Whats it mean when people say tune?

[jayC1974]

Ok I own a ABM camaro 1ss. I’m looking into getting headers and a cat back exhaust put on. Searching threw this site at different set ups I keep running in to people saying things like this when talking about different set ups on there car. “I have CAM, Headers, and a Tune" Now what are they referring too when they say they have a tune? I’m not very car literate so this just goes over my head. I don't no if they are talking about one of the computer programmers for there car or if they took it somewhere and had there car tuned to the set up of there car. Can someone explain please, I really would appreciate it.

Thanks

[Scrappy Doo]

Originally Posted by jayC1974

Ok I own a ABM camaro 1ss. I’m looking into getting headers and a cat back exhaust put on. Searching threw this site at different set ups I keep running in to people saying things like this when talking about different set ups on there car. “I have CAM, Headers, and a Tune" Now what are they referring too when they say they have a tune? I’m not very car literate so this just goes over my head. I don't no if they are talking about one of the computer programmers for there car or if they took it somewhere and had there car tuned to the set up of there car. Can someone explain please, I really would appreciate it.

Thanks

Either or.

[jayC1974]

Originally Posted by Scrappy Doo

Either or.

So what do they do when you take it in to have it tuned? Who do you take it too?

[Apex Motorsports]

As was stated in the first response, it can mean either. However, having a custom tune performed by a competent professional will always yield much better results than an off the shelf tuner can offer.

[HadMatter]

Originally Posted by jayC1974

Ok I own a ABM camaro 1ss. I’m looking into getting headers and a cat back exhaust put on. Searching threw this site at different set ups I keep running in to people saying things like this when talking about different set ups on there car. “I have CAM, Headers, and a Tune" Now what are they referring too when they say they have a tune? I’m not very car literate so this just goes over my head. I don't no if they are talking about one of the computer programmers for there car or if they took it somewhere and had there car tuned to the set up of there car. Can someone explain please, I really would appreciate it.

Thanks

It really can mean both. There are handheld programmers that can be used to adjust (or the programmer is self learning and adjusts itself) the ECM for better performance, this can be called a tune and is *usually* what people are referring to. Then there are performance shops which will adjust the engine for you professionally, sometimes even with the same tuner, this is also a tune.

As far as I'm aware it comes from earlier days when engines had no computer module and were tuned by hand adjusting the carborator, timing, and so forth for better performance.

[Blade]

I have a local dealer offering me a Dyno Tune on my v6. He's never done a v6 before, so this will be the first time. Its going to run me $325, so is that worth it, or should I run with an off the shelf?

[Edge.128]

just remember that a tune will generally void your warranty on the engine. there are lots of topics on here about it so search around a bit for more info.

[Kwik]

If you do a tune with the Diablo Predator, it stores the stock tune. When you take the car to a dealer, pop the stock tune back in and nobody is the wiser. Some dealers can also download custom parameters into the Predator as you add more mods to your car.

[Class1E]

Originally Posted by Kwik

If you do a tune with the Diablo Predator, it stores the stock tune. When you take the car to a dealer, pop the stock tune back in and nobody is the wiser. Some dealers can also download custom parameters into the Predator as you add more mods to your car.

There have been many instances of people saying that is not the case anymore. I think it's something about the ECM knowing how many times it has been tuned. Thus, if you tune the car and then flash it back to stock, it would increment that count twice, and the dealer and GM will know you have tuned the car.

[Number 3]

No free lunch. When a "tuner" tells you that you can commit fraud if you use their tune....................keep that in mind.

Your powertrain warranty will be voided and GM can tell. No matter how good an aftermarket tuner thinks he is...............his job is to sell you a tune. The people at GM creating the ECU? Their job is to protect against $$$$ in fraudulent warranty claims.

So as most of the guys post, "you got to pay to play". If you want a tune that removes the torque management such that the car launches harder you are putting much higher stresses on the powertrain than it was engineered for. And you should be prepared to pay for the damage you caused.

Keep in mind, I have a GMPP tune on my Sky. But that tune was developed by and sold by GM. So that maintains the warranty.

[topgun1]

Originally Posted by Blade

I have a local dealer offering me a Dyno Tune on my v6. He's never done a v6 before, so this will be the first time. Its going to run me $325, so is that worth it, or should I run with an off the shelf?

I'd take him up on the offer. It will cost you a minimum of that price to buy a handheld. More reputable ones are even hundreds more. If he's a professional, then use him.

[Sterling]

Originally Posted by Blade

I have a local dealer offering me a Dyno Tune on my v6. He's never done a v6 before, so this will be the first time. Its going to run me $325, so is that worth it, or should I run with an off the shelf?

If you haven't done any mods, it won't help you any.
The v6 is tuned exceptionally well from the factory.
So far only 1 tuner has been able to successfully tune a V6.
I don't think I'd trust that your dealer can do a tune on the V6 yet, especially since he's told you he's never done one. The only ones that has been done so far have only yeilded results on cars that have aftermarket CAI's and exhausts. The only difference he might be able to make is with a tune on the transmission. That's they only thing slowing the Automatic V6 down.

[Blade]

Originally Posted by sterlingnotes

If you haven't done any mods, it won't help you any.
The v6 is tuned exceptionally well from the factory.
So far only 1 tuner has been able to successfully tune a V6.
I don't think I'd trust that your dealer can do a tune on the V6 yet, especially since he's told you he's never done one. The only ones that has been done so far have only yeilded results on cars that have aftermarket CAI's and exhausts. The only difference he might be able to make is with a tune on the transmission. That's they only thing slowing the Automatic V6 down.

The tune is my last mod. My goal is to have atleast the Headers and Exhaust on by the end of the month. Then maybe the intake by next month. After that I am looking to do the tune.

Right now I am deciding between the dealer dyno tune and trifecta.

[Mark H]

Originally Posted by Number 3

No free lunch. When a "tuner" tells you that you can commit fraud if you use their tune....................keep that in mind.

Your powertrain warranty will be voided and GM can tell. No matter how good an aftermarket tuner thinks he is...............his job is to sell you a tune. The people at GM creating the ECU? Their job is to protect against $$$$ in fraudulent warranty claims.

So as most of the guys post, "you got to pay to play". If you want a tune that removes the torque management such that the car launches harder you are putting much higher stresses on the powertrain than it was engineered for. And you should be prepared to pay for the damage you caused.

Keep in mind, I have a GMPP tune on my Sky. But that tune was developed by and sold by GM. So that maintains the warranty.

not trying to argue just trying to get more info. I understand what you are saying about GM knowing if you changed the tune.
I know this tuner that is known all over the world. I will not mention who it is. A while back when anyone would ask him if he could put a tune in a car without GM knowing he said "NO" it was imposible. Now he says he has cracked the code and can copy the "meter" of the previous tune. can't remember exectly what he called it. So what he says if the the ECM has been flashed X times he can copy that number so after he tunes your car and you put the stock tune back in it will have the origanal number in it. I hope what I am trying to say makes sense.
Mark