I'm stock 06 auto GT (other than K&N drop-in filter). Hoping for more throttle response/ cable-type feel. I'm not too concerned about increasing horsepower, as it's a daily driver and I don't race it. I just want it to PULL more when I get on it, particularly in first gear from a stop. So what's the one best mod for this- tune w/o CAI, tune w/ CAI, 3.73 or 4.10 gears, underdrive pulleys, other? And if I do more than one, which order?

TIA

 

Most if not all of the canned CAI tunes address to an extent the laggy throttle issue. Before I added the S/C I had a C&L CAI with their tune and it really woke the car up. Throttle response was much better and the intake noise reminded me of the difference between a 2 barrel carb and a 4 barrel carb. IMHO it's probably the best seat of the pants mod short of a power adder.

 

Gears. I have a tune with CAI and it really didn't help much for low end.

 

I'd say 4.10s and a Bamachips tune.

 

Without a CAI?

 

No, with CAI. I assumed that was a given.

 

Just wondering if the tune alone makes a significant difference. Certainly seem like on these boards a CAI is a given with a tune. Anyone gotten tune only?

 

Hi there

When I fitted my CAI from Tunable Induction/Demolet and used the SCT canned tune the difference in throttle responce and pickup was very welcomes.

Then upon more research I tried both of Dougs performance and torque tunes which again further improved throttle response and the cars get up and go. I then tried Dougs race tune and that was it, absolutely amazing, instant throttle response that pulls really hard from 1000rpm all the way upto redline.

So from my own experience a CAI and Tune does wonders for these cars. So my advice would be a Tunable Induction CAI and Race tune from Doug at Bamachips.

Then the other very highly regarded get up and go tune is the gears and 4:10 is very popular on manuals and essentially makes you 1/2 a gear better off, so acceleration in 2nd would feel like it was 1.5 to try and make if easier to understand. Gears are cheap but need a pro to install wheras the CAI and tune route is easy to do yourself.

I am yet to do gears as I know nobody in the UK who can install them for me, but I'd love a set of 4:10's.

 

To address throttle response, especially in an auto, Dougs (bamachips.com)tunes rock. I'd imagine just the tune alone without intake would give the same throttle response improvement. For seat of your pants thrust, get gears. My automatic actually gets 3rd gear chirp with only Dougs torque tune and an aem intake, with 285's out back, no gears.

If ever I get some disposable cash gears will be my next performance upgrade.

 

A good tune will still be a vast improvement without a cai. I shaved over a half second on my 1/4 mile time with an Alternative Auto tune, But there are others that people rave about. I chose Lidio because I can drive to his shop and he will drive my car after a mod and make sure it is right.

 

Hey Rash,
I want to give you an answer to the second part of your question. (Throttle response) The best way to get a cable like response is with a good tune. Originally, I try the C&L intake with the Diablo canned tune. While it was much improved over stock, I was still not happy. Since I have an auto I switched to Lidio's tune from Alternate Automotive. He specializes more in the auto's than some of the other tuner's. His 93 octane?/C&L tune is awesome. No throttle lag/ No torque management/ and Overdrive doesn't kick in until 67 MPH. No lagging around in OD. His tunes are also a little more conservative than some. Bottomline, buy a CAI and tune together. The extra cost of the CAI is minimal and you might as well get the extra ponies. My next purchase would be gears. You will get alot of different opinions on what to go with but just look at what you are trying to achieve. 4:10's can be pretty steep for a daily driver if you do alot of highway driving. But they are great for drag racing and SOTP feel. You are just starting to mod your car. Just decide what level you want to achieve before you spend your hard earned money. I modded a 96 Cobra with supercharger and every go fast goodie available at the time for speed and handling. While it turned out to be very fast and handled like a slot car. It really was the last car I wanted to drive everyday or on a long trip. Best of luck with your mods.
Scott

 

Will I notice as much, if any, improvement with an 87, 89, or 91 octane tune?

 

The improved throttle response and the improvements to the auto trans will be the same with Lidio's tune for all grades of fuel. You will just lose a few ponies for every level of octane you drop. Because he pulls a few degress of timing out for each level. Can't tell from your signature what trans you have in your car.
Scott

 

Excellent advice Scott We should all keep in mind the number of miles we drive on the street compared to the track.

The Boss Hog

 

Hey Boss, good to here from you again. Yeah, I think it is just a live and learn kinda thing. The Cobra was the first car that I really had the money to build up the way I wanted. After it was all done, my wife hated even riding in the car because it was so loud and so stiff riding. Then, I go greedy with the supercharger. Up the boost to 10lbs and blew it up with only 6500 miles on it. Cost $7500 to rebuild. My approach with my 05 is definitely different. Now at 52 years old I can look back and see that the quest for power can blind us all. Let common sense rule.
Scott

 

Thanks for the all the helpful advice. I have an auto tranny, btw. It's my daily driver, 80% highway, so I won't get too carried away with mods. Sounds like a tune/CAI is my best bet, particularly since I bought the extended warranty - I like that I can reflash to stock before going in for service. Can't do that with gears.

Scott - how do you like the underdrive pulleys? What difference did they make? Did you install them yourself?

 

I did the UD pulleys and the Miezere electric waterpump together. I have had no issues at all from this mod and it definitely makes the car rev faster and it is good for between 15-18 rwhp. Not a hard job if you are a little mechanically inclined. Like I said my approach with this car is to try and free up horsepower that is already there not put extra load on the stock engine by going the power adder route. My next purchase is aluminum driveshaft. Again, by reducing rotating mass by 30 some lbs. the car will accellerate faster. Just my approach. Not for everyone.
Scott

 

Bamachip perf. or race tune plus a good CAI. Race tune is unbelieveable. Very touchy throttle.

 

talking about tune. Where can i found my 4 digit calibration code on a 2005 GT Auto ?

Thanks.
Can't wait to buy my tune.

 

Open hood, next to your fuse box on the left hand side, close to the radiator, there is a gray silverish metal box, about the size of a small book. The end is tapered toward the front of the car. There is a 4 alpha/digit code on the side of it on a small piece of white tape. That is your code you need for the tuners to put in your SCT.

Hope this helps.

I would say go with Bama torque tune and if you have the bucks, go with 3.73's ( I have heard that it is best for autos) and OMG the torque.