I know some of these questions have been asked in the past but just want to be sure about them.

1) What is the reason for programming the temperature lower? Is a different thermostat required?
2) When it is talked about tuning for a certain octan what ranges are there? Does it hurt it to run a lower actan than what the programming is?
3) If I switch to different tires over the winter do I need to reprogram for the other tires? Can I do this with a hand programmer without hurting the overall tune?
4) Speaking of hand programmers, why not just do all these things with the hand programmer? Won't it work just as well? What advantages are there to having someone else do the programming?
5) Is there any special programming needed for occasional towing of a boat weighing about 3,000 pounds.
6) Saw some discussions about injectors? What does that gain me.

That is all I can think of at the moment. Thank you for the help and have a nice day.

Bill

Bill, unlike a lot of forums, you won't got a lot of search-nazi-ism around here. It keeps the place fresh and moving, and new members feel more welcome and invited. Nothing worse than a new guy getting the third degree for asking good questions

1- Lower temps are all about keeping detonation away. The hotter the engine runs, the easier it is for the fuel to detonate- or pre-ignite. Nothing can damage an engine quicker. You MUST run what you are tuned for. I ALWAYS recommend a 180 t-stat at a minimum, and even a 160 for the hottest conditions. But, if you make no other changes to your factory cooling system, you'll usually not see any great changes !!

2- Generally, there is 87/91, 89/93 and the HOT tunes, 87/89, 89/91 and 91/93. When running a regular dual octane, it can run on either grade with no problems. A HOT tune is designed to run on the higher grade, the lower table is there for back-up in case of extreme conditions or bad gas. You DO NOT want to run less than what you're tuned for.

3- If you switch tires for winter, you'll need to recalibrate only if they're a different diameter, and only if you want the speedo to be accurate. If it's only temporary and you can live with it... you can probably live with it. Yes, IF YOU"RE CAREFUL !!!, a handheld can change your tire diameter w/out effecting the tune.

4- Handhelds are paperweights compared to custom tunes. They are generic devices made for everyone. Custom tunes are 100% calibrated to their owner, no two are the same. Tuners are able to go in and change so many more tables than any handheld allows it's owner to do, there really is no comparison.

5- Yes, your tuner would need to know this in advance.

6- Wester's Garage offers flow-matched injectors that can offer even more power and economy, and even longer engine life. Factory injectors are known to be unbalanced, sometimes up to 30% or even more. They are all manufactured to a given tolerance. No one then goes thru and hand picks them and puts them in sets. That's what Wester's does. He has hundreds of injectors, he ultra-sonically cleans all of them, wet-flows and tags them all and you get a set that is +/- 1%. You get a smoother idle, better throttle response, a more balanced engine, better power and economy, and they are a bargain compared to aftermarket injectors. And, like all Wester's products, they carry a lifetime warranty.

I hope that answers your questions. Look in the vendors sections for even more info on all this and more, and this some good info in the tech section.

Now... go use the dang search button !!!!!

Bill,

I just got the tune in the week before last and love it! The power is great, and shifts are better and smoother, but I don't know about what mileage improvement will be.

I put the injectors in yesterday. The engine is much smoother running, starts with authority, and seems to respond more quickly. Exactly what I was looking for.

I tow more than you do, my trailer is 6000 lbs, and haven't had any problems with the modifications.

Next will be the Cold Air Intake (CAI) for more power and mileage. Then I'll get electric fans to replace the mechanical one that is so loud and robs the engine of power. GM probably uses them 'cuz they're cheaper.

I won't get the throtle body bypass due to the cold weather in michigan.

Finally, I haven't read about anyone here in a colder environment getting the lower temperture thermostat, so I don't think I'll be the guinnea pig on that one. I like my heat HOT in the winter!

Hope this helps...

Thanks to everyone for the answers. Looks like this is something I should definitely do.

Oddball,

Next time I come back to MI to visit family we should try to get together for a beer or something. I have a mother-in-law in Rochester and my mother in Perry.

Have a good day.

Bill

That sounds good to me !

If you come before you do your own tunes I'll let you give Big Red a test drive so you can see what you're missing!

I work in Auburn Hills, right next door to Rochester. So let me know where and when!