Average cost of a tune?

**1st TA** · 11-30-2007, 05:25 PM

Just would like to know what I could expect to pay for a tune on my WS-6? Its stock but I have read that you can still make some gains. Any help would be great.
Thanks

**Too Fast** · 11-30-2007, 05:32 PM

I asked this question over a year ago, then the answer was $400 on up. Assuming a wide band O2.

**Mr. Luos** · 11-30-2007, 05:34 PM

10 RWHP.
$400 is on the low end for a shop to do it.
$550 is probably closer to average.

I wouldn't bother to be honest, not at least until you have a few mods on it.

**dlmeadows** · 11-30-2007, 07:34 PM

local shop here charges $125/hr with a $125 min.

**rajiv1998** · 11-30-2007, 07:52 PM

Originally Posted by Mr. Luos

10 RWHP.
$400 is on the low end for a shop to do it.
$550 is probably closer to average.

I wouldn't bother to be honest, not at least until you have a few mods on it.

I am guessing thats a full dyno tune. A street tune would run u about $250-300. I agree with luos, dont bother untill u have all the bolt ons or a h/c, then u will make the most out of ur setup

**Jray67** · 12-01-2007, 04:23 PM

I agree with above. Wait for some upgrades. But to answer your question a local shop here quoted me a max of $600 for a full dyno tune. They said they would need my car all day to get the most out of it.

**rajiv1998** · 12-01-2007, 05:17 PM

While were on the subjet, how many horses can u pick up from a tune after all the bolt ons are installed?

**Benner** · 12-01-2007, 06:07 PM

I got my speed density done for $175 from a local tuner who's tuned about every built f-body around. I got a street tune though. i prefer it just cause of the fact that its tuned according to how I drive it.

**Mr. Luos** · 12-01-2007, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by rajiv1998

While were on the subjet, how many horses can u pick up from a tune after all the bolt ons are installed?

15-20 RWHP with bolt-ons....over the stock tune.
Some of it depends on the tuner, and how conservative you have them tune it.

**richard head** · 12-02-2007, 09:26 PM

just buy HPTuners for $500 bucks and enjoy the only mod that will grow with your car. my car has a 3" cutout and a lid - other than that, it is completely stock... well, plugs and wires, debaffled hood, subframe connectors.... but the engine is not modded.

i went 13.2@105 4x in a row my first time to the strip in this car with just a rudimentary tune, and the best part is that I now have discovered the joys of tuning VE and MAF tables - even more power!

Long story short - grow some balls and get HPTuners, as you learn to use it you will learn more about modding, the way the car works...etc and plus as a tuner who gives a shit about your car, you will eventually be able to do better than the pros because they don't. plain and simple.

**Ryans99LS1** · 12-03-2007, 05:10 AM

IMO, I wouldnt do it yourself. Although it is very cool to do things yourself, you can really mess some stuff up and end up paying again to get it fixed. I would wait untill your done modding your engine, get a full dyno tune and leave it at that. Research your shops first, ask if they have a GM guy or have tuned a few. Most guys are really cool and never really diss your car. They want the most out it too, they like seeing how much they can pull out. And once you buy a full tune(usually about $550) its only like $30-$40 to do adjustsments afterwards or if they are really cool, they may just do it for free. I like the fact of it being done a dyno bcause you know right away when gains are made and if everything is good.

**richard head** · 12-03-2007, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by Ryans99LS1

IMO, I wouldnt do it yourself. Although it is very cool to do things yourself, you can really mess some stuff up and end up paying again to get it fixed. I would wait untill your done modding your engine, get a full dyno tune and leave it at that. Research your shops first, ask if they have a GM guy or have tuned a few. Most guys are really cool and never really diss your car. They want the most out it too, they like seeing how much they can pull out. And once you buy a full tune(usually about $550) its only like $30-$40 to do adjustsments afterwards or if they are really cool, they may just do it for free. I like the fact of it being done a dyno bcause you know right away when gains are made and if everything is good.

on my old car, I had a tune done but it was a few years before I did my gear swap - the guys agreed to do adjustments at the time of the tune for free and then said that the gear adjustment would be $125 and a few other little things I had been wanting would also add up, grand total of $375. I spent the extra money to just do it myself, and when that car was wrecked it was free to tune my new car. if you read and look at other peoples' tunes in the repository and get a solid grasp of what you are doing you do not have to run the risk of having a problem!! the HPTuners crew provides an amazing amount of support for their product and if I can figure it out, anybody can!

**Firebirdjones** · 12-03-2007, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by Ryans99LS1

IMO, I wouldnt do it yourself. Although it is very cool to do things yourself, you can really mess some stuff up and end up paying again to get it fixed. I would wait untill your done modding your engine, get a full dyno tune and leave it at that. Research your shops first, ask if they have a GM guy or have tuned a few. Most guys are really cool and never really diss your car. They want the most out it too, they like seeing how much they can pull out. And once you buy a full tune(usually about $550) its only like $30-$40 to do adjustsments afterwards or if they are really cool, they may just do it for free. I like the fact of it being done a dyno bcause you know right away when gains are made and if everything is good.

I agree with Richard,,,,I jumped into the HPtuner software and I hate computers. But with support you can figure it out. The abilities are endless,,,and the satisfaction of tuning your own car and making your own changes as necessary at your own convenience makes it worthwhile. Not to mention you can scan anytime you want, and diagnose any check engine lights you may have and exactly find the problem before you spend a dime buying parts and chasing the problem.
I truely believe now that it's the first modification anyone should do for any computer controlled car before any money is spent on bolt on crap.

I am not computer savy, believing that computers belong on a desk and not in a car,,,but if you want to play you have to jump in and learn.

Besides, something I have brought up before that bugs the hell out of me,,,but for some reason doesn't seem to bother anyone else "shrug",,,,,is the fact that tuners will lock your computer so it can't be tampered with. If they go out of business (and some do) or you move away where it's no longer convenient to go back,,,,your screwed,,,you have to have them unlock the computer, go back to the stock tune and find someone else,,,and start over again,,,,NO THANKS!

Also if you plan to sell the car,,,what about the purchaser,,,now they are stuck with whoever the previous owner was dealing with,,,if it's even possible. New buyers should be aware of this, buying a car with a locked computer and finding out later when more mods are done can be a real kick in the pants.
Buy the software and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Tuning is still pretty straight forward, Most anything we did to the old carb cars still works on this fuel injection stuff,,,,you just have to find the right tables to make your adjustments,,, Just my thoughts on it.

**rajiv1998** · 12-03-2007, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by richard head

just buy HPTuners for $500 bucks and enjoy the only mod that will grow with your car. my car has a 3" cutout and a lid - other than that, it is completely stock... well, plugs and wires, debaffled hood, subframe connectors.... but the engine is not modded.

i went 13.2@105 4x in a row my first time to the strip in this car with just a rudimentary tune, and the best part is that I now have discovered the joys of tuning VE and MAF tables - even more power!

Long story short - grow some balls and get HPTuners, as you learn to use it you will learn more about modding, the way the car works...etc and plus as a tuner who gives a shit about your car, you will eventually be able to do better than the pros because they don't. plain and simple.

You obviously dont know much about tuning do you...

**Firebirdjones** · 12-06-2007, 03:30 AM

Originally Posted by rajiv1998

You obviously dont know much about tuning do you...

Huh? Why would you say that to Richard? He brings up a valid point.

**Y2KPewterSS** · 12-08-2007, 08:00 PM

Costs about $650 here for a full dyno tune, but its by one of the better tuners across the country.

**Frost** · 12-08-2007, 08:24 PM

Bone stock cars just don't benefit very much from a tune... unless they are an automatic. In which case, a "basic tune" (off dyno) or a mailorder tune is a better fit and is typically under $200.

**firemedic0135** · 12-08-2007, 10:12 PM

my tune was 300 with liftime tunes.
hptuners btw with wideband 02

**JonB** · 12-08-2007, 11:32 PM

Paid $450 for a full dyno tune, originally was $475 but jeremy(tuner) said it was so easy to tune he'd cut $25 off. Will bolt ons I had 18hp and 19ft lbs gain.

**Firebirdjones** · 12-09-2007, 06:10 AM

Originally Posted by Frost

Bone stock cars just don't benefit very much from a tune... unless they are an automatic. In which case, a "basic tune" (off dyno) or a mailorder tune is a better fit and is typically under $200.

My bone stock 02 SS convertable picked up 3 tenths and 3 mph with only some very basic tuning. After buying HPtuner and not knowing how to use it,,,,I only made some very simple VE tuning and MAF tuning,,,a little timing etc....doing this all with LTFT's No wide band at all,,,,and really haven't even touched the PE tables (just for that reason) and the car was like night and day. Went from 13.70's at 101 mph to 13.40's at 104 mph just playing around with the tune a little. I'd say I already got my moneys worth from HP tuner.
Keep in mind that my factory tune was not that great,,,,datalogging on the car was the first thing I learned and the Fuel trims were all over the place,,,and mostly in the +10 range,,,then after driving a while the right bank fuel trims would turn red and just lock out. This thing had a terrible stock tune,,,running very lean just cruising around. After dialing in the VE tables both banks of the fuel trims looked pretty even and didn't turn red anymore. Car actually drove perfectly though with stock tune,,,you couldn't tell things were out of wack.
Now the modding has begun and I should see much more benifit.