do they do the same thing there as what the handheld tuner does? or better?
basically, i realized i know i guy whos bro owns a shop... he'll dyno tune my car for $80. but i waasssss gunna get a handheld but now not so sure.

 

a dyno tune is much better, but you still need an actual chip, like the SCT so the guy can tune it. I really wouldn't worry to much about getting a dyno tune unless you have quite a few things done to your car. I'm gonna wait until I put come cams in before I actually put it on the dyno.

 

A handheld tuner will do next to nothing for you without some kind of datalogging, which is rather expensive, and EEC tuning has a significant learning curve especially with increased mods or forced induction.

Get her on a Dyno, especially for that price...with Air and Fuel and let them do their thing.

Good Luck,
Philip K.

 

Handhelds are worthless pretty much... all they're good for are gear changes.

Get the dyno tune, its worth it.

 

so they cant use the stock computer? any suggestions on which chip to get and why?

 

You can use the stock computer or get a chip. Either eay. If you use the stock computer, they simpy re-flash it just like a hand-held programmer does with a cutom tune. A chip is a better way to go because you get more options. Some chip allow for multiple tunes (octane options, for racing options, nitrous etc...). If you stick with the stock computer, you have no choice but to use whatever single tune he creates for you.

IMO, if you don't have a lot done to your car and the guy is just charging you $80, then just have the computer flashed. You can always add a chip later.

I prefer SCT chips, but you are limited to whatever your tuner uses. If the guy is not an SCT dealer, then you have to used something else anyway. A good tuner is worth his weight in gold.

SCT Chip + Bad Dyno Tuner = Crappy Tune

Some Generic Chip + Great Dyno Tune = Great Tune

If the guy does his job and your car is pretty much stock, this is what I would expect.

1 - 3 - 8 more hp.
2 - Better idle
3 - Smoother performance
4 - Optimized and smoother a/f

Is that worth $80? I would say so. Plus you get a cool graph.