Dyno Tune
12-12-2006, 09:12 PM
#2
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 853
RE: Dyno Tune
First off.. If I was quoted $190 for a CAI install I would tell them to go F themelves..
Now The CAI's vary on price... I love my C&L Racer..
You can get an Xcal2 with a standard tune for $379. To get a custom tune on a dyno varies by the tuner.
Unless there is a top tuner in your area I would get the CAI and Xcal2 w/tune from one of the Known tuners thru the mail.
With the C&L and VMP C&L Tune I was running 13.1-13.2 at 106-107mph.
Now The CAI's vary on price... I love my C&L Racer..
You can get an Xcal2 with a standard tune for $379. To get a custom tune on a dyno varies by the tuner.
Unless there is a top tuner in your area I would get the CAI and Xcal2 w/tune from one of the Known tuners thru the mail.
With the C&L and VMP C&L Tune I was running 13.1-13.2 at 106-107mph.
12-12-2006, 09:20 PM
#3
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 142
RE: Dyno Tune
VSOP, thanks for the info. I was thinking the same thing. I wanted to use the SCT tune by Brenspeed, and the Speedshop advised me that they still need to Dyno tune (additional $330!) because there supposedly has been problems with "mail-order" tunes lean air/fuel ratio causing blown motors? Also, the CAI I want installed is the Western Motor Sport High Velocity CAI which takes an estimated 1.5 - 2 hrs to install (the design involves relocating some items under the hood). How much does a regular CAI cost to install?
12-12-2006, 09:27 PM
#4
3rd Gear Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location:
Posts: 853
RE: Dyno Tune
I would never pay to have any CAI Installed.. even the WMS one.. All it really requires is you to relocate the overflow tank for the rad and swap out the plastic radiator cover.
I installed my C&L in the pits at the Strip. Took 30 minutes. (I have even installed my UD's and CMCV DP's while my car was parked on the street).
After you get the Tune and CAI. Take the car to a dyno that will log your A/F by taking out the O2 sensor infront of the cat. Then you can be sure of the A/F, and if its off, send the graph to the tuner and they will be able to adjust it for free. It cost $50 for 2 runs with A/F on the dyno here.
I installed my C&L in the pits at the Strip. Took 30 minutes. (I have even installed my UD's and CMCV DP's while my car was parked on the street).
After you get the Tune and CAI. Take the car to a dyno that will log your A/F by taking out the O2 sensor infront of the cat. Then you can be sure of the A/F, and if its off, send the graph to the tuner and they will be able to adjust it for free. It cost $50 for 2 runs with A/F on the dyno here.
12-13-2006, 01:37 AM
#5
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: May 2006
Location:
Posts: 237
RE: Dyno Tune
Custom tunes from any three tuners mentioned on this site are proven to be very reliable. Seems to me that this shop just wants you to have there tune in your car instead of someone else tunes and trying to scare you with the thought of email tune being lean and blowing motors. 330 dollars for dyno time is very pricey because they already should have a base tune to start from and they only should have to make a couple passes to get it dialed in perfectly. Also 190 dollars for cai install is rediculous.
12-13-2006, 01:44 AM
#6
5th Gear Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location:
Posts: 2,544
RE: Dyno Tune
I agree, it sounds like the shop is trying to scare you into spending more $$$.
I have no doubt there are some unscrupulous dealers out there selling crappy mail-order tunes, but guys like Brent @ Brenspeed or Fred @ Evolution tune mustangs day-in and day-out. More than likely they have more experience than whoever your local guy is! I would not hesitate to run their mail order tunes.
Furthermore, I wouldn't bother with a dyno tune unless you had several other mods beyond the CAI or some unusual mods like ported heads or cams. CAIs are so common that you don't need a dyno tune for them. A mail-order tune from one of the guys like Brent or Fred is perfectly fine.
Also, the $190 for a CAI install is just plain nuts! Most CAIs can be installed in under 30 minutes. Granted the WMS does require some extra work, but even then it's nowhere near a $190 job.
By the way, you might reconsider your choice of CAI. The WMS is expensive, requires modification to the wiring harness of the car, and according to the magazine tests it doesn't make any more HP than several of the other popular CAIs. In fact, it's "middle of the road" despite the added complexity and cost.
The JLT is the HP king, and if you're willing to take a 1-2 HP hit, the C&L is the "best overall" according to most installers that I know, and the magazine reviews agree. Both make more power than the WMS, and both are a 30-min install with no wiring modifications.
I have no doubt there are some unscrupulous dealers out there selling crappy mail-order tunes, but guys like Brent @ Brenspeed or Fred @ Evolution tune mustangs day-in and day-out. More than likely they have more experience than whoever your local guy is! I would not hesitate to run their mail order tunes.
Furthermore, I wouldn't bother with a dyno tune unless you had several other mods beyond the CAI or some unusual mods like ported heads or cams. CAIs are so common that you don't need a dyno tune for them. A mail-order tune from one of the guys like Brent or Fred is perfectly fine.
Also, the $190 for a CAI install is just plain nuts! Most CAIs can be installed in under 30 minutes. Granted the WMS does require some extra work, but even then it's nowhere near a $190 job.
By the way, you might reconsider your choice of CAI. The WMS is expensive, requires modification to the wiring harness of the car, and according to the magazine tests it doesn't make any more HP than several of the other popular CAIs. In fact, it's "middle of the road" despite the added complexity and cost.
The JLT is the HP king, and if you're willing to take a 1-2 HP hit, the C&L is the "best overall" according to most installers that I know, and the magazine reviews agree. Both make more power than the WMS, and both are a 30-min install with no wiring modifications.
12-14-2006, 01:06 AM
#7
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 142
RE: Dyno Tune
CrazyAL, regarding Cold Air Intakes, check out the October 06 issue of Mustangs & Fast Fords. In this issue, three CAI systems were rated: AEM Brute Force, Steeda High Velocity, WMS High Velocity. According to this article, WMS High Velocity outperformed the others with the lowest inlet air temperature (IAT), best speed and lowest e.t.
12-14-2006, 01:35 AM
#9
1st Gear Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 142
RE: Dyno Tune
VSOP, if you can find the mag that tested 10 please let me know before I make the plunge. I like the straight thru design of the WMS High Velocity and the Ram Air feature drawing in true cold air.
