V6ers, why did you tune?

[GretchenGotGrowl]

Originally Posted by Blue Bandit

OK don't flame out on me! But I have no idea what a Tune is? Not a motor head at all here. I have a V6 with a CAI so if your still reading and not bent out of shape can someone explain it to me in a PM Please. And thank you

Unlike when I was a kid, today we tune cars by changing data in tables in the ECU. The ECU is the computer that controls your engine. The tables contain various information like what fuel trims to use, how to adjust fuel give a load on the engine, how much to advance or retard timing, etc... At tune makes adjustments to these tables to enhance functionality like gaining power, removing limits on speed and the ability to rev the engine (to name a few). For example, you can increase power by advancing timing.

[mydreamcar]

Yrah its cheaper than 600$, thought it was 400$ for the tune w/o the cable. As for the 02 simulaters/ fouler plugs, tried them on the last car I had and it never worked. Car kept failing inspection. Not sure if AZ and NY have the same standards when it comes to car inspections. At the end of the day whatever works with the least amount of headaches

[scrming]

Originally Posted by GretchenGotGrowl

You hit the nail on the head. I'm doing the dyno tune next weekend (hopefully), but that's because I'm installing turbos. Most probably think it isn't worth paying for dyno tuning with simple mods because of the expense. Even Vince says he can't get much more power out of it than he gets from a few good log files. However, he will do it if you want.

BTW, $600 is is when you want to keep the cable. You can get it cheaper by returning the cable after you tuning session.

OK... here is my take... a good shop will do "street" tuning (or track tuning) AFTER they do a dyno tune... Dyno tune simply gets you in the ballpark a lot quicker... You dyno tune and then "street" tune to to really dial the tune in... street tuning puts your car under a real load, under real world conditions... I've seen cars look good on the dyno (even Mustang dynos) only to need some tweaks once they hit the street or the track..

[GretchenGotGrowl]

Originally Posted by scrming

OK... here is my take... a good shop will do "street" tuning (or track tuning) AFTER they do a dyno tune... Dyno tune simply gets you in the ballpark a lot quicker... You dyno tune and then "street" tune to to really dial the tune in... street tuning puts your car under a real load, under real world conditions... I've seen cars look good on the dyno (even Mustang dynos) only to need some tweaks once they hit the street or the track..

Agreed!

i'll do the dyno tune to make sure I'm not running dangerously lean or anything else that will cause serious harm. Then I do the street tune with the car under real load (wind resistance, real air flow to filters/intercooler, etc...) to really dial it in. Then it's off to the track...

[devildoc]

Vince has stated that his tune will get you to within 90% of a full tune, to do a dyno tune all you have to do is setup a time with a shop & Vince, data log your pull then send it off to Vince via email, he checks it out then sends you back the improved tune. That simple. Now, I know that there was someone (can't remember who) that got a dyno tune done by Vince and the guy gained almost 30hp .... this was when airaid first came out with their intake. Scrming, you may remember this? Hope this helps. I don't put much faith into anyone other than Trifecta right now for a tune for this engine.

[scrming]

Originally Posted by devildoc

Vince has stated that his tune will get you to within 90% of a full tune, to do a dyno tune all you have to do is setup a time with a shop & Vince, data log your pull then send it off to Vince via email, he checks it out then sends you back the improved tune. That simple. Now, I know that there was someone (can't remember who) that got a dyno tune done by Vince and the guy gained almost 30hp .... this was when airaid first came out with their intake. Scrming, you may remember this? Hope this helps. I don't put much faith into anyone other than Trifecta right now for a tune for this engine.

Don't think it was 30HP... but basically yes, the first car Vince did had an Airaid Ver 1 and was running very lean... as a result the car was making less power than stock. Vince was able to correct the A/F and the car picked up some HP... Not sure what the car would have made with the stock intake and stock tune... But basically as it stands right now there is not a lot of performance to be had with a tune... Main benefit is to help straighten things out as the results of other mods...

If you have an automatic however, Vince's tranny calibration is well worth the price of admission! LOL!

[Blue Bandit]

Originally Posted by GretchenGotGrowl

Unlike when I was a kid, today we tune cars by changing data in tables in the ECU. The ECU is the computer that controls your engine. The tables contain various information like what fuel trims to use, how to adjust fuel give a load on the engine, how much to advance or retard timing, etc... At tune makes adjustments to these tables to enhance functionality like gaining power, removing limits on speed and the ability to rev the engine (to name a few). For example, you can increase power by advancing timing.

GretchenGotGrowl Thank you for taking the time to explaining it.

[GretchenGotGrowl]

Originally Posted by Blue Bandit

GretchenGotGrowl Thank you for taking the time to explaining it.

No problem. Don't forget to read what scrming and devildoc said. They both know a lot more than I do, especially about these V6s.

[Reaper1a]

Originally Posted by scrming

Don't think it was 30HP... but basically yes, the first car Vince did had an Airaid Ver 1 and was running very lean... as a result the car was making less power than stock. Vince was able to correct the A/F and the car picked up some HP... Not sure what the car would have made with the stock intake and stock tune... But basically as it stands right now there is not a lot of performance to be had with a tune... Main benefit is to help straighten things out as the results of other mods...

If you have an automatic however, Vince's tranny calibration is well worth the price of admission! LOL!

So, is the tranny calibration part of the tuning "package", or is that something separate that I would need to ask about? All I have is a CAI, and I know that doesn't need a tune, but I've read about your benefits of the tranny calibration, so can I just get that separate until my other mods are completed that will require a tune? (Sorry, I'm a newb here too when it comes to tuning).

[crustyxpunk]

I was looking at the Dyno sheets on the trifecta website and some of those cars were only pulling down a few HP increase which to me is not worth the money you are spending. I have a manual LS camaro and all I really want out of her right now is to bump up the rev limiter and speed limiter (I really want to see what she we will ). I don't really think that is worth $400 especially since I don't get to keep the cable and tune the system myself. I'm really just tired of seeing the car stop at 120mph with all that gearing left in her haha.

[devildoc]

Originally Posted by Reaper1a

So, is the tranny calibration part of the tuning "package", or is that something separate that I would need to ask about? All I have is a CAI, and I know that doesn't need a tune, but I've read about your benefits of the tranny calibration, so can I just get that separate until my other mods are completed that will require a tune? (Sorry, I'm a newb here too when it comes to tuning).

Hey Reaper, it's all good man, I was in your shoes when I first stepped out into this scene. Your right you don't "need" the tune for the CAI. Now, as far as the tranny tune goes, it is "part of the package". The tune that Vince gives you is what I call a "box" tune. As in, it is a "stock" tune that you download into your ecm from a laptop (really simple). You then drive around doing some easy driving and some really hard pulls. Take that data, send back to Vince and he works it in for your car specifically. Now, he can add the extra 25% torque management delete. Which in my case is beyond worth it. I don't think you could ask for a better product or customer service!

Originally Posted by crustyxpunk

I was looking at the Dyno sheets on the trifecta website and some of those cars were only pulling down a few HP increase which to me is not worth the money you are spending. I have a manual LS camaro and all I really want out of her right now is to bump up the rev limiter and speed limiter (I really want to see what she we will ). I don't really think that is worth $400 especially since I don't get to keep the cable and tune the system myself. I'm really just tired of seeing the car stop at 120mph with all that gearing left in her haha.

I'm not sure the deal with the M6 cars crusty, I would email Vince and what specifics he can do with the M6. I would spend the $600 to keep the cable since then it is pretty much unlimited tuning by Vince as long as there isn't the addition of FI, which will of course cause price to go up! I know from what I have heard, don't know if it is true or not, but if you have larger rims/higher speed tires, you can ask your dealer to remove the limiter for you without going the tune route.

[devildoc]

Originally Posted by GretchenGotGrowl

No problem. Don't forget to read what scrming and devildoc said. They both know a lot more than I do, especially about these V6s.

[Reaper1a]

Originally Posted by devildoc

Hey Reaper, it's all good man, I was in your shoes when I first stepped out into this scene. Your right you don't "need" the tune for the CAI. Now, as far as the tranny tune goes, it is "part of the package". The tune that Vince gives you is what I call a "box" tune. As in, it is a "stock" tune that you download into your ecm from a laptop (really simple). You then drive around doing some easy driving and some really hard pulls. Take that data, send back to Vince and he works it in for your car specifically. Now, he can add the extra 25% torque management delete. Which in my case is beyond worth it. I don't think you could ask for a better product or customer service!

Thanks for the info man
I REALLY want the benefits of a tune, and am eager to learn about newer engines (I only have limited experience with types before 1975, lol). I already have the "modding bug" so I think for now, until I get my exhaust and LT headers, that's what the $400 dollars will go toward Thanks again

[jth6373]

I know from what I have heard, don't know if it is true or not, but if you have larger rims/higher speed tires, you can ask your dealer to remove the limiter for you without going the tune route.

Has anyone got this done? When I bought the car it had the RS wheel package but came as an LS model from the factory. When I went to the service department they said the only way they could do this was by buying an ECU from a higher model.