What makes a tuner so good?

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Old Jan 4, 2008 | 06:07 PM
  #16  
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you'll get a lot better feedback and info on my350Z tuning forum...
 
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Old Jan 6, 2008 | 08:27 PM
  #17  
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Each manufacturer has some fundamental differences in how they address certain parameters within their proprietary engine management schemes. It is important to understand these when tuning different makes (for example, Subaru uses a pretty interesting timings scheme with something called an advance multiplier - other maker's engine management systems don't usually include something like this unless they are also forced induction - for example Honda's new K23 turbo in the RDX uses a similar scheme, but other Hondas do not).

That said though, a good tuner who is careful and cautious can tune just about any piston engine as long as they take their time and incrementally approach the optimal tune. But if you aren't experienced with a particular make, you should always be conservative on mixture and not mess with things such as cylinder to cylinder trims. Rotaries are a bit of a different story though

I got my start tuning Hondas back in the 90s. Today we tune everything from Chevy and Ford V8s, to Subarus and Mitsus, to Hondas and Nissans, to Minis and soon Porsches - and in each area we've had some nice success with national championships, records, etc.. But each time we add a new area of expertise, we start very slowly, often buying a representative example of the car we want to learn, or sponsoring a race car of the same brand/model that we can spend lots of time learning/experimenting on. The basic approach to achieving the desired solution to the tuning equation is the same, but you need time handle the quirks.

SC
 
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Old Jan 6, 2008 | 10:24 PM
  #19  
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Then his tuning ability wasn't based upon fundamental knowledge of engine behavior, but simply learned pattern responses for a particular group of engines. That's the critical difference between understanding the theory and practical application of engine behavior and just punching key in a manner that someone taught you.

IOW, be probably wasn't a good, careful and cautious tuner

SC
 
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Old Jan 9, 2008 | 10:50 PM
  #20  
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Originally Posted by Churchautotest
Each manufacturer has some fundamental differences in how they address certain parameters within their proprietary engine management schemes. It is important to understand these when tuning different makes (for example, Subaru uses a pretty interesting timings scheme with something called an advance multiplier - other maker's engine management systems don't usually include something like this unless they are also forced induction - for example Honda's new K23 turbo in the RDX uses a similar scheme, but other Hondas do not).

That said though, a good tuner who is careful and cautious can tune just about any piston engine as long as they take their time and incrementally approach the optimal tune. But if you aren't experienced with a particular make, you should always be conservative on mixture and not mess with things such as cylinder to cylinder trims. Rotaries are a bit of a different story though

I got my start tuning Hondas back in the 90s. Today we tune everything from Chevy and Ford V8s, to Subarus and Mitsus, to Hondas and Nissans, to Minis and soon Porsches - and in each area we've had some nice success with national championships, records, etc.. But each time we add a new area of expertise, we start very slowly, often buying a representative example of the car we want to learn, or sponsoring a race car of the same brand/model that we can spend lots of time learning/experimenting on. The basic approach to achieving the desired solution to the tuning equation is the same, but you need time handle the quirks.

SC
Thanks for providing a thoughtful answer instead of a jackass one like others on the thread have given.

Obviously the OP and many of us others are not knowledgable on how these things work and it's not a joker question.

Much appreciated.
 
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Old Jan 18, 2008 | 10:46 PM
  #21  
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One other thing to add about tuners, they've made a lot of mistakes that the average joe like you and me can't afford to make. The tuners with the best reputation has built it on R&D, trial & error, and a ton of $$$. The average ricer on the other hand, will ghettofy his ride with the cheapest mods (usually the PEP BOYS/EBAY specials). These will be the same one that will put on a cheap $20 intake or muffler expecting a 20-30 gain at the wheels. Now between those two types of people ask yourself this simple question: who would YOU trust your car with?

My point: do it right the first time with a tuner. It's cheaper and better that way.
 
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Old Jan 19, 2008 | 01:07 AM
  #22  
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The real problem is; people want to read an answer that they "hope" for... like: It's no problem, everyone can do it... and have 5 dozen responses similar...

When they hear/read reality from the people that have one (or more) tunes they get offended by the responses.

It’s funny how it takes specific technical explanations (from a world-class tuner) for someone to say thanks (even though it went WAY over their head).
 
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 12:10 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by wootwoot123
I have read a number of threads in here referring to the person that programs their aftermarket chips as a "master tuner". I have never tuned one of these chips but what is so hard about it? What do these guys do that could not be done by a computer program? I fail to see what makes these guys so great at tuning a car. Do they watch A/F ratios all day?


its all about knowledge. i sit on my dyno every single day and tune cars. i have tune soooooooo many i think i am going crazy. i know what millisecond a 650 injector needs at 6 psi at 5500 rpms. i know them all....

haha

its really an art form, some people understand and some people dont.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 08:40 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by OCG35
The real problem is; people want to read an answer that they "hope" for... like: It's no problem, everyone can do it... and have 5 dozen responses similar...

When they hear/read reality from the people that have one (or more) tunes they get offended by the responses.

It’s funny how it takes specific technical explanations (from a world-class tuner) for someone to say thanks (even though it went WAY over their head).
What seems even funnier is that some without the technical explanations think that they can legitimately answer the question just because they've dropped their car off and watched someone do it.

I don't think OP nor myself wanted to read an answer that it was easy but in fact what points of it make it more and more complicated. That way one that may want to further understand things can read into it even further and gain a higher understanding about what their tuner is doing. Everyone over the age of 25 on this board doubtlessly understand that tuning a vehicle is a complicated procedure and that's why the experts on the forum have so many people listen carefully to what they say and their posts are well respected.

What's offensive is when people with lay knowledge come on and act like they can answer a question that's way over THEIR heads with smart *** comments.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 08:55 AM
  #25  
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Originally Posted by Audible Mayhem
its all about knowledge. i sit on my dyno every single day and tune cars. i have tune soooooooo many i think i am going crazy. i know what millisecond a 650 injector needs at 6 psi at 5500 rpms. i know them all....

haha

its really an art form, some people understand and some people dont.

you hit it on the nose

You know so much because you have done sooooo many . But it still comes down to taking classes on basic tuning or learning from some one else . Then start tuning . With each tune you gain more and more .

I make Apple Jacks for Kellogg's....I bet there isnt any one else [ or just a hand full ] that can do what I do , the way I do and produce a good product . Its learning something new every day you do it .
 
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Old Jan 23, 2008 | 07:43 PM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by civic4982
What seems even funnier is that some without the technical explanations think that they can legitimately answer the question just because they've dropped their car off and watched someone do it.

I don't think OP nor myself wanted to read an answer that it was easy but in fact what points of it make it more and more complicated. That way one that may want to further understand things can read into it even further and gain a higher understanding about what their tuner is doing. Everyone over the age of 25 on this board doubtlessly understand that tuning a vehicle is a complicated procedure and that's why the experts on the forum have so many people listen carefully to what they say and their posts are well respected.

What's offensive is when people with lay knowledge come on and act like they can answer a question that's way over THEIR heads with smart *** comments.
if you re-read the thread - and paid particular attention to the first post... you would find that the subsequent posts I made are not inappropriate... however, I highly doubt that you or the OP are able to get out and start tuning VQs now.

So whats your point?
 
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