I was wondering if any of you guys know if there is any tuning classes or schooling where someone like me can adquire more in dept tuning skills. I know some of the basics but i would like to be able to tune my car to perfection like some of the big tuning shops. Thanks in advance.

R.

 

What type of software will you be using? Both EFILive and HPTuners have massive amounts of online help through various automotive forums. If you want to a class / school type setting, you can look into this:
http://www.efi101.com/
Hope this helps.

 

Ben Strader is a very knowledgeable man I took his 101 class and the advanced class and they are well worth the money.




Chris Macellaro

 

Back when I took the classes I made a quick video of the experience. Follow the link bellow to the efi101 website then click on the top link in my first post.



http://www.efi101.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=588




Chris Macellaro

 

Thanks guys for the info.

 

I am working wiht Ben and Chris about hosting one of their classes at our shop. Will let you know soon.

Rick

 

How about a class that is more HPtuners specific?

 

I could teach you about HPtuners if someone needed to learn, thats not a problem. What the class is about is EFI. Why you change what, how you go about changing it, ect. Teaching fundamentals about whats happening inside your motor, ect. So you realy dont need to know once certain program, but what you are actually doing to the EFI computer itself. Then you can apply what you learned to HPT.

Rick

 

Rick - Can you email me with info on this class. I want to give the info to my brother (So if you see this JAY...ask me about it!!)

Thanks,
joel

 

keep me posted, i NEED to know this

 

Um... would the girls be at this event?

 

Thanks Rick im looking forward to hearing from you.

R.

 

Ben Strader isn't stupid. On the other hand, he has never disassembled code. I have fixed problems he couldn't figure out, and this is on the Autronic system that he is so used to. The Autronic software wouldn't let him do what needed to be done. Once again, another person excellent in using "software".

 

Not trying to butt heads with you or start a debate sir, but most people I know who can tune can not write code (myself included). And most people I know who write code can not tune. Again no offense meant sir but if you can do both you are truly in the minority in our field. I am sure being over in the aftermarket ECU manufacture epicenter of the world helps to learn both ends of the game. I would love myself to visit Australia someday. Might I enquire to what company you work for?



Chris Macellaro

 

I agree. Just because someone may own a fast car, does that mean they know how to rebuild their engine? Not really. This is why people have jobs, and why others depend on others for abilities. Its a way of life.

 

DRSARGAN is bringing up an interesting point. Many of us grew up in the Dark Ages of EFI tuning. We paid our dues by hacking ECM after ECM, binary file after binary file, writing programs like EFILive, Tunercat, LS1-Edit, and so many more.

Reprogramming ECM binary or assembly language code is an art that most in the tuning field do not posses.

 

What's your point? That is just about the gayest post I have read on this forum. Have you ever worked on an engine? Do you know all the laws of physics, thermodynamics, chemistry, etc that dictate how the engine functions?

When you need to upgrade your valve springs, do you perform your own valve train harmonics tests, or do you rely on a manufacturer that has already done so?

I have never disassembled the code behind Word, Excel, etc. but I still seem to be proficient at using the software to achieve an objective. If the software has bug, then it's not my fault. Perhaps you created the bug in the Autronic software? Better yet, if Autronic indicated that only some of their functions worked but in order to change some values I would have to dissamble the code and make the changes in hex, I doubt they would sell very many units.

 

superls1,

Yes I have worked on engines. Motorcycle, automotive, and jet engines to name a few. I hold several advanced engineering degrees to include some that you metioned below and have worked in the field for over 25 years.

Since you're new to this forum I would ask that you listen to other's points of view in this forum.

My point is this: If the commercial software you have doesn't give you access to a specific function you want your ECM to perform (if you have the skills) you can extract the code and alter its programming to meet your custom needs. A feature not offered by an off-the-shelf software package.

 

Agreed.


Is someone 'less of a tuner', less competent, less knowledgeable about tuning in general, etc. if they can't or simply don't utilize this option? My opinion is not necessarily, and to imply that is the case or that the training being suggested might be lacking simply due to the fact that somebody hasn't disassembled code is absurd. Ask someone who attended EFI 101 and whether or not disassembling some code would have been beneficial. BTW, I have taken the class. It is 1 1/2 days long, and I don't believe the skill mentioned has anything to do with how the class is presented nor would it enhance it.

My comments were not directed towards you. I have been on and off this forum just about since its inception. I did 'listen' to his comments, and I still don't get his point.

Prior to his post, there are a half dozen posts talking about EFI 101 and EFI Advanced. The original poster wanted to know there was any EFI training available. If DrSagan had offered anything substantive regarding the class, materials, persentation, methodology, etc. or even an argument as to something he explicity disagreed with, then I wouldn't have a problem with it.

The 101 class is definitely for beginners. I think anyone with a strong automotive background and much experience with EFI will not find it as useful as the novice or hardcore carb guys. The class starts at the very beginning with the basics of the 4-stroke cycle, discusses theory on calculating air flow, VE, and how to determine fueling requirements using the ideal gas law. The last half day is a demonstration on a dyno showing how to apply the theory/techniques that were discussed the day before. There is a better description of the class here, and I think they have a forum as well. I would recommed the class to anyone wanting to increase their knowledge and have limited experience with EFI or the current tools used to tune late model cars like a C5.

BTW, I am glad you have all your degrees. I don't have all the academic credentials that you do. I am sure that I could learn a lot from you. I also know that I have learned a few things from several engine builders with NHRA championships under their belts, and the ones I know did so without any PHD's (unless we are counting the school of hard knocks).

 

superls1,

I started working on cars while living on a farm in Missouri. I too, went through the school of hard knocks before formal education.

I joined the military to help pay for my school while serving our great country. I have a great deal of respect for plain common sense. It always seems to be in short supply around my associates when working complex solutions on projects.

I would like to sit in on Ben's class to see him work that dyno of his. I hear good things about his tuning skills.

I met a bunch of the guys from NHRA a couple of months ago. Warren Johnson, Jim Yates, Tommy Johnson Jr, and Cory McClenathan came out on a tour, nice guys. Even Fred Simmons from HQ's came out.