Anyone in the Ottawa area think about dynoing at Tapp auto?? I was told to goo to him for tuning aswell. Last year he said he has done a few TPI's, but more LS1's. Should I just get a mail order chip to start, or try him out. Anyone have anything on this??

 

He's supposed to be good with fuel injection, but for some reason, every big motor he's built so far has exploded.
Kenny's engine blew like 3 times, Turboteggy had Chris Tapps old race motor and it didn't even last the summer, and then High Psi motor blew up a week after he sold his car.

I guess if he doesn't build your motor, then your OK.
By the way, he won't touch a carb, only FI.

 

I'd ask for the names of the people that he's done TPI and LS1 tunes for and then try to contact them. He may be able to increase your peak HP but he may not be able to get the car to run properly........there is a big difference as far as i'm concerned.

I'd save for a while and take the car some where in NY and have it tuned by somebody that built a rep on TPI stuff.

Don't bother with a mail order chip unless it's a Formato chip. They probably have a pretty decent program on file for the SR/219 cam combo but it still won't be perfect. But they will at least try to make it perfect.

Carm, do you know anybody that has had a GM EFI car done at Tapp Auto?

 

I've heard bad stuff about Tapp's dyno #s... if you want big numbers... go to Chris..... if you want the real numbers, go somewhere else.

I know Agostino used to be the big name in GM EFI performance up in the Ottawa area... but as far as I know they don't do any tuning at all anymore and only offer engine packages to hardcores.

 

That seems like an awfully high price- but what you do in your own time is your business...

ahaha sometimes I crack myself up.

 

I guess I will go with the Fast Prom chip. Acceld I remember talking about this, but I figured I would see if I could do it in town instead. I really don't want to spend so much on a chip!! It will prob. be worth it in the end though.

 

I have been wondering the same thing, to have the LT1 Tuned. I know the guy does almost exclusively imports....makes me weary.
I was planning on eventually heading to Agostino, but it sounds like they may be out of the tuning business. Their rates were $150 per hour with a tune taking about 2 hours. I got my base programming from them 2 years ago now. Service is brutal.

Anyone know the closest 'well known/good' GM tuner to Ottawa or Toronto even if its in the US?

 

6speed is agostino in Ottawa?? If you want to take a ride to the states for tuning, I would follow ya down as long as it is not to far away.

 

By the way, have any of you actually talked to Tapp. The last time I did, I told myself I would never bother with him again, but I am running out of options. The guy seemed like he did not want anything to do with me. And I hate dealing with people like that!!

 

Just called Formato and the chip is only $350, and they said they will fix me up with that setup no probem. I asked about reburns, and the lady said for sure call back when I get it on the scanner with more info for her and they will gladly send me a another chip to further optimize the combo for nothing!! The place sounds real helpful, we'll see how good the tuning is soon I guess.

 

Agustino is in Toronto, and from what I've heard, Nick, the guy who started it all, sold it last summer or so. The names the same, but I don't think that the quality may be on pare. Try Zeke's in Montreal, they do the Canadian work for SLP I've heard. Or better yet, just go to New Jersrey (not really that far) to SLP, they opened a world class garage with everything possible to do anything you want. I hold these guys right up there with the late John Lingenfelter for knowledge. These are definetly some people who were there in the begining, and have maybe the best understanding of these kinds (and LT-1 & LS1 engines) that your going to find on pare with Lingenfelter or Jon Moss's crew.

 

Thanks for the info buddy. Hey acceld and 6speed, we should really try Zekes in Montreal, I totally forgot about that place!!

 

I heard Zeke's had closed, just a rumor though...

 

I dont know of anyone who has let Tapp tune their SBC, carb'd or injected.

He does know injection well apparantly, that's what i hear though.

Myself, i would (will) do my own

 

Buddy, you are right about Agostino. Nick is gone, and I think the quality is down.

They would have been the place to get a tune ..

Might have to go to Jersey.

 

How long of a drive to Jersey??

 

It's probably over the 6 hour drive mark anyway. If that sounds like it could be alot for a proper car tune, think about the fact it WILL be set the best it can be, the first time, by people who know what they are doing. It beats getting bum work done by potential people(s) one or many times over. The peace of mind having things done right the first time pays for itself in the long run. Ask the many on here about the perils of chasing gremlins in these cars, it can last a long time, and end up costing more than the extra cost/time of having it done right in the first place.SLP is a place you can go to, and they have everything for you that you may need. You won't leave till things are 100%. One trip, no headaches later, just enjoy.

 

Hey
Just to let you know Nick is back at Agostino's.
Domenic

 

That's right. I stopped in there passing throught TO on the weekend and the guy I spoke to, Pete looked at me like my head fell off when I said something about Nick not being there anymore.

They have a new guy on the dyno tunes that they bring in especially for the job. I was told he'd do my car in about 3 runs MAX (LT1). ie less than an hour.

They charge $150/hr dyno tune time. Have to call ahead to get an appointment.

I might bring mine down to get done soon, should get a few extra ponies for little $$.

 

If you don't go until mid may or June, let me know and I will make an appt. aswell!! I had a chip done, but they do free reburns, and the info off of the dyno would be perfect. I would rather stay away from Tapp alltogether, that guy is an ***.

 

Agostino's. said they were not doing any more TPI and before that it was $750 for a dyno tune

 

Forget that then!!

 

Save some money and swap to an LT1!!

 

Too late for that swap, but you never know next year.

 

Oh well, try SLP, or someone they might know of.