worth it to get a tune with no mods?
 

Hi All,

I find the delayed throttle response on my 2016 base model Z really annoying. It makes it harder for me to drive smoothly, and to heel-toe on downshifts.

I understand that because it's an electronic pedal, this can be changed via a tune.

How expensive is this going to be? I've read that full tunes are in the $800 range, but I guess this is a pretty minor change.

Are there any other benefits on a stock car? On motorcycles, even stock they often will run 'better' after a tune/re-map, largely because they are setup lean from the factory for emission purposes. Is this true for the Z too?

Also...where in the Vancouver, BC area should I take it?

Thanks in advance,
Tobin.

If you only care about the throttle response, you can get a sprint booster and it'll save you a lot of money. Its around $300.

If you plan for $800, you should be fine. I'm not aware of any shops in that region, but a reputable tuner like Jon @ Z1 can remote tune it via email. Someone else may be able to recommend a shop for you to actually take the car to, but I don't foresee anyone objecting to a tune from Jon. I believe the first tune and license will run something like $650, plus the cost of the Uprev cable, which is right around the $200 mark.

It will help throttle response and I've seen claims of roughly 10whp gains on a bone stock car. Few people do it because they plan to mod the car, but everybody does things a little different. If you're happy with the power and just want a little more response, that's a good way to get it. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I did it. Totally worth it. For the throttle response improvement.

Best tuner out there is Seb at Specialty Z. He can do a remote tune for you if you can't find anyone local. His 370Z package starts at $650 and goes up depending on options. See his website here

If you plan to do other bolt-on mods it might be a better use of money to tune all at once after installation. But you can always just have Seb update your tune down the road if you install them later. For that service, see his website here

Personally, I wouldn't unless you're absolutely staying stock. The benefits of a tune are worth it but a re-tune is your time and another $250+. I also would see myself in your situation with a tune, enjoying the difference and still wanting the best performance I can get reasonably, by adding bolt-ons.

I would rather put my car back on a dyno than have a remote tune as it's better tailored to your car but that's my opinion. I've only heard great thing about Seb and Jon.

Yea I have been thinking about adding this to my to-do list, just for throttle response.

great, thanks so much for the info guys. I'm going to go with a remote tune from Seb at Specialty Z.

I may have it dynoed before and after as well, if so I'll post the results.

Did you ever go for the tune?

I've been debating going to HF Resonated cats + tune or just sticking with my z1 intakes + FI Cat backs + tune.

Worried about the rasp noises some cats create, and I don't want to have mine sound like some of the Z's / G's at 3am that run straight pipes and have sadly become the new fart can 90's Hondas just from a respect perspective. Talking about those that are after noise > performance because they want attention > performance.

Get a tune. You will gain some power even totally stock, with the intakes and HFCs or Test Pipes you can get a bit more out of it. If going with EcuTek you also get all the RR features/switchable maps.

are you insane?
$800 for a tune with no mods is a terrible value, stop giving stupid advice

I did it, largely for the throttle response, and the versatility of running a mild map — which maybe could've earned me my money back, but eh.

I was tentative about doing any bolt-ons and tried to otherwise stay "purely" stock, given Calolfornia and how tight regulations can be. Gladly I never got a real modding bug, but I did switch a few things, including final drive, and I've had a few re-tunes (like $200 each). Of course that sounds inefficient, because those were late decisions I didn't expect, but if I had to keep only one performance mod, it would be the tune.

:icon14:

But spending $1500 on intake and exhaust plus $800 for a tune and getting at most 30 hp (10%) improvement is worth it?!?

You're an idiot. The throttle response is more improvement than the hp gain. Even if you have bolt-ons. And if you are stock, you will still get some performance gain - which will be just as noticeable as the hp bump by tuning with intake and exhaust, that is, negligible.

A stock car spending $800 on a tune gives a better value as far as driving experience results vs $2000+ for intakes and tune with virtually the same results in terms of real world experience.

Now if you need to stroke your ego with that extra 20-30 hp on a dyno graph, then by all means. Have fun. But don't suggest that a tune on a fully stock Z is a waste of money.

:shakes head:
More than one person on this site has had a modless tune and were quite happy with the results. Better throttle pedal response, more HP, etc.
Expensive? Yeah. But nobody is twisting arms. If you don't like the price, don't do it.
A terrible value? To each their own. A tune is a lot easier than mods, especially if one is not after maximum performance (eg, a DD).
Stupid? Not if they got what they wanted.
YMMV

That was a pretty direct response to perfectly match a specific question, but maybe you're right. Maybe I should have vomited some irrelevant BS on here similar to what you did and not answer the question, or tell someone else how to spend their own money.

I'm with OZ in that if a car is going to be left car stock, a tune isn't worth it. If all someone is after is throttle response then I'd recommend following dboss' advice and purchasing a used Sprint Booster for ~$150-200; the vast majority of people wouldn't notice the difference between the two.

A sprint booster is a cheap shortcut to the throttle response issue and is an apples to polar bears comparison to a proper engine tune.

You get a lot more out of a proper tune that will help your car run better for longer (assuming a good tuner), such as proper AFR and other misc adjustments your tuner can make. That's totally aside from the RaceRom features that Ecutek offers like mulitple custom tuning maps for various needs, launch control, and custom traction control.

:iagree:

I think everyone here is missing the point. This is clearly a gateway opportunity to the mod-bug-addiction.

OP - might as well get Intake/Exhaust/TestPipes/Turbos to go along with your tune.

First, you don't need to explain to me what a tune can do as my car is tuned.

Second, you're right: a Sprint booster IS a cheap shortcut... that's the point. As I said: "If all someone is after is throttle response then I'd recommend following dboss' advice and purchasing a used Sprint Booster for ~$150-200." Someone who ONLY wants increased throttle response and is leaving the car stock most likely does not need/want various tuning maps, launch control, blah blah blah that RR offers. If they do, they're probably not going to leave the car stock for long therefore what I said wouldn't apply to them.

No negative tone was intended brother :tiphat:

You are absolutely right. If throttle response is the only thing you're looking for, then the sb is a great budget option. I was just trying to make the connection that throttle response isn't the only thing that a tune on a fully stock Z (thread title) addresses :twocents:

We have to distinguish “throttle response” vs “throttle control”. In this case, sprint booster magnifies throttle input, whereas a tune allows for more precise throttle control.

If one desires to be able to manage extremely minute throttle change AND need immediacy, tune is the way. If one merely wants the feeling and perception of more urgent throttle, Sprint Booster will do just fine.

Agree, Sprint Booster gives quicker FULL throttle but less control.



Anyway, I wouldn't tune a stock car.

I would although I haven't, a sprint booster doesnt do it for me.

There is some throttle lag programmed into the ECU. This can only be eliminated by reprogramming the ECU (ie, a tune).

A SprintBooster does exactly the same thing that you can accomplish by pushing on the pedal a little harder. It does nothing to eliminate the lag in the ECU. Plus, as mentioned above, it decreases the control you have over the throttle (takes less movement of pedal to reach WOT).

If you have a SB and you like it then that's great. But it is not a substitute for a tune.

If your car is close to stock I would say don't tune it. I would keep the warranty in tack if you have one. I saw no need at all even with a Fast Intentions exhaust. If you do an intake and exhaust then I would think about getting it done. 3 Mods, you need it for sure. The 3rd mod would be test pipes, HF cat's, or long tube headers. Stock, it's not worth it to me.

.