$300 to spend....

[Lazzman]

Hello, I have $300 to spend on upgrades to my 98 SOHC sport. I was thinking of either going with a Volant air kit or a Bamachips tuner. I think I would get more out of the tuner but am not quite sure. I know they work best together but I only have the funds for one at this time.

Which will be a better investment for power and acceleration?

 

[aldive]

By all means, a tuner should be in your plans ( and you can't beat the quality and service Doug provides ).

However, to get the most from the tuner, it might be best to have an intake and a cat back exhaust.

Good luck ....

 

[Lazzman]

I understand Al, I plan on doing the whole boat when I can raise the funds. But for now you are suggesting the tuner? If so, that was might thought as well.

 

[aldive]

I understand Al, I plan on doing the whole boat when I can raise the funds. But for now you are suggesting the tuner? If so, that was might thought as well.

If I were you, I would drop an e mail to Doug Studdard ( bamachips@gmail.com ) and get his input.

Good luck and let us know what you are doing.

 

[briwayjones]

I would get a intake first. If you get a tuner first everytime you add something else, intake or whatever you will need to get your tuner reprogrammed to take advantage of it.

 

[aldive]

everytime you add something else, intake or whatever you will need to get your tuner reprogrammed to take advantage of it.

With SCT programmers, there is no reason to have them reprogrammed to use a new tune. The "tuner" such as Bama Chips, for example, writes your new tune and e mails it to you. You simply load the file ( ,xtr ) into the tuner and from there to your truck.

 

[bmxking5]

^^What briway said. You might be able to even get an intake (KKM, etc) AND a cat-back exhaust with that amount of money.

 

[Lazzman]

I spoke with Bama chips the guy was super cool. He said it would not matter weather I got an intake or Exhaust after he sent my tuner, the tuner is already set up for that type of stuff. Only need reprogramming for major deals like camshafts etc...

On the dyno Bama got 200 horses at the wheels with his tuner, as opposed to 178 hp for a stock V6 SOHC. Both had no mods. I hear an intake can add about 5-8 rear HP and increases throttle response and makes the engine sound nice I definately want to do all three; exhaust, intake, chip that would bring it to about 215 rwhp or there abouts.

Thought the bama tuner is great you still have to use premium gas to get it to perform at its max, thought it will still give increases with regular and plus gas.


I've got 4.10's outback so my sport is a natural runner with the 5 speed auto, though it gets about 15 mpg which hurts me pocket.

 

[briwayjones]

With SCT programmers, there is no reason to have them reprogrammed to use a new tune. The "tuner" such as Bama Chips, for example, writes your new tune and e mails it to you. You simply load the file ( ,xtr ) into the tuner and from there to your truck.

That's what I meant.

 

[Blee1099]

screw performance.. lift it and throw some 33s on it

 

[snocross1985]

screw performance.. lift it and throw some 33s on it

werd

 

[aldive]

On the dyno Bama got 200 horses at the wheels with his tuner, as opposed to 178 hp for a stock V6 SOHC. Both had no mods.

I hear an intake can add about 5-8 rear HP and increases throttle response and makes the engine sound nice I definately want to do all three; exhaust, intake, chip that would bring it to about 215 rwhp or there abouts.

Thought the bama tuner is great you still have to use premium gas to get it to perform at its max, thought it will still give increases with regular and plus gas.

200 RWHP with no mods? Wow.

I have an intake, custom catback, and electric fan and I got just under 200 RWHP with Doug's tune ( see chart ).

Further, take a look at the second dyno sheetl this is with a tune for 89 gas and a C & L MAF.

 

[Lazzman]

That's interesting, I think he said a mail order tuner will get you around 192 rwhp and he tuned one on a dyno with just a little tweaking (timing etc...) to get 200 rwhp. This guy really seems to know his Explorers.