Newbie looking for help with tuners...

Apr 13, 2009 | 12:37 PM

FormulaZR

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From: West Texas

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Newbie looking for help with tuners...

Hey guys, I'm totally new here and to MB's in general. I just purchased a used 2003 CL600 with 28xxx miles (haven't even picked it up yet). My background is mostly with F-bodys (Camaro/Firebird) and with those cars I knew who the good tuners were, and who was "smoke and mirrors." But, with the MB, I have no idea. So, I'm looking for advice...preferrably from people who have real world experience with various companies/tunes. So far I've looked at Renntech and Evosport/Powerchip. There appears to be about 30-40 hp and $3000 difference between the two, which would you guys recommend? Also, are there others I'd be better off considering? I'm still trying to get over the fact that a "cookie cutter" tune on an MB is 5-10x the price of a wideband dyno tune on an LSx car, is that just because there isn't the demand for the tuning on MB's that there is on LSx based cars? I don't expect the CL to have the same straight line performance as my Firebird, but I'd like something better than stock. Also, what is the "safe" power limit for the factory shortblock, transmission, and rear end?

Thanks,
Zach

Last edited by FormulaZR; Apr 13, 2009 at 12:56 PM.

Apr 13, 2009 | 02:31 PM

Bo CL500

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CL500

Quote:

Originally Posted by FormulaZR

i have PowerChip in mine, it cost me, i think about 750.00. they are located in Orange County.

Apr 13, 2009 | 02:33 PM

FormulaZR

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Joined: Apr 2009

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From: West Texas

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo CL500

i have PowerChip in mine, it cost me, i think about 750.00. they are located in Orange County.

The quote I got from a Powerchip distributor was about $2400, who'd you go through to get that price? Also, are you happy with your tune?

Apr 13, 2009 | 05:27 PM

Bo CL500

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CL500

Quote:

Originally Posted by FormulaZR

The quote I got from a Powerchip distributor was about $2400, who'd you go through to get that price? Also, are you happy with your tune?

this is their phone number (949) 646 1026 and web address http://www.powerchipgroup.com

they are the ones that created the program and then they sell it to the distributors so this is why you got quoted that price, but this is going straight to the source.

i am happy with it, the car is more responsive, quicker and i get better MPG, thats if i drive it the same way. in the city MPG improved by about 1.2 MPG and on the highway almost 4.3.

i have a CL500 but the numbers should be the same for the 600.

give them a call and let me know what they say.