Dyno Tuning

[Ashlander]

Does anybody know a good dyno tune shop around the cities with reasonable prices? What all is involved in this? I've always been under the impression that a shop could just flash directly to your computer during a tune and then that would be it until you brought it back for a re-tune later or got a handheld. I always just assumed the handhelds like the SCT X4, Predator, etc, were mostly just for if you wanted to switch between multiple tunes on the fly or modify your tune after a mod instead of taking the car back in. From a quick google search and sending a few emails out though, it seems like most places just tune via a handheld, requiring you to purchase an X3/4 (which usually come with canned tunes your car already), then pay them to tune your car. I'm sure they can get a few more HP out over the canned ones, but it still seems pretty redundant to me. Is this the norm and I've just been misinformed this whole time? Or am I just not finding the right shops?

[KrisR]

Yes, shops will 'flash' the car with their own custom tune using the handheld, so you will need one.

What kind/year of car are we talking about here?

[JJ427R]

Todd at APS in Shakopee 952-445-1914

[Ashlander]

An 01 GT with a Mach 1 engine swap. Going to use the GT ECU, so I'll need a tune when I'm done. If theres no way to do it without the handheld, then I'll probably just get an X4 and throw a Mach 1 tune in for now, then go get it dyno-tuned after cams later.

[JJ427R]

You will more than likely need to purchase the programmer, they are keyed by a serial number on your ecu, you need to provide that number when purchasing the programmer. Even with a canned tune I highly recommend checking it on a dyno. Usually only $75-100 bucks to run it on a dyno to make sure all looks ok, if they have to tune it then probably a couple hundred more, but way cheaper than a new motor if the tune you put in it isn't correct.

[KrisR]

If you're going to have a shop make a tune file for you anyway, you can buy a used unmarried/unlocked handheld (e.g. an SCT X3 or Diablosport Predator) as long as it's the correct model # for your vehicle. They will just use it as a device to store their tune file on and flash it to your vehicle.

And yes Todd at APS can do that for you!

[Ashlander]

You will more than likely need to purchase the programmer, they are keyed by a serial number on your ecu, you need to provide that number when purchasing the programmer. Even with a canned tune I highly recommend checking it on a dyno. Usually only $75-100 bucks to run it on a dyno to make sure all looks ok, if they have to tune it then probably a couple hundred more, but way cheaper than a new motor if the tune you put in it isn't correct.

Yeah that looks pretty typical for a dyno run. From the research I've done it sounds like the 4v motor will run on the 2v tune without damage, but it'll just run like shit. The Mach 1 tune would be just to correct the difference and get it running properly, so I don't imagine an off-the-shelf Mach 1 tune would cause any damage to the motor.

If you're going to have a shop make a tune file for you anyway, you can buy a used unmarried/unlocked handheld (e.g. an SCT X3 or Diablosport Predator) as long as it's the correct model # for your vehicle. They will just use it as a device to store their tune file on and flash it to your vehicle.

And yes Todd at APS can do that for you!

What does this guy typically charge for a tune (not including the handheld)? Googled them, but their website doesn't seem to be working right now.

Thanks for the info, guess I'll need to budget for a programmer as well.

[JJ427R]

He shut his website down, just give him a call, he's a good guy and will tell you what you need.

[blown 87gt]

I also highly recommend APS. They tuned my 01 gt and it turned out great, hasn't missed a beat in over 4 years, and it's blown, cammed, etc.

[Ashlander]

Ill be giving them a call then on Monday. They seem to be pretty renowned around here. Didn't find then on any of my previous searches, so I was probably going to end up using DB Performance before. Any experiences with them? Or places to stay away from? Lol

[289Notch]

Ill be giving them a call then on Monday. They seem to be pretty renowned around here. Didn't find then on any of my previous searches, so I was probably going to end up using DB Performance before. Any experiences with them? Or places to stay away from? Lol

DB tuned a custom build for me and it worked well.

[MisterCMK]

Todd at APS in Shakopee 952-445-1914

I sure hope he is better at tuning modular motors than he is at 94-95 GTs....

[Meegs]

I sure hope he is better at tuning modular motors than he is at 94-95 GTs....

You quoted Todd @ APS on 5.0 push rod motors.
I've brought in more than a couple odd ball combinations of those, and they all came back perfect in my eyes. Even when I brought in lemons, his shop helped me out. Both on the mechanical side & tuning side.

I've used APS before, and I'll use them again & again.

[MisterCMK]

You quoted Todd @ APS on 5.0 push rod motors.
I've brought in more than a couple odd ball combinations of those, and they all came back perfect in my eyes. Even when I brought in lemons, his shop helped me out. Both on the mechanical side & tuning side.

I've used APS before, and I'll use them again & again.

Your money must work better than mine I guess...

[JJ427R]

I sure hope he is better at tuning modular motors than he is at 94-95 GTs....

Can I ask what the issue you had with his tuning was?