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shop tuned or hand held tuner

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Old 11-30-2010, 04:23 PM
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Default shop tuned or hand held tuner

I have a 2000 chevrolet z28 camaro. I got longtube pacesetter headers (no cats) slp cold intake, and magnaflow exhaust. I was wondering if I should have a speed shop tune the car or should I buy a tuner? Where will I gain more hp? Thanks
Old 11-30-2010, 04:27 PM
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Shop hands down.
Old 11-30-2010, 04:29 PM
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frost does mail order tunes for $150.I would take it too a shop.also consider getting a ls6 .
Old 11-30-2010, 04:32 PM
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X2 on the ls6 intake. and shop imo.
Old 11-30-2010, 04:48 PM
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Shop for sure. Around here, I got a dynotune for $150. They can do way more, and it's a lot cheaper than hand-held tuners.
Old 11-30-2010, 04:55 PM
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A handheld tuner's tune is too generic. Tune with wideband and dyno is best for every scenario, then road tune for driveability. Just my .02.

Jack.
Old 11-30-2010, 04:59 PM
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I wouldn't tune my lawnmower with a handheld personally.
Old 11-30-2010, 05:00 PM
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Originally Posted by BLOWNALKY01
A handheld tuner's tune is too generic. Tune with wideband and dyno is best for every scenario, then road tune for driveability. Just my .02.

Jack.
this is good info,

also like others have said look itno frost tunes he has tuned thousands of cars and can do it via mail.
Old 11-30-2010, 05:26 PM
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dyno tune all the way. just look into a few shops. alot of tuners arent as good as they think they are.
Old 11-30-2010, 05:40 PM
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I don't wanna thread jack but there is a guy close by that charges $185 for a tune, says he hooks a wideband up then take the car out and do a a couple pulls to 60. Does this sound like a good deal cuz a dyno tune will cost around 500, its only gonna be a basic boltons tune.
Old 11-30-2010, 05:51 PM
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Shop !!!!
Old 11-30-2010, 06:21 PM
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definetly go with a professional tune
Old 11-30-2010, 06:28 PM
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Originally Posted by craZy28
I don't wanna thread jack but there is a guy close by that charges $185 for a tune, says he hooks a wideband up then take the car out and do a a couple pulls to 60. Does this sound like a good deal cuz a dyno tune will cost around 500, its only gonna be a basic boltons tune.

it could be a good deal.


ive learned though that a tune is important and id rather pay more than have a bad tune and lose a motor.

a bolton tune there is less of a chance of having a problem from my experience.
Old 11-30-2010, 10:25 PM
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SHOP!!! We had our old 02 WS.6 dyno tuned with just a lid/catback/3.73s and gained 17rwhp!
Old 12-01-2010, 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by craZy28
I don't wanna thread jack but there is a guy close by that charges $185 for a tune, says he hooks a wideband up then take the car out and do a a couple pulls to 60. Does this sound like a good deal cuz a dyno tune will cost around 500, its only gonna be a basic boltons tune.
More than likely all he's doing is tuning wide open throttle pulls, which is only part of the equation. Kudos to him for at least doing this on the street opposed to a dyno where it won't be accurate. One tid bit of advice though, he needs to do a 3rd gear pull for accurate A/F readings. Hauling *** through 1st and 2nd gear won't give the wideband enough time to give accurate readings.

Tuning the MAF/VE tables is also necessary for a "full" tune. Ask him if he tunes those, and if he doesn't I'd seek a reputable shop to do your work. It's better to pay a little more for a job done right the first time, then paying twice to have it redone.

Last edited by Damian; 12-01-2010 at 09:18 AM.
Old 12-01-2010, 06:31 PM
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Thank you everybody for answering my question. I will definitely get it shop tuned. Where I live in Durham N.C. they want $350 to tune I wish someone here only wanted $150 dollars.
Old 12-02-2010, 10:01 AM
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Frost tune!!!!!
Old 12-02-2010, 10:11 AM
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Originally Posted by jksz28
Thank you everybody for answering my question. I will definitely get it shop tuned. Where I live in Durham N.C. they want $350 to tune I wish someone here only wanted $150 dollars.
$350 is cheap.

If you're only wanting to pay $150, you're not going to get a good tune.
Old 12-02-2010, 10:22 AM
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For your mods just beeing a few bolt ons I wouldn't pay over 200,go with frost or pcms for less,I had a buddy tune mine on his computer with hp tuners when it was just bolt ons and it did run a lot better,dyno is the best but it does cost,
Old 12-02-2010, 10:29 AM
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When it comes down to it though a shop can do way more,for sure get the idea of the handheld tuner out of your mind they are garbage,if you live in ohio I could have my buddy do it he has skills in that area




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