I'm thinking my best bet with the traffic in S. Florida is a GT with automatic trans. My question is: does a tune affect the tranny programming, or just the engine? Can I expect snappier part throttle downshifts, holding gear longer before upshift, overall livlier performance, which I feel are all lacking with the stock setup?

As always, your input is appreciated.

 

Here's link to the American Muscle site that explains what you're asking. The short answer is yes it will adjust the trans as well but I have no experience with this so hopefully someone with first hand experience will comment. Good luck.

 

The difference between the factory automatic tune and a custom tune from one of the reputable tuners is night and day. Firmer, faster shifts and almost no throttle lag is a huge difference. My personal opinion is that if you're only ever going to make just one mod on the car, a custom tune should be the one.

 

I'm running a BBR tune on my automatic 2011 5.0 and I love it.

Plus I see that you're in Florida and so are they.

Here are my times from their tune.


STOCK w/ NO TUNE
13.172@107.04


STOCK w/ Canned SCT Tune
12.975@110.55


STOCK w/ BBR Tune
12.598@112.01
12.606@112.00

 

Thanks John. As far as street driving, my biggest complaint with the stock set-up is you have to floor it to get a downshift, which isn't always appropriate. If you don't floor it it just seems sluggish. Do you get part-throttle downshifts with the tune, and does it hold the lower gear longer? Also where in FLA are you.

 

Both AM and Brenspeed can further customize your tunes to do what you want. You simply need to disucss it with them.

 

Actually I've spoken to a couple of dyno-tune shops down here. And of course they tell me what I want to hear. But once I buy the automatic GT it's too late to find out they were exaggerating. Hearing from people who have it is more helpful.

 

I would say that most people actually find a tune on the auto to be even more beneficial than those who have a manual and get a tune. The auto is supposed to really wake up with a good custom tune where the shift points have far better placement and overall the car becomes much more aggressive and firm.

I'm looking forward to getting my tuner and custom tunes. If only the damn cars computer didn't have a code that SCT is ignoring right now

 

I tuned my 2008 auto and it was like a brand new car, could chirp the first two gears if i wanted, shifted so much better. I just got a 2007 after I got stupid for a bit and sold my 2008 and I plan to get my tune updated and put on my 2007.