Corvette Performance
C5 | Z06 | C6 | ZR1 | C7

Street tune vs Dyno tune?

Old Mar 17, 2009 | 10:50 PM
  #1  
JayplaySS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,615
Likes: 161
From: Miami, OH
Default Street tune vs Dyno tune?

I have a question for you guys (also posted this on CF) and I pretty much know the answer but some of you guys help make points that normally wouldn't come up.

I need to have my car tuned since the heads/FAST and the local shop Horsepower Sales in Pompano is the only place I trust but they only have time to do a street tune @ $350. Long story.

I had my KB Cobra street tuned (dyno was broken) as well with a wideband and it ran amazing, trapped 133mph but I never had a rwhp number to argue about on the internet, that's the only disadvantage I can think of. Anybody know another trusted LSX tuner/shop in South FL?
What do you guys think? Some of you guys tune like this correct?

Jamie, Doug where you guys at? I trust your judgement.
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2009 | 11:44 PM
  #2  
JoeyGC5's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,645
Likes: 0
From: St Joe, MO
Default

Dyno tuning just corrects the upper range of the cars spectrum, unless you have a load range dyno, ie Mustang. It can't compensate for actual driving conditions. I personally do all tuning on the street and then throw it on the dyno to see if there is any upper rpm improvement to be made. That way the car is user friendly in all ranges.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 07:33 AM
  #3  
JayplaySS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,615
Likes: 161
From: Miami, OH
Default

Originally Posted by JoeyGC5
Dyno tuning just corrects the upper range of the cars spectrum, unless you have a load range dyno, ie Mustang. It can't compensate for actual driving conditions. I personally do all tuning on the street and then throw it on the dyno to see if there is any upper rpm improvement to be made. That way the car is user friendly in all ranges.
Thank you sir. How do you monitor afr? The tuner on my Cobra had a wideband 02 and a laptop in my car while we drove around. It can't be done correctly without a wb 02 installed for street driving correct? I have a feeling they are planning on hooking up HP and then just driving around....I will have to get that cleared up I guess. Do you think I am leaving a mph or 2 from my trap on the table with only street tuning?
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 07:42 AM
  #4  
AlexLs1's Avatar
TECH Resident
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: Bradenton, FL
Default

My first tune which was done by a well known LSx tuner many years ago (05)consisted of a dyno tune and then when the tune was done we went out on the street made a few quick pulls and that was that. After the result of that tune (over time) and going to another tuner that I'am happy with, that shop does the same process.

I would prefer doing both, however; if I had to choose I would go with a street tune. A dyno is a great tool and it can compensate for a lot of things but not everthing. My car has had temporary tunes in it that have been accomplished via the street and they performed very well as did the car in a result from that. I have a wideband in my car and so did the tuner on his laptop and both read the ratio. I think there could be a difference in output with a street tune though that could cost you and you would acheive that on the dyno. On a small scale of course.

My $0.02.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 07:59 AM
  #5  
JayplaySS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,615
Likes: 161
From: Miami, OH
Default

Originally Posted by AlexLs1
My first tune which was done by a well known LSx tuner many years ago (05)consisted of a dyno tune and then when the tune was done we went out on the street made a few quick pulls and that was that. After the result of that tune (over time) and going to another tuner that I'am happy with, that shop does the same process.

I would prefer doing both, however; if I had to choose I would go with a street tune. A dyno is a great tool and it can compensate for a lot of things but not everthing. My car has had temporary tunes in it that have been accomplished via the street and they performed very well as did the car in a result from that. I have a wideband in my car and so did the tuner on his laptop and both read the ratio. I think there could be a difference in output with a street tune though that could cost you and you would acheive that on the dyno. On a small scale of course.

My $0.02.
Thanks man, that's what I am afraid of. I don't want to sacrafice any power on the top, which is where street tuning will have a problem dialing in 100%. They would have to pull the car through 4th gear ( I think) on the street to nail it. Ouch.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 08:02 AM
  #6  
streetassasin's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 1
From: Orange, TX
Default

when I get my H/C installed its getting a street tune
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 08:17 AM
  #7  
Pro Stock John's Avatar
LS1Tech Co-Founder
20 Year Member
Community Influencer
iTrader: (34)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 45,321
Likes: 1,764
From: Chicago, IL
Default

Depends on what you are tuning. The more radical the combo the more I think it would be a good idea to make a couple pulls on the dynojet to get the timing and fueling in the zone.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 08:36 AM
  #8  
Photochop's Avatar
11 Second Club
15 Year Member
iTrader: (74)
 
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 2,742
Likes: 4
From: In the garage
Default

If you're talking about a heads/cam setup, I'd think a street tune would suffice. Like PSJ said, with more radical setups - FI, etc - I'd prefer a street tune for driveability/part throttle tuning, and a dyno tune for the WOT tuning. On a dyno, the entire range and everything the car is doing is so much easier to monitor rather than having to worry about real world scenarios and traffic etc. Loads on the street vs the dyno shouldnt be as big of a concern if we're talking about NA with a 6 speed.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-4

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-8

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

 Brett Foote
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 09:01 AM
  #9  
JoeyGC5's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (24)
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,645
Likes: 0
From: St Joe, MO
Default

Originally Posted by JayplaySS2
Thank you sir. How do you monitor afr? The tuner on my Cobra had a wideband 02 and a laptop in my car while we drove around. It can't be done correctly without a wb 02 installed for street driving correct? I have a feeling they are planning on hooking up HP and then just driving around....I will have to get that cleared up I guess. Do you think I am leaving a mph or 2 from my trap on the table with only street tuning?

I've got dual LC1's in my Vette, because I run OLSD (Open Loop Speed Density) and have no MAF or O2 sensors on my car.

Honestly it depends on to many variables for an answer to the street only tune. The car could love timing on the street but hate it on the track/dyno.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 10:12 AM
  #10  
JayplaySS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,615
Likes: 161
From: Miami, OH
Default

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John
Depends on what you are tuning. The more radical the combo the more I think it would be a good idea to make a couple pulls on the dynojet to get the timing and fueling in the zone.
You have alot of posts.

I need to tune the PowrMAF as well and I wonder if they are capable with HP tuners and a street tune. It shouldn't be very difficult.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 10:45 AM
  #11  
Ragtop 99's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,491
Likes: 1
From: Bethesda, MD
Default

If you have the room and a routine combo, I like a street tune better if you have a portable wideband. Because of space, I run through third gear and some of 4th. It's very rare that I can run through 4th so having the car dyno tuned in 4th is not as helpful as it might seem.

The dyno is useful for seeing whether there is an advantage as you begin to push timing higher or lean the car. If you are tuning a fairly established H&C package or just bolt-ons, you pretty much know what to target in terms of timing and AFR. If you are experimenting with a newly released part or a radically different combo, the dyno is helpful for experimenting.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 06:13 PM
  #12  
V-seriesTech's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,353
Likes: 6
From: East Coast
Default

Originally Posted by JayplaySS2
I have a question for you guys (also posted this on CF) and I pretty much know the answer but some of you guys help make points that normally wouldn't come up.

I need to have my car tuned since the heads/FAST and the local shop Horsepower Sales in Pompano is the only place I trust but they only have time to do a street tune @ $350. Long story.

I had my KB Cobra street tuned (dyno was broken) as well with a wideband and it ran amazing, trapped 133mph but I never had a rwhp number to argue about on the internet, that's the only disadvantage I can think of. Anybody know another trusted LSX tuner/shop in South FL?
What do you guys think? Some of you guys tune like this correct?

Jamie, Doug where you guys at? I trust your judgement.

"only place you trust"... thats gay. Shoulda gave me a call, could have used the extra cash, and I would have done a neat/clean job on your car.

That said.... I know all the guys at HP well,...they're my friends, and they do great work. So, I have nothing to say negative about them.

But,...I can get you a DYNO tune,...with EXCELLENT driveability,...for less a less price then that. My tune guy spends a long time with the car getting driveability perfect,...then, and only then, do we do some WOT pulls.

You know my number,...either text or call me if your interested. You wouldn't be dissapointed. Just have Jeremy finish the install,..and pass on the street tune. Your call.


-j
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 10:12 PM
  #13  
Chris81's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 621
Likes: 0
From: Midland, Tx
Default

Originally Posted by Ragtop 99
If you have the room and a routine combo, I like a street tune better if you have a portable wideband. Because of space, I run through third gear and some of 4th. It's very rare that I can run through 4th so having the car dyno tuned in 4th is not as helpful as it might seem.

The dyno is useful for seeing whether there is an advantage as you begin to push timing higher or lean the car. If you are tuning a fairly established H&C package or just bolt-ons, you pretty much know what to target in terms of timing and AFR. If you are experimenting with a newly released part or a radically different combo, the dyno is helpful for experimenting.
Agreed.. i've always tuned all my stuff, as well as many others on the street/track.. but around here we don't have a good dyno right now.. the place with a Dynojet went out of business and another place with a Mustang Dyno has had tons of problems with it reading right so I don't think its a good option as of now. Its nice to see what a car makes, and if you can improve on hp/tq numbers, but to someone like me who is a big drag racer the track is where its at.
Reply
Old Mar 18, 2009 | 10:53 PM
  #14  
JayplaySS's Avatar
Thread Starter
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,615
Likes: 161
From: Miami, OH
Default

Originally Posted by V-seriesTech
"only place you trust"... thats gay. Shoulda gave me a call, could have used the extra cash, and I would have done a neat/clean job on your car.

That said.... I know all the guys at HP well,...they're my friends, and they do great work. So, I have nothing to say negative about them.

But,...I can get you a DYNO tune,...with EXCELLENT driveability,...for less a less price then that. My tune guy spends a long time with the car getting driveability perfect,...then, and only then, do we do some WOT pulls.

You know my number,...either text or call me if your interested. You wouldn't be dissapointed. Just have Jeremy finish the install,..and pass on the street tune. Your call.


-j

Like I would have it done without talking with you.....

I will call you tomorrow. I was waiting for you to show man, you must be busy these days.

What are you talking about...." Jeremy finish the install " ??
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2009 | 08:28 PM
  #15  
V-seriesTech's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,353
Likes: 6
From: East Coast
Default

Originally Posted by JayplaySS2
Like I would have it done without talking with you.....

I will call you tomorrow. I was waiting for you to show man, you must be busy these days.

What are you talking about...." Jeremy finish the install " ??


...I misread...was thinking you were doing the cam/heads and cam install at this time.

Good talking to you man. I've been weird bust lately, not soo much good busy. If that makes any sense. No homo for the gay readers.
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2009 | 02:54 PM
  #16  
05WhiteSRT4's Avatar
Teching In
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by JayplaySS2
Thanks man, that's what I am afraid of. I don't want to sacrafice any power on the top, which is where street tuning will have a problem dialing in 100%. They would have to pull the car through 4th gear ( I think) on the street to nail it. Ouch.
What's wrong with that?
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2010 | 03:32 PM
  #17  
vmapper's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 1
Default

You can never get a street tune as good as a constant speed tuned car, period. Constant speed tune removed all those 'wall fills' your computer changes when letting off, tip-in, rpm change happen that you just cant avoid when street tuning... these are all transient changes that mess with and add erroneous data to your histogram logging. As for the timing comment, I would disagree on an eddy current dyno which accounts for street coefficient etc. New dyno jets have this ability as well, if there is any slight differences and the tune is good, very little adjustment is required by the ECM as far as timing goes.
Bottom line, you can NOT beat the accuracy of Constant speed dyno tuning for VE, drivability range and idle and safety on top of all that.



I thought I would pull this out of the boneyard to mention that.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2010 | 04:54 PM
  #18  
robert miller's Avatar
Launching!
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 249
Likes: 0
From: cookeville, tn
Default

Originally Posted by JayplaySS2
I have a question for you guys (also posted this on CF) and I pretty much know the answer but some of you guys help make points that normally wouldn't come up.

I need to have my car tuned since the heads/FAST and the local shop Horsepower Sales in Pompano is the only place I trust but they only have time to do a street tune @ $350. Long story.

I had my KB Cobra street tuned (dyno was broken) as well with a wideband and it ran amazing, trapped 133mph but I never had a rwhp number to argue about on the internet, that's the only disadvantage I can think of. Anybody know another trusted LSX tuner/shop in South FL?
What do you guys think? Some of you guys tune like this correct?

Jamie, Doug where you guys at? I trust your judgement.
On a lower hp motor a street tune is fine. I would want that anyway as part of the the dyno tune. Why is to make sure the dam thing will run as it did befor it was tuned by whom ever. The WOT tune is the easy part of a tuner job if he is good at all. Getting it to act on the street as it did befor he plays with it is the hard job. Plus all the dyno is going to do is tell you what hp you have at the rear wheels. Get a good shop to do this for you man.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2010 | 05:24 PM
  #19  
02*C5's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,704
Likes: 303
From: Az
Default

I am no tuner but my tuner always said

"street tune is the most important. Street tune sets up how your drive ability is how well street mannered it is and also the tuner can take into accountability your driving style. While the dyno is a great place to tweak street tune will be the only place you are going to get a true tune."
Reply
Old Jul 17, 2010 | 08:07 PM
  #20  
vmapper's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,053
Likes: 1
Default

Originally Posted by 02*C5
I am no tuner but my tuner always said

"street tune is the most important. Street tune sets up how your drive ability is how well street mannered it is and also the tuner can take into accountability your driving style. While the dyno is a great place to tweak street tune will be the only place you are going to get a true tune."
Completely disagree!
Are you tuning the TRUE potential of the motor or tuning in Variances of RPM (and all other sensors)on the street which vary. If you look at the actual operation of the ECM and how calculations are made, street tunes cause skews with transients. RPM is a transient change itself. Transients are now embedded in the tuners feedback on what to adjust... which is then tuned in. (Small variance you will always be chasing in your 'street' tune...always.)
I want the ENGINE to be at its best... not tuning in road changes, wind, etc. those change, engine pumping efficiency does not.

Steady state tuning can not be topped by any street tune, end of story.

Driving style? sounds like someone doesnt know what they are talking about. How does driving style change how you tune the ENGINE! lol...
So I push the petal slower, take corners faster and floor it in the rain, its tuned differently? Umm, no. Will my power be upped for me rather than someone who mashes on it? Again, clearly someone doesnt have a clue the operation of the ECM.
I hope you can see that statement just sounds ridiculous. Please buy your tuner a copy of the Calibrated Success DVD

Last edited by vmapper; Jul 17, 2010 at 08:12 PM.
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:02 PM.

story-0
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-1
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-2
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-4
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-5
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-6
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE
story-9
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0

The world was a better place when it was still around.

By Brett Foote | 2026-01-23 09:20:37


VIEW MORE