Tuning for dummies - Page 2 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

2Tightwads · 09-18-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

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 · 09-19-2009, 07:52 AM

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 · 09-22-2009, 12:03 PM

Quote:

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 · 09-23-2009, 08:06 PM

Quote:

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 · 09-24-2009, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnForeman

what is the DOD?
-John

Displacement On Demand

66DeuceLS1 · 09-25-2009, 12:06 AM

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 · 09-25-2009, 12:12 AM

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@Gen5diy · 09-27-2009, 11:57 AM

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 · 10-01-2009, 11:49 AM

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 · 10-01-2009, 11:53 AM

Quote:

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 · 10-01-2009, 11:54 AM

Quote:

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!

Blood · 10-05-2009, 12:18 PM

WHy dont youjust buy a tuner? Whats the difference from a HP tuner and like a superchip or diablo? I passed the hennessey tuner school on the road yesterday. Man thats a cool lookin car there

lol lost of camaros and dodges

SRFnSNO · 10-05-2009, 12:34 PM

Big difference between HP or EFI than a hand held tuner.
Hand held tuners are great but I plan on Modding beyond its capabilities.

carguy50 · 10-05-2009, 02:22 PM

Is anyone else experiencing hesitation off the line with the L99. Even at light acceleration I get
that 1.5 second hesitation.It acts just like TURBO LAG. Then it runs like a bat out of hell. I'm doing all the good stuff like K&N air filter, high grade Premium Gas and keeping it perfectly clean(that last one seems to work well).I know it's not a Turbo, but it lags like one. It gets a little better as it warms up, but never goes away. I'm wondering if it has something to do with that damn 8 to 4 cylinder crap????

09-25-2009, 12:06 AM	#20
66DeuceLS1 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS SIM M6 Hockey Kit Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Platte City, MO Posts: 92	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 $$$ __________________ 2SS/RS SIM M6 Polished 20's, Hockey Strips, GFX, Kooks LT's, High flow CATS, Magnaflow x-pipe, Vararam CAI

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09-19-2009, 07:52 AM	#16
SRFnSNO Drives: Blown & Flamed Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Jerzy Posts: 654 View My Garage	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

09-25-2009, 12:12 AM	#21
2Tightwads Banned Drives: 2002 LS1 swapped into a 1994 Z Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 386	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.

09-27-2009, 11:57 AM	#22
2SSRS@Gen5diy Drives: 2014 Z/28 #82+#192, 18ZLE 66Nova Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: By the lake in AZ Posts: 15,728 View My Garage	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

10-01-2009, 11:49 AM	#23
Blood Drives: 2003 Silverado z71 1500 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 272	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?

10-05-2009, 12:18 PM	#26
Blood Drives: 2003 Silverado z71 1500 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 272	WHy dont youjust buy a tuner? Whats the difference from a HP tuner and like a superchip or diablo? I passed the hennessey tuner school on the road yesterday. Man thats a cool lookin car there lol lost of camaros and dodges

10-05-2009, 12:34 PM	#27
SRFnSNO Drives: Blown & Flamed Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Jerzy Posts: 654 View My Garage	Big difference between HP or EFI than a hand held tuner. Hand held tuners are great but I plan on Modding beyond its capabilities.

10-05-2009, 02:22 PM	#28
carguy50 Drives: 2SS/RS, Sequntials,Tune,Flomstr,CAI Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: South TX Posts: 350 View My Garage	Is anyone else experiencing hesitation off the line with the L99. Even at light acceleration I get that 1.5 second hesitation.It acts just like TURBO LAG. Then it runs like a bat out of hell. I'm doing all the good stuff like K&N air filter, high grade Premium Gas and keeping it perfectly clean(that last one seems to work well).I know it's not a Turbo, but it lags like one. It gets a little better as it warms up, but never goes away. I'm wondering if it has something to do with that damn 8 to 4 cylinder crap????