Tune worth it with minor mods?

TopGear · Mar 4, 2013

Hey all, looking for opinions/advice. 1996 Camaro SS M6 with 160k miles. Cars runs great and seems to have good power, although falls off a little at higher RPM's (5k or so). I know the fuel pump was replaced at one time.

I am planning to install new Alex's valve springs and Comp Cams Magnum 1.6 rockers. Only other mods for now will be air foil, TB bypass, and 160 thermostat. I want to keep the stock SS CAI and SLP cat back 2OLS exhaust.

Am I on the right track with these? Would I benefit at all from a mail order tune at this point? I have no immediate plans for cam swap or headers.
Are the stock SS intake & exhaust considered legit "CAI & Cat back" systems when ordering a tune?

Thanks for your help, great site! :thumbsup:

KW Baraka · Mar 4, 2013

TopGear said:
Tune worth it with minor mods?

A tune is 'worth it' if you were completely stock.

Do your mods.....and get your tune

.

KW

TopGear · Mar 4, 2013

Good point KW...can you tell me, will 1.6 rockers make any perceptible difference in performance in my case, or could I save the $$ and just put it towards the tune?

1_black_LT1 · Mar 4, 2013

At 160k, your injectors can easily be responsible for loss of power, and your computer is trying to compensate. Just something to at least consider.

Viper · Mar 4, 2013

Just new valvesprings will make a performance difference. 1.6 Rockers good for about 10HP above 4800RPM.

LT1 - High Mileage - Reliable Build, How-To - GM High-Tech Performance Magazine

WS6.COM LT1 Trans Am

shoebox · Mar 4, 2013

I would consider a full roller rocker, rather than just the roller tipped Magnum. More bang for the buck, IMHO.

1993Hawk · Mar 5, 2013

A tune is worth it. especially since you are going with 160 stat. A tune will have the cooling fans come on sooner utilizing the 160 stat. The 160 stat will work with out a tune but is only effective as the car is moving. When in traffic or stopped the temperature will creep back up to stock temperatures. With the tune the fans will come on at a earlier temperature and keep the motor cool.

TopGear · Mar 6, 2013

Would a budget roller rocker be good enough for an otherwise stock engine? Thinking something like this:

Proform Extruded Aluminum Roller Rocker Arms 66915 - SummitRacing.com

Not sure about the stock valve covers clearing these, and would an LT4 knock module be required?

I guess if I have to make a choice between the rockers and a tune, the tune would come first...

shoebox · Mar 6, 2013

Nothing Proform, please. The quality is just not there. Rockers are not something you want to skimp on.

Double Aught · Mar 7, 2013

I'm planning on a tune for my resto mod and the only aftermarket items on the motor will be LT's and a CAI. Of course, a few things will be disabled but still going to get it tuned.

TopGear · Mar 7, 2013

I guess I should have done a search on "Proform" before posting! OK, definitely won't skimp on the RR's...think I will keep stockers for now, and be happy with the new valve springs and a tune.
Double A, are you going for a mail order tune?

Double Aught · Mar 7, 2013

TopGear said:
I guess I should have done a search on "Proform" before posting! OK, definitely won't skimp on the RR's...think I will keep stockers for now, and be happy with the new valve springs and a tune.
Double A, are you going for a mail order tune?

Well if the guy at LT1 Swap does those, I have him do it at the same time as he disables certain things on the computer that I won't be using.

Mystery Bird · Mar 7, 2013

You can pick up a used set of 1.6 full RR's for about $150-200 on the forums. Mail order tune for your situation is just fine.

Tune worth it with minor mods?

Top Contributors this Month