Tuning for dummies

[Milk 1027]

I don't know much about tuning. I was just wondering if you experts can give me a dummie's guide to tuning.

I'm hoping for something worthy of including in our wiki, under the general automotive knowledge section.

[chevyss]

Hey Milk. I'm in the same boat. I have very little knowledge of tuning. Modern Tech is over my head. I purchased a Diablo Sports tuner and have yet to install the tune. Kind of like the first time I operated a computer. They say it's easy, but I can screw up a w@t dream.

[Milk 1027]

yeah, but i guess none of the gearheads want to help us out

[2010SS2SS]

Had mine tuned locally by a GM certified machanic (own his own time). I can tell you by-passing the D.O.D. and changing shift points we were able to make some drastic changes. I know I'm gonna get flamed by the "you void your warranty" crowd but it doesn't really matter, since I am installing a Kook's exhaust system here soon. That and ported the throttle body should pick up 50+ hp additional.

[2SSRS]

All of them want you to pay.

[1320junkie]

What are you asking? what a tune is?

[Milk 1027]

how it works

I guess just the basics of how a tune is done

[2SSRS]

This may help some.
http://www.hptuners.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=37

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by Milk 1027

yeah, but i guess none of the gearheads want to help us out

you posted at 10 at night... then no one posted anything within an hour....

these things take a little time....esp when people arent online



lol


seriously tho. the above link is a great reference point.

here's a couple others. (they are generally specific to the engines they are talking about, but the basics can be carried over to any car.

http://www.lt1howto.com/articles/pcmtuning.htm



(this one below is the one I used for a how-to when I started to tune my own cars)
http://www.lt1pcmtuning.com/tips/

[Milk 1027]

cool, thanks

[Rikarus]

good read!

[2Tightwads]

If you wanna send some donation $'s my way I have some knowledge (Books/DVD's) I could share with you.

Here is where I started years ago.

Calibrated Success
Owner: Greg Banish
Email: greg@calibratedsuccess.com
www.calibratedsuccess.com

OR

The Tuning School
Owner: Bob
11505 Pyramid Drive
Odessa, Florida 33556
(727) 233-1195
www.thetuningschool.com
Email: info@thetuningschool.com

Equipement to get started will absolutely set you back about $1,000 (Hp Tuners Pro, NGK AFX Wideband, Power Inverter, Laptop). Consider just the basic coarses to learn to tune are typically around $500+ respectively, along with the advanced coarses normally being around $1500+. You still have travel/lodging fees to even be present too. Realize also that despite all these coarses and books unless you honestly read/apply this knowledge daily you will constantly be behind. The LS3 is a completely new animal to ALOT of shops despite it Vette pedigree. Despite what they may tell you they are all still learning the ins/outs. Its easy to pull power out of the LS3 using just some basic tuning skills but the real pro's know there are alot of shops still struggling to even get that part correct.

Here is an example: http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showth...ight=high+tech

AND folks here were raving over the results, remember?

[toehead93]

It can get expensive. That's why I'm starting with a Predator, until I understand everything I'm not touching my car with HP or EFI. Thanks for the links.

[general23cmp]

Originally Posted by 2Tightwads

If you wanna send some donation $'s my way I have some knowledge (Books/DVD's) I could share with you.

Here is where I started years ago.

Calibrated Success
Owner: Greg Banish
Email: greg@calibratedsuccess.com
www.calibratedsuccess.com

OR

The Tuning School
Owner: Bob
11505 Pyramid Drive
Odessa, Florida 33556
(727) 233-1195
www.thetuningschool.com
Email: info@thetuningschool.com

Equipement to get started will absolutely set you back about $1,000 (Hp Tuners Pro, NGK AFX Wideband, Power Inverter, Laptop). Consider just the basic coarses to learn to tune are typically around $500+ respectively, along with the advanced coarses normally being around $1500+. You still have travel/lodging fees to even be present too. Realize also that despite all these coarses and books unless you honestly read/apply this knowledge daily you will constantly be behind. The LS3 is a completely new animal to ALOT of shops despite it Vette pedigree. Despite what they may tell you they are all still learning the ins/outs. Its easy to pull power out of the LS3 using just some basic tuning skills but the real pro's know there are alot of shops still struggling to even get that part correct.

Here is an example: http://www.hptuners.com/forum/showth...ight=high+tech

AND folks here were raving over the results, remember?

Ridicudonkulous! True, but ridicudonkulous.

[2Tightwads]

Originally Posted by toehead93

It can get expensive. That's why I'm starting with a Predator, until I understand everything I'm not touching my car with HP or EFI. Thanks for the links.

When I first started we used to copy Hypertech/Predator tune setting out of a donor car, review the comparison file of stock vs. changed peramiters from handheld. We would go back/forth trying to understand what was happening and why between changes. Then as we started learning more and more about the Hp Tuners Suite we realized how bogus a handheld truly is...those handhelds are a joke when it comes to the tuning abilities available with Hp Tuners/EFI Live. Hell I had (2) guys pay me for copied tunes from their friends Hypertech programmed car! Lol Embarrasing but they thought it was kooooool-aid! You have to realize there are literally a handful of tables that get changed by a handheld. Just an A,B,C tune available kinda' thing. You would never spend that much money on a handheld again if you simply read about the options available to you. Despite how far handhelds have come over the years its still crazy to not sit down and think the purchase process thru. I researched for 6 months on Hp Tuners.com/Forum before I purchased mine. Similar pricing between the two finally threw me over the edge. Unless you're buy a handheld used I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. See I figured...With my purchase I was able to tune my car, friends car, and a customers car. So I split the cost amongst friends/customers. It has paid for itself numerous times even at my low rates! You don't have to do it all at once either...I purchased all the ad-ons (Wideband/21" HP DV9000 Laptop) as I made more and more money from installs/tunes. Beyond FREE! Win-Win.

[SRFnSNO]

A book that has been highly recomended on my truck site for any hp tuner, and FI programing.
simple and explanes the basics is:

Engine Mananagment Advanced tuning; By Greg Banish
I picked mine up at Amazon around $20-$25

[2Tightwads]

Originally Posted by SRFnSNO

A book that has been highly recomended on my truck site for any hp tuner, and FI programing.
simple and explanes the basics is:

Engine Mananagment Advanced tuning; By Greg Banish
I picked mine up at Amazon around $20-$25

This book covers the "BASICS" of all things EFI tuning...it is in not way shape or form going to show you how to tune a car. I mean nada'. I read the book 4 times and still had only a light grasp on what EFI tuning in general was...you still have to apply it to each and every different calibration out there. I picked mine up by interlibrary loan for FREE by the way. You could get Gregs new DVD from Summit Racing ($249+shipping/taxes). It has a few simple walk thru's on how to tune. I still don't think its a comprehensive as...

www.thetuningschool.com. You get forum/email/phone tuning help support for 1 year. They have basic/advanced books written specifically for HP Tuners (litreally click for click) with photos of the tables and explanations of what to change and why...Other than attending a class you will not find a more comprehensive explanation anywhere.

[JohnForeman]

Originally Posted by 2010SS2SS

I can tell you by-passing the D.O.D. and changing shift points we were able to make some drastic changes.

what is the DOD?
-John

[ThunderSS]

Originally Posted by JohnForeman

what is the DOD?
-John

Displacement On Demand

[66DeuceLS1]

Hey 2Tightwad - did you use the self paced course or the instructional course with thetuningschool.com folks?

I am a total novice at tuning, but do hold a degree in Electrical & Computer Engineering so I can pick up stuff fast so looking for your input on best bang for the almighty $$$

[2Tightwads]

The tuning schools basic learn @ home coarse is alot easier to use and apply than anything I have used personally. You can ask questions on HpTuners.com/forum or in the private forum there after on thetuningschool.com if you need any further follow up. Also cheaper than in person class that honestly spends alot of time on basic stuff covered in the instructions that come with Hp Tuners.

[2SSRS]

Milk this is what i found to day as i am tiring to learn more on doing my own tune maybe, This takes a min its big.

http://www.oztracktuning.com/videos/customos5.html

[Blood]

Don't you need like a 5000$ computer to custom tune your car? I mean if you buy a programmer its pretty self explanitory so exactly WHAT kind of tuning are you fellas talkin about?

[2Tightwads]

Originally Posted by Blood

Don't you need like a 5000$ computer to custom tune your car? I mean if you buy a programmer its pretty self explanitory so exactly WHAT kind of tuning are you fellas talkin about?

$5k? Heck no, not even close. You can tune a car with as little as the Hp Tuners VCM Suite Basic setup. $499. It will allow you to tune (3) seperate cars for that price too.

To do a real proffesional job I recommend you start with the Hp Tuners Pro setup, NGK AFX wideband, and a small format laptop. Maybe $1k total. I've spent probably $5k total which includes all the books/classes I've taken maybe? Concerning the Books/Classes - Realize 85% of the "pro tuners" out there don't have even that much going for them.

www.Hptuners.com for more info.

Call me I can explain the entire thing in detail. I started out small several years ago tuning friends cars on a budget.

Now I'm tuning cars all over TX!

[99-LS1-SS]

Originally Posted by 2Tightwads

The tuning schools basic learn @ home coarse is alot easier to use and apply than anything I have used personally. You can ask questions on HpTuners.com/forum or in the private forum there after on thetuningschool.com if you need any further follow up. Also cheaper than in person class that honestly spends alot of time on basic stuff covered in the instructions that come with Hp Tuners.

I have recently purchased HP Tuners and the software from The Tuning School. They have helped me a lot. I've also learned a lot from being on the HP Tuners forum. I will say that if you don't have the HP Tuners program then most of what you read on the forum will be tough to follow. Hell, it's tough to follow and I have the program!