobody where i live that I would trust to do my tune. I Heard nothing but excellent feedback about Jannetty and so I figured that if they were the Best, then I could trust them. Do you trust your local tuners with your engine? I mean do you trust that if they make a mistake, it could blow up your motor and YOU would be at fault? That's how much I trust my tuner.. Its a lot to consider!

[Slowhawk]

Those prices seem fair to me.

Nothing beats a tune with a proffesional logging/tuning in person. A good tune will help the car live a long life.

So far,none of the cars we've tuned have been voided on warrenty.This includes the 100's of other cars we've done -ie -G8's,GTO's,Vette's,trucks ect.

[Merc]

Originally Posted by Mr_Draco

1) Install the CAI yourself. It is really simple and can be done in less then 30 mins.

2) You do not NEED a tune for the mods you have. If your headers are long tubes then you might want to look into a tune later down the road but it's not needed.

3) $350 install is way to much. A complete exhaust can be installed in 2 hours in your garage with your car on jack stands. Somewhere with a lift can do it quicker. Personally I wouldn't pay no more then $200 for install, $150 preferred.

We installed a complete ARH LT system right to the muffler tips on a hoist. There is no way you can remove the stock exhaust system and replace it on jack stands in 2 hours. Good luck. Why mislead somebody.

[jeffa55]

I completely agree. I just did my ARH full system and it probably took about 6-8 hours. Just think about the steps
1 - disconnect battery (once you dig down to it)
2 - remove engine cover
3 - remove steering link
4 - remove dipstick
5 - remove plug wires (this sounds easy - not so)
6 - disconnect front exhaust connectors
7 - remove cross brace
8 - remove rear section of exhaust (have fun with the rubber hangers over the mufflers)
9 - disconnect O2 sensors
10 - remove manifolds (the bolts are tight the whole way out due to locking compound and you better have a good set of different length extensions and small hands)
11 - remove O2 sensors - I actually just bought new ones for the new exhaust.
12 - install new headers
13 - connect pipes and install (better have two people)
14 - reconnect all that stuff up above.

NO way this can be done in 2 hours