First of all, I can't say enough about the Intense customer service. Top Notch, best I've ever had when dealing with a performance shop. Prompt responses, completed everything requested in blazing fast turn-around time, Super nice guys. I even had a small order mix-up, but because of the fashion it was handled in, I'm still a super happy customer. I can't recommend INTENSE Racing enough!!!

I call my setup an Intense Stage 4.5 because I have more than the 4 but less than the 5. I have the Stage 5 tune, 60# injectors, and machined snout with 2.6" pulley. It was supposed to be a 2.5", but there was a mixup. Now I have to wait til there are more in stock. So I'll have everything in the Stage 5, except the ported blower. No big deal for now, its just nice to be running again and know the car will be even faster.

I recently had the RIU kit with 2.8" pulley to use as a comparison. I've had that kit installed since July, almost an entire year.

In comparison, the car is smoother and stronger in every way. The car doesn't feel like its working near as hard for some reason, like I said very smooth. I recently dynoed 252/224, now the car feels smoother/stronger across the entire powerband. My MPG has jumped up from 18mpg, to 21.6mpg, and thats with 60# injectors! The increased redline to 7k is just perfect. IMO this is exactly the way this car is meant to feel. The drop off/bog between shifts is GONE. There is so much to say I don't know where to start. The car is just 110% all around improved, and is only going to get stronger with the 2.5"

Another HUGE bit of info I'd like EVERYONE to know...

If you send Intense YOUR ORIGINAL PCM, there is NO security relearn or CASE learn BS!!!

I had sent my original PCM in to be flashed with the Stage5 tune. They had it back to me in 2 days, because they f*cking rock! I plugged the PCM back in, reattached my battery, and the car fired right up. As if the PCM was never gone, idled perfect and was ready to drive.

One last note, take a look at my mod list. I'm running the FUJITA CAI, and the car runs great. Now I've yet to dyno or wideband, so I don't know what my a/f looks like. I just want to make it clear I have NO ISSUES, using my aftermarket intake. I am still considering re-installing the stock airbox, just because that is what it is tuned for.

Any questions/comments, please post. I just wanted to get a good unbiased review out there. I know the verdict was still out on the INTENSE PCM tunes, but I can tell you without a doubt... This was the single greatest choice I've made with my SS.

I want to thank Scott, Todd, and everyone else over at Intense for the great service and experience. Have a good one guys, you rock!

 

yes i agree they do have awesome customer service...they rock

 

x2 !!

 

i havnt had any problems very nice fellows to deal with. they make life easy.

 

Yes, INTENSE is great, glad you're happy with your new power. Congrats!

 

Does the boost drop off back to stock like the gm stage kits? Or does the stage 5 pcm let you have full boost the entire way?

 

I've been trying to watch the boost guage. For some reason I'm only seeing 17psi maybe 18, then it holds steady. Maybe its the heat/humidity lately, but I was expecting more with the 2.6"

I also put the factory boost gauge back in, so I don't know if thats an issue. When I had my mechanical autometer in, I would see 17-18psi with a 2.8"pulley.

This is my only question I had for Intense. I was wondering if I should be seeing more with this 2.6"?

 

Thanks for the write up. I'm on the fence about sending my pcm out. So hearing feed back like this helps. I have the 2.6 pulley and 60lb injectors just need a tune. There is a shop in nj that told me they would get the software from hp to tune my car. I have a k&n intake so I wasn't sure how the pcm from intence would work. Thanks
Joe

keep us updated if you get it dynoed.

 

zzp just released a 2.6" pulley that DOES NOT require any snout machining. pretty kick ass

 

Thanks! Thats exactly how I was, so I knew a write up like this would help the entire LSJ community and Intense.

This is my first time ever dealing with Intense, so far its been a pleasure!

I'm buying an aeroforce gauge next. Then as soon as the 2.5"ers are back in stock I'll Dyno. I'll def. keep you guys posted!

 

I'd also like everyone to know, Intense was able to change my PCM for 225/40/18 tires.

I didn't want my speedo to be off, so I just included a note and they changed it for me.

 

All these Intense tunes are great and all but they are all geared toward a stock air box. Honestly WTF is running a stock air box with all these other mods. Can we get some tunes that include a CAI? That would be nice. BTW, Congrats.

 

Guessing you could have them individually tune your car, that's what I'm doing when I get home, driving straight to Ohio (where I'm from, how convenient) and dropping it off...for the big stage 5'er...

 

18lbs for a 2.6" is about right. That's what I saw. Now with a 2.5" pulley, I see about 19.5 lbs of boost. Plus, if the air is thick and muggy, you will make less boost than if it was cool and dense. There will be tunes for CAI's soon, but the maff is very sensitive. There going to have to do some R&D to get it right. Once they're confident that their CAI tune is safe and reliable, it'll be out, trust me. The stock intake isn't as restrictive as everyone thinks, that's why people are running 12's with it. It's a heck of alot easier to tune as well. I'm going with a custom made 3.5" CAI and I'm swapping my maff out for a LT1 maff to make it easier to tune.

 

u know i would order the PCM from Intense but im just scared of not knowing whats in my computer and if it messes up. my mechanic saying i dont know i didnt tune it.

 

Nice write-up! Yeah, the Intense guys are awomse. Everytime I've ever had a question, they always have the answer. I plan on driving there this summer to have them tune my car for a 2.8 pulley, intake, exhaust.

 

I just re installed my stock airbox, and HOLY ****!!!!!

I wouldn't have ever dreamed it would make this much difference. I can't explain, but I'd love to take someone for a ride. This tune is unbelievable. I'm confident the stock box is adequate, now that I've felt the difference.

So I now have a Fujita CAI for sale, lol.

 

Maybe your belt is slipping some. Thats why it sits at 18 psi. Someone needs to make toothed belts and pulleys.

 

i think we r finding out now that a CAI was un needed

 

With the 2.6" i was getting 17.8 to 18.3psi boost


Stock airbox got me in the 12's


Glad you like the kit!!! Amazing difference! On a side note, done some more playing with my tune. Raced my old Impala friday night on the interstate, we went from 60 to 120mph. It was DEAD EVEN!! That car runs 112-113 in the 1/4!!

Can't wait to get some track time now.

 

Awww man, don't get me going. You say you've played with the tune, and its even better!?!

Looks like I'll be sending in my PCM again!

Can't thank you enough, have a good one.


-Travis

 

really rob....hehehe.....we still on for fri/sat? This is really the only weekend I can come down.

Dan

 

Great to hear everything is working out so well

 

just fyi the Stage 4/stage 5 PCM reflash is the same... so techincally your stage 4 , until you get the smaller pulley/ported blower

 

FYI, I really don't give a **** what number my kit is. The car hauls ass!

My PCM says Stage5 on the back, and last I saw the Stage 4 was a 2.7". Since I was to have the 2.5", all I was missing was the ported housing. I thought I'd say it was in between 4 and 5.

The numbers I care about are dyno and track times, I'll keep you guys posted.