Why no tuning box for our cars?

C Man · 10-08-2019, 07:49 AM

I just picked up a tuning box for my wife’s AMG C43. It is a Twin turbo V6 and with the tuning box you go from 360hp to 430hp and 475ftlb of torque. It improves 1/4 mile times from high 12s to low 12s and really upgrades the power to a C63 version for only $700.

The best thing about it is it is a stand alone module that sits between the sensors and the computer, it can be removed before each visit to the dealer so they can’t tell there was a computer there. The stock ECU drives like stock and there is no programming.

There are a number of German companies that have these tuning boxes and the specialize in German cars.

I’m wondering why an American company hasn’t tried doing this for Camaros and Mustangs. I’m sure there are a ton of people who want more power but don’t want to loose their warranty.

Thoughts?

ABQautoxer · 10-08-2019, 09:11 AM

Things like the JB4 arent really the norm when you think about it. More brands offer direct ECU tuning rather than intercept. While I agree it would be cool since it would be less obvious of the modification, I'm not surprised.

Junkyardspecial · 10-08-2019, 09:27 AM

JB4 is a piggy back, I have one for my daily while its great its not a full tune and my drivability actually decreased. There was a noticable lag in some inputs and while an extra 80whp is fun I removed it to go back to just bolt ons. Id rather pay for the proper tune in the long run.

arpad_m · 10-08-2019, 10:41 AM

https://www.racechip.us/shop/chevrol...-295lb-ft.html

Only available for the I4 2.0 turbo, though. I'm not sure there is that much to gain on a NA or supercharged car without a proper ECM+TCM tune, someone with actual tuning expertise would need to chime in to answer that.

Jason18ZL1LE · 10-08-2019, 10:48 AM

I would suspect the "turbo" aspect is your answer. Modern turbo cars have electronic boost controllers and can easily add more boost and add timing if the fuel is there. Our cars are 100% mechanical when it comes to boost and valve timing.

Dont forget, even though we have a crap ton of computers in our cars, our engines are still based on 60+yr old pushrod technology.

Id take the reliability over the "download" of horsepower any day... (ignore my mods in the signature :P )

URBAN LEGEND · 10-08-2019, 10:59 AM

All of the ones I’ve seen are for turbos. No turbo no box

tstodii · 10-08-2019, 11:07 AM

No tickey, no laundry

10-08-2019, 07:49 AM	#1
C Man Drives: 2018 White Convertible Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 74	Why no tuning box for our cars? I just picked up a tuning box for my wife’s AMG C43. It is a Twin turbo V6 and with the tuning box you go from 360hp to 430hp and 475ftlb of torque. It improves 1/4 mile times from high 12s to low 12s and really upgrades the power to a C63 version for only $700. The best thing about it is it is a stand alone module that sits between the sensors and the computer, it can be removed before each visit to the dealer so they can’t tell there was a computer there. The stock ECU drives like stock and there is no programming. There are a number of German companies that have these tuning boxes and the specialize in German cars. I’m wondering why an American company hasn’t tried doing this for Camaros and Mustangs. I’m sure there are a ton of people who want more power but don’t want to loose their warranty. Thoughts? __________________ White 2018 Camaro A10 Convertible ZL1 Last edited by C Man; 10-08-2019 at 07:50 AM. Reason: Forgot a piece of a sentencr

10-08-2019, 09:27 AM	#3
Junkyardspecial Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: May 2019 Location: South Florida Posts: 438	JB4 is a piggy back, I have one for my daily while its great its not a full tune and my drivability actually decreased. There was a noticable lag in some inputs and while an extra 80whp is fun I removed it to go back to just bolt ons. Id rather pay for the proper tune in the long run. __________________ Subscribe to my Youtube channel! https://www.youtube.com/c/Junkyardspecial Will buy your GoodYear Supercar 3R Take offs!

10-08-2019, 10:41 AM	#4
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,611 View My Garage	https://www.racechip.us/shop/chevrol...-295lb-ft.html Only available for the I4 2.0 turbo, though. I'm not sure there is that much to gain on a NA or supercharged car without a proper ECM+TCM tune, someone with actual tuning expertise would need to chime in to answer that. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

10-08-2019, 10:48 AM	#5
Jason18ZL1LE Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: SoCal Posts: 134	I would suspect the "turbo" aspect is your answer. Modern turbo cars have electronic boost controllers and can easily add more boost and add timing if the fuel is there. Our cars are 100% mechanical when it comes to boost and valve timing. Dont forget, even though we have a crap ton of computers in our cars, our engines are still based on 60+yr old pushrod technology. Id take the reliability over the "download" of horsepower any day... (ignore my mods in the signature :P ) __________________ 2018 ZL1 1LE - Summit White 529whp Baseline / 760whp 762tq ARH Ceramic Coated LTH 1 7/8" \ ATI 15% Lower \ RotoFab Big Gulp \ Katech 103mm TB \ Ported Blower \ DSX Fuel System \ Flex Fuel E85 \ Custom Cam \ Dual Springs \ Corsa Exhaust \ Prospeed Heat Exchanger \ Cordes Big3\ C&R Racing Radiator \ LS3 Stat housing \ 160* Thermostat \ NX Lid

10-08-2019, 10:59 AM	#6
URBAN LEGEND Drives: 20 X3M CP & 19 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Brenham, TX Posts: 3,517	All of the ones I’ve seen are for turbos. No turbo no box __________________ 🔺22 RS E TRON GT 🔺21 Model S Plaid

10-08-2019, 09:11 AM	#2
ABQautoxer Drives: 2019 ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Rio Rancho, NM Posts: 81	Things like the JB4 arent really the norm when you think about it. More brands offer direct ECU tuning rather than intercept. While I agree it would be cool since it would be less obvious of the modification, I'm not surprised.

10-08-2019, 11:07 AM	#7
tstodii Drives: White 2015 Z/28 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Charleston SC Posts: 208	No tickey, no laundry

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