I have been talking with Alen from Nelson Performance about a tune and was set on getting it. Now I have been reading a little about TunerCat and would like the ability to read and clear codes plus tune but I don't anything about tuning. What would you guys do. I need to make a decision in the next day. I have a 2002 1500HD 6.0 liter. What is the difference in a 91 octane vs a 93 octane fuel tune. My mods are UPD,K&N filter, true dual exhaust with flowmaster suv 50 series and magnaflow x pipe, TOG headers, 05 e-fans. Which way should I go?? I'm just afraid I won't be able to get as much gain if I don't go with neslon.

JK

 

a nelson tune will get you plenty of performance. if you are going to do it on your own then you will have to be very patient and learn.

 

Having been all routes you mentioned and then some, go ahead and get the software to do your own tuning. You will appreciate it MCH more and learn a good bit doing it. Mail order tunes are hit or miss, and the bad thing is you don't know if yours is a hit or miss unless you have ways to log it, but by then, you may as well be doing your own tuning.

 

Go with Nelson

 

If your in a hurry, get a custom tune. If you are not and have some time
to learn get HPTuners.
If you have lots of cash get both.

 

Having done my own tuning for a couple of years, I'd say its the only way to go for me. Its not hard to get started. You can ignore most of the options and start with simple proven changes like tire size, gear ratio, speed limiters, etc... Then work on other specific things as you have time to learn.

If you go this route, you can pay a smaller fee to a tuner like nelson and have them email you tune updates that you upload yourself. That means faster response and no fed-ex'ing PCMs back and forth. You'll likely end up with a better tune since you can log the results afterwards and can email them to the tuner. This takes out the guesswork.

 

What he said! Emailing tunes in my experience is really nice...kinda puts a professional tuner on your advisory board...keeping you on track with your own tunes. (BigTex's point with loggin')Just keep in mind they make there money on mail orders and respect the fact that your updates are free with Allen. BIG PLUS! Get a Nelson tune first and then save $ for your own tuning later. Allen will support you as well...it was his PCM in the first place. You WON'T regret it.

 

BUY THE SOFTWARE! It is the only way to go. It is slow starting out, it is time consuming, but it is worth every single bit of it. The amount of knowladge you will gain is insurpassible. You will have enough support here from the guys that any issues will be resolved quickly.

I will guarentee you that a mail order will never net the gains you will after some experience tuning. It is just impossible. They will get you in the general area but never be able to fine tune the way you could.