new to modding, general questions about PCM's and tuning

[turbotooslow]

Ok, so I have written this a few times since being on this site but, heck, my as well do it again. I have a '99 SSEi, nothing but a gutted airbox. I am looking at 00+ SSEi's, and 97-03 and 04 GTP's. I am a college kid, so I'm not looking to make a lot of power, just basic bolt-ons. So here are my questions:

-I am planning on CAI and downpipe to start. If I want to throw on a 3.5" pulley, will I need a tune?

-In order to get a 'tune,' do I need to purchase a new PCM? I'm just a little confused on the tuning and PCM world, so bare with me. I am not looking to take my car to the track or do anything even remotely close to major mods, just looking for a quick daily driver with a few more mods than my current SSEi.

-There are other questions I have, but I will go slowly and just look for help on these first two. THANKYOU for your help guys, especially 1993 SLE, I've already learned a decent amount about our cars!

[mtcrusan]

Tuning alone can get you some significant gains. When modding I would recommend HPtuners for your scanning and tuning needs. Always lean towards the safer side of things. You can buy (but not required) an Intense PCM and have some adjustments made before you receive it. Then scan and tune from there.

Hint: Put your information about your car in your signature so you don't have to type it all of the time.

[turbotooslow]

Haha, thanks for that last tip there. Didn't think about that. Thanks for the info .

-Do I need a tune to run a 3.5 pulley?

[turbotooslow]

Originally Posted by turbotooslow

-Do I need a tune to run a 3.5 pulley?

Bump on this

[Dyno Brian]

a standard INTENSE PCM will get you up and running.

[turbotooslow]

Originally Posted by Dyno Brian

a standard INTENSE PCM will get you up and running.

haha says the INTENSE guy himself.. lol. I can already see myself getting one, but I am on a student's budget, and my question is if my mods are minimal... intake, u-bend delete, and 3.5 pulley, will my car run rich? is that little increase in boost safe? Can I be worry free until I have some extra money to order a PCM?

[1Hot97]

We could tell you that you'll be fine. But that may or may not be true. The only way to know is to get a scanner and scan. Each car responds differently to mods, yours might blow up with a 3.5" pulley, and if we told you it'd be ok, you'd be pissed. With that said, anything you can do to get the air in and out easier will make power. Your car doesn't have a U bend. Without a scanner, putting a smaller pulley on may cause more knock and you won't know.

[turbotooslow]

I'm not talking about my SSEi, haha, I'm talking about a 97-03 GTP with low miles that I'll be purchasin.. The only reason I'm asking these somewhat obscure questions is because it will be my DD and I don't want to have to mess around with a tuner unless a) I need to because of a mod or mods I do or b) I have the money and will for more hp to do so. So, the only way I'm really thinking I'll purchase a tuner is if I need one to run an intake, u-bend delete and a 3.5" pulley. If so, then my next question would be do I need one for a 3.6" pulley? I know I never NEED a tuner, and the question is a bit general and open-ended, but I'm asking if a pulley no smaller than 3.5" is worry-free. Remember, I'm not going past the pulley as far as mods go.

[1993 SLE]

you should run a 3.5 to be safe, if you dont have the ability to monitor the KR

although every car is different there is no magic forumla for mods