Dyno Tuning in the Bay

[yellowkyd278]

I'm torn between whether to take my car to FFTec or Speed Element to tune. Anyone have any experiences with either SPECIFIC to tuning? I know FFTec is amazing at everything else and I know Speed Element is pretty much the Evo go-to shop in the Bay.

For the record, Speed Element is cheaper than FFTec.

 

[GreddyGst]

I haven't checked out Speed element, I can give you my experience though with FFTEC. Tuning plays a big role in any car, a bad tune could lead to blowing your motor so I recommend going to where it has been proven...I made a lot of hp on a stock motor without blowing it up and I'm pretty sure if I took it anywhere else, my chances of blowing up would of been higher . I use EMS for stand alone so I couldn't have done it with like an AFC..I'm pretty sure Sean is one of the few AEM EMS Certify tuners in the bay and Sean explains what's going on etc..something no other shops do. Just make sure you have no bad leaks or any problems that could lead to delaying your tuning session.

 

[yellowkyd278]

Yeah my conundrums a bit more complicated than I stated before.

Before I take my car in for the tune I needa get a few more parts in (FMIC, 1g Throttle body, Cams). I have no problem with the FMIC and TB but the Cams I will not do myself.

FFtec wants $400 for the cams installed. I think that's pretty ridiculous
Speed Element wants $300 but if I tune there they'll down it to $230
RRE wants $180 and they're arguebly the best shop on the entire West Coast

I live in the Bay but I go to school in LA and will be returning on the 8th of Jan.

I guess if this doesn't work out I'll drive the car very carefully back to LA and have RRE install the cams and tune there.. but I'd prefer not.

So that's the story.... now what?

 

[AWDGSX415]

Yeah my conundrums a bit more complicated than I stated before.

Before I take my car in for the tune I needa get a few more parts in (FMIC, 1g Throttle body, Cams). I have no problem with the FMIC and TB but the Cams I will not do myself.

FFtec wants $400 for the cams installed. I think that's pretty ridiculous
Speed Element wants $300 but if I tune there they'll down it to $230
RRE wants $180 and they're arguebly the best shop on the entire West Coast

I live in the Bay but I go to school in LA and will be returning on the 8th of Jan.

I guess if this doesn't work out I'll drive the car very carefully back to LA and have RRE install the cams and tune there.. but I'd prefer not.

So that's the story.... now what?

Take your car where you think is best, if you want FFTEC, Speed Element or RRE that's up to you man. *GreddyGst* is only suggesting you take it to FFTEC because they are a proven shop that can tune dsm's very well. I have also have had my car tuned there yes they are good at what they do. As far as pricing goes every shop has it's own price for me I had my cams in my car installed and tunned 3 years ago for $460.

If you decide to go with Speed Element then by all means go to Speed Element. I don't know any DSMers that have gone to that shop so I can't comment.

And finally if you decide to take your car to RRE drive carefully, I don't know if RRE has a Dyno though I think they tune on the street or take it to a local Dyno shop for tunning. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

[arash15]

Take your car where you think is best, if you want FFTEC, Speed Element or RRE that's up to you man. *GreddyGst* is only suggesting you take it to FFTEC because they are a proven shop that can tune dsm's very well. I have also have had my car tuned there yes they are good at what they do. As far as pricing goes every shop has it's own price for me I had my cams in my car installed and tunned 3 years ago for $460.

If you decide to go with Speed Element then by all means go to Speed Element. I don't know any DSMers that have gone to that shop so I can't comment.

And finally if you decide to take your car to RRE drive carefully, I don't know if RRE has a Dyno though I think they tune on the street or take it to a local Dyno shop for tunning. Good luck with whatever you decide.

road race engineering doesnt have a dyno, they street tune a street over from the shop. scott gray will be doing the tuning and hes pretty good at what he does.

 

[AWDGSX415]

scott gray will be doing the tuning and hes pretty good at what he does.

I've seen vids of his car fast clean ride.

 

[yellowkyd278]

I appreciate the suggestions, keep 'em comin!

I'm about to knock Speed Element out of the running just because I only know of Evo guys that have been there. I've had work done at both RRE and and FFTec and I'll be the first one to stand behind both shops. Sean was my go-to guy when I lived out here. At RRE, Rob does all the DSMLink tuning, Scott does the AEM, S-AFC etc... As a shop, RRE recommend street tuning becuase they believe it provides better drivability. I'm sticking to they dyno for this one just cause I'd really like to see a number at least once. If requested, they do have access to a few dynos at a dyno shop like one of the earlier replies mentioned.

Tough choice. I rolled the dice driving up from LA, hopefully I'm not left on the side of I-5 if I decide to bring it to RRE.

 

[RedTurboEclipse]

RRE said $180 to install the cams? Thats pretty good, most quotes I got were up to the $400s. Was that just cams, or the tb and fmic also?

We all know RRE's reputation, I guess it matters on where you are at the current time, and if you are willing to pay the extra amount up here. FFTEC has a lot of good rep from the dsm community here.

 

[yellowkyd278]

Yeah... both are top-notch or I'd have an easier time choosing . I think i'm gonna suck it up and pay the extra. It's such a bi*** driving around in LA. Plus I needa get a smog done after the tune so sooner the better.

180 just for the cams. I checked the site and it says the same thing too. If they would do 180 for fmic, tb and cams I'd push my car to LA if I needed to

Thanks guys, more suggestions would be great.

 

[Module Unknown]

Smog after you install everything and tune the car? Is the car not running right now? If it is, I'd sooner smog it closer to stock form than after adding aftermarket parts. What cams are you planning to install? I barely passed smog with my HKS 264's.

...and to stay on topic, my vote goes out to Full Function.

 

[yellowkyd278]

Without a good tune I'll fail smog miserably. However, tuning without everything in would be senseless. Cams shouldn't be a problem since they can't put me on a dyno.

 

[FFTEC]

Are you sure you were quoted $400 for only a cam Install? Sounds like you got the price for the cam install and new lifters. Just email me direct with what you need done. I'll email back a fully detailed estimate. [email protected]

 

[90GSTBoosted]

Reading this thread reminded me I might need to get a good tune on my car before I go for smog in July. I found a place where I will pass the visual inspection without a problem but the rest is what's worrying me. I can't get a good tune with my wideband and I even have the stage 3 keydiver chip. I think the best thing is to take care of all bost leaks, even if you think you don't have any.