True specially if you dealing with newer setups like a turbo,sc,nitrous using fuel injection, you can't live without a pro tune job done, there is only so much you can do at home with a laptop.

Wow, very nice! You should've posted here sooner



More wow! Outstanding!! You should post some more (and bigger) pics.


Yeah, I've been doing my own tuning with HPTuners - plug into the DTC port, using a laptop. Nice package: flash tuning, diag, scanning, etc., and there's even several repositories for BIN (flash) files so you can download and exchange tunes (within the limits of the HPT license).

A buddy of mine in town had a tuning shop with a dyno we used to abuse all the time, but most of the pro shops like Norris/NLP charge a decent amount of change (though it's worth it if they're also doing the tune).

BOB ~ Did you see my ponderings about keeping the current ride and getting crazy?

Yea, TTZ I like the sound of that. That would be some ridiculous power. Do you know anyone personally who has put the tt set-up on a C5Z?

i have a 1997 mercury villager. mint condition. 0-60 in 1.5 min. lol. family car (van).

Yes, probably one too many in fact who are all always telling me to do it. My buddy with the TTXi setup did a DIY install, forged his LS6 (just polish/peened the stock crank, saved like $1000) and on pump gas puts down ~700RWHP.

Quite a few folks with superchargers too - a guy I know did the newer Kenne Bell setup for the C5 - full polished, looks amazing and it's a positive displacement setup so it has TRUCKLOADS of low end torque.

There's a few good TT kit solutions out right now - APS has a beautiful setup, looks very OEM-ish, bottom mount (alot like a Lingenfelter setup). A few other kit setups like TTX, PTK which is an amazing looking top mount (heat is a little bit of an issue). STS also makes a rear mount kit which is a pretty clever design - I have a friend with a GTO with that kit - basically moves the weight where it should be (to the rear) and eliminates thermal issues. Downsides are more lag (though a correct cam setup and upgraded BB turbos helps) and a little bit of a dodgy oiling system.

If you keep the boost down you can run these on stock motors and even do like a Meth injection system for some extra insurance. You figure you sort of have to factor in the potential for a new motor though - upside is a forged 347 is pretty cheap, and for not much more you can do a forged 402 (stroked LS2).

Yeah, there's something insanely fun about FI, even if it's not really usable and not the most conducive power for road track events (though I did run my Supra a few times.

We have Wheel to Wheel here, Huge LS tune shop all the guys in my F-body club "camaro's and firebirds" take the LT and LS motors there when a home tuner just wont do.

They have plenty of twin turbo vettes and fbodys supercharged and 3 stage nitrous LS cars running around great with their name attached. My buddy just finnished up his 2002 Trans am Twin turbo they only charged him 500 bucks for a complete tune but its so perfect that its well worth the money... And it comes with a lifetime warranty. And additions beyond that new cam's heads ect. are also a cheep add on to the price. Just something about a 1200hp car with a perfect fuel air mixture across all rpm's that make you want to cry.

My tunning still consist of a timming light and a a screw driver so my pocket book hasn't felt that much abuse when it comes to tunes.

Just exchanged PM's with the owner of a local shop - I've been hearing good things about them (especially in the tuning department which is critical). They're moving to larger and *closer* digs over the next couple of weeks then I'm going to go chat them up. This is huge as I thought getting more radical with the mods was going to require a trip (trips) to Orlando which is about 2 hours away, vs. this shop which is < 30 minutes away.

I have several parts sitting around in boxes (I don't know how many times I've bought, sat on, and re-sold killer deals without even using them). I think I'm going to go for it with the current ride, but incrementally. Just not that super thrilled with the cost of a "new" one, that was somebody elses ride and stock.

My tentative plans (with car related stuff, it could change in 10 minutes) are:

HPE-S cam (it's pretty stout )
ASP Pulley (going to key the crank as well - one less thing to worry about)

I have a set of PRC .660 springs ready to go too (full spring kit), however, I have them sold if needed, and would then do a set of Stage 2.5 PRC LS6 heads. If you compare cost of just springs, vs. a new set of P&P heads (with springs) *but* selling your stockers, the price delta isn't all that much (and then you're not leaving an easy 50HP on the table).

Port match LS6 Intake, cleaned up, matched TB.

New clutch - thinking a Spec Stage 3, Tex X, something that could hold 600+ HP and would work for the above setup or even a moderate FI buildout.

Note this would compliment my existing aftermarket intake, air bridge, LT headers, and modified Ti exhaust.

Then I want to pitch all the plastic FRC's, relocate the coils/brackets, and get some custom valve covers - make the motor look like a proper SBC (vs. the plastic-o-rama that is the bane of all modern engines).

The never ending car drama continues

a proper picture with the settled coilovers

I know this is pretty minor in the mod department - but I installed this billet bracket for my V1/Radar-D. It's custom made for C5 (C6 models too) - it bolts in under the inner visor clip and holds the unit up high and nice and rigid. It makes it super easy to remove too without having to hassle with a suction cup style clip/base.

My power is run using a hardwire block, so the whole install is super clean and OEM-ish.

I was trying to get a hold of this: (cell phone pic, sorry for the bad quality)

but my grandad left it to my uncle
He said he would sell it to me but I don't have $3,000

What year is that Ranchero/Falcon? Looks like it's in pretty good shape.

I thought you where a ford guy? lol

1962 Ranchero for sure.

Wow, that is a very sweet ride! Especially it being a "family" car too. You should try to work out something, or at least make him hang on to it till you have the funds.

There was a **HOT** custom Ranchero (about the same year) at a hotrod show in Orlando we showed at - had a 5.4L supercharged motor (from a Cobra I believe), some beautiful engine detail, etc.

In DT mod news

I just worked out a trade for some new IForged - I was out of the black look, but have been hating the maintenance of polished wheels. So I was planning on chrome, but didn't want quite that much bling. So a guy wanted to trade some IForged Aero's for the same spec/size SP500's (which I currently run). He's going to PC my SP500's black with a custom red lip! Figured it was silly to ruin a 3-piece wheel.

They're 3-piece, gloss black centers, chromed lips, big brake offset and with the clearcoated painted centers and chrome, the maintenance should be wash and dry!

Straight trade too, pretty damn schweet

i pimp hard in this LOL