Want to get my car scanned. Where? How?

[04CompG]

Hey everyone. This is a noob question. Also I'm not going to borrow or buy a scan tool and try to do anything do myself (paranoid).

I'm going add a the following to my car this year:2.5" dp w/hi flo cat, wizair CAI and PCM. I want to get my car scanned before I do anything to make sure its running right. Can I go to about any mechanic or dealership and have them scan it? Are they going to tell me the results or am I goign to get some kind of printout with results on it? How much does this cost on avg? Then once I add the 2.5dp and CAI I will want to scan again then add the PCM. A friend of mine works as a mechanic at a dealership (non-GM) in town and we have access to the facility every Saturday. Would the scan tool that I need be in there? If so I can get it done for near nothing.

Also, the same friend also does work on the side for a smaller local mechanic in town. about 3 years ago when i first got my 99 gtp he plugged this computer into the car and we drove around for a few hours and it was displaying all these readings. I'm assuming this is the scan tool? I'm not positive who it was made by but it was Red and im thinking Snap-On.

Thanks.

[TDCRacing]

the only reason you would want to get the car scanned before doing the mods that you listed is to scan for dtc's....That goes for any car just to make sure the car is mechenicly sound before you start modding it.If your cel light is not on your not going to come up with anything anyway.as long as the above conditions arent present you will be fine doing the mods you mentioned....the main thing people scan for when they say there ''scanning'' is for kr (knock retard) all the above mods you are doing will be helping get rid of kr not increase it vs. putting a smaller sc pulley on your car(then you would want to scan and make sure you have the supporting mods first

[TDCRacing]

Hey everyone. This is a noob question. Also I'm not going to borrow or buy a scan tool and try to do anything do myself (paranoid).

Thanks.

Dont be paranoid. all you do with a scan gauge is plug it in (inside the car) and look and see where your kr is at. 0 is ideal. if you continue to be paranoid you will learn nothing. carefull and paranoid are to different things.


here is a scan gauge (for gm engine parameters...such as kr) AeroForce Tech Interceptor OBDC2 Scan Gauges: 3800 Performance

[IndeedSS]

Scanning your car BEFORE you start modding is a good idea. The a pre mod scan you will have a baseline and be able to see what areas need to be addressed. A lot of stock cars have knock to begin with and it is helpful to know this ahead of time. It's unlikely on a stock 04 that you have any DTC's. IF you do, usually they are ones that don't matter...

No a dealership or 99% of the shops will not be able to scan what you need scanned. Befriend or pay another GP owner/vendor to help you out.

[Sabrewings]

Befriend or pay another GP owner/vendor to help you out.

Or Impala, or Monte Carlo, or Regal. You know that.

[TDCRacing]

Scanning your car BEFORE you start modding is a good idea. The a pre mod scan you will have a baseline and be able to see what areas need to be addressed. A lot of stock cars have knock to begin with and it is helpful to know this ahead of time. :

your right...the reason i said it like i did though is the mods that he is going to be putting on the car (minus the pcm possibly due to altered timing/fueling ect.) will not increase kr...but yea it would not be a bad idea at all to get a baseline on the car...thanks for pointing that out!!



p.s. just saw that post you did on your ''how to be an import''....funny stuff

[IndeedSS]

Or Impala, or Monte Carlo, or Regal. You know that.

What? There is a wbody besides the GP? Blasphemy!

[IndeedSS]

your right...the reason i said it like i did though is the mods that he is going to be putting on the car (minus the pcm possibly due to altered timing/fueling ect.) will not increase kr...but yea it would not be a bad idea at all to get a baseline on the car...thanks for pointing that out!!

If his car is too lean from the factory the yes even adding a more free flowing intake could cause more KR. What and how the MAF reads will/may change too. imo a scanner of some type should be first on the list of mods. However, most will not find buying a scanner to give the instant gratification an aftermarket part will provide, even if only psychologically.

[TDCRacing]

[QUOTE=IndeedSS;34382]

your right...the reason i said it like i did though is the mods that he is going to be putting on the car (minus the pcm possibly due to altered timing/fueling ect.) will not increase kr...but yea it would not be a bad idea at all to get a baseline on the car...thanks for pointing that out!!


However, most will not find buying a scanner to give the instant gratification an aftermarket part will provide, even if only psychologically.

sounds like me!! i forced myself to get one first though lol