What can I expect from a tuning?

[perfectduck]

I'm a noob when it comes to electronics and software in cars. Then again I'm not much of a pro with hardware either. I've been thinking of getting my car tuned for awhile but I am uncertain as to what I can expect in the future should I decide to do it. The only reason I am considering getting it tuned is for the LT headers or just high flow cats. From what I've read not tuning it will cause a CEL if either of these two things are installed. Since this is my daily driver I really I am really looking to keep this long term without compromising the engine. My question is if I tune the car will I be putting the engine under more "stress" causing it to shorten its life? Maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way, I'm almost associating it to installing a turbo but I may be wrong.

[gtstorey]

You will not be putting the engine under more stress, other than the better it runs, the more power you will get if you put your foot in it. It's more likely to have problems if it's not properly tuned, especially if its running lean.

[AJARMAN]

You can expect a nice increase in power. I purchased my headers and tune from Dynosteve and it really woke up my L99. You will not regret the headers or the tune. If you are looking in NC I have talked with SSLSX about cam and dyno and they seem really on top of things.

[perfectduck]

Thank you both for the info. I think I need to look more into this but I'm starting to feel more comfortable with tuning it. I can't say I've read any negative things about tuning so far.

[Sparko]

Think of tuning as optimizing. Every time you make a hardware adjustment (headers, intake, cams) it changes the air flow and/or fuel delivery. Tuning it just re-balances the air/fuel delivery and spark timing so you are getting optimal combustion.

[perfectduck]

Originally Posted by Sparko

Think of tuning as optimizing. Every time you make a hardware adjustment (headers, intake, cams) it changes the air flow and/or fuel delivery. Tuning it just re-balances the air/fuel delivery and spark timing so you are getting optimal combustion.

That makes sense, from my reading there are different levels of tuning some more mild than others.

[Sparko]

Yea when you start pushing for higher levels of power and putting more aggressive parts on you can opt to get more bang out of it with more aggressive spark for example, or dial it back a touch for safety. On the same thread though, you can keep the build reliable if your approaching the mechanical limit, of the valve train lets say, by upgrading the springs or what have you. So the long and short is you're tuned within the mechanical limits of your build. Any credible shop that provides tuning services will do this by nature.

[Bigdumogre]

Plus most tuners like DynoSteve here will tune it for daily driving. It’s not as a aggressive tune as a drag car.

[perfectduck]

Originally Posted by dynosteve

Feel free to pm me or give me a call sir and i can help you with all on your questions

Dynosteve
440 358 5500

Much appreciate it.

[jimrhodes]

Originally Posted by perfectduck

I'm a noob when it comes to electronics and software in cars. Then again I'm not much of a pro with hardware either. I've been thinking of getting my car tuned for awhile but I am uncertain as to what I can expect in the future should I decide to do it. The only reason I am considering getting it tuned is for the LT headers or just high flow cats. From what I've read not tuning it will cause a CEL if either of these two things are installed. Since this is my daily driver I really I am really looking to keep this long term without compromising the engine. My essay writers question is if I tune the car will I be putting the engine under more "stress" causing it to shorten its life? Maybe I'm looking at it the wrong way, I'm almost associating it to installing a turbo but I may be wrong.

Feel free to PM me if you still have any questions. I will try to help you.