Noob looking for a tuner suggestion

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TheDecalGuy

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Howdy fellas!
I have recently purchased a 2010 with 74k miles. I only mods I'll be doing to the car is a different set of wheels and a tuner. No exhaust, no downpipes, and probably not CAI. Also, I won't be really beating on the car, but I would like to see what it can do in the quarter mile. I average 5-6k miles a year for what it's worth.
So what would you guys suggest for a someone like me, taking in account my mileage, and my lack of other mods?
I've looked into the Livernois, but for what I want to do, $600+ is more than I want to spend right now.
Thanks for any help guys!
(Some pics because everyone loves pics)

2uo9TDe

My 78 F150
LgIToL4
 

Lostneye

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Livernois the prob the best for ease of use. Set it up and you're done. Unleashed and a few others really need datalogging to revise and dail in the tune. If you're okay with that I believe they have a little less expensive options.
 

TheDecalGuy

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Livernois the prob the best for ease of use. Set it up and you're done. Unleashed and a few others really need datalogging to revise and dail in the tune. If you're okay with that I believe they have a little less expensive options.

Thanks fella. Livernois seemed great. But it really did more than I needed I thought.
 

StealBlueSho

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Thanks fella. Livernois seemed great. But it really did more than I needed I thought.

If you don't want to mess with anything, get a few really solid tunes, LMS is gonna be the way to go. Yes, they are a bit more expensive l, but if you are not looking to do much modding, it's a great choice... load and forget..

If you want to save a couple hundred bucks and are willing to do some 0 - 80ish (or 100mph) full out runs while using a tuning device to record the data to send back to a tuner to make some adjustments... then AJPTURBO is great tuner who is in the forum.. just PM him...OR Unleashed has a good following... Unleashedtuning.com... the guys name is Torrie..

I have had all three tune mine... if you are looking for less messing around then LMS is your best option.

I run AJPTURBO's tune personally but I have mine custom tuned with Ethanol mixes... and I love datalogging...
 

StealBlueSho

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To SHOddeds point... usually if you post a want to by AD in the buying selling section, good things happen..
 

SilverSH0

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Watching out for a used tuning device or one on sale can also save some bucks.

This is true, but you also have to consider purchasing the tune after buying the tuner used.

I'm reaching back in my very terrible memory on prices here, so I might not be exact (but my conclusion is good). When I was looking to by a SCT X4 I could only find used prices around $200-$250. Then I had to pay Unleashed $150 for the tune. What I concluded was that if I bought used I saved a very minimal amount of money and then had a used tuner (no warranty) and had the risk of buying from someone I don't know and something going wrong. I'm not saying don't buy a used tuner. Just make sure you know how much it will be for tunes and factor that into the cost.
 

yo tony

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Unleashed or brew city boost are good choices. Think you would be happy with either
 

TheDecalGuy

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I did find a used Livernois tuner for $200. But after paying for the $300 fee, I'm not saving much. And like it was mentioned, I'd now have no warranty. And that's still more than I was hoping to spend (I'm cheap.)

I'll have to do some more research into this "datalogging". I am not familiar with the term.
 

limited02

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I did find a used Livernois tuner for $200. But after paying for the $300 fee, I'm not saving much. And like it was mentioned, I'd now have no warranty. And that's still more than I was hoping to spend (I'm cheap.)

I'll have to do some more research into this "datalogging". I am not familiar with the term.

It's worth seeing if you can work a deal to get that tuner for a lower price. I believe I found mine used for $175 shipped and after paying the $300 to get it activated for my car, I bought SP534 spark plugs and a 3-bar sensor from Rockauto.com as well as a 170 thermostat from stage3motorsports.com all for about $615 IIRC. I'm currently running the stage 4+X 93 race tune from LMS and yeah, it MOVES out. I'll eventually find out how it runs against a 2016 Chevy SS 6-speed (stock).
 

TheDecalGuy

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It's worth seeing if you can work a deal to get that tuner for a lower price. I believe I found mine used for $175 shipped and after paying the $300 to get it activated for my car, I bought SP534 spark plugs and a 3-bar sensor from Rockauto.com as well as a 170 thermostat from stage3motorsports.com all for about $615 IIRC. I'm currently running the stage 4+X 93 race tune from LMS and yeah, it MOVES out. I'll eventually find out how it runs against a 2016 Chevy SS 6-speed (stock).

I shot him an offer.
What do you run in the quarter? Should I worry about the amount if miles my car already has?
 

yo tony

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Datalogging will bring out the full potential of the the tune but you will still notice a **** of a difference without datalogs. I think I picked up about .15 with datalogging on torries tune.
 

jpena157

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Datalogging will bring out the full potential of the the tune but you will still notice a **** of a difference without datalogs. I think I picked up about .15 with datalogging on torries tune.
So I own a 2011 SHO non PP.... I have Torries 93 tune, I have yet to data log, just haven't had the opportunity... Is there a substantial difference with a data logged tune? I've watched the video on how to data log but I don't remember seeing anything about how hard to run the car when data logging... Some clarification would be appreciated


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limited02

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I shot him an offer.
What do you run in the quarter? Should I worry about the amount if miles my car already has?

I have not run the 1/4 yet, but I would expect about a 13.0/13.3. One member on here (brucelinc?) had the same tune on his MKS and went 12.6 in the 1/4. I wouldn't worry about the mileage because I'm at 67k and it's still going strong. I know a guy who tuned his when he had 105k and had no issues.

As mentioned, Livernois is a load and haul ass tune. If you want to squeeze every single pony out, then going with Torrie or Brew City Boost would be your best bet. I personally don't live my life a 1/4 mile at a time and don't really street race. I wanted improved shifting, passing power and reliability. LMS provided that and I'm more than pleased with their service.
 

Boosted Sho

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Go with Torrie. You will not be disappointed tell him I sent you Anthony marquez in New Mexico.
He will tune it for what ever u want. Customer service is outstanding. He won't tell you what to run. if your car has any mechanical issues he'll tell u there a problem. Remember he's there to tune not to diagnose.
He is fast with his revisions. But to be that fast and take care of all his customers he can't explain how to do everything. There is lots of help for that. He tunes what u ask and sends revisions. Send back tell him what u want and he will dial it in. Be strait to the point and get it done. I have many hours and logs with him. But just set my track record for a Taurus. As far as I know I'm the only stock turbo in the 12s over 7k da. And please correct me if I'm wrong.
I have ran ssi and unleashed. BcB if fairly new and is big with the Saab guys. So they need more time before I would recommend them.
And lms don't data log but have great tunes most expensive of the bunch.

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brucelinc

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My MKS ran 12.6 once in perfect conditions but was more consistently in the 12.8 range. Livernois 4X+ 3 bar 93 octane tune. I had around 75,000 miles on it when I raced it last summer and it never skipped a beat. It had been tuned since around 20,000 miles.
 

TheDecalGuy

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My MKS ran 12.6 once in perfect conditions but was more consistently in the 12.8 range. Livernois 4X+ 3 bar 93 octane tune. I had around 75,000 miles on it when I raced it last summer and it never skipped a beat. It had been tuned since around 20,000 miles.

I see, thanks for the info. Is the "4X" just a tune from the choice of tunes on the tuner? After doing some research I understand the 3 bar, but that's throwing me off.
 

StealBlueSho

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I see, thanks for the info. Is the "4X" just a tune from the choice of tunes on the tuner? After doing some research I understand the 3 bar, but that's throwing me off.

Yes, it's different tunes on the same tuning devices. Various stages if you will.. stage 1,2,3,4+,4+X are all different tunes you can get with the LMS tuner. The tuner can hold up to 4 tunes at any time. And you can get various octane dependent tunes.
 

Boosted Sho

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Yes, it's different tunes on the same tuning devices. Various stages if you will.. stage 1,2,3,4+,4+X are all different tunes you can get with the LMS tuner. The tuner can hold up to 4 tunes at any time. And you can get various octane dependent tunes.
They remote tuning on the x4 ?


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