So living in San Antonio, TX I've always heard great things about Nelson Performance. I guess they are hugh in the LS world for the Corvettes, Camaros, Firebirds, and GTOs. They also do a lot of Trucks with the LS series engines in them. They offer a mail order tune for our LS4s but I've never heard of anyone using one on other forums or here so alot of people seem very weary about using an vendors new/unknown product. I sent them an email to see if we could work a deal and this is what I got back.
Me:
I have a 2006 Grand Prix GXP with the LS4 (5.3l) in it. I see that you offer a tune for it along with the Impala SS/ Monte Carlo SS with the same LS4. There are only two vendors that offer mail order tunes the LS4s that people go with. I showed some people off various forums that you offer the tunes and people are lets say weary of your tunes because its not proven and you don't show anything showing that you have tuned a LS4 vehicle yet. My question is can I get a before and after dyno and tune showing the difference you can give at a discounted rate in exchange for you putting my car on the website showing the before and afters. Also if you tune my car on the dyno then you would know exactly what to change/offer on your mail order can tune. I'm here in San Antonio and think this would be benifical to both of us.
Thanks for your time,
Tate

Them:
Hi Tate,

Sounds like a good exchange.

The normal cost is $375 and I'll discount it, how's $200 sound?

We can do a before and after, wideband and as many dyno runs as we need.

We'll have to do this on a slow day because we'll probably need about 3-4hours to prove the tune.

After we're done tuning, we'll still offer the free upgrades for the life of the car.

Let me know,
Allen

Me:
Allen,
Sounds like a great deal. I was thinking about getting a K&N Intake for the car as well before we tune. Would we be better off me not installing the intake for the base line run, then maybe a intake installed pull, and a after tune pull? What do you consider a slow day for you to do this. If it will fall on a weekday I need a week or so heads up so I can get time off of work. I'll take the car to the track prior to the tune as well then let you know what it turns after the tuning and you could use the slips as well for proof of your tunes. I've always heard good things about what you do for the LS1/LS2 and numerous truck tunes and it will be great for you to show the world what you can do with a LS4.
Thank you,
Charles Tate


Sounds pretty good! I'm waiting to here back from them on the day to do this.

Here is there website if your interested.
http://www.nelsonperformance.com/

I need a list of things for them to change or things people would like to see changed for the PCM and TCM tune.
Tate

 

let us know how it goes!

 

Wow! That's an awesome deal. I need to poke around Buffalo to see if anyone is interested in doing this as well.

However, someone may delete this thread, as it's likely a violation of non-sponsor advertising.

(that is IF they're not a sponsor already)

 

I emailed them before, but I don't live near there...

 

Have you seen their videos on youtube......damn I would trust them!

 

I've mentioned it on here and I'll do so again, Allen (Nelson) is a good dude with a great reputation for tuning 5.3s. I'm looking at getting a Nelson tune as well (I'm in Houston) and maybe having them do a cam install (their 220/220), only I'll be waiting until some decent headers are available.
I'd be very interested, though, in getting a group deal on a tune.

Thanks and good luck.
BJ

 

I already emailed him; I wonder if doing a scan would help them. I don't have a wideband though so I wonder how they can be accurate without throwing it on a dyno.

 

What's the most that can be wringed out of the LS4 with a good tune?

 

So give me a list of things to have changed with the tune.
Tate

 

Sounds like a great deal to me, and they know what they're doing.

As far as how much HP you can "wring out" with tuning, guess it depends. With my car, on a Mustang Dyno, I pulled out an extra 33whp and almost 50wtq just with tuning. I did spend quite a bit of time on the dyno figuring out what the car "liked" and didn't like though. I can tell you that nearly all of the gains came from the timing tables. Unlike the typical LS1 cars, where most of the gains come from A/F adjustments. Or at least that's my experience anyway.

 

First of all, if it were me personally, I wouldn't turn off the DOD like a lot of people do. I've played with this a lot, and even though it's somewhat annoying, it saves me a ton of gas. The best I could get without DOD and the cruise on 65, was 19.x mpg. With DOD at 65, it gets 24-25mpg.

As far as performance, Nelson will know what to do. Just the basics; timing, a/f, tq mngmt (these cars have a lot of it), shift points and firmness, rev limiter, and also downshift points will help a lot with the street performance of the car. On mine, I basically disabled the TC too.

Oh yea, if you plan on putting in a colder thermostat at some point, go ahead and have him reset the fans for it now.

That's about all I can think of at the moment...

 

Rob, what are you using? HP or were you tuned?

 

Yea, I use HPTuner.

 

Rob, do you have a pic of your dyno chart? I would love to be able to show that. Also if your tuning with HPTuners can you PM me a breakdown of what your have actually changed to what? I cuoud give them that list and speed up the process of them tuning. I do have a 160* Thermostat, what should they set the fans for and such?
Tate

 

Yes and no. I have it, but I have no idea where it is. I've moved twice since I tuned it, and it's in a box somewhere. Just moved the 2nd time last week, and I haven't even gotten as far as finding all of my clothes yet. And let me say, 2 pair of underwear aint gettin it.

As far as the tuning, Nelson doesn't need any help. Probably one of the last things a tuner likes to hear is, "can you copy this guy's tune?". Just leave it up to him...I'm sure you'll be happy with the results.

 

Wow! this sounds awesome. My dad lives in New Braunfels, so let them know if they make you happy, they'll definitely have another Texan show up for their services.

 

So I spoke with Allen Nelson yesterday and were looking at doing this on a weekend (not this one) coming up. So in the next couple of weeks hopefully I should have some good numbers for people. Nelson Performance seems to be an amazing choice for us with the tunes.
Tate

 

I tried to email Allen but it bounced back. Can you ask him Tate how they will configure a tune if you have rockers,downpipe,CAI,Exhaust etc since every one does not have the same setup. Would they like to review a .hpt scan?

Cheers