I was thinking of getting a custom dyno tune via email from Lightning force performance. But I was wondering how good are the tunes. Has anyone tried mail order tunes?? I just can't afford a real dyno tune right now.

 

You can get a dyno tune, or a mail order tune. No way to get a mail order dyno tune.
Most reputable tuners can get you close via mail order if mods are common. A little performance will be left on the table.
Jim

 

As Jim said a GOOD Tuner can get you pretty dam close, I used mail order tunes for 3 years with great success on the old 02 Lightning. (RWTD + JLP)
A Lightning with the basic pulley and filter Mod is something JDM, JLP, PSP, or WMS, can tune to with their eye's closed, but once you move up from there
a Dyno Tune is the only way to go.

Pick your tuner wisely....

 

I got my first tune from Troyer Performance.
Dyno'd after and it was spot on

 

As long they are safe to run. My mods are Ported Eaton, Extrude Hone Upper Plenum, 12" open air filter,cat back exhaust, and C & L Power pipe. I wanted to buy a Diablo Sport cause it has the pulley tune, and at least 2 or 3 pound pulley so I can use that tune. Right now with no pulleys Its doing 11 psi at red line.

 

"Mail order tunes" are generally somewhat "safer" today for Lightning than many seemed to be 6-7 years ago. I had several from JDM years ago and had no prpoblems, but there is no such thing as a completely "safe" tune though the mail. There is always some risk as the "tuner" must "assume" your engine is in proper operating condition - which includes all your electronics. Once you put your chip into your computer, the tuner has no way of knowing if it's really doing what it's supposed to be doing, or not: he has no way of knowing whether "your" computer is properly reading his chip, or not: he cannot tell if your fuel system is properly functioning, etc. He can tell these things on his dyno, but not in his office 500 miles away. So thats the risk you always run. If you have to get a mail order chip, the best thing to do is personally contact the tuner so you can talk to him a bit and he can get a good feel for the condition of your engine and what you expect out of the chip for what you want it to do.

 

True, but sorta not at the same time.

A datalogging AFR gauge can record vital stats in real time, on the street, and the data can be sent to your tuner for adjustment of the tune. This can all be done via mail order, and in my mind's eye, comes very close to the utility of a true dyno tune (I've never had either done, so my mind's eye is all that I can rely on).

 

Im also thinking about getting a mail order tune. I call JLP, PSP, and a few others and the best place money wise was JLP for 375 with a programer. Now if you already have a programer then it would be a lot cheaper but thats the place that is going to get my business.

One question for thoses with programers and know more about them is it true that with the sct you cant change the tune yourself like you can on the diablo?

 

sal did mine on my old 04 and it was pretty much on point when i had it dyno tuned

 

Just my thoughts:
I had PSP Dyno tune my '04. First, second and third attempt the truck ran dangerously lean at WOT... While on Sal's rack we find the flex fuel lines twisted around themselves. That is how the truck came from the factory. They supplied enough fuel for normal driving, but at WOT... huge restriction...
If I went with a mail order tune... I would be singing a different tune and be a member of the vented block club.
Not that I'm trying to scare anyone away from mail order tunes. I contacted SVT immediately and they told me there were no other reported cases of constricted fuel lines...

Just my two cents...

 

As far as I know, using the hand held SCT XCal2 for example, generally you cannot alter the tunes placed on there by a tuner. If the tuner sells it to you with the adjustment features turned "on," you can make some additional adjustments on top of the tune from the tune supplied in hand held device, but it does not alter the initial tune as supplied by the tuner. SCT set their device up this to honor the tuners "proprietery information" on their tunes.

Now you can do a lot more with the SCT Pro-Racer package.

 

Just go to JDM for a mail order tune, It will be right on the money.

 

A dyno tune would be nice, but all the good tuners are 2000+ miles away!

 

Mail Order;

 

Same here, My mail order tune from Troyer has been on the truck for 3 years....but I have never checked it on a dyno.