Resources for learning to tune? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

mercedestech · 09-14-2012, 03:40 PM

I recently bought two of Gregg Banish's books on tuning, and wanted to know how the tuners on this forum started out? I can do anything mechanical (I'm the shop foreman and Master Certified at a Mercedes-Benz dealer (and Have been Master Certified with Mitsubishi and BMW in the past), but really want to learn to tune. Are there schools that offer training for high performance tuning, or did you guys just learn as you went a long? I really enjoy modifying these cars, but don't like the fact that I have to rely on others to tune what I build...and can't stand the fact that my hands are tied when/if there is an issue with the tune in my own car!

realcanuk · 09-15-2012, 05:38 AM

Study the books, read hptuners forums and most importantly go slow with small changes at a time. You can ask questions on the forum and there are many guides and tutorials to read there.

toml_pa · 09-15-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by realcanuk

Study the books, read hptuners forums and most importantly go slow with small changes at a time. You can ask questions on the forum and there are many guides and tutorials to read there.

^Very good advice^
I found it very helpful to use the compare feature of HP Tuners to compare say a stock tune to a tune for LT headers or a cam then find out what the changes did by searching HP Tuners or EFI forums. You are definitely on the right track with Gregg Banish's books. The biggest hurdle in learning to tune is the time it takes. If you decide to go the training route, I would highly recommend Gregg's live classes. Here is a link to Calibrated Success, his website.

Higgs Boson · 09-15-2012, 09:33 AM

I started because the 850 hp Z06 I used to have was not tuned well at all and I lost trust in the "pro tuner." I taught myself everything using HPT forums and some G Banish books, etc on a stroked, nitrous, big cam Vette. lol. No small changes for me. It took 8 months until I had it perfect and understood every little thing. I never stop messing with it right until I sold it. Now I have tuned about 190 cars and trucks but it is just for fun/on the side sort of thing.

Iam Broke · 09-15-2012, 10:04 AM

I learned on my own LNF turbo Cobalt with the help of a great mentor on the HPT forums. (Terminator2) Take your time, read a lot, ask questions and you'll get it. I moved on from the 4 banger turbo to tune my own LS1 & now the LS3. Also have done ~20 tunes for others and helped hundreds. It's great to know how & what you are doing.

I paid a shop to tune a car and all they did was rape the PE table. lol.

mercedestech · 09-15-2012, 12:53 PM

My car is currently tuned with efi live, would it be better to buy their software? Can I read and modify my current tune with hptuners now that it has been tuned with efi live? Which software is easier to learn on? Also how can I tell if my current tune was done properly, I keep hearing about the PE tables being changed and other shortcuts some tuners use. I also heard of an issue with the LPE dual pump setup I currently have on order that affects the fuel gauge reading properly that can not be fixed with hp, only efi live. Sorry for all of the questions, I am just trying to gather as much info as possible before making a choice on software. Thanks!

Supercharged SS · 09-15-2012, 12:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mercedestech

My car is currently tuned with efi live, would it be better to buy their software? Can I read and modify my current tune with hptuners now that it has been tuned with efi live? Which software is easier to learn on? Also how can I tell if my current tune was done properly, I keep hearing about the PE tables being changed and other shortcuts some tuners use. I also heard of an issue with the LPE dual pump setup I currently have on order that affects the fuel gauge reading properly that can not be fixed with hp, only efi live. Sorry for all of the questions, I am just trying to gather as much info as possible before making a choice on software. Thanks!

There is an issue with the fuel gauge not reading properly after installing the LPE dual pump. I think HP can correct it though. ADM posted some info on this a while back.

Gd luck!!

mercedestech · 09-15-2012, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Supercharged SS

There is an issue with the fuel gauge not reading properly after installing the LPE dual pump. I think HP can correct it though. ADM posted some info on this a while back.

Gd luck!!

Thats why I was asking about hp tuners...his post said it was only fixable with efi live. I don't have my fuel pump yet, so I may not even have the problem, but wanted to make sure I have the software to fix it if I do!

mercedestech · 09-16-2012, 06:49 PM

Just found out efi live has a tuning class called efi university that is local to me next weekend. Anyone know anything about this ?

Tampa Tuning · 09-16-2012, 08:24 PM

I like the Tuning School classes and books because they are HP Tuners specific if that's the platform your learning. I think they explain the tuning process better. I go up there and help out every once in a while. What I like about them its a step by step walk you through the tuning process.

09-14-2012, 03:40 PM	#1
mercedestech Drives: 2010 2SS/RS IOM,2013 Mercedes ML350 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Akron Posts: 507	Resources for learning to tune? I recently bought two of Gregg Banish's books on tuning, and wanted to know how the tuners on this forum started out? I can do anything mechanical (I'm the shop foreman and Master Certified at a Mercedes-Benz dealer (and Have been Master Certified with Mitsubishi and BMW in the past), but really want to learn to tune. Are there schools that offer training for high performance tuning, or did you guys just learn as you went a long? I really enjoy modifying these cars, but don't like the fact that I have to rely on others to tune what I build...and can't stand the fact that my hands are tied when/if there is an issue with the tune in my own car! __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Whipple 2.9L, Rotofab CAI and coil covers, XS Power LT's and full 3" exhaust, Vengeance kaotic cam package (trunion kit,dual springs,titanium retainers,hardened pushrods,c5r chain,ls2 tensioner, melling oil pump) Mgw shifter, 160 deg Tstat, prosport gauges, LPE dual pump, FIC 60lb injectors, level 5 DSS Axles 1994 Z28 MSD optispark, K&N CAI, Magnaflow y pipe..Cat..and cat back. 1998 wheels, custom tune(sold ) 1993 Base V6 sold to buy Z28 1994 Purple Pearl V6...sold 1979 Base Car with inline 250ci 6 cyl! My first car in 1989! Last edited by mercedestech; 09-14-2012 at 05:17 PM.

09-15-2012, 05:38 AM	#2
realcanuk Drives: 2007 Corvette C6 983 RWHP Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Montreal, Canada Posts: 690	Study the books, read hptuners forums and most importantly go slow with small changes at a time. You can ask questions on the forum and there are many guides and tutorials to read there. __________________ 2007 C6 vert, auto, F55, LT3 LME LS402 , WCCH 245 Heads, Pat G. Custom cam YSI / 3.0 pulley, ARH 1 7/8 headers, NPP Dewitts / dual spals, A&A dual pump fuel system. 3.42 polished gears, hardened shafts, Alky control meth, Cartech line lock, ECS axle loops, Trans brace, 6L80 built by me. ID 1000 injectors, comp rockers, Morel lifters, BT springs, Trend 3/8 pushrods, ATI 10% OD Damper Circle D Triple Disc stall 1009 RWHP @ 7000, 817 RWTQ @ 6000,

09-15-2012, 10:04 AM	#5
Iam Broke PHAT B33 Drives: 2012 TF3 Camaro 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Dark of the Moon Posts: 1,460 View My Garage	I learned on my own LNF turbo Cobalt with the help of a great mentor on the HPT forums. (Terminator2) Take your time, read a lot, ask questions and you'll get it. I moved on from the 4 banger turbo to tune my own LS1 & now the LS3. Also have done ~20 tunes for others and helped hundreds. It's great to know how & what you are doing. I paid a shop to tune a car and all they did was rape the PE table. lol. __________________ Another 1 of 371 '12 T3 LS3 M6's built.

09-15-2012, 12:53 PM	#6
mercedestech Drives: 2010 2SS/RS IOM,2013 Mercedes ML350 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Akron Posts: 507	My car is currently tuned with efi live, would it be better to buy their software? Can I read and modify my current tune with hptuners now that it has been tuned with efi live? Which software is easier to learn on? Also how can I tell if my current tune was done properly, I keep hearing about the PE tables being changed and other shortcuts some tuners use. I also heard of an issue with the LPE dual pump setup I currently have on order that affects the fuel gauge reading properly that can not be fixed with hp, only efi live. Sorry for all of the questions, I am just trying to gather as much info as possible before making a choice on software. Thanks! __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Whipple 2.9L, Rotofab CAI and coil covers, XS Power LT's and full 3" exhaust, Vengeance kaotic cam package (trunion kit,dual springs,titanium retainers,hardened pushrods,c5r chain,ls2 tensioner, melling oil pump) Mgw shifter, 160 deg Tstat, prosport gauges, LPE dual pump, FIC 60lb injectors, level 5 DSS Axles 1994 Z28 MSD optispark, K&N CAI, Magnaflow y pipe..Cat..and cat back. 1998 wheels, custom tune(sold ) 1993 Base V6 sold to buy Z28 1994 Purple Pearl V6...sold 1979 Base Car with inline 250ci 6 cyl! My first car in 1989!

09-16-2012, 06:49 PM	#9
mercedestech Drives: 2010 2SS/RS IOM,2013 Mercedes ML350 Join Date: May 2010 Location: Akron Posts: 507	Just found out efi live has a tuning class called efi university that is local to me next weekend. Anyone know anything about this ? __________________ 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Whipple 2.9L, Rotofab CAI and coil covers, XS Power LT's and full 3" exhaust, Vengeance kaotic cam package (trunion kit,dual springs,titanium retainers,hardened pushrods,c5r chain,ls2 tensioner, melling oil pump) Mgw shifter, 160 deg Tstat, prosport gauges, LPE dual pump, FIC 60lb injectors, level 5 DSS Axles 1994 Z28 MSD optispark, K&N CAI, Magnaflow y pipe..Cat..and cat back. 1998 wheels, custom tune(sold ) 1993 Base V6 sold to buy Z28 1994 Purple Pearl V6...sold 1979 Base Car with inline 250ci 6 cyl! My first car in 1989!

09-15-2012, 09:33 AM	#4
Higgs Boson Perpetual Order Drives: indeed Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Texas Hill Country Posts: 1,277	I started because the 850 hp Z06 I used to have was not tuned well at all and I lost trust in the "pro tuner." I taught myself everything using HPT forums and some G Banish books, etc on a stroked, nitrous, big cam Vette. lol. No small changes for me. It took 8 months until I had it perfect and understood every little thing. I never stop messing with it right until I sold it. Now I have tuned about 190 cars and trucks but it is just for fun/on the side sort of thing.

09-16-2012, 08:24 PM	#10
Tampa Tuning Account Suspended Drives: TAMPA TUNING FACEBOOK & INSTAGRAM Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Tampa, Fl Posts: 3,044	I like the Tuning School classes and books because they are HP Tuners specific if that's the platform your learning. I think they explain the tuning process better. I go up there and help out every once in a while. What I like about them its a step by step walk you through the tuning process.