School me on the CAI/Tuning

[Sparty92]

Hi.

I've been reading about tuners and CAIs for the past few years, and I have a few questions:

1. Do you need a PC or something to download tunes to the tuner? I have a Mac.

I have a local, respectable speed shop where the owner writes his own tunes. They have an in-house dyno. They only work on Ford products (from what I can tell). The guy clearly states he writes only SAFE tunes, and does not try to eek out the most possible HP as he doesn't want your car to blow up. Reliability is what this shop stands for, and they do a great job with their work. Daily, year-round driveability is what it's about, not producing a dyno queen.

2. Would you get a tune from this shop over something like a Brenspeed tune? Do you think a mail-order tune is TOTALLY safe for year round driving? I live in Michigan and drive my car year round.

My car for the most part, is completely stock except for shifter and mufflers. I was thinking of having my car dyno'd at the aforementioned shop to see my baseline, and then doing the CAI/tune.

3. Would you have a custom tune written for your car after the CAI install is complete, or would you take the shops "canned tune" written for 2005+ Mustangs and just go with that? I think that everyone's car is a little bit different in how it drives/performs, and having a tune written for MY car would be more specific and perhaps, better, than something of a "generic" tune.

4. If I get 3.73 or 4.10 gears, do I need to retune the car for speedo adjustment? Can I do gears without the need to buy a tuner? (if I don't get a CAI).

Thanks. Any comments or suggestions are appreciated!

 

[gmantheman]

1. You need a PC to upload the tune into your hand held tuner
2. Dyno shop tunes might give you 2-3 more hp than an email tune, but dyno tune are 300-450 and the email tunes are 50-75. Now, if you have a supercharger or cams then I would get a dyno tune. Email tunes are safe, I have ran email tunes for over a year. I had the car dynoed with two different compaines email tunes and the A/F was 12.6 on one and 12.9 on another. The guy running the dyno also does dyno tunes and he said who ever wrote these tunes know what they are doing.
3. If you go with an email tune, then tell who every you going with what intake and other mods you have. Breenspped and tillmanspeed have intake and tune packages.
4. A hand held tuner lets you adjust your gear settings. Dyno shops can calibrate for gears also.

 

[SpartaPerformance]

Unfortunately us Mac guys get screwed on uploading tunes but that's what we have friends and coworkers with PC's for. For the 10minutes it takes to upload a tune let them suffer with a lifetime of Windows. LOL
As for email vrs Dyno, if all you're going to install is a cold air kit then you should get a tuner and tune from a reputable shop that has good email tunes. My car runs great with an email tune I got from a friend that used to have a Dyno shop here in NY but then he packed up and moved to Fla before I got my 2007. His tune runs excellent. Even if you buy a supercharger kit later on down the line the tunes that come with those kits are great ie. FRPP Whipple, Roush etc... I wouldn't bother with dyno tuning unless you decide on mods such as long tubes, cams stuff like that. As for gears you don't "need" a tune if you have manual trans, all that will happen is your speedo will be off

 

[Sparty92]

For now, the only thing I see in the near future of my car are the following:

1. CAI
2. 4.10s
3. UDP
4. Tires/wheels
5. Suspension

I don't think I'll be doing a supercharger or any major engine work within the next 5 years....it costs too much! LOL

I just googled Brenspeed. They are 4 hours from my doorstep. Perhaps I can see if they can give me a deal if I drive over there, have them put everything on and send me on my way!

 

[Rob72]

I have a Mac too. Why is it I can't get a tune emailed to me when I can get messages emailed with no problem. Also Sparty92, I think it's a waste of money to go from 3.55 to 3.73. At least I would go to 3.90 or 4.10.

 

[SpartaPerformance]

I have a Mac too. Why is it I can't get a tune emailed to me when I can get messages emailed with no problem. Also Sparty92, I think it's a waste of money to go from 3.55 to 3.73. At least I would go to 3.90 or 4.10.

You can get a tune emailed to you it's the SCT software that's not Mac compatible.

I'ld leave the 3.55's alone too. I run 13.0's with the stock 3.31's and some bolt ons.

 

[ReverseTime]

I'ld leave the 3.55's alone too. I run 13.0's with the stock 3.31's and some bolt ons.

But 4.10s are so much fun.

 

[SpartaPerformance]

But 4.10s are so much fun.

They were really fun when I was 18...... now not so much.

 

[ViperNuge]

Just order your tune from brenspeed or similar tuner. Dont spend the money on a local dyno tune. Save that cash for some other mods.

I just got 4.10's...................love em!!!


patrick

 

[gtothep123]

I am still new to tuners and cai's and such. I just bought a DiabloSport Predator Tuner for my 05 GT, and have heard that Bamachips has great tunes, is this true?

Also, how is the 91 Performance Tune that comes with the predator?