I'm just wondering if the HP Tuners software is a worthwhile purchase for a basically stock C5(only mods are Borla Stinger exhaust and a K&N air filter). I know software like this is a necessity if you're adding a supercharger, but didn't know what kind of hp/tq gains it would provide on a base car. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.
If you don't plan on doing anymore upgrades I would just take it to a tuner and have them do a tune and call it good. Buying HPtuners for just your mods done is not really worth it. When I had your mods I used a Predator hand held. Worked fine for my minimal mods. But as you said, I installed a supercharger and now use HPtuners. If you do like to make your own changes, A predator would work well for you. Can get them online here at good prices. But a dyno tune would be the way to go.
I agree, Just to add if you are going to LT headers and or messing around with the O2s then you should consider a stronger tuner. I also have the HP tuner. If you like to play with your car, and want to dial for perfection than HP tuner is the way to go. But then you need the wideband system to really dial it in.
I took my 02 A4 to a local shop and started with 283 hp and 303 tq after about two hours he had me at 310 hp and 333 tq with zero correction factor on an 80 degree day. He turned my fans on sooner and it runs much better. But there is still some thing goofy at 5500 plus in third gear. It does not show in second. But at about 145mph and 5500 the curve starts breaking up a bit. We ran in full traction control mode and he thought it might be a T/C issue. I was driving it some to put miles on it and some guy took out my right rear quarter and rear facia. So it's down for about a month. But the tune was way worth the money.
Bob
If your car is an A4--I would go for it--------You can make your car from .30 to .50 quicker in the 1/4 m just with trans. tuning alone---there is a lot left on the table there to adjust--- GM already has these engines tuned pretty well right out of the box--I see only about 15- 20 RWHP average on a 97-04---
The key to see if you want to have it done at a shop or buy the unit yourself mainly depends on you----If you are a busy person and aren't in a place where you can devote some time to a new project--i would say No--have it done---BUT if you are a tinkerer--are willing to devote some brain energy and time to learning the software then i would buy one---At 1st it can become overwhelming trying to learn--But if you love a challenge then do it-The rewards are many---It is fun playing with it after you learn it-I have probably reflashed my car over 100 times just to make changes to see what happens--
As an example i have a 05 chevy silverado 4x4--It is my daily driver--many freeway miles--I had a lot of fun working on the program trying to get better freeway MPG's---I tried so many different things--some worked well and some not so well---I ended up with 22 MPG on the freeway !!! That is unheard of for an 05' extended cab 4x4--Its just as good as the newer DOD and VVT trucks---and i have the satisfaction of doing it all myself and a blast working on it----But i am a retired racer and have time on my hands--
Thanks for helping. I just might do it. I have a G-Tech and can measure differences. And I am also retired so I do have time. I will send them a E-mail and see if they have a MAC version. Mabye Santa Wifey will look upon this as a blessing to keep me out of her hair.
Thanks
Bob
Corvette Store
HP Tuners on a stock C5.....worth it?
