?'s about tuning...

[The RC3]

What exactly does a tuning do? Is it the same as adding a chip to your vehicle or is that its competitor? Would it be best to have a tune before or after CAI and headers and exhaust are installed? Thanks for your input and my apologies for the noob questions

[hoffmk2003]

Welcome and thanks for the question. There is a lot of info to learn on this subject but here is the basic concept.

When GM makes the factory "tune" for your car they take into account all the different variations from engine to engine, car to car etc then they put a factor or safety or design margin on top of the fueling and spark to make sure it never blows up with the factory tune. The stock tune is a one size fits all if you will, its meant for all LS3s, v6s, L99s for that model year, build period etc..

When you "tune" your car what you are doing is taking out some of the built "fluff" or margin in the tune, but you are doing it systematically and accurately (if you know what your doing) by using a program such as HP tuners to read the outputs of your vehicle sensors under different driving conditions, WOT, part throttle etc. Then you take this feedback and compare it to what the tune is asking for (ciommanding if you will) and remove the error. What this does is match your mods (or even a stock car can benefit) to what the computer thinks is going on in the engine.

Example: you install a CAI and long tube headers, well your car is now breathing easier and with greater volume of air. So the little thing in your intake called a MAF (mass airflow sensor) is reading MORE air (frequency in Hertz) than the computer thinks should be there. Now the computer can compensate for this over time (it learns via fuel trims) however by "tuning" the maf to this new mod combination you take out the learning loop the computer has to go through and thus get better throttle response and more power when in WOT, which makes you a very happy camaro owner.

That is just one way tuning helps, there is many others such as torque managment etc...

So way back in the OBD I days (1980 -1995) you could get a "chip" from aftermarket companies (it is really a Memcal but whatever) which did this for you. all you had to due was pop it into your cars ECM.

Todays version of this is a hand held tuner you plug into your cars diagnostic port (drivers side under steering column lower dash area) and "flash" the computer. This is what most people call a "canned tune" which is better than stock but suffers the same limitations as a stock tune where the aftermarket company made some performance changes but has to keep margin in there to account for all the car variations for the model in question.

The only way to make the most power for YOUR car is to take to a reputable tuner, or learn to tune yourself with a wide band oxygen sensor and a tuning program which allows you to adjust all the engine, fuel, transmission parameters yourself. EFI live, HP tuners are a few that are more popular.

To answer your original question, yes having you vehicle tuned AFTER installing your mods is the best way to get the most out of your car. Otherwise your tune will be "off" or will have error in it after installing these mods.

Hope this Helps,

Ken

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by hoffmk2003

Welcome and thanks for the question. There is a lot of info to learn on this subject but here is the basic concept.

When GM makes the factory "tune" for your car they take into account all the different variations from engine to engine, car to car etc then they put a factor or safety or design margin on top of the fueling and spark to make sure it never blows up with the factory tune. The stock tune is a one size fits all if you will, its meant for all LS3s, v6s, L99s for that model year, build period etc..

When you "tune" your car what you are doing is taking out some of the built "fluff" or margin in the tune, but you are doing it systematically and accurately (if you know what your doing) by using a program such as HP tuners to read the outputs of your vehicle sensors under different driving conditions, WOT, part throttle etc. Then you take this feedback and compare it to what the tune is asking for (ciommanding if you will) and remove the error. What this does is match your mods (or even a stock car can benefit) to what the computer thinks is going on in the engine.

Example: you install a CAI and long tube headers, well your car is now breathing easier and with greater volume of air. So the little thing in your intake called a MAF (mass airflow sensor) is reading MORE air (frequency in Hertz) than the computer thinks should be there. Now the computer can compensate for this over time (it learns via fuel trims) however by "tuning" the maf to this new mod combination you take out the learning loop the computer has to go through and thus get better throttle response and more power when in WOT, which makes you a very happy camaro owner.

That is just one way tuning helps, there is many others such as torque managment etc...

So way back in the OBD I days (1980 -1995) you could get a "chip" from aftermarket companies (it is really a Memcal but whatever) which did this for you. all you had to due was pop it into your cars ECM.

Todays version of this is a hand held tuner you plug into your cars diagnostic port (drivers side under steering column lower dash area) and "flash" the computer. This is what most people call a "canned tune" which is better than stock but suffers the same limitations as a stock tune where the aftermarket company made some performance changes but has to keep margin in there to account for all the car variations for the model in question.

The only way to make the most power for YOUR car is to take to a reputable tuner, or learn to tune yourself with a wide band oxygen sensor and a tuning program which allows you to adjust all the engine, fuel, transmission parameters yourself. EFI live, HP tuners are a few that are more popular.

To answer your original question, yes having you vehicle tuned AFTER installing your mods is the best way to get the most out of your car. Otherwise your tune will be "off" or will have error in it after installing these mods.

Hope this Helps,

Ken

Nice write Up Hof.

And I will add.

Any time you change out parts on your car like CAI or Headers the Factory tune is no longer Optimum and requires recalibration to get back to Optimum plus certain changes need to be made to accept the aftermarket parts without setting Check engine lites.

There are Many Tuning solutions on the market, Some of them are over the counter tuners that are limited to Factory Stock Cars.

Then there are tuners like SCT that can be Both an over the counter tuner and can accept custom tunes from a list of SCT tuners across the country.

Then there is the Tune yourself Option HPtuners which is Not for the Beginner for sure, you must have a full working knowledge of engines and transmissions as well as computers to make educated changes to the tune.

I use SCT X3 as My Primary Tuning Solution on the 2010/11 Camaros, and I have tuned over 265 of these cars to date.

I have a great program where you buy your parts from me and Custom tunes for those parts are Free, check it out and Ask around about my tunes.

Ted.

[The RC3]

Thank You to the both of you for the valuable information. Really learned alot. Much appreciated.

[armysig]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

Nice write Up Hof.
I use SCT X3 as My Primary Tuning Solution on the 2010/11 Camaros, and I have tuned over 265 of these cars to date.
Ted.

Wow, Last I checked your data library was around 190. Very impressive Ted!!!

Keep up the good work.

[blazzin1]

Originally Posted by The RC3

Thank You to the both of you for the valuable information. Really learned alot. Much appreciated.

Yes, both of these gentlemen really know their stuff when it comes to tuning. But just be forewarned....if you "tune" anything...your factory 36month powertrain warranty will be null and void!!!!

[cpssr]

Originally Posted by blazzin1

Yes, both of these gentlemen really know their stuff when it comes to tuning. But just be forewarned....if you "tune" anything...your factory 36month powertrain warranty will be null and void!!!!

The factory powertrain warranty is 5 years/100,000 miles.

[JProberts]

Originally Posted by JANNETTYRACING

Nice write Up Hof.

And I will add.

Any time you change out parts on your car like CAI or Headers the Factory tune is no longer Optimum and requires recalibration to get back to Optimum plus certain changes need to be made to accept the aftermarket parts without setting Check engine lites.

There are Many Tuning solutions on the market, Some of them are over the counter tuners that are limited to Factory Stock Cars.

Then there are tuners like SCT that can be Both an over the counter tuner and can accept custom tunes from a list of SCT tuners across the country.

Then there is the Tune yourself Option HPtuners which is Not for the Beginner for sure, you must have a full working knowledge of engines and transmissions as well as computers to make educated changes to the tune.

I use SCT X3 as My Primary Tuning Solution on the 2010/11 Camaros, and I have tuned over 265 of these cars to date.

I have a great program where you buy your parts from me and Custom tunes for those parts are Free, check it out and Ask around about my tunes.

Ted.

Hey Ted - Long time listener first time poster with you.

I want to know if you have provided tunes for a completely stock L99 and what HP/performance gains would you see with a custom tune on a stock L99? How harmful could this type of performance tune be on your engine compared to the stock provided tune?

I assumed that the OEM tune is on the safe and mild side just like a maggie provided tune would be safe and mild compared to a custom tune on a maggie someone please correct me if my logic is wrong here.

I have always leaned towards adding a SC to my car but the cost is always a little more than what I can spend at the time so wondering what performance gains I can get out of the car just by tuning?

I do plan on adding a CAI Inc or Roto-Fab CAI soon and know that would add a few more HP and could get a tune to include those items. My main question is still what type of tune can I get for the stock set-up and what can I gain from it.....not to mention what a custom tune would cost and if the gains would be worth the money.

So Ted and anyone else out there that can answer some of these questions that would be great. Going to be adding that CAI soon and want to get a better understanding of tunes and what to expect HP gain wise.

[Roto-fab 1]

Originally Posted by JProberts

Hey Ted - Long time listener first time poster with you.

I want to know if you have provided tunes for a completely stock L99 and what HP/performance gains would you see with a custom tune on a stock L99? How harmful could this type of performance tune be on your engine compared to the stock provided tune?

I assumed that the OEM tune is on the safe and mild side just like a maggie provided tune would be safe and mild compared to a custom tune on a maggie someone please correct me if my logic is wrong here.

I have always leaned towards adding a SC to my car but the cost is always a little more than what I can spend at the time so wondering what performance gains I can get out of the car just by tuning?

I do plan on adding a CAI Inc or Roto-Fab CAI soon and know that would add a few more HP and could get a tune to include those items. My main question is still what type of tune can I get for the stock set-up and what can I gain from it.....not to mention what a custom tune would cost and if the gains would be worth the money.

So Ted and anyone else out there that can answer some of these questions that would be great. Going to be adding that CAI soon and want to get a better understanding of tunes and what to expect HP gain wise.

Ted does have a tune specifically for the Roto-fab intake which I have heard nothing but good about. Our intake has a very effective air box, a very large filter, custom molded MAF housing with a generous radius on the entry and our inlet elbow has a 6" radius for a nice entry to the throttle body. In addition to performance gains, our system will give your car an awesome sound under acceleration.

The Roto-fab system functions well, sounds great and can be ordered in a variety of colors. Also, we offer an optional dry filter for those that prefer it.

Please take a moment to check out our gallery at roto-fab.com for a more detailed explanation of our intake system as well as a huge variety of customer pics, color options and other Roto-fab products.

[JANNETTYRACING]

Originally Posted by JProberts

Hey Ted - Long time listener first time poster with you.

I want to know if you have provided tunes for a completely stock L99 and what HP/performance gains would you see with a custom tune on a stock L99? How harmful could this type of performance tune be on your engine compared to the stock provided tune?

I assumed that the OEM tune is on the safe and mild side just like a maggie provided tune would be safe and mild compared to a custom tune on a maggie someone please correct me if my logic is wrong here.

I have always leaned towards adding a SC to my car but the cost is always a little more than what I can spend at the time so wondering what performance gains I can get out of the car just by tuning?

I do plan on adding a CAI Inc or Roto-Fab CAI soon and know that would add a few more HP and could get a tune to include those items. My main question is still what type of tune can I get for the stock set-up and what can I gain from it.....not to mention what a custom tune would cost and if the gains would be worth the money.

So Ted and anyone else out there that can answer some of these questions that would be great. Going to be adding that CAI soon and want to get a better understanding of tunes and what to expect HP gain wise.

Yes I have and GM has Not left much HP on the Table usually 5-10 RWHP PEAK.

But torque management is a different story all together feels like 30 RWHP and really wakes up.

My tunes are completely safe.

Ted.