Hello everyone. I'm finishing up rebuilding my 10-bolt and working on my tranny, and after that, I'll be putting in my G5X2. My car's a '99 Z, A4, with bolt-ons, a Midwest 3400 stall (at least for now, may restall higher later), and 3.73's. I'm definitely getting it tuned as soon as the cam goes in, however, the best tuner in my area lives 20+ miles away, some of those being highway miles. Could I drive the car there with the G5X2 on the stock tune? I know it'll be rough, but I don't want to risk messing anything up at higher speeds, or, on the other hand, die out @ every stop light. Can I do it, or should I spend money on a tow? Please help.
Adam

 

You should be able to unbolt the pcm, take it to him before the swap and let him load a base tune just to get it going.

 

Drive it, youll be fine. You will have issues, but thats a good sized cam with an A4 on a stock tune.

 

put it in and see how the cars acts...if it idles good enough to drive and doesn't die then just drive it there...

you might have to throw it in neutral at lights or when coming to a stop...no biggie

 

 

That is what I call "THE BEST ADVICE "

 

Sounds good, I just hope he doesn't charge me extra for that.

 

He should be able to get it halfway close just by taking the PCM to him.

 

I'd just drive it. I drove my MS3 (237/242 .603/.609 113) around on the stock tune, including a 1+ hour drive to the tuner.

 

How was it on the highway? Did you have a stall in your car?

 

I had a 3500 stall speed converter. Highway was perfectly fine. Once you are moving it's fine. I assume you are going to LS1 speed. That's where I went, but I came from northwest indiana. The trouble areas are at idle and when coming to a stop, or when the revs are dropping down to idle for any reason.
Driving 20-30 miles wouldnt' be a problem if you keep moving most of the time. Now, if you have to stop 100 times for lights/traffic it could be a PITA.

 

Any tips for stop and go driving? Sorry if I sound helpless, just never even touched a cammed car before. Thank you.

 

Keep it in neutral when you're coming to a stop, and wait to put it in gear until you're ready to leave again. Even if you had to keep on foot slightly on the gas, it should be doable. If it's way too much to deal with, you'll know long before you get far from home. Just drive it around the block before you start your trip, and see how she behaves for you. You'll know if it's do-able or not. Good luck!!

 

Thank you. Sounds like a plan. I think with my gears (3.73's) and the stall, it should be somewhat manageable. I need to make it happen in the name of getting my car done so hopefully it'll work out.

 

By saving a few $$, you are seriously endangering your motor. Besides any motor damage that might result, you can ruin your plugs (too lean), carbon foul your chambers (too rich), ruin your cats etc...
Have poeple done it? YES; Is it wise to do? NO.
Tuning and pretune should be part of cam swap expenses.
My advice is send your PCM for a basic tune the drive it over there for dyno tune.
If the distance is not that great (1 hour or so) then have it towed.