Karl Performance in Des Moines, Iowa - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jeffsss · 03-08-2014, 08:03 PM

Have any C5 members in the Midwest utilized Karl Performance to perform a dyno tune on their Camaro? They are located in Des Moines, Iowa and opened in 2012. They are owned by Karl Chevrolet (largest Corvette dealer in Iowa) and specialize in modifying GM vehicles using common aftermarket mods. Any experience with this group and recommendations? They are about the only option in Iowa for custom tuning.

pwrmanpaul66 · 03-08-2014, 09:56 PM

There are quite a few on here that have had real good results from them they are having their first cars and coffee coming up April 12 I believe 7am to 11 ! If you have never been there you really should go and check the place out very state of the art shop very nice people too !

pwrmanpaul66 · 03-08-2014, 10:05 PM

You can pm toesuf94 Scott , extreme2s Tim , NitroBeagle Chris all on here and have had tunes done by Karl Performance !

Trackman · 03-09-2014, 11:32 AM

This is good to know as they will be doing a bit of work to my mustang soon before it comes home.

Jeffsss · 03-09-2014, 01:09 PM

Thanks for the feedback and heads up about their cruise-in events. That gives me confidence to utilize them for future work. I live in SE Iowa so only little over an hour drive to DSM. Just need some warmer weather and some rain to clean up the salt and sand off the roads and wake the car up from a long winter.

nsane · 03-15-2014, 07:47 AM

I am planning to have them do a tune on my 2011 2SS/RS this spring. I will do a write up about how it goes and post here.

I was struggling between a SCT tuner and a custom dyno tune. I call Karl Performance and they gave me some good advice that summarized pros and cons of both. After doing a bit of research on Camaro5 I've decided the best move for me is a custom tune at Karl.

Jeffsss · 03-15-2014, 12:47 PM

Sounds similar to the conversation I also had with one of their mechanics. Let me know how your tune goes as I may be in there later this spring.

nsane · 05-23-2014, 06:06 PM

Earlier this week I had my tune performed by Karl Performance in Des Moines. Great experience and a bargain in my opinion.

My appointment was for 8:30 a.m. on a Monday. I was excited so I arrived a little early (7:45). At 8 a.m. the doors opened. They told me to pull around to door 10. Once there I jumped out of the car and within a few minutes someone opened up the door and came out to greet me. He introduced himself and hopped in my car. As he was hooking up the car he asked me about my mods. I told him I had the following:
Dynatech Long Tube Headers
High Flow Cats
Catback Borla S
CAI - Cold Air Intake

He asked what I run for fuel. I told him 91 religiously. He grinned.

After a substantial amount of time hooking up wires and typing on a laptop the car was fired up. I stood back and listened as he went through the gears. Once in final gear he ran it up through the RPMS. What a beautiful sound. I will post the video. It was so loud I could feel it in my chest.

He did about a half dozen runs to dial in the air/fuel ratios. We talked awhile about fuel in Iowa and the impacts of ethanol (good or bad). He explained some of the impacts of tuning and the variety of fuel qualities. It was interesting. We also talked about mileage and if tuning would help. He said the car will be more efficient, but the biggest factor is how you drive. Drive like an old woman and you will get better mileage.

He spoke with me for awhile to let the car cool down. After he finished he flashed up a dyno of a bone stock 2013 SS. 351HP. With my simple Stage 1 mods he was able to tune in 411HP. That is a 60 HP gain.

For the past several months I have logged about 19.5 mpg for mileage. I reset my mileage on the way home. Highway mileage was 29. That is driving like an old woman. Even bone stock I didn't get that kind of mileage.

Overall I am very please with Karl Performance. Courteous staff, nice facility, knowledgeable staff and great price. I highly recommend a tune by Karl Performance.

03-08-2014, 08:03 PM	#1
Jeffsss Drives: 2017 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 43	Karl Performance in Des Moines, Iowa Have any C5 members in the Midwest utilized Karl Performance to perform a dyno tune on their Camaro? They are located in Des Moines, Iowa and opened in 2012. They are owned by Karl Chevrolet (largest Corvette dealer in Iowa) and specialize in modifying GM vehicles using common aftermarket mods. Any experience with this group and recommendations? They are about the only option in Iowa for custom tuning.

03-08-2014, 09:56 PM	#2
pwrmanpaul66 Drives: 2016 2/SS 6 spd Dual Mode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: DSM, IA Posts: 996 View My Garage	There are quite a few on here that have had real good results from them they are having their first cars and coffee coming up April 12 I believe 7am to 11 ! If you have never been there you really should go and check the place out very state of the art shop very nice people too ! __________________

03-08-2014, 10:05 PM	#3
pwrmanpaul66 Drives: 2016 2/SS 6 spd Dual Mode Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: DSM, IA Posts: 996 View My Garage	You can pm toesuf94 Scott , extreme2s Tim , NitroBeagle Chris all on here and have had tunes done by Karl Performance ! __________________

03-15-2014, 07:47 AM	#6
nsane Drives: 2013 Camaro zl1 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 64 View My Garage	I am planning to have them do a tune on my 2011 2SS/RS this spring. I will do a write up about how it goes and post here. I was struggling between a SCT tuner and a custom dyno tune. I call Karl Performance and they gave me some good advice that summarized pros and cons of both. After doing a bit of research on Camaro5 I've decided the best move for me is a custom tune at Karl. __________________ Iowa Nice

05-23-2014, 06:06 PM	#8
nsane Drives: 2013 Camaro zl1 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Iowa Posts: 64 View My Garage	Earlier this week I had my tune performed by Karl Performance in Des Moines. Great experience and a bargain in my opinion. My appointment was for 8:30 a.m. on a Monday. I was excited so I arrived a little early (7:45). At 8 a.m. the doors opened. They told me to pull around to door 10. Once there I jumped out of the car and within a few minutes someone opened up the door and came out to greet me. He introduced himself and hopped in my car. As he was hooking up the car he asked me about my mods. I told him I had the following: Dynatech Long Tube Headers High Flow Cats Catback Borla S CAI - Cold Air Intake He asked what I run for fuel. I told him 91 religiously. He grinned. After a substantial amount of time hooking up wires and typing on a laptop the car was fired up. I stood back and listened as he went through the gears. Once in final gear he ran it up through the RPMS. What a beautiful sound. I will post the video. It was so loud I could feel it in my chest. He did about a half dozen runs to dial in the air/fuel ratios. We talked awhile about fuel in Iowa and the impacts of ethanol (good or bad). He explained some of the impacts of tuning and the variety of fuel qualities. It was interesting. We also talked about mileage and if tuning would help. He said the car will be more efficient, but the biggest factor is how you drive. Drive like an old woman and you will get better mileage. He spoke with me for awhile to let the car cool down. After he finished he flashed up a dyno of a bone stock 2013 SS. 351HP. With my simple Stage 1 mods he was able to tune in 411HP. That is a 60 HP gain. For the past several months I have logged about 19.5 mpg for mileage. I reset my mileage on the way home. Highway mileage was 29. That is driving like an old woman. Even bone stock I didn't get that kind of mileage. Overall I am very please with Karl Performance. Courteous staff, nice facility, knowledgeable staff and great price. I highly recommend a tune by Karl Performance. Attached Images __________________ Iowa Nice

03-09-2014, 11:32 AM	#4
Trackman Drives: 67RS Camaro ,Black 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Alberta Posts: 1,408	This is good to know as they will be doing a bit of work to my mustang soon before it comes home.

03-09-2014, 01:09 PM	#5
Jeffsss Drives: 2017 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 43	Thanks for the feedback and heads up about their cruise-in events. That gives me confidence to utilize them for future work. I live in SE Iowa so only little over an hour drive to DSM. Just need some warmer weather and some rain to clean up the salt and sand off the roads and wake the car up from a long winter.

03-15-2014, 12:47 PM	#7
Jeffsss Drives: 2017 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Iowa Posts: 43	Sounds similar to the conversation I also had with one of their mechanics. Let me know how your tune goes as I may be in there later this spring.