Right on man. Good talk

 

what do you guys think of a tuner like this?
Hypertech Max Energy Programmer - FREE SHIPPING & $ave Now!

2003 Chevy Monte Carlo
Change Options Part Number - 32500
Premium octane estimated power gains: 16 hp and 30 ft. lbs. torque
Regular octane estimated power gains: 6 hp and 10 ft. lbs. torque
CARB emission certified
CARB EO: D-260-20
Adjustment capabilities:
Power tuning: 87 octane & 93 octane
Shift points: Yes
Shift firmness: Yes
Rev Limiter: Yes
Top speed limiter: Yes
Set tire size: 24"-30"
Rear gear recalibration: No
Fan adjustment: No
Check & clear trouble codes: Yes


16 hp doesn't sound like much, but a chat on there said you can reprogram as you add parts

 

from the chat on the site,
5:38 PMVisitor
no headers and exhaust are still stock, the intake was from my top swap plan, when I bought it it came with another S/C 3800, but it was to old and would needed some jerry riging so didn't do it
If I can find the right one I still might. will this unit also work on super charged
5:43 PMFrank B
yes this will work for you
5:43 PMFrank B
So for gains you are looking at 20-25 hp and 30-35 torque
5:43 PMFrank B
with that intake

 

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !! But an actual tune from intense, zzp, overkill or have it Dyno tuned. That thing is junk and does nothing! Speaking from experience, when I got my car is was stock, I got intake, mufflers for sound and one of them hypertechs, such a scam and waste of money!

 

wow, that is a strong opinion, so that means buying a tuned pcm for how the car is now. How will I make adjustments as I make changes? keep sending it in for updated tunes?
what are the costs?
There is a shop here that does tunes, $100.00 to buy vin and than what ever he charges ... have heard the largest part of his bill is the 100 vin charge

 

Correct, buy it for how it is and then as you add mods have it updated, this is why Dyno tuned are best if local. You would pay the $100 for credits and then his fee to tune. But the credits are a one time buy, after your pcm is unlocked he can make adjustments for ever so all you would pay would be the reflash fee

 

I suggest doing all your mods then tune and call it a day though. If your doing a mod that needs tuned immediately for the car to run (injectors) then buy and save them kinds of mods until you have everything then install it all and tune

 

so you don't think juicing it a little bit now will help with my motivation to build/mod?

My best case plan is to save until can take her to the race shop in Missoula and have engine, trans, axles, whatever done all at once but life seems to happen while trying to save that kinda cash
Maybe, I'll talk to that shop that does the tuning and see about a small gain and he can re-tune when better things are done, but the big goal of rebuild is in a shop 60 miles the other direction

was just thinking one of those might be handy to have, maybe I should just get a cheap code reader to clear the check engine light in the truck I will be starring at all winter

 

You can for sure get it tuned now and get small gains, but when time for a retune you will have to pay again that's all. If a different shop retunes it then you have to buy the credits again as well.

 

Lol, ask them if there is a money back guarantee of it doesn't pick up 20 hp / 30 tq because that's not going to happen.

If you want a way to tune it yourself, Powrtuners are selling used for less than that hypertech and HPT is only a little more expensive l. Both have vastly more tuning ability than something simple like this.

I'd ask yourself how serious you are about continuing to mod. If you don't plan to go much further get a canned tune from a vendor and call it good. If you plan to get more into it, a real tuning software package is the way to go.