Impala Forums banner

2012 slower last year after upgrades

6K views 42 replies 8 participants last post by  etb4u 
#1 ·
So at the track in 2016 I was running 14.60 and 14.70s in the 1/4 that was just with a res delete and magnaflow mufflers everything else completely stock on 91 octane. Before the 2017 season I did the trifecta tune and threw in a cold air. All 2017 season I couldn't break 14.90s. So after mods I slowed down. Last race of the season I threw in a cutout right after the third cat. Didn't change anything. Anyone have any ideas on why the tune would slow me down? Or any other reasons why I would slow down?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
#2 ·
Have you tried putting the stock tune back on, just to make 100% sure it's the tune that is causing the issue and not something else? How many miles have you put on since the 2016 times? Maybe some valve coking slowing it down just a bit? You'd never notice the different during regular driving, but if you're timing down to the millisecond, it may be noticeable...
 
#4 ·
I don't know if its the tune I could of ran with the tune off but never did. I did 4 weekends in 2016 (the good year) and 3 weekends last year (the bad year) probably 25 passes each weekend. Here is the kicker my 60 foot picked up I forgot how much I would have to dig out the time slips after the tune however ET and mph dropped. I'm launching no different then how I was in 2016.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
#5 ·
There are quite a few variables that could change over a year or two that would affect your time. What cold air intake did you do? Is it actually pulling cooler air? Is the weather different from when you went a few years ago? Different tires? How many more miles do you have on the car?
 
#6 ·
It's the k&n. Whether is the same track is the same. Tires were different I had firestones indy 500s on the fronts. Only thing i can think of is i was having throttle body issues that year but it was only when i would fire up the car it would die right away or because really choppy. I had to manually move the butterfly to reset it and you never should do that but that's the only thing that would work. I have not had that issue at all sense last summer. Only thing that could be related is let's say I'm going in to a corner on the gas let off and then kick it down coming out of a turn Once in a while it will bog then pop a few times then go. Like its losing to much or getting to much back pressure. It almost sounds like a turbo pop if that makes sense.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
#7 ·
It could even be the K&N.... I've read that "cold air" intakes are meaningless in terms of power increases in modern cars - and can even reduce power slightly in some cases. Same with the exhaust - some aftermarket exhausts apparently reduce back-pressure and cause a performance loss. Doesn't sound like the exhaust is related to the issue in this case since you got the "good" numbers with the aftermarket exhaust - but then again, did you ever get times with the stock exhaust? Who know, the exhaust could be hurting you as well...

It used to be that aftermarket exhausts and CAI's were very simple and inexpensive ways to ensure a power increase - but that doesn't seem to be the case nowadays...

Also, keep in mind that the Trifecta tune is calibrated for a *stock* car - so even the tune may be hurting you since you have changed the intake and exhaust. Then again, maybe not - you'd have to check with Trifecta to be sure.

Like mentioned above, lots of variables. To get the most from your car, you really need to get some sort of logging application to see how the mods are affecting things in detail. HPTuners has an excellent monitoring app. Or maybe even switch to the Overkill tune - and then you could even have Overkill update the tune to take advantage of your mods based on what is seen in the logs (free re-tunes are included in the cost of the Overkill tune!).
 
#8 ·
Yeah I might do overkill this fall. Not much point to do it now with the wait times with overkill half the race season will be done by the time I get it. ( I'm not talking bad about will at all I know he is a busy man and completely understand) my brother just picked up a hp tuner so I'll just need the logs from him. And a license for his.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
#9 ·
take a step back here and thing about the engine. could it be the filter, most certainly, hell you could even have a bad cat/starting to plug.. but if it was me, i would look at the plugs and wires. How old are they? 10-12-20k miles? if so put a set in make sure your wires are good and go again.
 
#12 ·
i wouldcheck the wires and pull the plugs and check them to .. just to be sure
 
#11 ·
What is everyone's temps at with normal driving I'm seeing 210 220 with 50 60 degree weather I feel like that's high. I never really payed any attention to the number tell recently. Also my intake temps are up there also.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
#13 ·
how hot are your intake temps?
whens the last time the radiator was cleaned out externally?
 
#19 ·
I would like to hear what your intake temps are. Lots of "cold air" intakes actually increase the intake temps. The stock intake on these cars already draw fresh cool air in. If you have an intake that is just open to the engine bay, odds are you are actually drawing in warmer air.
 
#23 ·
Did you let Trifecta know you had a CAI? Did you buy the Trifecta Elite Package that supports add on hardware? Did you let Trifecta know you had a modified exhaust? When Trifecta releases a tune it is for a non-modified vehicle. If you did buy the Elite Plan then then will help you with tuning for the additional hardware but you would need to let them know and log some data for them. My guess is that the CAI is taking in too much air for the air/fuel mixture.

Here is the info directly off their site : The TRIFECTA Elite Powertrain Calibration for the 8th Generation Chevrolet Impala offers premium tier-1 support. With this product, customers can request specific calibration changes and support for third party hardware. Remote-tuning services are offered with this tier.
 
  • Like
Reactions: tlaclare
#29 ·
Wow - I had no idea that Trifecta was offering "customized" tunes now. Last I read on this forum, when someone wanted them to customize their tune, they flat out refused. I guess the demand was there so they started offering it. Good news for Trifecta tune folks! I'm kind of curious how expensive it is (haven't looked at their website yet).

EDIT: I see that it's $688. So is that for unlimited retunes (just looked over the site quickly, but didn't see any time limits mentioned)?
 
#30 ·
Yeah that person was me. I told them I had a few issues with it and they said they won't change anything. From what I read from other forums of different cars it's unlimited for the life of the VIN. Looks like they are just trying to compete with overkill. Only nice thing is you don't need hp tuners for trifecta. However it said trifecta will do data logging now. Not sure how they do that without hp tuners unless they have there own full blown software now like Efi live does? Hmm

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
#33 ·
This is what trifecta wrote when I asked about the elite package and price.




Hello Trevor,
*
Thanks for the follow up. You can upgrade to the next tier whenever you like. The site will present you with the pricing, which is only the difference between what you paid and what would be owed between the two packages.
*
Keep in mind that the modifications you have don't necessarily guarantee more power. We can datalog, etc, and optimize the calibration for the mods. However, this usually means simply getting the engine to be happy with the modifications so that it runs right. It doesnt always lead to gains over what our calibration alone already achieves.
*
If you wish to proceed knowing that, place your order and we can move forward*[https://www]


Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
 
#34 ·
Sounds like legal mumbojumbo. They have to cover their asses so when that one guy installs a leaf blower motor to his intake and doesn't get the extra 300 horsepower he wants he can't ask for a refund or sue.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top