6. Performance Meters
Not too long ago, accurate measurement of performance required racetrack electronics, a radar gun, or fifth wheel sensor-none of which are cheap, or readily available. Through the creative use of electronic accelerometers and global positioning (GPS), economically viable end-user type performance meters have become fairly common. Meters range in price from around $100 for a basic unit, up to several thousand dollars for a race-quality system. Performance meters are a great way to quantify gains (or losses) from tuning, especially when outside the track. The accelerometer-type meters typically allow for some type of calibration to be performed, and the accuracy can often be increased further by adjusting the calibration so that meter data matches measured track data. Logged performance meter data can be downloaded to a PC and evaluated using advanced software and algorithms. These logs can also be correlated to tuning logs to help dial in dynamic tuning changes. In addition to being a slick tuning tool, performance meters can measure G-forces, lap times, and braking performance too. We'll take a performance meter over the infamous 'butt dyno' any day.
7. Information Exchange
Information exchange is again not a material item, but it still makes our list of top ten tuning tools because it's a near limitless resource. Thanks to the Internet, information exchange is just plain easy in today's day and age. Plenty of good books exist on tuning as well, and often these are easier reads than sifting through loads of Internet searches. By way of Internet message forums, tuners can find quick access to another top 10 tuning aide: experienced tuners. Tuning forums provide the pipeline to share experiences and exchange information between many different tuners rich with various backgrounds and knowledge. While we're confident the good outweighs the bad, it's still prudent to remember that information farmed online should be treated like what it usually is: an opinion. Everyone has one and some are better than others. Through careful research though, underlying themes and positive direction can usually be sifted from the forum discussions.
8. Software and Harnesses
Put away your timing light, distributor wrenches, carb tools, and vacuum gauges ... if you even know what they are or that they exist. Tuning any late-model performance vehicle is going to require some sort of setup capable of interfacing with the electronic powertrain control system. Typically, these systems consist of a communication module, connection cables, and a tuning program. Custom tunes are flashed into controllers through either an ALDL/OBD connection or though a special benchtop harness. Non-flash controller vehicles (aka 'chip' cars) will use an eraser and burner, rather than the module-but the process is similar. During the past decade or so, the market for electronic tuning tools has burst wide open with options. A varying degree of systems exist to satisfy different budgets and levels of desired tuning complexity. Unless you're burning chips, practically all flash-based tuning systems nowadays require pay-per-vehicle licensing. These electronic tuning systems are an invaluable tuning tool quite simply because without them you really couldn't tune anything. Even adjustments in fuel pressure would eventually be cancelled out by fuel trims.
Trying to juggle meters, laptops, shifters, and steering wheels is often a challenge-a dangerous one at that. To help trim the chaos, F.A.S.T. offers an optional suction-cup mount (pn 170493, $56.61) for the AFR meter. The articulating piece allows mounting the AFR meter on the windshield like a radar detector, safely out of a tuner's hand, yet perfectly in view. | 
With a name like 'Exhaust Gas Technologies,' you'd only expect to find the latest tools for monitoring the hot stuff inside headers. EGT's Redline 2-5/8 inch, 4-channel gauge module (pn RG-4TA, $379.00) is a sophisticated meter you'd expect to pay much more for. The Redline instrument is a modular tool, which can be loaded up with several cool options, depending on one's needs and budget. EGT offers an attractive billet aluminum mounting pod (pn BM6061T6, $79.00) specific for the Redline gauge. For those who can't watch the gauge indefinitely, EGT has a red LED warning light and mount (pns RLED, $22.00 and RLEDB, $11.00) that can be configured to catch the eye at any set 'danger' temperature. The Redline unit is also a stand-alone data-logger. The PC-downloading cable and software (pn CD, $31.00) is offered optionally for those who need it. Finally, EGT can make practically any custom length and type thermocouple probe to suit each application's requirements. The base stinger four-piece probe kit (pn 4018U-76-R-RG-Quad, $200.00) is a premium quality setup built to last in the brutal environment around headers and includes four standard length (76 inch) probes. According to EGT's Rick Lawler, probes can be made a custom length for $20.00 per probe. | 
The F.A.S.T. AFR meter ships complete with one weld-in bung for each sensor. F.A.S.T. offers six-packs (pn 307018, $12.73 each, or $76.38 per six) of extra bungs for future use in other pipes. The stainless steel bungs include matching stainless plugs as well, to seal off after use. |