I have a 1994 Trans Am with an LT1 and some bolt ons (K&N cold air intake, custom longtube headers, full Magnaflow dual exhuast). Would a computer tuner help me gain power from the bolt on's or does the factory system already compensate for the parts. If there is a gain, about how much should I expect? I've been told that with these parts I have on, I should be making about 300hp at the crank. Would it be worth the cost? I mean, I'm not going to spend $500-$700 on it to only get like a 5-15 hp increase. And which tuner would you guys recommend for my application, I might be willing to spend anywhere from $300-$700. Should I go with SCT, Diablo Predator, etc., or should I just get a laptop and hook up a prokit? Well thanks and here are some pics to give you an idea of my mods, I also have a stage 2 clutch and not sure but I might have a Hurst shift. All these parts were installed by the previous owner, who must happen been somewhat of a welder. Well, thanks.

Magnaflow exhuast:


Headers look something like this:


K&N intake:

 

I don't think you will see massive gains with a tune. IIRC, your car was rated at 275 hp, so even if you saw 300 that is only an increase of 25 hp, less than 10%.
I would recommend picking up a laptop and getting a tuning package and a data collection package and learning how to do it yourself. You would also need a wideband. I use TunerCat, Datamaster, and an LM-1, but there are other options out there.

 

with those you can get away without having a tune, but if you have taken your cats off you will need to get the o2s taken care of or buy a simulator

 

I didn't take them off. I think the previous owner built a setup without cats. But haven't had any o2 problems. Wish I knew more about all the work they did on it. They also removed the skip shift thing.

 

He has a 94.... NO after-cat O2 sensors, nothing to "tune out", no need for simulators. Plus it only had a single cat. You need to pay attention to the differences between years. Not all years are like your 96.

Typically, a stock engine will pick up 10-15HP simply from leaning out the overly rich PE mode target A/F ratio.

 

Thanks for the info. Pics of the exhaust setup are here: https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=780340