Do I really need a tune after only doing these mods?

[BenningJ]

I have the same issue. Every so often it starts to idle down really low. Never dies and definitely isn't losing power. I have the Vmax PTB, CAI Inductions intake, and Apex scoop. If the low idle bothers me I just rev the engine a bit to settle the rpms.

I plan on headers and a tune soon so it shouldn't be an "issue" much longer.

[Bo White]

K&N over-oils there filters on purpose. They know some evaporation will take place on the shelf but sadly not enough.

[1camaro70]

Why is everyone affraid of a tune?
Mine was tuned after one month, turned out needed the fuse pull, which was yet to be discovered, July 2009, so it was tuned on low octane table, +25HP, +47ft. Lb. torque.
No problems in FOUR years, plus really woke up with fuse pull later.

[caverman]

Originally Posted by 1camaro70

Why is everyone affraid of a tune?
Mine was tuned after one month, turned out needed the fuse pull, which was yet to be discovered, July 2009, so it was tuned on low octane table, +25HP, +47ft. Lb. torque.
No problems in FOUR years, plus really woke up with fuse pull later.

Most are scared to loose their drivetrain warranty. I don't 100% blame them. Then again I tuned mine 2.5 yrs and 14K miles ago without any issues.

[1camaro70]

Chevrolet originally was to bring out performance parts, CAI, headers, exhausts which it seems the bankruptcy stopped, but don't you think that the engineers had tested these engines and drive-lines for the increased power these accessories would add? Do you think dealers like Tom Henry would take a risk with headers and exhausts and other mods if they had to self insure for those modifications? Tom probably asked cousin Scott if those modifications were safe, and I used the same tuner Tom uses, so I wanted the performance and figured it was low risk, anyway I wasn't going to live with an underperforming engine (low octane table loses 25 to 30 HP) so tune and high octane table do keep me smiling. Also have that Vararam tune version CAI, that causes such anguish on this forum.

[Birm]

Originally Posted by Runawayhacker

I'm really glad to have some reassurance here guys. I was going nuts thinking "I don't have enough HP to be shaking THIS bad".

Birm, I know you recommended getting headers first, then tuning, so would there be any effects of waiting in between to do so or would you recommend doing them about the same time?

Only reason I said to wait for tune is so you dont have to spend $$ twice on a tune...they are not exactly cheap

Originally Posted by 1camaro70

Why is everyone affraid of a tune?
Mine was tuned after one month, turned out needed the fuse pull, which was yet to be discovered, July 2009, so it was tuned on low octane table, +25HP, +47ft. Lb. torque.
No problems in FOUR years, plus really woke up with fuse pull later.

I am not at all advising against a tune, I am just saying to go the more cost effective route and tune it once not twice specially if he is already considering headers

[Runawayhacker]

Originally Posted by Birm

Only reason I said to wait for tune is so you dont have to spend $$ twice on a tune...they are not exactly cheap



I am not at all advising against a tune, I am just saying to go the more cost effective route and tune it once not twice specially if he is already considering headers

Personally, I was considering a personal tuner like the Diablo Sport tuner. that way, I can tune as often as needed. Also, in case I need to take it back to the dealership and have warranty coverage, I can revert to the stock tune. What are your thoughts on personal tuning vs professional?

[Birm]

Originally Posted by Runawayhacker

Personally, I was considering a personal tuner like the Diablo Sport tuner. that way, I can tune as often as needed. Also, in case I need to take it back to the dealership and have warranty coverage, I can revert to the stock tune. What are your thoughts on personal tuning vs professional?

Oh then by all means tune away. A lot of the newer handheld tuners (SCT/DiabloIntune) allow you to use generic tune that it comes with then add via datalog/mail a custom tune down the road. If you choose to go that route I can help you out with the DiabloIntune

Then you can have your custom tune which can be added and removed at will with the handheld (as you mentioned) done by one of the best LS Tuners in the business, Matt Sorian here at FSP

Just keep in mind, dealers are able to tell if you have changed your tune..If it were something catastrophic (God forbid), I would not expect repair. Something simple I wouldnt worry much.

if I can help you anymore please shoot me a pm or if you have anymore questions

[Birm]

Poor signal on phone duplicate post

[Pro Stock John]

Sometimes surging at idle is because the A/F has changed, and the ECM is correcting for it. I recently changed something on my air intake side and I let it idle for 5-10 minutes, and you could hear it idling up and down. I get a wee bit of surge when coming to a stop, so I might lean out the AF at idle with my HPT at some point.

[Runawayhacker]

I have a lot of afterfire happening, so that means I am running rich, right? Doesn't make sense o me though.... If I am introducing MORE air into my engine, shouldn't the mixture be heavy with air and lean with fuel? When I go to tune, do I need to lean my mixture or do the opposite?

[strych9]

Originally Posted by 1camaro70

Chevrolet originally was to bring out performance parts, CAI, headers, exhausts which it seems the bankruptcy stopped, but don't you think that the engineers had tested these engines and drive-lines for the increased power these accessories would add? Do you think dealers like Tom Henry would take a risk with headers and exhausts and other mods if they had to self insure for those modifications? Tom probably asked cousin Scott if those modifications were safe, and I used the same tuner Tom uses, so I wanted the performance and figured it was low risk, anyway I wasn't going to live with an underperforming engine (low octane table loses 25 to 30 HP) so tune and high octane table do keep me smiling. Also have that Vararam tune version CAI, that causes such anguish on this forum.

They DO self-insure for those mods. Like SLP does. GM will not warranty powertrain failures regardless of true root cause, if a tune is involved. Period.