jaydub Mach1 Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 I'm the original of my '07 SGT and it's been my daily driver since day one. I'm interested in getting a Brenspeed, 'Bama, etc. tune. I have searched the forums on getting a tune and there seems to be two camps. Some who swear by them and others who don't think they're much of an improvement. I was wondering if other daily drivers have installed a tune and what their experience is with them. I was concerned that some of the effects of the tune such as drivability might be acceptable on a weekend car, but not a daily driver. Does that make sense? Thanks in advance!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoggiebhr Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 I run a Bama tune on my daily driver. I'm running a 93 octane "Hybrid" tune. Throttle response seems to be much quicker, the car sounds great and is a ball to drive. I haven't had any negative experiences with the tune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harristotle Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 I would not bother with a tune if you're basically stock. I've got headers and it's not a daily driver and I'll be getting my first tune probably in the next month or two. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tpow96 Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 I would not bother with a tune if you're basically stock. I've got headers and it's not a daily driver and I'll be getting my first tune probably in the next month or two. I agree. I saved doing a tune until I added some serious mods like headers. Now it is at 310 rwhp with the stock longblock. So if you are planning for any mods in the short to mid term, you don't want to spend twice. Note that I'm talking custom tune not a canned one. I was told to go with a reputable shop to do it and now completely agree. It sounds and feels great. -Tom Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffJ Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 (edited) However if you go with like a Bama tune, they will continue sending you tunes through E-mail as you make modifications to your car, (like gear changes, cold air, etc.) Now if you go from NA to Supercharged, then the free tunes stop. But if you start with a basic tune from Bama, they will continue supporting you with tunes through basic mods. At least that is how it worked before. I believe it's still the same through American Muscle. When my car was stock, I picked up over a half a second in the quarter with a basic Bama tune. Of course with the automatic, the tune made a huge difference in the performance shifts of the trans. It was great. Still drove like stock in casual street driving. I loved it. Of course, way beyond any of that now! Edited July 3, 2013 by JeffJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrBhp Posted July 3, 2013 Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 A good tune will make the car much more driveable, not less. I just had mine dyno tuned yesterday. The difference is amazing. A canned tune "may" make a big difference, or not. Every car is different. It certainly will not hurt driveability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydub Mach1 Posted July 3, 2013 Author Report Share Posted July 3, 2013 I run a Bama tune on my daily driver. I'm running a 93 octane "Hybrid" tune. Throttle response seems to be much quicker, the car sounds great and is a ball to drive. I haven't had any negative experiences with the tune. Thanks guys for all the replies !! yoggiebhr, When you drove with the Bama tune, was the engine stock? I haven't done any mods to the engine. Also, since I live in Commie-fornia, we can only get a boutique blended 91 octane gasoline. I'm guessing that that will also impact the improvement with the tune. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frank S Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 For anyone who is attuned to the performance of a car, the tune is like icing on the cake. Any of these cars has more performance than anyone really needs; the tune will just make it more civilized in its relationship with the driver. I had a Bama tune on my stock 2009 GT/CS, and even though it was expensive, I liked it in proportion to the improvements, and did not regret the investment. When I added the FRPP "Bullitt"-style intake and the accompanying ProCal tune, it was another improvement. The Bama tune will go on right over the FRPP tune, and made the whole thing more like a symphony of harmonious adjustments. More power, better driveablility, nicer sound from intake and exhaust, even a little better MPG on the highway. A Bama tune on a stock car is worth it. A Bama tune on a bolt-on CAI and exhaust is better yet, but the tune on a stock car is more than satisfactory for most uses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yoggiebhr Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Thanks guys for all the replies !! yoggiebhr, When you drove with the Bama tune, was the engine stock? I haven't done any mods to the engine. Also, since I live in Commie-fornia, we can only get a boutique blended 91 octane gasoline. I'm guessing that that will also impact the improvement with the tune. My car is basically stock. The only thing that I've done drivetrain wise is switch out the stock CAI tube with a Steeda intake tube. I also did a muffler delete axle back exhaust. I don't believe either mod would have any effect on the overall performance of the car. I'm very lucky to live in the south where 93 octane is available just about everywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry T Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Bama tune ... and I am very happy with it !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FordRocks1 Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 I've been running a 93oct canned tune from BBR since my car had 4k miles, now it has 54k and she's a daily driver. The throttle response is much quicker, only mods are steeda intake tube and SLP exhaust.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cobramach1 Posted July 4, 2013 Report Share Posted July 4, 2013 Having had a "canned" tune on both my stock '00 GT and stock '04 Mach 1 both cars had much better throttle response and you could tell a difference over the stock tune. It made these cars more fun to drive. I highly recommend going with a tune even if your car is a DD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaydub Mach1 Posted September 11, 2013 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 Finally bit the bullet and bought the 'Bama's 3 canned tunes with the SCT tuner from American Muscle. My car was 100% stock as far as engine mods go. Since I live in Commi-fornia, I only have access to 91 octane. So, I put that in for all three tunes. For me, I'll always use 91. I first loaded the performance tune. That certainly woke up the engine. It has a quicker response to throttle inputs. I also found more pull, lower in the rpm range. Well, as luck would have it, I got a notice a few days ago.that I needed to get a smog check with this year's registration. So, back goes the stock tune for the smog test. While driving to the check station, the car was noticeably more sluggish. WOW. Here I thought for all of these years how could a tune improve the Shelby tune. Well, the performance one did for sure. Now that it passed smog, I'm not sure which other tune (Street or Race) I will reload. Anyways, for me and my daily driver, it was a big thumbs up!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffJ Posted September 11, 2013 Report Share Posted September 11, 2013 Glad to hear you like it! I just got the SCT Bama Tuner for my Roush V6. That with the cold air intake really woke up the V6 more so than my Shelby did. What's nice also, is that if you make modifications, you just let AM know and they will adjust the tune and send you three new tunes via e-mail. I'm now changing from 2.73 gears to 3.55's and can't wait to see that increase in performance. Waiting to get my e-mail with the new tunes for the gear change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SGT3477 Posted September 28, 2013 Report Share Posted September 28, 2013 Friend at SCT hooked me up with tuner and tune. i love it. DD. mainly seems to just give you 20% throttle at the 10% mark(guestimate/example for conversation).. that's what i feel.. much more reaction to little pedal changes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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