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Old Jun 29, 2005 | 07:59 PM
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okay, i'm pretty blind to tuning
but is there a way to download a tuning file, if i find a car that had the same mods, similar a/f ratio fixes etc etc

what would i need to transfer these files? i was just trying to find a cheaper alternative to paying the shop $450 to tune my car
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Old Jun 29, 2005 | 08:18 PM
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That will get you in the ballpark. However, please note that not all cars come from the factory tuned the same. Nor do all cars respond to a given tune the same way. Your best bet is to invest in something like HP Tuners, LSEdit or EFILive's new tuner software and a laptop if you plan to be doing this often (depending on your plans for the car, and it looks like you do have some plans...). Otherwise, find a buddy that has one of these programs that isn't VIN locked to help you put a basic tune in. LSEdit VIN locks to a car, HP Tuners doesn't and I have no idea if EFILive's software does.

If you haven't made major mods, and you won't be doing it often, sometimes a mail-order tune works out great for little money.
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Old Jun 29, 2005 | 09:15 PM
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screw ballparking it, start from stock, go one step at a time, understand the causes and effects, learn the procedures. our cars are way too sloppy for generic mail tunes to work. in the end, you will have it tuned in exactly for your car, you will be able to spot problems bottlenecks much better, and your car will eventually run much better. besides, it's fun
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Old Jun 30, 2005 | 05:30 AM
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my mods are no cats, !egr, !air, headers, and i need the a/f right b/c i'm going to spray a 150 wet shot

they mods aren't complete yet, i'm doing them as i have time. so the mods aren't that big of a deal, to have to drop $450 for a tune
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Old Jun 30, 2005 | 09:24 AM
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Then I would invest the money in tuning software and a wideband O2, and the time in learning EFI.

The optimum tune for N/A is a little different that the optimum tune for Nitrous. N/A get's more power out of a SLIGHTLY leaner motor, particularly at WOT. Nitrous needs a slightly richer motor at WOT. So there's a fine line where your motor will be happy in both scenarios. Nitrous requires retarding spark at the loads created when spraying. This can be accomplished with a timing box that pulls spark when spraying. Another route is to work the spark retard into your spark tables so the right amount of spark is generated at the loads that nitrous creates.

I use a "blended" spark table that works for N/A and works for nitrous. It was originally put together on a dyno by a really good tuner at Rev Xtreme (sponsor) in Tampa, FL. No KR anywhere in N/A or when spraying. Car put's down 390rwhp N/A and 452rwhp on 75 dry shot with the NOS 5177 system.
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Old Jun 30, 2005 | 04:57 PM
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yeah i just don't have the money to invest in that stuff right now

i found someone local who has HPTuners and said if i buy another 2 vin keys, he'll tune me all I want

maybe i should do that?

i do have the Ramchargers timing unit, so it'll pull timing for me

should i go and buy this guy the keys so he can tune my car?
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Old Jul 1, 2005 | 12:32 AM
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I can't recommend. Just make sure your buddy knows what he's doing, should you decide to go that route. Otherwise, I've already posted above what I would do in your situation...

Good luck.
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