advice needed about modding and learning to tune
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 114
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From: Little Rock, AR
advice needed about modding and learning to tune I am in a mental predicament and need some advice from someone thats already taken this path. I plan on doing several modifications to my car including heads, headers & full exhaust, cam, and nitrous (in that order.) I already bought the heads and would love to put them in this weekend but Im hesitant to start my modding because I havent yet lined out my tuning choice.... I guess my choices are.. 1) buy a tuner right now, learn to tune, and tune it myself after each mod I make. 2) dont buy a tuner, and get my *** ripped off for having to fork over $500 for a tune after each mod I make. or 3) wait a long *** time until I have enough money saved up to do all the mods and pay to have a tune all at the same time. (that doesnt sound fun does it?) Option #1 is the most appealing, because first of all, my one time payment of $500 lets me own a tuner to use whenever I want, and not only do I get that, but I get to learn how to tune in the process. However, I have never in my life tuned a car and dont know jack about parameters etc. A little insight maybe? Is this just a trial and error kinda thing or what? For example, could I just throw my heads on, start changing parameters one at a time (a little at a time), and be successful? im confoolzed....thanks
TECH Addict
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,826
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Originally Posted by pbjones81
I am in a mental predicament and need some advice from someone thats already taken this path. I plan on doing several modifications to my car including heads, headers & full exhaust, cam, and nitrous (in that order.) I already bought the heads and would love to put them in this weekend but Im hesitant to start my modding because I havent yet lined out my tuning choice.... I guess my choices are.. 1) buy a tuner right now, learn to tune, and tune it myself after each mod I make. 2) dont buy a tuner, and get my *** ripped off for having to fork over $500 for a tune after each mod I make. or 3) wait a long *** time until I have enough money saved up to do all the mods and pay to have a tune all at the same time. (that doesnt sound fun does it?) Option #1 is the most appealing, because first of all, my one time payment of $500 lets me own a tuner to use whenever I want, and not only do I get that, but I get to learn how to tune in the process. However, I have never in my life tuned a car and dont know jack about parameters etc. A little insight maybe? Is this just a trial and error kinda thing or what? For example, could I just throw my heads on, start changing parameters one at a time (a little at a time), and be successful? im confoolzed....thanks
I am on the same path as you right now and I can tell you it is much more rewarding doing everything yourself. I spend countless hours on the internet reading and learning, but it will payoff in the long run.
The only thing that I would change about your plan is to do the headers and exhaust first, then the cam and heads, then the nitrous. I would buy the programmer of choice when you buy the headers and exhaust. Good luck in your decision.
The only thing that I would change about your plan is to do the headers and exhaust first, then the cam and heads, then the nitrous. I would buy the programmer of choice when you buy the headers and exhaust. Good luck in your decision.
Teching In
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 5
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From: virginia
im in your situation right now also. myself, ive decided to purchase a tuner that way i can tune my car to my specs after each mod.and if i dont like the tunes i made i can always change them. plus i must also suggest that you purchase a k&n filtercharger intake system. it'll give you about 15hp and you can feel th e gain in the throtle.
