Tim94gt

iTrader: (2)

I picked up a GTO a week ago and found out it was Tuned at ESP in Sterling.

Has anyone used them?

I plan on taking it to Slowhawk to check the tune and re-tune if necessary, I just need to save some money first.

For those interested, it's an '06 LS2 M6 and put down 342 w/ the following mods:

Frans96SS

iTrader: (15)

I think they went out of business YEARS ago.

My84Z

iTrader: (18)

Probly has too much timing in it. There was alot of bad tunes from there

MaSTi

Was that the Orange one up in NH at the MacMulkin Dealership?

Personally I have nothing against ESP, but I would only go to them for an install, but not a tune. Slowhawk would be my first trip any place!!

Tim94gt

iTrader: (2)

I'm not sure, their website is still up though

Well, That Sucks! I'm call Slowhawk Tomorrow and see when Don can fit me in.

No, I bought it in Mass and it's red.

Tim94gt

iTrader: (2)

I just spoke with the original owner and apparently it was not tuned, he just used a predator tuner and Dyno'd it at ESP.

Anyways, I'm getting it tuned next week at Slowhawk just to be safe.

MikeWS6

They are still in Sterling. What is bad about their tuning??

Tim94gt

iTrader: (2)

I'm not sure if anything is wrong with their tunes or not, I never heard of them until this morning.

My main concern is that my car has a good tune, I'd rather have it re-done by a reputable Tuner. Cheap Insurance IMO.

smokeshow72

And you say this based on what?

MikeWS6

I had some codes tuned out from them and they scanned the computer right in front of me and there were no codes and everything as ready. Thats the only reason I asked.

Tim94gt

iTrader: (2)

Like I said, I never heard of them until this morning. Google comes up with a lot of great reviews, but mostly import cars. I'm sure they are capable tuners.

Either way, they did not tune my car. It was just dyno'd there w/ a predator tuner.

MaSTi

ESP has always been an okay shop, but nothing has ever been reputable about their tunes. I've been there twice and they know some stuff, but they seemed like a fix and learn instead of a "know what they are doing" kinda shop. Hence my option of going to slowhawk to be 100% sure of being safe. Just my $.02.

smokeshow72

I didn't see any NA car at Slowhawks making big power during the dyno day, so what gives you the impression that his NA tunes are any better than ESP or someone else?

His turbo and supercharged cars were making good power, so I think I'm impressed by his forced induction work, and the installs looked very clean, so I am not talking about those aspects at all, nor am I starting a war here, but saying "just in case I am going to Slowhawk" with an NA car doesn't make sense to me when his NA cars (at least the ones at the DD) were nothing exceptional.

C

ZOsack

iTrader: (2)

I would choose Slowhawk because he deals only with LS based cars as opposed to esp that works on a variety. Kinda cut and dry but I assume that's were he is coming from.

smokeshow72

That's the first logical argument I have heard, all others have been "ESP Sucks" or "Don is the MAN."

However, the tuners who work for other shops, such as ESP, also only work on GMs, even if the shop does other cars. If you want to talk about physical installation of performance upgrades, I am with you on a specialist shop being better than a general practitioner, but I think tuning is a different deal; the guy with the laptop is much more important than whose shop he happens to be standing in.

C

Tim94gt

iTrader: (2)

I never said slowhawk was better and did not intend to bash ESP. The fact of the matter is, it's my car and I will feel more comfortable having it tuned by someone who specializes in LS-based vehicles. I spent a lot of money on this car and the peace of mind knowing it has a proper tune is worth it to me.

Like stated above, this car was NOT tuned by ESP. The original owner had them Dyno it after installing a predator tuner.



Exactly!

You hear anything about your heads yet?

mercccc

Esp has a "gm" tuner come in to do their tunes. That's what they told me a year or so back. Don has some really quick na cars out there

ZOsack

iTrader: (2)

Nothing on the heads yet. I shot him a email yesterday

Tim94gt

iTrader: (2)

That sucks! I can't wait to see what it runs when it's finished. Going to Bass Pro Thursday if you wanna go.

Slowhawk

iTrader: (12)

Thats the problem right there. From what I'm told they use my old employee to tune. The "tuner" worked for me and he never tuned a car here. His site sells all my cars as his to give the false affect that he tuned them. He just started to tune a few months ago.

We also do a ton of FI cars. My employee just ran 9.8 in his 100% DD Formula.