Do you need to have a handheld programmer to get a dyno tune? I see that some places charge a lot less if you do have one. So do you have to purchace a tuner to get the car tuned or what?

 

Yes...I think.

 

Anybody know for sure?

 

I think the places that "charge more" are including the price of a tuner in the quote..

There isn't a lot of tuning adjustments available without a handheld tuner

 

From what i understand you have to have a tuner or a chip. I had a tuner before I went to the dyno. My mechanic told me that I should just get a chip instead, because you can do more.

 

yes . you need one . HH or chip . a chip is not better than a HH tuner . the same software is used to tune your car whether you use a HH or a chip . a HH has more options , if you get a HH you'll have on-device adjustments .

 

some places can just reflash ur factory computer and do not require u to purchase anything. u need to figure out who u want the car tuned by and talk to them about whether or not they are going to require u to have a programmer. if ur not dead set on getting a dyno tune, i suggest getting the sniper special forces software. it loads onto a computer and uses an interface box to reflash ur factory pcm. u read ur stock pcm, load it to the software, select ur mods from a drop down menu and it creates a tune for u. if ur not happy with the one it creates u can then make changes to the a/f ratio and timing urself. also allows u to turn off the rear 02's, egr, speed limiter, traction control and all that good stuff. u can tune for supercharged applications, nitrous, n/a, or turbo. its a very nice program, and at $389 is at a VERY reasonable price. i have it and love it.