Aeroforce + custom tune OR DHP/HPT?

[Elite6]

Looking at putting a 3.4 pulley on the car & figure I need an aeroforce to monitor KR at a minimum - car likely won't ever exceed the 3.4 setup
Aeroforce gauge + custom tune will run me about what DHP/HPT would i think

I am concerned a little bit about the tuning aspect as I have no experience with it.

Options:

A) No Aeroforce + custome tune 3.4 (most cost effective but can I have piece of mind with my mods?)
B) Aeroforce + custom tune 3.4
C) No Aeroforce + DHP/HPT

I am assuming the DHP/HPT could perform all the Aeroforce functions but I guess I would need laptop in car to see instantaneous KR & the such?
Need some advice here

[DanPrixGTP]

I have a 3.5 setup without an Aeroforce, currently.

I had one, until it broke and do not have the funding in the mean time.

Here is what I do. I bought the Torque app, and Torque OBDII connector, and scan for KR with that for the mean time. It is quite accurate, and will give you very good idea what KR you are seeing. All for roughly $30.

I scanned my car with Torque so many times. In cold weather, in warm weather, 0-60 pulls, 60-120, 40-80, blah blah blah and see what kind of KR I was getting in all ranges. I never see more than 2*

So now that I know what KR I am getting, I don't turn my torque app on everytime I drive.

I do not recommend never getting an Aeroforce. But in the mean time, while you slowly save up some pennies for it, just do what I do, or something along those lines.

[GTPpower]

Your best bet would probably be aeroforce and a box tune. At your level, you won't really gain much from spending the money on a custom tune. Having an aeroforce would be good though, because you will more than likely be seeing some knock.

[slimguns]

Torque app ($5), box tune ($150), and DHP ($200)! Use the box tune bin as your starting point and fine tune from there.

Im sure you are under the cost of an aero force and custom tune with the above.

[darkhorizon]

Torque app ($5), box tune ($150), and DHP ($200)! Use the box tune bin as your starting point and fine tune from there.

Im sure you are under the cost of an aero force and custom tune with the above.

why would you pay money for a "tune" file?

[slimguns]

If he doesn't feel comfortable starting from his base file. It was just a variation of his thoughts.

With that he could spend some time looking at the differences and learn what was changed, find out why, modify/fine tune to his vehicle. I have thought about doing it myself when I put my top swap on just to get me started and drive able. Maybe I'm alone in this but there isn't (or I haven't found it) a whole lot of beginner information for us who are just starting, not full time mechanics, but want to know enough to comfortably tune. I figured I'd get one as a foundation and move from there. Please point him and me in the right direction if we're missing something.

I am aware of Jerry's notebook but there isn't a whole lot of whys in there, just do this.

[Z34Phoenix]

there are plenty of people running around these forums willing to help people tune. I have helped a few handfuls of people understand the basics of tuning and even helped via email with bin corrections from data logs they made and explained why the changes were made so they could learn to do it.

I believe having a scan gauge in the car is very very important. But being able to actually change the tune and do something about the problems that are found are just as important.

I originally was just going to buy an aeroforce. I had a friend that strongly recommended the powertuner. He offered to help me just learn and do my first few tunes. This was all the push I needed. Back then there was about an 8-9 month back order for the tuner. In that time I saved up more money and got the aeroforce anyway. Watching the live data every data helped the learning curve and prepared me for when my tuner showed up.

there is also the less expensive option of the ScangaugeII they have them at autozone even and are about half the price of the aeroforce. you will need to research and add in the PID for KR and fuel trims but it is still a great unit. I had one after my first aeroforce died of old age and florida heat. It now lives in my wifes lancer and I once again have the aeroforce. (sent it back for repair and upgrade)

[Elite6]

Ended up getting an Aeroforce as a starting point, even if I get a tuner in the future (unlikely however) I will still feel more comfortable seeing some variables without having the laptop present. Now that I have the gauge, I am seeing some bad stuff... new thread to be created.