Tune Options (Besides Dyno)

1102 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by DrumStix, Apr 21, 2011

njdevilz1

Discussion Starter · Apr 21, 2011

I was wondering what options are out there right now for getting a tune.
There are no shops around me that have any experience tuning the LSA engine and I would not have confidence in letting them tune my car on their dyno. I previously owned a Trail Blazer SS , and had some minor issues when I had my TB dyno tuned.

So that more or less limits me to handheld email tune or having a (ECM?) tuned or pre-loaded(?) and sent to me?

I want something that I am able to swap out and go back to stock if needed.
What if any vendors offer hand held tunes?

With just a board swap , would it not more or less just be a generic tune that wouldn't be able to be adjusted at all? I do not know much about this , but a preloaded tune would not be able to account for the current DA the car is running in and other unique factors that vary from stock car to car?

The only thing that scares me about a handheld , is that I have read some things that it may cause some issues if it does not have the correct firmware etc. I also would not want it where if I had any warranty issues , GM could see that there have been changes made from the factory settings even if you remove the custom tune you used from your handheld.

Sorry for the long winded post , more or less looking for any and all options I have for a tune besides a dyno tune and what is recommended. Ability ot go back ot stock is very important for me.

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Nutz

· #4 · Apr 21, 2011

To the OP, it depends also on how far you want to go. If you want to "wake up" an easy 100 plus or minus hp than you can order a conservative lower pulley upgrade, CAI, and an ECM swap-out fairly cheap from a vendor here, these parts can be easily installed by your local ASE mechanic. If your looking to join the ranks of high horsepower junkies (600+ rwhp) than you better be ready to take your car to a reputable shop, have it specifically tuned, and have a strong risk of warranty refusal and/or premature transmission wear.

This is a discussion that can be beaten into the ground with many opinions in all directions, choose wisely.

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Nutz

· #6 · Apr 21, 2011

njdevilz1 said:
I was hoping to be able to do the upper pulley swap but appears to be impossible to go back to stock after the swap has been done.
Is it fairly safe to do the lower/CAI/ECM swap out? I assume that if you purchase the ecm swap form same place you get the lower , it would be a pretty safe tune and spefically somewhat dialed in for thaose particular mods?

You are correct. But be wise on your pulley size as it is a significant boost/hp increase. The pre-programmed ECM worked well for me. Your vendor will advise you on how the ECM works and how reliable it will be for your application. The labor bill should be well under 1k easy.

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Nutz

· #7 · Apr 21, 2011

Double post. Deleted.

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