My '17 3.6L Citadel with a factory rated 295hp is fine but like most guys I'd opt for more power if possible. Most shops say a tune gets 5-10 percent more horsepower. Ten percent (29.5hp), yeah, OK, but 5 percent (14.5hp) . . . ??
The shops are quoting $400-$500 for the tune and two or three pulls on the dyno. I'd pay $500 for an extra 30hp, but 15hp . . . not so anxious. (This mod would be hidden from the The Comptroller and $500 is the most I can get away with to avoid weeks on the sofa.)
Opinions -- on the tune, not The Comptroller.??

 

gotta take into account the fact that a tune will also affect the economy of driving the car (MPG) which the comptroller may take notice of after the fact.

That said an extra 15-30hp in a ~5000lb SUV is not going to make a huge difference in driving feel.

295 HP is ~ .059HP/lb
325 HP is ~ .065HP/lb

thats a 1% improvement in HP/performance . . . . you need to decide if thats worth the $$$ to you.


another thing to look at

the 2016GT durango (i believe that is the same drivetrain as yours) is 7.6s 0-60
the 2014-2018 R/T durango (5.7l hemi, 360HP iirc) is 6.4s 0-60

60hp saves you 1 second 0-60, 30 hp saves you 1/2 (its not a true linear relationship, but in this tight a range it should be close enough)

 

IMO. If you tune, that will cost you $$ and you will be paying $$ more at the pump for gas.
For 15HP or 30HP gain, not worth the cost. But, if you got deep pockets of $$, go for it and enjoy.

 

I've only seen significant tuning results for boosted engines. Normal aspirated engines, not worth the cost for the return.

 

Thanks for the input gentlemen. Great advice! Guess I'll be saving myself $400-$500 and stick with stock. Or I could spend $70+K for a Durango Hellcat . . . dream on.

 

There are some cold air intake mods and some porting that you can do the intake manifold plenum base. Then the normal exhaust modifications Would it be worth it to do those mods and not do tuning??

Thanks

Bill

 

cai is jewellery on a stock motor and if it takes out a resonator in the air snorkel it will create a baffling effect that will reduce air flow. port and polishing ok but time consuming. exhaust mods to expensive for little return. I've had one customer take the stock exhaust off their srt gc only to slow it down.

if you want something significant; you need boost.

 

BOOST! Love it but it isn't in the budget for now. I guess ill just leave it alone and modify my other car more. .

 

A lot of "tuning" really doesn't do anything but add eye candy when you pop the hood. I buy my stuff to drive, not look at. The high flow air filters are a case in point. Substantial expense but they really don't do much. The engine will only flow so much air. Unless you're running at WOT, that trick cold air intake and high flowing air filter doesn't do anything extra. If you're running in the hills towing a trailer and have your foot to the floor, then they help. Forced induction is the only way to gain more but then you run the risk of blowing the heads off the engine.