[ChibbMD]

Hey folks. I've done a few mods to my SS 1LE 6MT and think I'm ready to get my first tune. I've been looking at two options - either my local performance shop (the tech there has a ZL1) or a remote tune from GPI. Regardless of where I get it tuned, I have some questions I was hoping you can help me with.

I've had numerous motorcycles tuned over the years. In those cases, the tune was basically just adjusting the fuel mapping across the RPM and gearing ranges to optimize air-fuel ratio (assuming optimal AFR produces optimal performance).

With the car, my research suggests we're just flashing the ECU with a new tune file(s). The crux of my question is this - Are there different levels of tune or differing variables that need some discussion in advance? Or is a tune just aiming to optimize some variable(s) like AFR? How dependent is the tune on the tech doing the work?

I'm wondering if I need to tell them "Hey, I want max power." or "More power is nice but don't sacrifice my daily drivability."

[CalgaryZL1]

You need to decide which three you want? max power or a daily driver or both. Then except the possible outcome

[Baddawg53]

I think no matter which way you decide to go, you need to have an honest conversation with the tuner, and they can guide you through it. If you just have some bolt one the tune should be fairly straightforward, optimizing the new airflow and fuel trims. I'm sure they all have their ways of maximizing power and torque, just make sure whoever touches it is familiar with the Gen v platform.

[cjperformance]

A good tuner will give max power without sacrificing any driveability. No reason you cant have both.

[ChibbMD]

Originally Posted by CalgaryZL1

You need to decide which three you want? max power or a daily driver or both. Then except the possible outcome

I like this. Reminds me of the saying - Fast, Reliable, Cheap - Pick 2.

[Joshinator99]

A tune in these cars is really just to account for mods. A tune on a stock car is worth zero.

[ChibbMD]

I think my current set up is relatively simple - MSD IM, 95mm Soler TB, and RotoFab. No internal modifications.

[ChibbMD]

I'm not chasing big numbers. Just trying to optimize what I've got. First dyno run I did was just with RotoFab. 411hp, 457 torque. Second run added IM and TB, no tune. 427hp and 446 torque. HP increase was above 4800rpm, as expected. Tuner said he thought we might get to 440hp with a tune. I'd be happy with that.

[6spdhyperblue]

Changing the intake manifold can benefit from tuning

[jlaudio11]

Maintaining the stock camshaft maintains the majority of the engines power profile, intake manifold plays into this a little bit. A tune for your setup should be able to achieve max power without sacrificing drivability. Changing heads, cam and going to an over the radiator ram air intake will change the engines hp/tq characteristics quite a bit and will bring up the drivability issues. Most competent tuners should be able to get you dialed in fairly easily.

[ChibbMD]

Does the ECU need to be removed and sent in to unlock it? My understanding was that only applied to the Transmission Unit on automatic models. A local shop is telling me I need to remove the ECU on my manual so they can send it in to someone. That just seemed odd to me given what I've read.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by ChibbMD

Does the ECU need to be removed and sent in to unlock it? My understanding was that only applied to the Transmission Unit on automatic models. A local shop is telling me I need to remove the ECU on my manual so they can send it in to someone. That just seemed odd to me given what I've read.

As far as I know, your assumption was correct, the ECM is not locked on our platform, only the TCM for the auto trans (A8/A10) is. Also, I definitely didn't have to pay for any ECM unlocking when Ted Jannetty first tuned my car.