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Old Oct 29, 2006 | 09:38 PM
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Default Tuning question

I am going to purchase a Crane Cams programmer

What else will I need in order to get a tune?

Ok

2002 Camaro Z28 M6, bolt ons. I want to get a tune
#1 to enhance my power.
#2 to delete my SES codes from the Lt install and no cats.
#3 to increase my revlimiter
#4 to delete skip shift ( though I installed a resistor)
#5 to decrease my idle speed from 800 to 700 RPM

Do I need a programmer, to get a tune from a tuner?

If yes or no, about how much will all this cost me. and I might as well get a dyno while Im at it. But can someone give me a ballpark figure as to how much this would cost me?

and from looking at all of the programmers, I liked the Crane Cams one the best. I know its a matter of preference usually. But what is the Programmer most manual F body owners are using.

what is a good tuner in the Southern California Area? Preferable L.A. county. Im in Pasadena, CA.

Thanks for any input.
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Old Oct 29, 2006 | 09:46 PM
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Handhelds suck.

Get some tuning software (HPT or EFI Live) and learn to tune yourself, its well worth it. Its not very hard to do either, just take your time learning everything. I just tune my car on the street, although it takes time and gas. If you have spare time and extra money to burn up some gas just go ahead and do it yourself. This will also give you the felxability of being able to change things quickly without having to schedule dyno time or pay someone money to do it.
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Old Oct 29, 2006 | 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by brad8266
Handhelds suck.

Get some tuning software (HPT or EFI Live) and learn to tune yourself, its well worth it. Its not very hard to do either, just take your time learning everything. I just tune my car on the street, although it takes time and gas. If you have spare time and extra money to burn up some gas just go ahead and do it yourself. This will also give you the felxability of being able to change things quickly without having to schedule dyno time or pay someone money to do it.
and how much will that cost me? I will need a laptop then obvioulsy since a handheld isnt available. correct?

So I can do all the tuning myself then? how the hell will I gain performance, if I dont know what the best tune for my car is?

when people say they chipped their car, they are referring to a tune correct?
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Old Oct 29, 2006 | 09:56 PM
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yeah skip the handhelds if at all possible...hpt would run you around the same $ and do countless more things and isnt locked to one car...in fact you can tune up to 4 vehicles with your initial purchase.
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Old Oct 29, 2006 | 10:03 PM
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Originally Posted by foff667
yeah skip the handhelds if at all possible...hpt would run you around the same $ and do countless more things and isnt locked to one car...in fact you can tune up to 4 vehicles with your initial purchase.
So HP tuners does everything for me? how does this happen? they write new codes to the PCM/ECU?

Do its just a tune? what accessories will I need? How much?

where is the closest one to me? LA county, California.
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Old Oct 29, 2006 | 10:13 PM
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Originally Posted by foff667
yeah skip the handhelds if at all possible...hpt would run you around the same $ and do countless more things and isnt locked to one car...in fact you can tune up to 4 vehicles with your initial purchase.
Im in the same boat as Lsgunz28. Im stuck between a Vinci handheld and HP. I know there is a plethora of things that HP will do that the handheld wont, but my laptop is a Mac not Windows. Therefore I have to go and find someone with a laptop that is compatible. If not, I guess Im going with a handheld
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Old Oct 29, 2006 | 11:41 PM
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Originally Posted by LSGunZ28
So HP tuners does everything for me? how does this happen? they write new codes to the PCM/ECU?

Do its just a tune? what accessories will I need? How much?

where is the closest one to me? LA county, California.
Yeah you read and store the cars PCM data onto your laptop and then change the tables, save it and then do a complete re-program of the cars PCM.

You will need a laptop and then just buy the software. I recommend EFI Live because they just came out with a new version that even comes with a handheld scanner/flasher for the added convienence. EFI is like 750, which is less than the cost of 2 dyno tunes.
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Old Oct 29, 2006 | 11:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Cld069
Im in the same boat as Lsgunz28. Im stuck between a Vinci handheld and HP. I know there is a plethora of things that HP will do that the handheld wont, but my laptop is a Mac not Windows. Therefore I have to go and find someone with a laptop that is compatible. If not, I guess Im going with a handheld
handhelds are worthless, just fork up the $$ get a cheap *** laptop off of Ebay and buy the tuning software. Its well worth it in the end.

BTW thats what you get for having a MAC, they suck too.
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 04:09 PM
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More info!!!

If I get a laptop what else do I need to accompany it? a program? Also do I need to get a different PCM?

no one fully answered the original questions.
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 04:14 PM
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Originally Posted by LSGunZ28
More info!!!

If I get a laptop what else do I need to accompany it? a program? Also do I need to get a different PCM?

no one fully answered the original questions.
You need:
-Laptop
-Tuning Software (HP Tuners or EFI Live is recommended)
-Car (LS1 preferably)
-Gasoline
-Time
-This forum to learn from.

Thats it man. The software will do everything you wanted to do, you just have to learn how to use it. The software will come with cables to connect to the PCM.
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by brad8266
You need:
-Laptop
-Tuning Software (HP Tuners or EFI Live is recommended)
-Car (LS1 preferably)
-Gasoline
-Time
-This forum to learn from.

Thats it man. The software will do everything you wanted to do, you just have to learn how to use it. The software will come with cables to connect to the PCM.
I have the gas and will pump more when I run out
I have the car 2002 Z28/ LS1!
Time, perhaps.
This forum , the link is on my desktop!!
I need to purchase the Laptop
I need to But the Tuning software

So I keep the stock PCM I see.
I just thought people change it, when they refer to "chipping" their car.
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by LSGunZ28
So I keep the stock PCM I see.
I just thought people change it, when they refer to "chipping" their car.
LS1's dont do the "chipping" crap. You can just reflash the original PCM as many times as you want. I change mine like twice a week.
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Old Oct 30, 2006 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by brad8266
LS1's dont do the "chipping" crap. You can just reflash the original PCM as many times as you want. I change mine like twice a week.
cool. thanks for teaching me some very basic questions man.
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 01:29 AM
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I dont think Im in the budget to do the HP tuners live thing right now. WHy are handhelds so bad?
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 05:53 AM
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Originally Posted by LSGunZ28
I dont think Im in the budget to do the HP tuners live thing right now. WHy are handhelds so bad?

Your better off finding a tuner in your area.Alot of people here just don't relieze that some owners don't have the time to do there own tuning.Forget the handhelds if you want your car optimized.I'm sure there is a respectable tuner in your area.
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Old Oct 31, 2006 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Slowhawk
Your better off finding a tuner in your area.Alot of people here just don't relieze that some owners don't have the time to do there own tuning.Forget the handhelds if you want your car optimized.I'm sure there is a respectable tuner in your area.
yeah, thats what I think Im gonna do
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