I was planning to get just an SCT tuner from Brenspeed, but I think I'll get a dyno tune locally (Paul's Automotive Engineering in Cincinnati). $150-$200 for the tune and $375 for an SCT 2 Excalibrator tuner.
or, you could get the brenspeed tune, get a baseline dyno (which is usually 3 pulls), check your a/f ratio, and adjust during the runs. then you would probably be around $450 total. this would be the best, if you are not going for max hp #s. you are not planning on any more mods at the moment, correct? how about that supercharger? decide against it? the biggest benefit of using a tune from one of the big names is that as you mod, you get free (or at least deeply discounted) tunes for the mods to get you up and running.
Bigcat, Yea, I changed my mind on the supercharger. The mods I have, and later (closer to warranty end) I will put on Steeda pulleys and that's about as far as I plan to go. I decided I don't need a ton more HP, I love the car, I just want it to be quicker than bone stock. It looks great, sounds great, and if it were a bit quicker-I'll be happy.
After reading several posts, I'm not sure which way to go. As I said, I talked to Tom at Paul's Automotive Engineering about a dyno tune and it sounded good. Now after reading several posts, maybe I should just go with a Brenspeed packaged tune (87, 89 & 93 octane). Is a dyno tune really better? If the Brenspeed tunes are as good as I've read, do I really need to spend the extra $200 for the dyno tune? With the dyno tune, I'd only get one tune-whichever octane I specify. Tom was talking 280 RWHP, but french2812 said he got over 300 RWHP with just an 87 octane tune with the same mods I have (K&N CAI & performance exhaust). I'm confused!
a dyno tune is the best way to maximize gains on YOUR car. it will make your A/F ratio optimal. a "mail order tune" will get you a safe tune, but each car responds differently to a given tune. like you mentioned, you will get a tune for different grades of gasoline, as opposed to just one grade if you go to the local tuner, so you have a little more flexibility.
You know GOLDENPONY, I can't argue with big cat because it is certainly true that you will get the most out of a dyno tune. But, I guess it depends what you want from the car. From what you wrote earlier, you sound a lot like me. I'm not a racer, but I do like having a little extra performance from an already well-performing car. I got a canned tune in an SCT, and I have a CAI, and a few other things. The tune really made a big difference in how the car runs. I have an 87 octane tune (gas is still close to $3.00 a gallon here in the middle of nowhere). The tune fixed the throttle lag, and did very good things to my auto. I think a good canned tune is a lot of bang for the buck. If I ever want to change gears, Paul's High Performance will set up everything for me in the SCT I originally got from them. Cost $25. Just my 2 cents.
Goldenpony, I faced the same decision as you are faced with now. I decided to take my ride to the local Mustang Performance shop with my new 410 gears, Steeda UD pulleys, Corsa Axleback, and C&L MAF kit shoved into the trunk and back seat. I had the shop Dyno my ride bone stock. They then installed all of my goodies and flashed with the XCal and Dyno to lock in the tune/FA ratio, etc. Not only did I get a perfect set-up, but I also had a baseline HP/torque bone stock versus a post-goodie reading. RD-Houston :SNSign:
