Any interest in bringing GTM to houston for tuning?
 

Disclaimer- this is all still very fluid, no details on cost, may not even happen, etc.

I touched base with Sam at GTM last week to see if we could bring him out for a tuning weekend sometime in Q1 2013. He's still got to get back to me on the number of people he would need for it to be cost effective for him to come out. He's willing to do it given enough interest and lead time. I would think all the TX FI guys would be jumping at the chance to get him out, especially guys with GTM kits. I've always felt more comfortable with a dyno tune rather than an e-tune. There's just some fine-tuning that can only be done with the tuner on site, rather than several thousand miles away. So, who would be interested?

I would be, I need to get my tune updated with the fans adjusted and dial in some settings. Need to order RTP before he gets here then.
My only suggestion is maybe we should wait a bit until VVEL tuning is 100% and then bring him down so if there is any benefit from that everyone can get it.

Agreed on the VVEL tuning. I'd bet there's a lot of progress on that front before next year. He and I had discussed coming out sometime in the first quarter of 2013, so we've got time.

Anyone? There's no way he's going to come out for two cars. If the interest isn't there, I'll drop it. I would imagine he'd need 7-10 cars to make it worth his time.

Houston already has great tuners, been getting my FI VQ's tuned here for over 8 years.....

I'm already running Sam's e-tune that was included in the turbo kit. I usually try to stick with one tuner. That way they're not starting from scratch each time. I'm also willing to bet GTM has built and tuned more turbo 370s than anybody local. If this falls through or the interest isn't there, I'll use someone local. I would just prefer to have the guy who designed the kit handle all of the tuning.

I can understand where your coming from, but tuning is tuning. Any local knowledgeable tuner can tune whatever FI application you may have, plus they know the weather patterns here, conditions, etc... I like to support local business, be it whatever local shop you choose(proud Texan). I know of a few shops that have installed/tuned GTM kits on 370's and countless 350Z's, among other twin and single turbo systems. If it falls through, I'm more than confident you can find a local tuner that suites your needs.

I've gotta disagree here. Not every tuner does things the same way. Some tuners would rather keep boost lower and make more power through fueling and timing. Some would rather be more conservative on timing and fuel, and raise boost. There's so many different variables that can be approached in different ways. At the end of the day, the product may be similar, if not the same, to the end user. That doesn't mean that the tune is the same. There's more than one way to skin a cat, and I'll bet if you asked 100 different tuners they would have 100 different opinions on the best way to tune a motor. That's why I've always picked one tuner and stayed with him, rather than go to a different tuner, with a potentially different approach. Hell, I switch doctors more easily than tuners.

If we can't get Sam out here, I'll pick a local guy and stick with them. I just wanted to try to get him out here since he's already dialed the car in 95% of the way, and the only way to get the last little bit would be for him to dyno tune it here.

Drive to UpRev and tell them to tune your VVEL too ;), they're not that far. Every kit GTM sends out has Sam's base tune w/ it, the local tuner can then build off of that. I could care less about the details of the tune, I simply ask that my motor not blow up. I'm all about the safe, conservative tune and keeping the engine intact. Good luck!

I'm in no hurry to get VVEL tuned until enough people have blown up their motors for tuners to know what not to do. I don't have the balls to be an early adopter of something that can go wrong so easily.

I hear you on that one, VVEL has many moving parts, easy for something to go wrong. Moderation and time is going to be key for tuners learning the new software and tables. My tuner will be messing with the VVEL tables next week after I finish updating my meth lines, etc... I personally like the old HR heads as they could be tuned w/ no issues. Pretty sure I'll be using HR heads w/ VQ37 bottom end when I build my spare long block.

As for the topic of the thread. Depending on what type of dyno Sam likes to use, I know a few shop owners that might be willing to lend space and use of their dyno for a reasonable fee. Getting a bunch of Z's together for a dyno day is always fun. Keep us posted.

was VVEL finally cracked?