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steeda cold air intake
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Posted by: jens05stang

Ok, heres the deal. I installed a steeda cold air intake and my engine light is on. The intake book tells me I need to get the engine tuned. Is the only way to do this is buy some tuner that runs 350-400$? Or can I take it to a shop and have them tune it? The next question is. It was supposed to increase my hp around 15 or so. Did this happen or will it not work until I have the engine tuned? Finally, the engine is running fine, will this hurt my engine until I get if tuned or will it be ok? Thanks for any help
J

Posted by: Donna

I just installed the JLT CAI and the instructions say, Do not run the engine without the tune. You can damage the engine. The CEL light is on basically because its running lean.
I bought a SCT X-Cal2 tuner with mine. You can go to a performance shop and get them to tune it for you, but you will have to always run whichever grade fuel it is tuned for. My SCTX-2 came with 87, 89 and 93 octane tunes.

Posted by: Jimp

Yes, you need a tuner. You should have known this before you even bought it. They are pretty implicit about it on their website. Tune required! You need to take it back out until you get a tune for it!

Posted by: OldFart

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna

I just installed the JLT CAI and the instructions say, Do not run the engine without the tune. You can damage the engine. The CEL light is on basically because its running lean.
I bought a SCT X-Cal2 tuner with mine. You can go to a performance shop and get them to tune it for you, but you will have to always run whichever grade fuel it is tuned for. My SCTX-2 came with 87, 89 and 93 octane tunes.

Good advice Ms. Donna - as usual.

Here is some more advice:

Make a few phone calls and shop around for a performance shop that has a dyno and does custom tuning. I've found there is a pretty broad range in custom tuning prices. Some shops charge upward of $400 for a dyno and custom tune. I've found others that charge around $100 for the same service and the end result was better than the expensive tune.

With a hand-held tuner, whether you opt for one octane tune or another, the air/fuel ratios are going to be close, but not optimum. After all, the hand-held tuner has to get the ratios close for a broad range of different CAI's (unless you purchase a hand-held with the CAI and then it should have a custom or near custom tune for that particular CAI).

With a custom tune, the tech will tune for your specific car, however it is set-up, and the end result will be considerably better than a mass produced tune for the masses.

However, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you communicate your expectations to the tech. These guys can work miracles with the tuning and give you pretty much what you want - so long as you clearly communicate what you want. Don't expect them to read your mind.

If want to continue using regular, or if hi-test is ok, or if you want maximum horspower and high-end torque, or if you want a better performing daily driver. Whatever. Just make sure you are clear about what you expect. Otherwise you will likely end up with a really good drag race tune that isn't necessarily a good daily driver. (And that's ok if that is what you wanted.)

Good luck,
OldFart

Posted by: jens05stang

Thanks all and Jimp, I know I need the tune, if you read my post it was asking about ways to get it done not if it needs to get done, so ur answer was no help at all, to the others I say thanks, I will check a HP shop in my area.
J

Posted by: jens05stang

Ok, Im going to order the predator tuner. Can someone out there that has one tell me how user friendly it is. Will I be able to figure it all out?

Posted by: Mac

It's not hard at all to use and figure out. I got mine included when I bought the C&L intake package. Came preloaded with performance tunes to run several different levels of performance, based on octane used. I did take the car into a local dyno shop to get the most fuel ecomony/power when using 87 octane. As long as you get the Predator from Steeda, preloaded with their tune to match their intake, you should have no problem.
Dave in Wisconsin

Posted by: OldFart

Quote:

Originally Posted by jens05stang

Ok, Im going to order the predator tuner. Can someone out there that has one tell me how user friendly it is. Will I be able to figure it all out?

You'll find the Predator tuner is pretty idiot proof (and I'm not implying you are one - just that the Predator is pretty simple to operate).

You don't even need to read the directions (although you should). Just plug it into the factory test port under the steering wheel (with the key in the off position. It will even tell you when to turn the key from the off to on position.) Use the up & down arrows to cycle through the menu and select what you want and follow the on-screen directions - you can't go wrong.

And Mac's advice was good. To insure you have the correct fuel/air ratio's you need to either get the Predator from Steeda - or get a custom tune uploaded into the Predator after you buy it. Otherwise you are still risking damage to your engine.

Good luck,
OldFart