Reinhart Tune vs. Alternative Automotive Tune ... differences?

[Professor]

I've decided that I am going to keep my Marauder N/A, but I want to give her a solid boost in the seat of the pants. My plan is to make the following core mods:

4.10 gears
Tune/Tuner
JLT CAI
Underdrive Pulleys

Later I may add:

MAF sensor
Aluminum driveshaft
Driveshaft loop
Borla Mufflers
Intake spacer

With these mods in mind and knowing that I will keep her N/A, I'm curious to the difference between the Rienhart tune and the Alternative Automotive tune. Dennis & Lidio both seem like nice guys and both have very satisfied customers. Just from reading, it looks like the AA tune is more daily driver friendly and the Reinhart is more aimed at track performance, but I don't know.

Opinions?

[Raudermaster]

Uh oh......flame suit on. They are both very good. I would do a search if I were you.

[KillJoy]

I have had both.

Both added power. Both adjusted the Trans Shifting. Both woke the car up...A LOT!!! :up: Each did it their own way. I agree w/ your statement. :D

KillJoy

[KillJoy]

Uh oh......flame suit on. They are both very good. I would do a search if I were you.


No flame suits needed for FACTS ;)

KillJoy

[blackf0rk]

http://www.threadbombing.com/data/media/34/flame.gif

[SlkMerc]

#1. I bought an Xcal from a MM'er here for a really good price and it came from Lidio.

#2. Lidio was very cool about redo-ing the tune for me ( I wanted a performance tune for 91 octane since I cant get 93 and a mileage tune) for a really decent price. Also, one with 2 degrees less spark advance.

#3. He's a Paisan.

I love the performance tune. The car shifts the RIGHT way now. The mileage tune gets me a little better MPG around town.

Not to say Dennis's tunes arent any better or worse, I had better resources thru Lidio.


BooYa!

[SC Cheesehead]

IMHO, you can't go wrong with either Lidio or DR, they're both great guys and know how to tune the Marauder. I went with a Reinhart tune and I'm very pleased with it.

The mods you're considering will make your MM seem like a whole new car, enjoy!:burnout:

SCCH

[ckadiddle]

Bought from DR because he is in Florida. Still love the standard 3.55 tune after driving it every day for a year or so. My MM is my daily driver, grocery getter, weekend fun car, and vacation family truckster. I don't think you can go wrong with Lidio or DR tunes.

[Bradley G]

I have had both tunes, and one driveability issue with Dennis Reinharts' tune was, 1-2 shift was hard, even if you got out of the pedal.
I would also agree the shifting behavior with Lidios' tune was very well mannered, at part throttle(regular driving).
I had to make an adjustment to the tune, when I got the 4:10's, Lidio made it easy on me by downloading it to my 9100 and shipping it back.
Dennis Reinharts' tune was a huge improvement over stock.

[fastblackmerc]

Whatever tune you go with will be a great improvement over stock.

[magindat]

Both tunes are good. I have DR, but have also ridden in Lidio base tune and A$$ tune cars.

I went with DR due to:
1) He answered his phone and personally spoke with me on my FIRST call.
2) Geography. I wanted a tune from a tuner who's dyno I might one day be on. I'm 4 hours from DR and 40 hours from Lid.
3) Dennis doesn't seem to have any problems emailing tunes around and discussing his tweaks.
4) Jerry W. tunes at DR's shop occasionally.

[Professor]

I have had both tunes, and one driveability issue with Dennis Reinharts' tune was, 1-2 shift was hard, even if you got out of the pedal.
I would also agree the shifting behavior with Lidios' tune was very well mannered, at part throttle(regular driving).
I had to make an adjustment to the tune, when I got the 4:10's, Lidio made it easy on me by downloading it to my 9100 and shipping it back.
Dennis Reinharts' tune was a huge improvement over stock.

I'd like it to at least "bark" the tires in second under WOT, but don't want it to be ridiculous when just driving around town. I liked the personality of my Dad's old Grand National. Driving around town it was like Clark Kent .... but floor it and it was Superman!

[Meteorite]

I have Lidio's tune, and am totally happy with it. My mods look somewhat like yours will be, so I think you'll be happy also.

[Pat]

Professor;

Your short list to get a quick kick in the pants seems OK to me. I would recommend a custom tune if your near a reputable SCT tuner because it's tailored to your car and can exploit parameters that need more or less changes.

I would think of future mod's in terms of a higher speed stall converter, chassis and brake enhancement mods and a tranny rear bearing oiling kit.

Good luck in whatever you choose.


Pat

[MarauderBoy]

Just make sure your expectations aren't too high, as you are building your base. You will get a nice performance increase regardless who you choose.

[Marauderman]

Whatever tune you go with will be a great improvement over stock.

Hey my friend-------ya think I hand the keys for a drive of Red Line Beauty may give the Professor some thoughts/ideas.............ya-think....:banana2::beer:..Tom

[Blackened300a]

Professor;

Your short list to get a quick kick in the pants seems OK to me. I would recommend a custom tune if your near a reputable SCT tuner because it's tailored to your car and can exploit parameters that need more or less changes.

Exactly what he said. Mail order tunes are good but not perfect. Strapping your car to a dyno and having it tuned is the best way to go. It will save you money and time in the long run. Its also the piece of mind that comes with seeing the real world HP numbers and your A/F being set to your engine instead of the generic tune.

[rayjay]

Exactly what he said. Mail order tunes are good but not perfect. Strapping your car to a dyno and having it tuned is the best way to go. It will save you money and time in the long run. Its also the piece of mind that comes with seeing the real world HP numbers and your A/F being set to your engine instead of the generic tune.

+1, picked up 50 hp in the mid range with a custom tune

[Professor]

Hey my friend-------ya think I hand the keys for a drive of Red Line Beauty may give the Professor some thoughts/ideas.............ya-think....:banana2::beer:..Tom

Tom ... my wife will personally kick your butt if I get the bug for a supercharger in my Merc. :) My house will look something like this ... :argue:

[KillJoy]

Tom ... my wife will personally kick your butt if I get the bug for a supercharger in my Merc. :) My house will look something like this ... :argue:


It is easier to ask forgiveness, than permission ;)

:beer:

KillJoy

[Starman]

Tom ... my wife will personally kick your butt if I get the bug for a supercharger in my Merc. :) My house will look something like this ... :argue:

I was at Jmans house last weekend playing with my car. I got to drive his Silver CV Sport which drove better than mine. Can't remember the year, but it has the PI heads and mine does not. Anyway, I declined his offer to drive his Marauder so I wouldn't get a bug to buy what I know I can't afford :D or my house would look the same way.

[sicilianmarquis]

another war had begone

[magindat]

Don't forget...

If you purchase from a vendor who will email you the tune... you can use free downloadable SCT software to tweak the shift points, firmness TC lockup, etc to your liking.

[Marauderman]

Tom ... my wife will personally kick your butt if I get the bug for a supercharger in my Merc. :) My house will look something like this ... :argue:

Someday........yeah...someday. ..we're gonna meet --and your gonna get persuaded to drive Red Line Beauty--..Oh Yeah--Just ask fastblackmerc and a few others members on our Carolina forum....she will just give you the light at the end of the tunnel before you enter it--:lol:

[tmac1337]

You won't need a new driveshaft, put the cash somewhere else, like a torque converter if you plan to stay naturally aspirated.

I had 4:10's, 3000 stall PI converter, and a DR tune before adding the Procharger. N/A, the car ran great with a DR tune.

N/A, I don't think that there is a real big difference tuning wise, no matter who you go with:dunno:

[TKde0]

dude, you stole my avatar.

[tmac1337]

dude, you stole my avatar.

Dude, I don't think so.

[Rider90]

You won't need a new driveshaft
I agree 100% - Get the stocker rebalanced if you're worried and you won't be throwing your money down the toilet.

[sailsmen]

I wasn't going to buy the driveshaft until I drove a friends that had it. His car at speed was a lot smoother.

The first photo I saw posted here was of a trans tore up as a result of drive shaft whip.:(

With 200+ runs down the 1,320' and a speed of 115-120mph before I let up I am glad I have the DS.:D