tuning

[kozzmo49]

Im new to this whole tuning thing. I hear that we can tune the top speed, the horsepower etc.. is this safe for the car? and also where do i go to get this kinda stuff done, or can i just buy a couple hundred dollar little plug in computer and do it myslef. pls help me explain this stuff lol

[Chewy]

tuning mostly involves adjusting the A/F ratio amongst a few other things. like autos sometimes get different shift points. its usually safe unless u get some insane tune (which i've never heard of happening) most people get a tune to compliment mods like intake/exhaust. downside is a lot of the time you'll lose some MPGs - but thats to be expected when your squeezing out more power.

i'm not too sure where to get muscle cars tuned, but i believe its easier than the german cars. there are also A/F controllers that u can plug into either ECU or wide-band O2 sensor and manually tweak and adjust your A/F ratio yourself.

[LSxJunkie]

Originally Posted by kozzmo49

Im new to this whole tuning thing. I hear that we can tune the top speed, the horsepower etc.. is this safe for the car? and also where do i go to get this kinda stuff done, or can i just buy a couple hundred dollar little plug in computer and do it myslef. pls help me explain this stuff lol

You tune after doing mods. Plain and simple.

Headers, intake, exhaust, cam, what have you......let the motor breath better. You adjust the amount of fuel and spark accordingly. Also lets you change redline, line pressure, knock retard, and a couple hundred other things. Generally these things are done by datalogging on the street and/or on a dyno.

Don't do it yourself, especially if you don't know what you're doing. You can still piss off/blow up your motor with a plug in Predator or Hypertech. It's been done. A dyno tune at a reputable shop will run you 4-500 dollars and you get a little graph showing you what you made to the wheels to frame and put on your wall to boot, if you're one of those guys. Reputable shops hire reputable tuners, and they've been doing this for years.


And you don't tune top speed. You can remove a limiter, but that's it. You want to change the top speed, either make more power or change your rear gear.

[LS3SSRS]

tuning makes a world of a difference. i got my silverado tuned, 2000, 5.3L ext. cab by http://gowheatley.com. He asked me what i wanted, i got it tuned for 91 octane, firmer/quicker shift points, top speed limiter removed, i also listed my mods...cold air, throttle body spacer, catback exhaust..etc... Anyways, point is, i get more power, AND better mpg if i can keep my foot off the pedal....

i don't know if i would tune the camaro thou... if you're in for warranty work, the dealer can now tell with their computer if the ecu has been flashed. :(

[TheMadHatter99]

I was under the impression that we'd established modding your car does not void any warranty unless said mod is deemed to be the cause of any defect you want fixed under the warranty.

[LSxJunkie]

Originally Posted by TheMadHatter99

I was under the impression that we'd established modding your car does not void any warranty unless said mod is deemed to be the cause of any defect you want fixed under the warranty.

You guys must be new at dis game.

[crippled]

you can unplug the negative on your battery for like 30mins should reset your computer to auto tune, but its still not like getting it tuned at a shop

[divvichild]

Originally Posted by crippled

you can unplug the negative on your battery for like 30mins should reset your computer to auto tune, but its still not like getting it tuned at a shop

Wouldn't that just return it back to default settings?

[TheMadHatter99]

Originally Posted by LSxJunkie

You guys must be new at dis game.

Seriously? I've been around these parts almost since the site started (a lurker for a long while).

We've had quite a few threads regarding modding vs warranty considerations and a few of our more legal-minded members have provided links to federal laws regarding just this. If I recall correctly, the jist of the law was that the mod has to be directly responsible for a defect in order for it to not be covered under the factory warranty.

That isn't to say that dealers won't blame just about anything they can on a mod, but technically that's the law.

Feel free to chime in if this is incorrect.

[jimbo57]

i worked in dealers for years. law or no law, if a guy brings a car in that has been modified, perhaps resulting in a parts failure, we were'nt likely to go out of our way to cover it.

[jimbo57]

as an addendum, GM's zone office would have to OK/deny replacement, AFTER your car has left the dealer.

[playhard67]

Originally Posted by TheMadHatter99

Seriously? I've been around these parts almost since the site started (a lurker for a long while).

We've had quite a few threads regarding modding vs warranty considerations and a few of our more legal-minded members have provided links to federal laws regarding just this. If I recall correctly, the jist of the law was that the mod has to be directly responsible for a defect in order for it to not be covered under the factory warranty.

That isn't to say that dealers won't blame just about anything they can on a mod, but technically that's the law.

Feel free to chime in if this is incorrect.

I've read other posts...that technically this is correct, but if the dealer brings in the GM rep and the rep says your mod caused the failure, then you will have to prove otherwise. If lawyers get involved, it'll cost you more to fight it, then to just pay for the repair.

What i learned from these other posts - if you're not prepared to pay for the warranty repairs, then don't mod your car.