the meet is next weekend, we'll get both of your car tuned don't worry /ubbthreads/images//graemlins/smile.gif
from my experience, I am always on the safe side a bit, although I have better equipments then some of the ppl, but I am sure I can't run 13s also. I always detuned the car a bit so I know I won't f it up by doing something stupid and spend another 3k just to fix it. so at least for me, I know I can push more, but I just didn't want to, and of course, I am sure I need way more practice to be good. also I am sure you don't need 1k to get your car tuned, there are a lot of ppl around who KNOW what they are doing, just ask nicely /ubbthreads/images//graemlins/smile.gif I would say, get all the kinks out(if any), and get basic tuned. go to dyno, check numbers, back for another more aggressive tune, then back to dyno. then you should kinda see the pattern on how your car react to certain tunes, tune accordingly, then the third time you should get you close to a very good tune.
oh and also, butt dyno won't work at all. you really can't tell a 12.7s car and a 13s. each car is different and feels different, just by sitting in it won't tell you anything. I have sat in cars that I feel pulls very hard and my back stick to the seat like I am taking off on a space shuttle. but when I am back in my car running with them, I thought I didn't even try, but I totally walked on them... so unless comparing realtime numbers or running side by side, you can't really tell much. just my $.02