[Official] "Do I need a tune with bolt-ons?" thread

[bdavis89]

Originally Posted by DJ-of-E

Funny how he's probably a first to go from Mustang to a Z and not vice versa.

Originally Posted by Vichtz

I feel the Z is a much more luxurious vehicle and will receive special attention.

I did the same, granted it was a 2001 mustang, but still. For some it's not all about straight speed.

Also, welcome to the SEC.

On topic, you should be fine without a tune. For these cars a tune should be the last thing you do after all boltons are installed. To save money.

[Vichtz]

Ok sounds like a plan. Thanks again for all the advice, I'm just tryin to feel it out before biting into it. The mustang, though I love the car dearly, was too much "brute force" and in my eyes lacked finesse. These days I'm enjoying the "lean and mean" mindset, and this car has the potential to fulfill that roll perfectly. That is why I switched to the Z. I will just have to see if I can make the best of that potential without screwing it up hahaha

[LakeShow]

Congrats on the Z. Bottom line is tune isn't necessarily needed, but if your about getting every bit of power out the engine and your mods, definitely way to go.

[ntn007us]

Is the stock ECU smart enough to recalibrate and optimize the car's performance when you have upgraded with certain mods....within reason of course?

I've read here some people have hit the "reset" button on the ECU by temporarily disconnecting the battery. Others have said the ECU will "learn" the new mods after a few hard pulls. Finally, others have went with an e-tune or dyno-tune.

I plan to put some drop-in K&N filters and just a new mid-pipe/muffler combo (with stock y-pipe). Will my ECU "learn" and optimize itself decently enough ????

Thanks,

[seymore4]

If you've got the $$ tune it. It will run better guaranteed, you'll have better throttle response, more power, more efficiently running engine, and it will pull a lot smoother and harder.

[Jordo!]

Originally Posted by seymore4

If you've got the $$ tune it. It will run better guaranteed, you'll have better throttle response, more power, more efficiently running engine, and it will pull a lot smoother and harder.

The difference in how the car performs will be like day and night with a good tune, even if peak gains are minimal -- a lot of extra power can be picked up throughout the rev range, with better responsiveness.

[ben1620]

Will I be hurting my car without a tune?

K&N w/HPS silicone intake
Stillen HFC
Stillen CBE
Motordyne XYZ in the mail
Motordyne M370 in the mail

I want uprev but the closest tuner for me is about 5 hrs away. I can make the trip in about a month, so should I consider waiting to install the XYZ and/or the m370?

Thx

[Huck]

Originally Posted by ben1620

Will I be hurting my car without a tune?

K&N w/HPS silicone intake
Stillen HFC
Stillen CBE
Motordyne XYZ in the mail
Motordyne M370 in the mail

I want uprev but the closest tuner for me is about 5 hrs away. I can make the trip in about a month, so should I consider waiting to install the XYZ and/or the m370?

Thx

I'm not an expert so I could be wrong, but with that many breathing mods I think you should definitely get a tune to adjust your AFR's. It my understanding that if you have more than two breather mods, like an intake/exhaust combo, then you should tune it. You're really opening up your car's lungs, so I would get the tune to maximize power and make sure that your AFR's are within a safe range. I have Stillen Gen3's, FI CBE, Stillen pulley, and the FI LTH's are coming today, so I will be getting a tune after that.


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[ben1620]

Originally Posted by christian370z

I would recommend at least getting a dyno run performed where they monitor the A/F ratio to see what the car is running. Sometimes, G3 intakes lean the car out beyond the safe limit where I could tell you that it isn't a problem: my car was detonating slightly before my tune after installing the G3 intake even after resetting the ECU. However, conversely many run the G3 without a tune and have had no issues.

Originally Posted by Huck

I'm not an expert so I could be wrong, but with that many breathing mods I think you should definitely get a tune to adjust your AFR's. It my understanding that if you have more than two breather mods, like an intake/exhaust combo, then you should tune it. You're really opening up your car's lungs, so I would get the tune to maximize power and make sure that your AFR's are within a safe range. I have Stillen Gen3's, FI CBE, Stillen pulley, and the FI LTH's are coming today, so I will be getting a tune after that.


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I know I will need a tune. My question is, "Am I at risk of damaging my car if I add the m370 and/or XYZ for a month without a tune?" I see people use the word "safe" so Im apprehensive.

[TerribleONE]

Originally Posted by ben1620

I know I will need a tune. My question is, "Am I at risk of damaging my car if I add the m370 and/or XYZ for a month without a tune?" I see people use the word "safe" so Im apprehensive.

I would guess with all those breathing mods (pretty much full bolt ons) you are going to be running pretty lean... However I ran my G37 with gen 3's F.I TP's and full FI cbe for 12k and no issues.. stock manifold though

[SurfDog]

I have berk HFC, and CBE and dual pop chargers (intakes) on order and will be getting a tune with my install.

Question: I'm also planning to put in lightweight clutch flywheel in. Will that affect my tune? Should I wait to install my breather mods till I have the clutch and tune all at once. (I don't want to tune twice due to added expense)

[seymore4]

It won't grenade your engine but it's not really great for it. If recommend new plugs when you do get the tune. Also with that motordyne plenum you'll actually lose power without a tune

[Huck]

I would say be on the safe side and get the tune, or don't put all the stuff on until you can afford the tune, then install and tune. Just to be safe.


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[gomer_110]

I'm currently running FI CBE and LTH's. I plan on getting the stillen Gen 3's soon. Just wondering how critical the custom tune is. I really wanna put the Gen 3's on myself and then drive the car to the tuner about 30 mins away. Just wondering if staying off the go pedal some is good enough for the drive to the tuner or if I'm better off just having the tuner put them on and be done with it.

[ben1620]

Originally Posted by gomer_110

I'm currently running FI CBE and LTH's. I plan on getting the stillen Gen 3's soon. Just wondering how critical the custom tune is. I really wanna put the Gen 3's on myself and then drive the car to the tuner about 30 mins away. Just wondering if staying off the go pedal some is good enough for the drive to the tuner or if I'm better off just having the tuner put them on and be done with it.

That's definitely okay and will save money for another mod.