• Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech

tune only?

  • Thread starter Thread starter dbrufus1234
  • Start date Start date Jun 16, 2008

dbrufus1234

Member
Sep 10, 2006
92
1
8
Jun 16, 2008
#1
  • Jun 16, 2008
  • #1
does anyone just have only a tune, no CAI? i am wanting to get a tune without a CAI, but i dont want to do it if there would be a big noticeable difference with a CAI?
 
P

PSYKOSTEVO

Banned
Apr 11, 2008
194
0
0
Jun 16, 2008
#2
  • Jun 16, 2008
  • #2
You can simply tune the car for 91 or whatever you want. They respond beautifully to tuning.

Most people get tuning because you HAVE TO tune for most intakes. But you don't have to get an intake just because you want a tune. You just need to specify your setup when ordering your tunes.
 

dbrufus1234

Member
Sep 10, 2006
92
1
8
Jun 16, 2008
#3
  • Jun 16, 2008
  • #3
PSYKOSTEVO said:
You can simply tune the car for 91 or whatever you want. They respond beautifully to tuning.

Most people get tuning because you HAVE TO tune for most intakes. But you don't have to get an intake just because you want a tune. You just need to specify your setup when ordering your tunes.
Click to expand...

yeah i know most intake require a tune, but i just didnt want to spend an extra $150 on an intake, and i just wanted to make sure it would be worth getting a tune only and no intake?
 

NastyStang113

New Member
Sep 12, 2008
1,567
1
0
Florida
Jun 16, 2008
#4
  • Jun 16, 2008
  • #4
Do you have the tuner? Who are you going with? Before I bought my intake, I ran a Xcal2 with a VMP 93 octane mail order tune. The tune is only $59 and their tunes are flat out awesome and they've got a quick turn around time. It was a noticeable difference but than I added the C&L CAI with 88mm maf tube and it was another big difference. If you already have the tuner, wait until you can afford the intake. But if you don't I can understand buying the tuner now and than buying the intake when you can afford it since the tunes are only $59.
 

dbrufus1234

Member
Sep 10, 2006
92
1
8
Jun 17, 2008
#5
  • Jun 17, 2008
  • #5
ThumperMX113 said:
Do you have the tuner? Who are you going with? Before I bought my intake, I ran a Xcal2 with a VMP 93 octane mail order tune. The tune is only $59 and their tunes are flat out awesome and they've got a quick turn around time. It was a noticeable difference but than I added the C&L CAI with 88mm maf tube and it was another big difference. If you already have the tuner, wait until you can afford the intake. But if you don't I can understand buying the tuner now and than buying the intake when you can afford it since the tunes are only $59.
Click to expand...

nah i dont have a tuner yet i was gonna go with bamachips (mines an automatic as well)
 

NastyStang113

New Member
Sep 12, 2008
1,567
1
0
Florida
Jun 17, 2008
#6
  • Jun 17, 2008
  • #6
Doug is a good choice. I always recommend Justin with VMP Tuning because I've had great results with him but Doug is good. I don't really ever recommend Brenspeed. I do use them to buy parts, just haven't seen anything special about their tunes.
 

Frank S

New Member
Jun 25, 2007
52
0
0
Jun 17, 2008
#7
  • Jun 17, 2008
  • #7
I have the BamaChips 91 and 87 performance tunes and the 91 torque tune, and just a K&N drop-in filter and and exhaust.

I'd say the "tune-only" is very much worth the expense and effort. The car is much more responsive, easily more powerful, and sounds better.

Here's what BamaChips shows with regard to stock V6, tune-only V6, and CAI + tune (you can extrapolate for the GT from there) :

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2189/2227805364_26ed214fd6_o.jpg
 

Marine One

New Member
Jan 28, 2004
276
1
0
North Topsail Beach, NC
Jun 20, 2008
#8
  • Jun 20, 2008
  • #8
I've got the SCT Tuner-only (no CAI) from Brenspeed. It made a world of difference in the performance of the car. Currently running the 93 octane tune (not sure for how much longer). Even the regular octane tune made a huge difference over stock, as it completely eliminates the drive by wire throttle lag.
 
T

The Fang

Member
Sep 11, 2005
602
0
16
Tallahassee Fl
Jun 21, 2008
#9
  • Jun 21, 2008
  • #9
My 87 tune took out some of the lag and the 93 tune took all the lag out. But now with the cost of gas I only use my 87.
 

CRoberts91

Member
Jul 10, 2007
148
1
18
Northport, AL
Jul 9, 2008
#10
  • Jul 9, 2008
  • #10
Dude, i say go with the tune only first. Then you can save up for the CAI. it looks like to me that the tune opens it up and then the CAI just adds to it. I don't think you'll be disappointed with just a tune. Oh yeah, let me know when you get it so i can take a ride with you.
 

tr7driver

Member
Sep 5, 2006
117
3
19
Illinois
Jul 9, 2008
#11
  • Jul 9, 2008
  • #11
Tune and MPG

I'm thinking the same thing. I have a couple of teen drivers so I really don't want to add horses right now, but I'd like to get rid of the throttle lag and tighten up the automatic shifts. Here is my question for those of you who are using the 87 tune only, what did it due to your mpg?

Thanks
 

NastyStang113

New Member
Sep 12, 2008
1,567
1
0
Florida
Jul 9, 2008
#12
  • Jul 9, 2008
  • #12
tr7driver said:
I'm thinking the same thing. I have a couple of teen drivers so I really don't want to add horses right now, but I'd like to get rid of the throttle lag and tighten up the automatic shifts. Here is my question for those of you who are using the 87 tune only, what did it due to your mpg?
Click to expand...

Why not just switch between the tunes when you know they are going to be driving it? It'll only take a few minutes, if that. Anyways about the mileage question, as long as your driving style stays the same, the mileage will be the same if not better.
 

dbrufus1234

Member
Sep 10, 2006
92
1
8
Jul 9, 2008
#13
  • Jul 9, 2008
  • #13
CRoberts91 said:
Dude, i say go with the tune only first. Then you can save up for the CAI. it looks like to me that the tune opens it up and then the CAI just adds to it. I don't think you'll be disappointed with just a tune. Oh yeah, let me know when you get it so i can take a ride with you.
Click to expand...
iigth sounds good, it will prob be in about 3 or 4 weeks though. also once i get moved out we need to take them to the track one thursday night
 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Jul 10, 2008
#14
  • Jul 10, 2008
  • #14
tr7driver said:
...I'd like to get rid of the throttle lag and tighten up the automatic shifts. Here is my question for those of you who are using the 87 tune only, what did it due to your mpg?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I detuned my auto to 87 from 93 a few months ago once 93 reached $4/gal. I have the Brenspeed tunes. The biggest difference I feel is starting from a dead stop and there is a slight hesitation with light throttle pressure whereas the 9 tune had zero hesitation. Even with the 87 tune, I plant my right foot and she will spin the tires and chirp 2nd gear still(even with the 295 Nittos)! With the 93 tune I ran my shift pressures at +25%. Now with the 87 tune, I dropped them all back down to +5%(which is still better than stock)for more comfort in bumper to bumper traffic. Driving the speed limit or 5+ I'm getting around 20-22 MPG with mixed driving. I'm taking the Stang on a 6 hour trek to western PA this weekend and I will see just what kind of highway MPGs I can get with two adults, one kid and luggage in the car Last time it was just me and a gym bag and I got 23.77 with the shorter OEM tires and the 93 tune.
 

dbrufus1234

Member
Sep 10, 2006
92
1
8
Jul 10, 2008
#15
  • Jul 10, 2008
  • #15
kooldawg6 said:
I detuned my auto to 87 from 93 a few months ago once 93 reached $4/gal. I have the Brenspeed tunes. The biggest difference I feel is starting from a dead stop and there is a slight hesitation with light throttle pressure whereas the 9 tune had zero hesitation. Even with the 87 tune, I plant my right foot and she will spin the tires and chirp 2nd gear still(even with the 295 Nittos)! With the 93 tune I ran my shift pressures at +25%. Now with the 87 tune, I dropped them all back down to +5%(which is still better than stock)for more comfort in bumper to bumper traffic. Driving the speed limit or 5+ I'm getting around 20-22 MPG with mixed driving. I'm taking the Stang on a 6 hour trek to western PA this weekend and I will see just what kind of highway MPGs I can get with two adults, one kid and luggage in the car Last time it was just me and a gym bag and I got 23.77 with the shorter OEM tires and the 93 tune.
Click to expand...

you ran your shift pressures +25%?? what are the pros and cons of doin that??
 

kooldawg6

mine works really well and can take a fair amount
Aug 31, 2006
1,679
2
38
Central VA
Jul 10, 2008
#16
  • Jul 10, 2008
  • #16
dbrufus1234 said:
you ran your shift pressures +25%?? what are the pros and cons of doin that??
Click to expand...
There is no lag in between shifts that I could feel and it slammed into the next gear and made the rear of the car squat each time. Last year at the track with the OEM 235/50-18 BFGs it was good(bad in this case)for even kicking the car sideways going into third gear. It completely overpowered the tires and even my 330' times suffered! This year with the 295/45-18 Nitto 555, it did much better down the track, but still spun pretty good going into second. It makes for not a pleasant experience in bumper to bumper traffic as it shifts hard even while driving around 10-15 MPH with very light throttle pressure. It would bounce my head off the head rest quite often, but my g/f was not liking that at all I've never noticed any downside of running it that high...yet. I will now only set it that high for special occasions...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

J
4 bank eliminator chip
  • JJ's90fox
  • Feb 17, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
126
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- Feb 17, 2026
AeroCoupe
S
New guy- first Stang- I love it !!
  • smid333
  • Mar 22, 2026
  • The Welcome Wagon
Replies
5
Views
136
The Welcome Wagon Mar 23, 2026
smid333
S
B
Airaid reduction sleeve?
  • BriansNSane
  • Dec 20, 2025
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech
Replies
0
Views
132
SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech Dec 20, 2025
BriansNSane
B
R
Mis 3 and 5 cyl on 11 5.0
  • reallystockmustang
  • Apr 9, 2025
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
1
Views
97
2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk- Apr 19, 2025
89ripper
Tuners come on inside
  • squeak93
  • Feb 13, 2026
  • SVT Tech Forum
Replies
1
Views
214
SVT Tech Forum Feb 20, 2026
squeak93
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 2005 - 2014 S-197 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • 2005 - 2009 Specific Tech
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?