Cuttom Tuning

L29er · February 23, 2008

So i found a place, which is actually a bit of a drive but they do custom ecm tuning, tried calling the tuner but he is very busy, everytime i phone hes on the dyno, i was just curious to ask those of you who got custom tunes do i need to purchase a spare ecm to use for it so i can swap back to stock? i`ve found some used ones for my truck for 90 bucks plus delivery, also would it be reuired to strap my beast on the dyno to get it tuned? i am considering a cam swap so i`d probly get it done after i do that plus what does it generally cost? and is it common for the tuner to offer free re-tunes, i noticed in other topics some are free after the first one, minus mail fees, so if anyone can give me the lowdown so i`m better prepared for when i actually get to talk to this guy, thanks!

OH AND I JUST NOTICED I SPELLED CUSTOM WRONG!< AWESOME> and i can`t fix it!

L29er · February 23, 2008

omegafiler · February 23, 2008

You'd realy have to talk to the tuner. But I'd think anybody who answers the phone should be able to answer those basic questions.

Most tuners do keep spare PCM's in stock and most do offer free re-flashes. But "most" may not exactly apply to the guy you're dealing with. Then again, you might want to know if this guy has a good rep? Just because he has a Dyno, doesn't mean he knows what he's doing.

But if your vehicle is mostly stock, you really don't "need" to put it on a Dyno. A mail-order tune from any of the other reputable ones on this site should do just fine.

PhilB · February 23, 2008

do i need to purchase a spare ecm to use for it so i can swap back to stock? i`ve found some used ones for my truck for 90 bucks plus delivery

No - you do not need a spare ecm unless you have a need to go back to stock. Some people get a spare ecm for another custom tune like for towing. Then they can switch back and forth between two custom tunes.

would it be reuired to strap my beast on the dyno to get it tuned?

The best tunes are ones that use a dyno. That way the tune is customized specifically for your truck.

i am considering a cam swap so i`d probly get it done after i do that plus what does it generally cost?

I do not know what a cam swap would cost.

is it common for the tuner to offer free re-tunes, i noticed in other topics some are free after the first one, minus mail fees

Every tuner offers similar things. Some offer free re-tunes for the life of the customer (I guess).

My experiece - I use Wester's Garage for my custom tunes. He is located in Tilley, Alberta. Lyndon is the programmer and he does a very good job. Wester's is a little more expesnsive compared to other mail-order tuners but he offers the free re-tunes + s/h. And you get a credit towards a tune for your new vehicle as long as you get a stock tune from Wester's to replace your custom tune in the vehicle you are getting rid of.

L29er · February 24, 2008

awsome, thanks, not sure how far tilley is from were i am but defiinatley farther than edmonton, the cost thing i was asking is how much for the tune and dyno time, i already have the cam picked out and stuff so i have all the costs covered for my mods, the place i found in edmonton is campbell automotive, claim to have been around for a long time, don`t know anyone who has used them, so, i just will have to speeak with the tuner. They list couple of incredible projects on the go, a twin turbo SBC tahoe and a twin turbo Z06 corvette, bot with over 1000hp.

PhilB · February 24, 2008

awsome, thanks, not sure how far tilley is from were i am but defiinatley farther than edmonton, the cost thing i was asking is how much for the tune and dyno time, i already have the cam picked out and stuff so i have all the costs covered for my mods, the place i found in edmonton is campbell automotive, claim to have been around for a long time, don`t know anyone who has used them, so, i just will have to speeak with the tuner. They list couple of incredible projects on the go, a twin turbo SBC tahoe and a twin turbo Z06 corvette, bot with over 1000hp.

Wester's has dealers in Alberta. http://westers_garage.eidnet.org/alberta.html

Bit of advice, ask the tuner at Campbell Automotive for references and ask those customers how they like their tunes. Is the tuner easy to deal with? Does the tuner deliver what the customer wants? What about mods to the tune? Warranty? You get the picture...

Good Luck with your tuning project. Let us know how it all works out for you.

L29er · February 25, 2008

I AM SO GLAD that you suggested WESTERS!! turns out they just fired up a place in my home town, e-mailed the guy and litterally within 5 minutes he called me with prices and warranty info, best of all he has a truck just like mine and has been modifying just as i have, we actually talked on the phone for nearly half an hour, we have very similar things done to our trucks! he really wants to see my truck so we can share and compare our mods!!woooohooooo!! i don`t think it can get any better,... oh so is $350 aceptable price for service? thanks!!