michael23v

iTrader: (2)

I want to get HP tuners and start getting involved in the whole tuning process of my car. Couple questions though.

1. How hard is it actually going to be?
2. Is it really easy to make a change that is way off and destroy's my car?
3. Is it best to let someone else tune it and not worry about it?
4. If i unlock my car is it only on my version? or can it then be tuned by someone else who also has HPT?

Sorry if these are "dumb" questions. But any other information you guys have or advice is always appreciated.

I have done some "searching" through the forum and have got some information but i was thinking this would be an easier way to keep it all together in one spot for me.

Currently I have a 2010 Cobalt SS with GMS1, ZZP catted down-pipe, K&N SRI.
It was Trifecta tuned but the turbo went out (not blaming the tune at all) and was replaced under warranty. I plan on adding more mods in the future and now that Trifecta is charging for every re-tune, at least that's what i hear, I would rather get something that gives me more flexibility.

Thanks ahead of time for the help.

Turbo6

I've not tuned with HPT so take this as a grain of salt, but tuning from scratch is hard if you don't know the car. Lots of formulas and math would be involved. But you always have a car's stock tune to start with and tweak. If money isn't an issue, buy HPT and get started. As long as you have a baseline tune to start with (and back that file up somewhere first!) you can tweak the VE/MAF/Fuel tables ever so slightly after you do a 15 minute drive of dataloghing. It's not hard. When you see a lean/rich condition you use the fuel tables to correct and if you have bigger hiccups it involves tweaking the timing curve. It's more technical than it sounds. Go to a dyno and ask to watch someone tune on their laptop.

I'm cranky about spending $500 for HPT just to tweak someone else's canned tune. But if you drive the car in climates where weather fluctuates A LOT it may be worth your while to buy it to make it drive smoother. WOT boost tuning is easy, it's the cruising and coasting part of tuning that is annoying to workout the kinks. Good luck!

yellowsupercharged06

iTrader: (3)

buy hpt and have one of our accredited members send you a tune file.

dont try it on your own lol

michael23v

iTrader: (2)

if i dont buy it though then i have to have someone come and actually flash the tune for me, but if I buy it then they can just send me the tune and I flash it?

What about as i upgrade mods? Basically i wont be changing everything at once and i want to update the tune as i get the part, but not pay to re-tune every time.

yellowsupercharged06

iTrader: (3)

Yea if u buy HPT a tuner sends u a file, you upload then log and send tuner the info. He then tweaks it until ur spot on.

Usually you pay lets just say $250 for a tune, the. If u upgrade ur tuner should send u a new tune at no to little cost, and u do the process over again.

michael23v

iTrader: (2)

So essentially the same thing that trifecta would be doing?

Is HPT really that much better?

2000Firehawk

Yes...

With just a few parts:
K&N air intake kit.
Turbo-Tech engine mount.
Cored out 2nd cat.
Lighter wheels/rotors/slicks

E47 HP tune = priceless
12.39 with a stock automatic, & daily driver.
30 MPG highway, if you can stay out of boost...

michael23v

iTrader: (2)

ok, last question then.

I know, or read, that i should go with the pro version.. but should i buy the whole thing new? or is used ok since it is basically just software?

Iam Broke

iTrader: (10)

If you are only tuning your lnf you don't need pro. The lnf has a wideband o2 so you don't need the aux inputs for one. If you plan on tuning any other cars, get the pro now to save the upgrade cost later. New comes with 8 credits,/ if you buy used, prob not. Each ecu generally burns 2 credits when licensed. You can read a tune without licencing but not save or edit. You will need to load the stock tffile before you read entire the ecu with hpt or it will fail to read.