This may be of interest to the Ontario Members, I brought my
automatic in to Martin near Bowmanville so he could custom tune it. The cost was $400 Canadian. Here are my thoughts on the process. First off let me tell everyone I think in my opinion it is worth the money, for another $400 may as well let all the ponies out right. But to say it is a big difference I would be over stating the facts.
When i first got my SSR it was a pleasure to drive what I did notice was it seemed boggy when i hit the gas also the Tranny would hold the shift too long, you know it would almost over rev before shifting to the next gear. It would not spin the tires at all with or without the traction control, as it is an 2005 with the LS2 I assumed it should at least be able to spin the tires. I was Advised by POPPA to pull fuse # 27 so the computor could reset itself, i also installed an amsoil air filter and removed the MAF screen. Well this made a big difference the SSR no longer seemed boggy and it would spin the tires in first gear. So if i had not first done this I may have noticed a bigger difference after the custom tune.
What I noticed immediately after the custom tune was that the gas pedal is now very responsive, more than before, touch it and the SSR immediately responds there is no lag at all, also the tranny shifts quicker, not harsh at all just quicker. Martin Explained to me that I need to drive it for a few days until the program gets fully installed in the memmory, I do not really understand this but I believe the way he programs it the change or reprograming is a gradual process taking approx. 200 miles of driving to fully install, this being said I have not yet seen the final difference. Yesterday I took it for a rip Martin told me I will notice it getting stronger everytime I take it out until I get approx 200 miles on it, he also told me the harder i drive it the quicker it will learn the program. So I drove it like i stole it, for about 1/2 hour was suprised no sign of it overheating this is also a benifit but did manage to burn 1/4 tank of gas in 30 minutes me bad LOL. Anyway My SSR did seem stronger, it managed to get a squak out of the tires when it hit second gear that never happened before also it seemed stronger right up to 120MPH when I backed off, he removed the speed limiter but I was only on a narrow road and it got to 120 real quick, so i did not want to push my luck. My foot tells me the
is quicker, more responsive, shifts better all in all I like it. I'm glad i did it but just want to let anyone else that may get this done that it likely is not going to make a huge difference, put this way I'm sure you the driver will notice but doubt your passenger would. I feel it on the gas pedal more than anything.
Martin is in the process of getting a DYNO, he claims that this program, I had the "hot 93 - 94 octane " installed should add 52 horses at the flywheel I have my doubts so far that it increased by this much, but it did increase some, enough that I would not want to detune it. Martin also advised me that he does not eliminate the traction controll all his settings are within manufacturer specs so you don't have to worry about warrenty issue's also the motor & transmission will run cooler and should last longer driving under whatever conditions I would normally drive. I believe this as i stated I pounded it hard yesterday and no heat issues it never even got to 210 which before it ran at all the time.
Also Martin is very pleasant, and will retune it again and again if your are not satisfied, this is all he does and word of mouth is his advertising so he aims to make all his clients happy. So I would recommend Martins tune for overall driving preasure but if you think it is going to make a huge difference you might be disappointed, my SSR right now would blow the doors off of itself from 4 weeks ago so that makes me happy but its not going to knock off the vettes or vipers out there, I also think it may have some benifits not related to speed such as tranny shifts being quick thus reducing heat and the engine running cooler all in all I recommend it . If I notice any further improvements, in the next 50 miles until the tune is fully installed i will keep you posted. When he gets his Dyno I will bring my SSR in and see what the actual numbers are.
Martins phone # is 1-877-838-1717 or 1-905-438-1717 or
www.mgscustomtune.com he is a gentleman. Also while I was at his shop he told me about a place nearby that repairs bent rims, wish I knew this 2 months ago
www.rapidwheel.com
Anyway hope this info is useful
The Saint
