I was at a car meet today and I met a guy that mentioned a tuning shop in San Diego that specialized in the vq engine that offers tunes for $250. Unfortunately, he forgot the name of the shop :/ Anyone know this place? Or any reputable tuning shops that offer tunes around this price range?
Thanks

 

Pretty sure the license costs more than that, anything that is tailored to your car will certainly cost more

 

No REAL Uprev tuner is going to tune for that price. I would be very cautious...

 

Welcome to the forum JackM - I would second / third what's been aforementioned.

Tell us about your car? what your goals are? what modifications you've done thus far?

You get what you pay for - I would go to a tuner that has experience with both the platform and the engine and has documented success and longevity on the engines.

Now maybe the tuner that was mentioned at the meet is $250...but does that include uprev (or whatever tuning platform/license) does that include dyno-time? what other costs need to be accounted for?

$250 'could' be two or three hours of a tuners time (which is probably sufficient to tune a NA VQ, add some flames/snap/crackle/pop, and optimize fuel/timing) but I doubt that includes anything else.

For reference - my tune back in 2016 on a TT w/my haltech (essentially dyno time and the tuner) was $750. Most recently Fall of 2017 my remote tune was $600 and 2hrs of dyno rental ($125/hr).

 

Hi bealljk, thank you for your thorough response. My car is a 2003 350z touring, with a 2005 engine with roughly 130k miles and an 06 transmission with unknown miles. So far, I have been slowly adding various bolt ons. I am a college freshman so I have a rule where I only buy one car part per paycheck, which is all I can really afford. This is why I was excited when I heard about a tune that cheap. My Z is my daily, it has a blox plenum spacer, ebay test pipes, ebay Y-Pipe,popcharger, ebay oil catch can, ISR catback. That is all as far as performance. I change my oil religiously every 3k miles, recently have changed the spark plugs and checked compression with good results. The motor is very healthy, and I'm just looking for some more power for this car. It is my first Z, and so far my favorite car as far as looks, sound, and driving experience.
On another note: Love your build!! I followed you on insta and saw your Z. Very cool. One day my goal is to have a huge garage with a street car, a drift car and a track car, and DEFINITELY a twin turbo/single turbo Z. Thanks again for your input!

 

Sure thing … I only buy one part per paycheck too...

If you want more power it'll be by the means of a turbo or a supercharger … save up $2500 and put a rear-mount turbo setup on it if you want a cheap and relatively reliable FI solution to get 400hp.

Thanks for the kind words … remember 'one step at a time' … I would stop modifying your car where your at and just save your money (get up to $3000 to $3500) and do a solid turbo kit (feel free to message me and I can help walk you through it).

Furthermore, let your focus be on earning money so that you can stay in school, graduate on-time, and get a well-paying job (and do your best to stay out of debt). Once you get that great job and you're earning good money - setup your housing cost, investing, living, etc money and you'll have more disposable income to throw at whatever you want. This time in 3 or 4 years you'll know much more about the car and what the best way to do your build.

 

Sound advice, you’re good person.

I spent over 100k on modifying my G35 when I was 22, I wish someone would have explained compounding interest too me at that time.

 

How does one spend 100k on mods lol

 

Agreed. How is that even possible