So, as it randomly turns out, i live very close to Vector Motorsports. I was thinking of getting one of the new Roto-Fab CAIs, but now all of a sudden I'm considering a tuneup as Vector is only about 30 miles away from my house. At this point in time, I can only afford to get one or the other (a tuneup or a CAI). If i got a tuneup now, I'd certainly get the CAI down the line (maybe 3-4 months), and vice-versa.

Which should I get first and why? Thanks!

Get the tune first and then CAI. I say this since you may need to recalibrate the ECM to correct the Air/Fuel ratio after installing the CAI. If you do the CAI first, its possible you may run a tad richer than necessary costing you some HP.

If it were me, I'd get the tune first. You'll see bigger benefits out of it, particularly as they take care of the transmission as well. And then when you do get the CAI, stop by again and they'll tweak whatever needs to be done to make sure you are getting the most out of it.

Now, if you were getting this done through the mail, and depending on a new ecm vs shipping back and forth and such, I would probably say get your CAI, and any other things like that you're thinking of first, and then get a tune that incorporate knowing you have them all. But for a 30 minute drive, it's easier to get the tune tweaked later, and bigger bang for your buck now. But that's just me...

So, as it randomly turns out, i live very close to Vector Motorsports. I was thinking of getting one of the new Roto-Fab CAIs, but now all of a sudden I'm considering a tuneup as Vector is only about 30 miles away from my house. At this point in time, I can only afford to get one or the other (a tuneup or a CAI). If i got a tuneup now, I'd certainly get the CAI down the line (maybe 3-4 months), and vice-versa.

Which should I get first and why? Thanks!

So, as it randomly turns out, i live very close to Vector Motorsports. I was thinking of getting one of the new Roto-Fab CAIs, but now all of a sudden I'm considering a tuneup as Vector is only about 30 miles away from my house. At this point in time, I can only afford to get one or the other (a tuneup or a CAI). If i got a tuneup now, I'd certainly get the CAI down the line (maybe 3-4 months), and vice-versa.

Which should I get first and why? Thanks!

I can't speak for Vector Motorsports, but I would check into a package price for both. They may cut you a deal! In addition, you get the support from them on both of the products. That's hard to beat since they are in your back yard!
FYI, should you decide to purchase the Roto-fab air intake first, it will perform well without the tune.
I've sent you a pm regarding your other ?s.
Mike

Do both! The rotofab kit is AMAZING, we'll be selling them here VERY shortly we are finishing final testing in the near future to get everything perfect on our end :)

I would get the CAI and then go and get the tune. That way they can tune for the CAI while you are there.

Or if they are selling them soon like they said, I'd get them at the same time.

The CAI is REALLY REALLY nice as well is the tune from VMS. You really can't go wrong either way.

I would get the CAI and then go and get the tune. That way they can tune for the CAI while you are there.

Or if they are selling them soon like they said, I'd get them at the same time.

The CAI is REALLY REALLY nice as well is the tune from VMS. You really can't go wrong either way.

That would be the ideal way to go wouldn't it. Unfortunately, I'm restricting myself to one option or the other at this point in time. I am studying for the bar exam all summer and as such will not be employed for the next 3-4 months. Trying to keep my expenditures down. I'm going to be in the Clinton Township area today, so i guess ill get the tuneup on site and let everyone know how that turns out. When I rejoin my firm in the fall, ill be able to get the CAI without worrying about $$$.

Do both! The rotofab kit is AMAZING, we'll be selling them here VERY shortly we are finishing final testing in the near future to get everything perfect on our end :)

Does this mean you guys aren't going to produce your own CAI?

If you are tight on money dont get either. You will need a tune after the CAI to get it set up properly. Wait until you can do both IMO.

If you are tight on money dont get either. You will need a tune after the CAI to get it set up properly. Wait until you can do both IMO.

How did you come to that conclusion? Maybe you missed the rotofab post were it showed significant gains WITHOUT a tune?

Check out the " NEW Roto-Fab G8 air intake kit!!!!!" thread. There are 1/4 mile improvement tines as well as dyno info. All were done WITOUT tuning. The rotofab CAI is nothing more than CHEAP horsepower.

My 2 cents:

Get the tune from Vector. As part of their service, minor tweaks to the tune, like for intakes, exhauts, etc. are included in the base price for the tune. All a re-tune will cost you when you add the CAI later is either:

Shipping to send your ECM to them and back to have the CAI tweak loaded,

or

Shipping, both ways, for their FlashXpress cable that will allow you to load the tweaked file yourself via the diagnostic port. I used the flashXpress and it was easy and worked great.

How did you come to that conclusion? Maybe you missed the rotofab post were it showed significant gains WITHOUT a tune?

Check out the " NEW Roto-Fab G8 air intake kit!!!!!" thread. There are 1/4 mile improvement tines as well as dyno info. All were done WITOUT tuning. The rotofab CAI is nothing more than CHEAP horsepower.

Well I would assume that changing the intake from the horrible stock box to an effective open element would change some readings around and that you would want to get another tune to squeeze all the hp out of the car.

Car A. Tune first, CAI later.

Car B. CAI and then a retune after.

I would guess that Car B would be better off. Not saying CAI is bad, but I would rather do some mods on the car and have them tune it based on what I have than to tune and mod after. First thing I'm going to do is intake/exhaust THEN a tune. Car sounds waaaay too quiet.

Well I would assume that changing the intake from the horrible stock box to an effective open element would change some readings around and that you would want to get another tune to squeeze all the hp out of the car.

Car A. Tune first, CAI later.

Car B. CAI and then a retune after.

I would guess that Car B would be better off. Not saying CAI is bad, but I would rather do some mods on the car and have them tune it based on what I have than to tune and mod after. First thing I'm going to do is intake/exhaust THEN a tune. Car sounds waaaay too quiet.

Yes, but Vector allows you to:

Tune first, then if you get the CAI at a later time, bring it back in for a retune at no additional cost.

I live 30 miles from Vector, so I don't have to worry about paying for shipping, only the gas price of 60 total miles. I got the tune today, I probably won't pony up for the air intake until later this summer. Vector is going to carry the Rotofab CAI, so when I get the spare $$$ I can just go back, buy the Rotofab CAI from Vector, have them install it, and get a matching retune all in one visit probably taking a total of 30 minutes.

For now: I am very happy with the tune. I noticed a difference immediately when i opened it up on the highway on the way home. The transmission is silky smooth now. I can't begin to describe how much better the transmission is now compared to 4 hours ago. I'll report back on gas mileage after I have a chance to get a good estimate.

Remember, the dyno tests on the TUNE ALONE resulted in:
30.3 more horsepower
32.7 more ft. lbs. of torque
Approximately 3 more miles per gallon!

The tune alone produces far greater results than the CAI alone. And I get free retunes for the life of my car!

That is exactly the way I thought would be best.

Oh well if they retune it hell yeah go for it dude.

Do both to maximize the effect !!!!!

Yes, but Vector allows you to:

Tune first, then if you get the CAI at a later time, bring it back in for a retune at no additional cost.

I live 30 miles from Vector, so I don't have to worry about paying for shipping, only the gas price of 60 total miles. I got the tune today, I probably won't pony up for the air intake until later this summer. Vector is going to carry the Rotofab CAI, so when I get the spare $$$ I can just go back, buy the Rotofab CAI from Vector, have them install it, and get a matching retune all in one visit probably taking a total of 30 minutes.

For now: I am very happy with the tune. I noticed a difference immediately when i opened it up on the highway on the way home. The transmission is silky smooth now. I can't begin to describe how much better the transmission is now compared to 4 hours ago. I'll report back on gas mileage after I have a chance to get a good estimate.

Remember, the dyno tests on the TUNE ALONE resulted in:
30.3 more horsepower
32.7 more ft. lbs. of torque
Approximately 3 more miles per gallon!

The tune alone produces far greater results than the CAI alone. And I get free retunes for the life of my car!

30 more HP AND 3MPG more?!!! Why the frig doesn't GM retune to these specs if true? Gosh with carmakers scratching for MPG, this car would look amazing with 390 hp and 18/27 MPG instead of 361 and 15/24.

If this gas and power can be verified by users, sign me up.

BTW, would this violate the warranty?

Yes, but Vector allows you to:

Tune first, then if you get the CAI at a later time, bring it back in for a retune at no additional cost.

The tune alone produces far greater results than the CAI alone. And I get free retunes for the life of my car!

If that's the case, then I'd say doing the tune first was the right choice.

]BTW, would this violate the warranty?

That's why you buy the ECM outright and if something comes up you just swap it out for your OEM ECM. ;)

30 more HP AND 3MPG more?!!! Why the frig doesn't GM retune to these specs if true? Gosh with carmakers scratching for MPG, this car would look amazing with 390 hp and 18/27 MPG instead of 361 and 15/24.

If this gas and power can be verified by users, sign me up.

BTW, would this violate the warranty?


It's already been verified by numerous users, search will show you alot of feedback. The reason they dont do this from the factory is so you can run 87 still.

It's already been verified by numerous users, search will show you alot of feedback. The reason they dont do this from the factory is so you can run 87 still.

It actually does bring up a good point about the factory tune. With all of the talk over CAFE regulations, getting every MPG would be important. Owners that are getting a high HP V8 should be more than accepting of using 91+ octane. Especially if it got them better MPG.

Fascinating....just fascinating. I saw some number on another thread and it appears that you save money running premium due to higher mpg.

with gas at $1 per gallon, an extra 30 cents for premium is a lot. with gas at $3, 30 cents more for premium isnt such a hit.

Thats the exact same logic I use when people make fun of me using premium. In southern california its around $3.69 for 87 and $3.89 for 91, thats like what 3% difference?

So what would I do first tune then the Roto-Fab CAIs and the Magnaflow exhaust OR do the Magnaflow and the Roto-Fab CAIs then the tune???

Does anyone know where there is a dyno in the Saint Petersburg Tampa area??

Do our FlashXpress retune and CAI first as that effects the tune.

IMHO the CAI is way over rated. Most do it because it is a very simple install and it doesn't cost that much money.

With my GTO, my first mod.was drag radials, tune, then Lingenfelter CAI. It seemed that having a "Lingenfelter" part on my car was cool.

Actually I didn't see much improvement with the CAI, certainly not enough improvement for the $250 or so spent.

Get the tune first.

If you surf this thread (http://ls1gto.com/forums/showthread.php?t=114824) you will see that my hot rod guru HRJ seems to think about the CAI. Maybe this thread will help you out.

Good luck!

30 more HP AND 3MPG more?!!! Why the frig doesn't GM retune to these specs if true? Gosh with carmakers scratching for MPG, this car would look amazing with 390 hp and 18/27 MPG instead of 361 and 15/24.

If this gas and power can be verified by users, sign me up.

BTW, would this violate the warranty?
Unless I'm mistaken, that 30HP gain was RWH. So my guess would be around 400HP at the flywheel.

SCREW THE TUNE AND CAI!!!!

Go for the World famous $66 exhaust mod!!!!
(sorry penguin had to...)

On a serious note though...

I would get it tuned from someone IN PERSON...

it might be the same price or even a lil more but at least you know what you paid for and you get actual dyno runs/graphs not just some generic tune...

to each their own...

A tune will free up about 12-16rwhp or so hp, 30+ is an outrageous claim of BS.