Thread: First mod decision

Scanner, or Tuner FTW

Best to know what's happening with your mods right from the start

If you're going to keep modding, then don't waste $ on a PCM, just to need programing all the time

HTH

Id say downpipe, open intake(dont buy a wizair, just make one), then plugs/pcm.

I wouldnt really worry about a scanner till you add the pcm or try to drop a pulley size. Doing some little supporting mods isnt going to hurt anything.

So, you'd tell him to spend $150 on a PCM, to just buy a tuner later for $400 or more?
Why not put the $150 in a bank and save for the tuner???

Or, are you saying "No Tuner", and just get a stand alone scanner?

Kind'a,...
What about pulley?
Why not Headers, and not just a DP?
Plus, a "Box Tune" isn't going to match your car 100%...
JMHO

Originally Posted by 04CompG

ive got the extended warranty on my car. it still has 2 years or 71,000 miles, whichever comes first. right now ive got 28k on the car. I will go for the pulley and the serious mods once that ends. I hate beating on my car and I know if I go towards the serious stuff then im going to start abusing it. i will wait till it gets some miles on it and the warranty ends. Its hard for me to beat on a car that im still making payments on also.

I mean if I just get 2.5" downpipe, intake, plugs then a "box-tuned" pcm in that order I wont be doing any damage to my car right? and im going to see a good performance improvment?

Understand where you are coming on not wanting to go crazy with modding before the warranty is up... been there, thought I was going to do that.

If you do a 2.5 or 3" DP, plugs (no need to change these out really), Intake ( don't do the open cone - it's ricey plus there is a lot of good science as to why this makes no sense or HP), and a canned-tune (Overkill PCM is not a canned-tune, it is as custom as you can get w/o him being in your car), you SHOULD not have any problems that would void your warranty.

As mentioned by others at minimum you MUST have a scanner, if you are going to mod. Even the small things can have unexpected negative side effects.


Note: it is possible if you go with a DP and hiflow cat you may set a DTC on your 04...this can be taken care of when adding the PCM.

Originally Posted by 04CompG

I mean if I just get 2.5" downpipe, intake, plugs then a "box-tuned" pcm in that order I wont be doing any damage to my car right? and im going to see a good performance improvment?

Yup that is a solid game plan. You will feel a big improvement. Like IndeedSS said, Overkill's PCMs are not canned. He customizes it for your mods. You are getting the benefit of a guy who has LOTS of experience tuning these cars. He also has a lot more resources at his disposal. Like he says that he has worked with a tranny shop to get the line pressure set to be best for the tranny. Not something the casual tuner can do. I've have been very impressed with the tune I have. He can nail them down very well. He has a generous retune policy too. Retunes within 30 days only cost you shipping. You can send him scans and he can make changes if they are needed. Not everyone has the time or money for a tuner (and laptop if you don't have one). To learn how to tune is going to take hours and hours and you'll be burning a lot of gas too. I learned from my experience tuning carburetors that I much rather have someone else mess with that!

On the intake, I've got a Wizaired. It is a nice setup and I like it, but really there are cheaper alternatives. If you are on a budget I'd try something else and use that money for other go fast goodies.