difference between getting your car tuned and using a handheld tuner - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

JWild · 10-05-2010, 09:04 AM

Maybe this is a stupid question, but what are the differences in taking your car to a shop to get tuned as opposed to using a tuner, something like the diablo sport predator?

Stex · 10-05-2010, 09:19 AM

From what understand the tuners go in and change the tables based on what you want. The hand helds maybe able to do this but unless you really, really know what you are doing you just use the preset tunes in the handheld, not a custom tune..

Also if you drive a 6sp auto the tcm needs to be tuned and not all hand helds do such...tec 2 is needed...

Talk to these people, Jenna, and read about the auto-cal...from what I have read the Camaro did not leave alot on the table for a tune improvement unless you are doing mods...

http://www.blackbearperformance.com/

SC2150 · 10-10-2010, 04:02 PM

A handheld with the capabilities to really drill down into the key parameters can be good if used on a dyno with a wideband and then followed with a driveability tweak (again with wideband) such as Jannetty or similar do, but otherwise there is no comparison to what a GOOD tuner can do with a custom tune. There are like 1200-1300 parameters to work with and HPtuners or EFIlive allow someone that really knows (far to many know just enough) can dial in your car so precise it is amazing.

All that aside, a good handheld will still give you very noticeable results.

toehead93 · 10-10-2010, 09:07 PM

I have a custom tune and a handheld. I had the car dyno tuned and I use the handheld to upload the tune. This way I can swap back to stock tune if I go in for warranty work or I can have adjustments made in the future without going in. This can be done for TCM tunes too on certain handhelds.

10-05-2010, 09:04 AM	#1
JWild Drives: 2010 black on black SS Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New England Posts: 49	difference between getting your car tuned and using a handheld tuner Maybe this is a stupid question, but what are the differences in taking your car to a shop to get tuned as opposed to using a tuner, something like the diablo sport predator?

10-10-2010, 09:07 PM	#4
toehead93 Drives: 2014 2SS/1LE Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: wpb fl Posts: 3,135 View My Garage	I have a custom tune and a handheld. I had the car dyno tuned and I use the handheld to upload the tune. This way I can swap back to stock tune if I go in for warranty work or I can have adjustments made in the future without going in. This can be done for TCM tunes too on certain handhelds. __________________ Used Racing Brake 2 Peice Rotors for sale: http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=344754 Summit White 2014 2SS 1LE Recaros, NPP exhaust, Nav 2010 2SS A6 - sold.

10-05-2010, 09:19 AM	#2
Stex Drives: 67 goat, 69 goat ram air III Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: South texas Posts: 1,443	From what understand the tuners go in and change the tables based on what you want. The hand helds maybe able to do this but unless you really, really know what you are doing you just use the preset tunes in the handheld, not a custom tune.. Also if you drive a 6sp auto the tcm needs to be tuned and not all hand helds do such...tec 2 is needed... Talk to these people, Jenna, and read about the auto-cal...from what I have read the Camaro did not leave alot on the table for a tune improvement unless you are doing mods... http://www.blackbearperformance.com/

10-10-2010, 04:02 PM	#3
SC2150 Account Suspended Drives: 2012 Camaro RS, RX supercharged Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bradenton, FL Posts: 6,063	A handheld with the capabilities to really drill down into the key parameters can be good if used on a dyno with a wideband and then followed with a driveability tweak (again with wideband) such as Jannetty or similar do, but otherwise there is no comparison to what a GOOD tuner can do with a custom tune. There are like 1200-1300 parameters to work with and HPtuners or EFIlive allow someone that really knows (far to many know just enough) can dial in your car so precise it is amazing. All that aside, a good handheld will still give you very noticeable results.