Decent Tuning

[Corv99]

Has anyone had a proper tune for their car?

I'm interested to see if there are any decent gains for a stock C5. ( either Dyno or noticable when driving)
I'm getting a custom exhaust made, with racing cats etc ( maybe look at some air intake improvements as well, and was wondering afterwards if this was worth looking at a good tune.

I have been told for a proper one, it is an all day job, and can cost around £700!!!

[Corsette]

Buy the software and do it yourself - HP Tuners or EFI Live, cost around $500. You could download a tune for a stock C5 but you won't get much in power improvement. For that get a replacement air filter - Donaldson or suchlike for $200

[Corv99]

Hi Mate
yes thought about that, my mate is getting one of those plug in jobs, which might be worth a shot.
think it has settings for power / economy etc etc..
and I think when the exhaust gets sorted out, Air filter / Air intake is worth doing probably as well as well.... interesting on US sites Vararam is the one, but quite a few people say after fitting them
they don't really see any difference..

[tiger289]

I put a Vararam on mine and was very happy with it I found a improvement in the mid range but it is not a supercharger you are fitting so be reasonable with what you expect.

I too would be interested in getting mine tuned as I would like to fit long tube headers and see what a good tune does for it.

[Corv99]

tiger289 said:

I put a Vararam on mine and was very happy with it I found a improvement in the mid range but it is not a supercharger you are fitting so be reasonable with what you expect.

I too would be interested in getting mine tuned as I would like to fit long tube headers and see what a good tune does for it.

thanks Tiger, yes true its not, but I'm hoping as part of other bits it is worth doing, but threr does seem to be an equal split on vararam..... did you import yours direct?

[ringram]

Main gains will come from sorting fueling out. They run pretty rich stock.
If you are keen on efilive let me know. I might know a thing or two about it

[Corv99]

ringram said:

Main gains will come from sorting fueling out. They run pretty rich stock.
If you are keen on efilive let me know. I might know a thing or two about it

whats that mate?

[BlackZeD]

Hi Dave, ringram is the importer i believe.
You can download a test type version that shows you what you can do
with it, but to use it you would need the hardware and a "seat" bought.
I downloaded one ages ago to have a root through, amazing whats in there! ! !
(read fekkin scary o_O )
I think a training course may be required to get the full benefit.
i.e. Not melt summat :-)
Dunno if Richard does a course or there may be one online.

Dave.

[tiger289]

Corv99 said:

thanks Tiger, yes true its not, but I'm hoping as part of other bits it is worth doing, but threr does seem to be an equal split on vararam..... did you import yours direct?

Yes I imported and fit the Vararam to mine about six months ago it is a bit of a pig to fit but you can see why it works when you compare where it gets the air from to the stock setup. If you do get one and need a air straightener (honeycomb) for the airflow meter to avoid codes I have one you are welcome to.

If I fit longtubes I would like get a tune to get the most from it but I would be scared stless to try anything like that myself so I would need someone to do it for me.

I don't suppose anyone has tried the mail order tunes from the US?

[Corv99]

BlackZeD said:

Hi Dave, ringram is the importer i believe.
You can download a test type version that shows you what you can do
with it, but to use it you would need the hardware and a "seat" bought.
I downloaded one ages ago to have a root through, amazing whats in there! ! !
(read fekkin scary o_O )
I think a training course may be required to get the full benefit.
i.e. Not melt summat :-)
Dunno if Richard does a course or there may be one online.

Dave.

hi Dave mate, how you doing!

yes I will look into it

there is a long wait for the exhaust as the guy has tons of work on, so looking at October!!
but it gives time to look into things a bit deeper!

[Corv99]

tiger289 said:

Yes I imported and fit the Vararam to mine about six months ago it is a bit of a pig to fit but you can see why it works when you compare where it gets the air from to the stock setup. If you do get one and need a air straightener (honeycomb) for the airflow meter to avoid codes I have one you are welcome to.

If I fit longtubes I would like get a tune to get the most from it but I would be scared stless to try anything like that myself so I would need someone to do it for me.

I don't suppose anyone has tried the mail order tunes from the US?

Cheers Tiger, I actually fancied the Vararam system , most of the guys on US forum seem to swear by it.
my other option is the Company making the exhuast has an option they make, which is a bit custom.. but have years of experience with them on vettes and Monaro's

[C6NL]

Corv99 said:

Cheers Tiger, I actually fancied the Vararam system , most of the guys on US forum seem to swear by it.

You should do another search, search for warping and other problems with the Vararam, it's one of the CAI with the most problems.

[Corv99]

C6NL said:

You should do another search, search for warping and other problems with the Vararam, it's one of the CAI with the most problems.

really, OK I'll check it out

[BlackZeD]

Dave, who is doin the exhaust for you ?? AAS ?

[Corv99]

BlackZeD said:

Dave, who is doin the exhaust for you ?? AAS ?

Yes AAS mate

[ringram]

Yeah tuning is as advanced as you want to get. On an OEM setup you can change about 3 or 4 cells and get Id say 80% of the possible gains.

Change, heads, cam or similar and you will be needing to change a lot more cells for optimal results.
The hand held tune tools are ok, but very limited.

[TobyLaRohne]

Can anyone recommend a handheld tuner for me? We get 97octane fuel out here, I have a K&N and will not be messing with anything else tuning wise. I read on a couple of forums if you start messing with the fuelling etc it makes the car more likely to destroy itself.

[BlackZeD]

Hi Toby',

I have a Hypertech programmer (for sale ) that i used on my 2003 Z06,
that only reflashes the cpu to given settings.
My Z06 definitley got better mpg, as for performance,
not sure as I didnt really push it.
It is year dependant as to what it programs though.
That would be a safer option.

www.hypertech.com

Dave

[TobyLaRohne]

I have a 2009 Z06...looking for a unit to re-flash the ecu, store the original settings and allow me to switch them back and forth as I like, reading ECU and clearing codes is also something I'd like.

[C6NL]

TobyLaRohne said:

Can anyone recommend a handheld tuner for me? We get 97octane fuel out here, I have a K&N and will not be messing with anything else tuning wise. I read on a couple of forums if you start messing with the fuelling etc it makes the car more likely to destroy itself.

Get yourself a Diablosport Predator / Intune, or Trinity, do some logging, analyze the logs, adjust LTFT and WOT trims and your car will be transformed. In general all LSx engines are pig rich from the factory, when you install a cold air intake, headers or other mods the gains from the homemade tune can be felt, it's a worth while investment, specially if you buy them used from the US forums. Make sure they are not married to a VIN, the option in the menu called "last tune written" should read "Original backup".

Fred