Tune Help PLEASE

57fairlane said:

x2.
$800?!? If you were any closer we do tuning for like $200 provided you have a PMS already or something along those lines.

I know we are cheap but $800 is high anywhere you go.

Click to expand...

Let me get this straight...
You would tune my junk for a mere $200
But only if I drop a solid grand in a tuning system?

$700 is the number I consider 'average' for a true custom tune.
That includes a J3 chip, programmed for a particular setup, dyno time to optimize the setup, and the expertise needed to create the custom tune.


Sorry, but I would not be recruiting you for your services...
I pay you $200 to use the hardware that I have already purchased

AND
with this custom tune you would provide... you would still require an FMU???????


I realize that most of this could be taken as 'offensive' but that is not the intent. I am just curious about the details of what you are getting at.......

jason

Expect $450 for dyno time and tuning here in NJ if you have a foxbody, +the cost of the chip itself.
If you have a modular and need a programmer expect $900 as total. (that's including the programmer)

You can save a few bucks on the modular by going with a flash from sniper, BUT, to retrieve your stock program you need to return to the shop that did it.

Dyno time and expenses are greatly different across the country.
Overhead has alot to do with it, NJ and NY demand massive rent numbers, some of the central country and south do not.
So a guy paying $8000 for rent a month, cannot do dyno time as cheap as a guy with $2000 rent.

vristang said:

Let me get this straight...
You would tune my junk for a mere $200
But only if I drop a solid grand in a tuning system?

Click to expand...

You can spend whatever you want.

Series 3s go for $400-500 used, series 4s out past $700.

So no, you don't HAVE to spend $1,000

vristang said:

$700 is the number I consider 'average' for a true custom tune.That includes a J3 chip, programmed for a particular setup, dyno time to optimize the setup, and the expertise needed to create the custom tune.

Click to expand...

So what happens if you change the cam?
Change heads?
Change shortblock?

Would you be spending $700 everytime you wanted to make more power?

Can you have a different tune for race gas, a different one for nitrous, and a different one for the weekends on the street?

Settings for fan controllers?

vristang said:

Sorry, but I would not be recruiting you for your services...I pay you $200 to use the hardware that I have already purchased

Click to expand...

You say that like it actually means something to me.

Do you have a dynojet in your garage?
Do you have a/f datalogging equipment?

If you are telling me you "tune" based on WOT going down the road, you should just stop while you were ahead.

I'll tell you what, call around and see what shops charge for just a/f and timing tuning for 1-2 hours.

vristang said:

AND
with this custom tune you would provide... you would still require an FMU???????

Click to expand...

When did I ever say that?

I sell enough stuff on eBay to realize people have a harder time comprehending the english language nowadays but seriously . . . thats your own ASS-U-ME

If the original poster wanted to try to get the car together without spending a lot, the FMU will fix the issues of having fuel when letting the stock ECU do all the work.

You also have no idea what you are talking about as most manuals, at least for FAST and Accel DFI actually encourage you to use a boost referenced pressure regulator.

Can you name anyone that has a serious setup with a blower/turbo that DOESN'T have a boost-referenced FPR?

vristang said:

I realize that most of this could be taken as 'offensive' but that is not the intent. I am just curious about the details of what you are getting at.......

Click to expand...

Please. don't kid yourself.

I know I live in NC and they are going to charge me 700, but I think what fairlane is saying though, Is once you have a PMS it is like 200 to RETUNE. I know my tuner said at first 700 and then if you add stuff to the car he charges 200 dollars after that for add-ons

What exactly is the point of having a PMS if you are going to pay someone to re-tune your car?
If that's the case spend less money, buy a chip.
Since you are going to use someone else to do the work anyway.
It's like buying a hammer then paying a contractor to come everytime you need a nail put in.
I'd rather buy the nails if that's the case and let the contractor bring his own expensive hammer.

2000xp8 said:

What exactly is the point of having a PMS if you are going to pay someone to re-tune your car?
If that's the case spend less money, buy a chip.
Since you are going to use someone else to do the work anyway.
It's like buying a hammer then paying a contractor to come everytime you need a nail put in.
I'd rather buy the nails if that's the case and let the contractor bring his own expensive hammer.

Click to expand...

ok well whatever. All I know I am going to get mine tuned and if I ever add something it doesnt cost much to get it RETUNED ( if it is required) moving on.........

57fairlane,
I've made my comments, and I stand by them. I'm not going to keep bouncing back and forth with you comment by comment.
You have your opinions and I can accept that... even if my opinions are VERY different.


The main point I was getting at....
In MY OPINION, it is a waste of money to pay for a user friendly tuing system (such as the PMS), if you are only going to have a PRO do the tuning.
There are cheaper systems available (Moates, Tweecer, etc....), all of which will allow the same, or better, freedom with the stock ecu.

Spending a grand (for a NEW pms setup) doesn't make sense financially when a professional is going to do the hard part.


I hope no one takes my comments offensively. I am not trying to 'talk down' to anyone who will have a professional tune their car for them. I don't have any issue with this way of getting a custom tune. After having spent many hours getting a decent tune on my own car, I completely understand the appeal of having someone else do the hard part.

Just my take on things.


jason