If I get a tuner (not any brand specifically), will I actually get a HP gain? or just be able to mess with shifting points and stuff?

 

Yes you can gain real HP by advancing your timing, etc..

But then you'll need to run premium gas to avoid detonation,, have you check the $ premium gas goes for nowdays?

 

Premium gas is always $0.15 - $0.20 more per gallon than regular.

You might gain 8 - 10 HP directly from a performance tune.

 

why will the engine detonate if I don't use premium when advancing the timing? Is advancing the timing the only HP producing thing you can do with a tuner?
Will I need to get a specific/special tuner since I have an o/r x-pipe and cai?

 

check out showrides.net
I bought an xcal II for $350 including unlimited tunes. best deal I found.
You'll gain a flatter power band, but probably won't gain much peak HP. in other words, your low end will probably improve but peak will be the same, and you'll need premium. if you have an auto, definitely do it. makes it shift better. you might benefit from it because of your mods, too. shoot the showrides people an email, they're helpful.

 

Thanks, can you use the flash tuners (plug-ins) with cars that have certain mods already?

 

yes, when you get the tuner, they will put three tunes in it. you can tell them your mods and they will send you a tune for those mods (you can specify which octane gas you want too). won't be as good as a dyno tune, but it's cheaper and still better than stock. and the tranny stuff is good too. really woke up the tranny in my car.

 

I see, are you talking about actual chips or the ones that go in the obd II port er whatever it's called?

 

I'm talking about a handheld tuner. that's what you want. connects to the odb / obd (ol' dirty bastard??) port. very easy to use.

 

Yeah, i'm talking about the OBD one. I'll check out showridez, thanks for the info.