LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

Thinking it may be time for a "Tune".

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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:03 AM
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Default Thinking it may be time for a "Tune".

So i'm running the o'le hypertech, its working fine, but i'm thinking of getting a Fresh tune, is there anyone that has gone from a "good" working hypertech to one of the mail order tunes from any of the big 3 (PCMforless, MadZ, Trifetca), if so, did you notice an improvement, were you satified with the results. ONLY bolt-on LT1s please, no cammed cars.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:15 AM
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I never used a hypertech, but I have seen gains from going from a hypertech to a mail order......And even more gains from hypertech to a dyno tune. And were talking bolt on cars.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:41 AM
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I talked with Brian @ PCMforless & he said his tune will give me about 10rwhp over the Hypertech running 91 octane (thats all thats avialable in this area anymore), otherwise it would get 12-13rwhp with 93, he can't up the timing that much for 91. I know i can get around 150.00 for the hypertech, so maybe it'll be worth it. What does a dynotune run & what kind of gains can i see?
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 01:31 AM
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I think the Hypertech is good untill you do internal mods. You will see more from a dyno tune but its not worth spending the cash, over parts that will add more power down the line.
Your car is already quick for the mods done Get a TB instead, then a cam and head work then a dyno tune.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 01:38 AM
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Originally Posted by LM97Z
I talked with Brian @ PCMforless & he said his tune will give me about 10rwhp over the Hypertech running 91 octane (thats all thats avialable in this area anymore), otherwise it would get 12-13rwhp with 93, he can't up the timing that much for 91. I know i can get around 150.00 for the hypertech, so maybe it'll be worth it. What does a dynotune run & what kind of gains can i see?
Depends on how good the tuner is that does the dyno tune. Dyno tunes will usually run you about 500-600 bucks but will be SPOT ON for your setup. You might not see much over the mail order tune on a bolt on car, but the difference could be as much as 10hp on a more extreme setup (heads/cam)...

Bryan Herter (at PCM4less) did my tuning for my current setup, and I am sure that if I took it to a dyno tune, they wouldent pull too much more out of it. Bryan knows his stuff, and has gotten some setups I have seen within 5hp of a dyno tune..... So anything is possible.....
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 09:30 AM
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Originally Posted by AChotrod
I think the Hypertech is good untill you do internal mods. You will see more from a dyno tune but its not worth spending the cash, over parts that will add more power down the line.
Your car is already quick for the mods done Get a TB instead, then a cam and head work then a dyno tune.
What would a TB do for me @ my HP level? wouldn't it work better with a cam/heads? It already has an Airfoil.

Yeah its getting down there in ETs, this old boat still has the jack/spare in it, i'm looking to grab another .2 out of it hopefully in the next 2 months, maybe i'll just hold off on the tune for now & get some SFCs instead, i did find my MAF was gummed up about 80% from the K&N oil, that alone was telling the PCM it was rich & leaned out the fuel signal (helpful hint from Brian to check this), now i had to lower back down the fuel pressure & the engine runs smoother, alot smoother & runs cooler too, but he did say the hypertech runs a 12.0 F/R @ wot, he likes to set them leaner then that.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 09:48 AM
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A TB doesnt do much of anything for a bolt on car, its when you start porting the intake/heads and throwing a cam in there that you will see a difference. Stick with stock until then.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 09:52 AM
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A 52 would be right for your mods now. A 58 TB would be what you want after the HC. You seem to already have the exhaust covered, now start working on getting more air into the engine.
But Since you dont have SFCs yet that would be my next move also.

With your basic set up plus a 52mm TB and Granatelli MAF with 3.73s, Jba shorties and stock y-pipe w cats my old 97 was trapping 104-105 all day 107with a hotcam kit b4 tune and 111mph after Ed wright tuning. 120+ on the juice. I miss that car!!
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 11:52 AM
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I do have a Granatelli MAF, what size is the stock TB? Isn't it like 48.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 12:42 PM
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stock is 48
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by AChotrod
stock is 48

But for the $$$ is a 52cc TB worth the upgrade? Because to honestly tell ya, it'll most likely never get a cam/head up-grade while i own it, just can't afford it, so what would be more justafiable for the $$$, a mail order tune or a 52cc TB?? The SFCs are a must, so thats what i am getting next, after that, i'll just work on getting the 60fts. down for the best ET, by fall if i can run down a 13.2 pass with this car at its full weight & 158K miles, i'de say i'm doing damn good, wouldn't you
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 02:09 PM
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Mail order tune by far, the TB wont gain you anything you will notice. I wouldent even touch the TB until your porting the manifold/heads and of course a decent cam.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 02:21 PM
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I disagree. I would find a nice used TB (you can find them for a 100bucks if your lucky or buy a bbk 52 if your never going to do a H/C job on the car. Then when you have it tuned it will be for all your mods, Dont tune it then end up getting more stuff then tune again. I agree a mail order tune is Deff a priority but get the parts first, then the tune.
Your car is pulling some good ETs for sure. 13.2s are in the future.
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Old Aug 13, 2008 | 02:35 PM
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Dyno tune it. It'll run ya from $200+
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