zeitgeist57 Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 For my 2007 CTS-V, all I have is a Magnaflow cat-back and a K&N Typhoon full CAI kit. Love the car, and was thinking about headers but I'm backing off that idea. A couple of LSx guys said that the factory PCM doesn't know what to do with the additional air from the K&N, and that I need a tune. If I'm not affecting speedo (stock rear gear/tire diameter) or transmission settings (stick shift), is an off-the-shelf programmer the best and cheapest way? Does anyone recommend an off-the-shelf programmer, or is it truly worth it to go to DTM? I got a quote form Brian last year so I know the HPT license and tune/dyno time, but curious if I'm not going nuts with custom parts whether a programmer should be just as good. Thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTM Brian Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Call me some time to discuss options Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wagner Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Custom tune makes you go vroom, a canned tune might go click, click boom. Spend the money, go to Brian, get it done right to avoid issues. Let me tell you why, because there might be an underlying issue with the car you are not aware of. Car is running fine, no codes, ect but the problem could be there. You toss a canned tune on there without finding that issue that would show during a dyno pull/log and bad things will happen. How do I know this? When I first got my Trans Am I thought about just throwing a mail order tune on the car for my basic mods. Before I did that I took it to Brian for some base pulls during a dyno day, turns out there was an issue. My "stock" car had been "tuned" by someone and the car was deadly lean, no codes, ran fine, but a mail order tune would have blown that bitch up. TL;DR, Spend the money to do something right the first time, rather then doubling up costs later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pntbll309 Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 For an ls car I'd get an actual tune. Street tune should be plenty if you don't want to pay for a dyno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cordell Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Too easy to get an actual tune, besides the price difference isn't that much. With a custom tune you know exactly where everything is so you know it's safe. Random bullshit that worked on someone elses car may not work on yours and is just a poor idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zeitgeist57 Posted November 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Thanks, guys. I appreciate the perspective. Brian, I'll reach out to you. Haven't done anything yet but you'll be the one to get the call. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTM Brian Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Thank you Scott and Brian for your replies here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 It's an LS, with the local knowledge and on going support, I would get a tune to the car. As Brian said, off the shelf tune = boom. I have spent more on tuning then many do in bolt ons. With the knowledge of Dyno Brian, and him being local, it's kind of a no brainier. Now go fine me a tuner that knows his head from his ass for my rotary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTM Brian Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 It's and LS, with the local knowledge and on going support, I would get a tune to the car. As Brian said, off the shelf tune = boom. I have spent more on tuning then many do in bolt ons. With the knowledge of Dyno Brian, and him being local, it's kind of a no brainier. Now go fine me a tuner that knows his head from his ass for my rotary. Any Rotaries running AEM Infinity or Pro EFI? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Not that I know of. Many are still on PFC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTM Brian Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Not that I know of. Many are still on PFC. After spending some time with these systems. I think they would a good option. Even Mega Squirt has come a long way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mojoe Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 We shall talk this evening. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gillbot Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Custom tune makes you go vroom, a canned tune might go click, click boom. This Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTM Brian Posted November 6, 2015 Report Share Posted November 6, 2015 Why Custom Tune? Because Mass Air Transfer Function Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief8one Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 This maybe a dumb question.. But are there local guys that know how to really tune Megasquirt? I have a project that has been on the back burner for years and this is probably the route I will go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DTM Brian Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 This maybe a dumb question.. But are there local guys that know how to really tune Megasquirt? I have a project that has been on the back burner for years and this is probably the route I will go. Yup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smokey Posted November 7, 2015 Report Share Posted November 7, 2015 Now go fine me a tuner that knows his head from his ass for my rotary. Not sure if Defined is still tuning PFC's or not. Otherwise the safest bet is to go to Banzai Racing in Indiana. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief8one Posted November 12, 2015 Report Share Posted November 12, 2015 Yup cool Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
99StockGT Posted November 13, 2015 Report Share Posted November 13, 2015 Just to chuck in my .02 on the subject and something others have touched on, canned tunes are designed as a generic "this works with this this and this" parts. They also typically leave quite a bit on the table as far as performance goes in order to allow for tolerances between different machines. Where as with a custom tuning you have someone constantly monitoring the feedback and data of your specific car. Unfortunately, not all cars we buy have been treated nicely in their previous life so while monitoring for tuning and powwa you may also be able to hunt down issues or injuries you didn't know of before. And hopefully you spot those issues before something goes boom Ok, so maybe that was more like .05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.