Custom tune..... myself??

[tybardy]

So i found a custom HP Tuner kit w/ the cord and software in my local paper for $250...

Is this the same thing used when i use a service like black bears?

Anyone know anything about these HP tuners?

 

[JennaBear]

We use EFILive. The plus/minus to having your own tuning suite, is that you tune on yours own, but there are not canned tunes. You start from scratch.

You may need to spend another $100 to purchase the license for your truck, dependent on how many credits are left on the cable.

 

[tybardy]

yea the guy sold it already... but now i am interested in getting my own anyways... would you say the EFILive is a better/worse product or pretty much the same?



When you say canned tunes, i am assuming you mean tunes that are, for the most part, already setup and you just tweak them a bit to preferance... correct?

 

[JennaBear]

As Justin is a reseller/instructor for EFILive, he will always back their product. If you want to get a feel for the product, you can download it at www.efilive.com/downloads.aspx

HPTuners does not have a demo version (we feel it is because their product is inferior).

 

[tybardy]

im going to check this out... how much is that setup? could i buy it from you or justin?

 

[JennaBear]

Justin does sell this and can offer the EFILive V1 Scan and Tune WITH A TUNE for $650. Or, just the EFILive V1 Scan and Tune for $549 (retail price).

*these are prices shipped to US

 

[01_Tahoe]

I have HPTuners and I love it. Granted it isnt noob friendly but if youre really interested in tuning, just buy some books and teach yourself. Thats all I did and I consider myself pretty good as do a lot of people I tune cars for. I just got my OBD port working so I dont have alot of time invested on the tune for a Tahoe, but I did read and save the stock tune and noticed there is A LOT of potential in the tune alone. I like it cause you change everything on a laptop, not a 3 inch screen like some handheld tuners. I think its a lot more detailed. JMO

 

[radkon]

I've been using HP tuners to tune my 04 GTO for about a year. It also supports a large range of vehicles (longer list than EFI live last time I checked). I've used it on the Tahoe as well and managed to eek out an extra 1.5 MPG avg since I've been playing. The best thing you can do is read, read. read. Ask questions if you are unsure and be prepared to learn a lot.

 

[tybardy]

I have HPTuners and I love it. Granted it isnt noob friendly but if youre really interested in tuning, just buy some books and teach yourself. Thats all I did and I consider myself pretty good as do a lot of people I tune cars for. I just got my OBD port working so I dont have alot of time invested on the tune for a Tahoe, but I did read and save the stock tune and noticed there is A LOT of potential in the tune alone. I like it cause you change everything on a laptop, not a 3 inch screen like some handheld tuners. I think its a lot more detailed. JMO

what books can i read before picking one of these up so that i can get to know what i am jumping into before i actually plunge

 

[SnoXracer247]

I have had EFILIve in my 03 yukon for about a year now and i am very pleased with the way it has been working

 

[radkon]

Basic tuning concepts are outlined in "Engine Management Advanced Tuning" by Greg Banish. I'll warn you though its a rather detailed overview NOT a step by step guide on using EFI live or HP tuners. I read it twice and highlighted key points before I started tuning. From there either board (HPT or EFIL) has very helpful information and great members.

Be aware that tuning is addictive, you always want to get it perfect. If you are a perfectionist you'll spend more time than you can imagine getting things "right".

 

[tybardy]

this works for me... since i bought my tahoe last month i have been spending my whole life in this forum! I am already addicted...

 

[radkon]

this works for me... since i bought my tahoe last month i have been spending my whole life in this forum! I am already addicted...

Careful what you wish for. I have over 500 logs on my GTO and about 150 variations on the tune! Of course I'm putting down 375 RWHP and getting 27+ MPG on the hwy with ~21 MPG avg in the city and running 12.8 in the 1/4!

I will say the ECM in the Tahoe (flexfuel) hasn't been as friendly to me so far but then again the hoe is 100% stock. I can't convince the wife to let me drop in a nice cam (yet)