Need Dyno tuner in Orange County, CA
Pro
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 651
Likes: 1
From: Z16 #1990 Ridgecrest CA
I had great service at LAPD Too....
Originally Posted by VLVETTE
My work was done @ LAPD in 1-2005 and he told me at that time he did tunes at A&A also. I should say that LAPD did me a great job and at a very good price.
I agree with Paradox though....There is a lot more to a quality tune than just WOT.............I wouldn't hesitate to give LAPD's new tuner a chance though. (I can't comment about A&A, as I've never dealt with them). Based on the posts in this thread, it looks like you have two good choices in SoCal for tuning. 
Stan B.
Last edited by BlueRag; Apr 26, 2005 at 04:38 PM.
Platinum Supporting Vendor
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 5,730
Likes: 270
From: VENTURA Ca
Charlie has been helping me for quite a while. I used to do all my own tuning but as business has grown more and more of the overflow was handed over to Charlie. It had just gotten to the point where there is enough tuning work to keep Charlie here most of the time.
I will say, however, that I have a hand in every car that gets tuned. We really do collaborate on the tuning. We both try to test drive all the cars, whether I tune them or Charlie does. It really helps to get a second opinion on the finer points. Sometimes I feel or hear something he doesn't and vice versa.
I have a new load cell coming for my dyno. It's a $20,000 addition that will really help with the tuning. I can simulate road conditions, hills, high speed wind resistance etc. all on the dyno. I'm very serious about having all the best equipment for my tuning.
I will say, however, that I have a hand in every car that gets tuned. We really do collaborate on the tuning. We both try to test drive all the cars, whether I tune them or Charlie does. It really helps to get a second opinion on the finer points. Sometimes I feel or hear something he doesn't and vice versa.
I have a new load cell coming for my dyno. It's a $20,000 addition that will really help with the tuning. I can simulate road conditions, hills, high speed wind resistance etc. all on the dyno. I'm very serious about having all the best equipment for my tuning.
Last edited by Andy@A&ACorvette; Apr 19, 2005 at 01:36 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,221
Likes: 899
From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
Charlie is and has been a free agent tuner PERIOD! That's just malitious BS about him being terminated. I know that first hand.
He has tuned my car MANY different times with outstanding results! We have roadtested the car many times recording ease traces and making the neccesary changes to part throttle tuning. My long and short term fuel trims are right on! We have also made many many dyno pulls and Charlie has always left me just a bit on the safe side even when I wanted a hair more.
There is always someone out there with an ax to grind.
Every successful video I've made is run on Charlie's Tune!!!
OK Andy, You've tweaked it a few times yourself....
JB
He has tuned my car MANY different times with outstanding results! We have roadtested the car many times recording ease traces and making the neccesary changes to part throttle tuning. My long and short term fuel trims are right on! We have also made many many dyno pulls and Charlie has always left me just a bit on the safe side even when I wanted a hair more.
There is always someone out there with an ax to grind.
Every successful video I've made is run on Charlie's Tune!!!
OK Andy, You've tweaked it a few times yourself....
JB
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 0
From: Stealth So Cal GOCC ...comming to invade your neighborhood soon
I'd have to agree with what JB said. Charlie has been tuning at both shops as an independant for quite some time now. Most of the successful supercharged cars in the So Cal area have been tuned by him at one location or another (even though many have never heard of him).
As for mine....it runs great both at WOT and at part throttle. Some say that their car is sluggish when not in boost but mine feels razor sharp either with boost or without. My results speak for themselves.
Regarding the termination statement...that's between Charlie and LAPD but his tuning abilities have been proven over and over!!!!
As for mine....it runs great both at WOT and at part throttle. Some say that their car is sluggish when not in boost but mine feels razor sharp either with boost or without. My results speak for themselves.
Regarding the termination statement...that's between Charlie and LAPD but his tuning abilities have been proven over and over!!!!
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,466
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From: GARDENA Ca, State Of Konfusion
St. Jude Donor '05
I'm just curious, but does anyone else tune in Cali besides Andy and Charlie?? There a thousands of Vettes around and these are the only two names that are mentioned. What about Northern Cali, who are the tuners or is this just a forum thing???
Racer
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
From: LH ca
Originally Posted by Andy@AandACorvette
I feel that between Charlie and I, we pretty much have the tuning covered in the So Cal area.
We are both capable tuners and on some of the tough ones we really have to bounce ideas off one another. It's kind of like tag team tuning!
We really do try to get the most out of every car. Driveabilty is just as important to us as big dyno numbers.
Case in point. Both of us worked on a Magnuson car with alky injection on Saturday. The customer had done the install himself. We both spent about 5 hours on the car before deciding it had a bad controller. We ran outside vacuum lines to the box ( just in case the lines under the dash were restricted) and a gauge to see just what the box was reading. Turns out that the controller was turning the alcohol on before it actually saw boost. We took the whole unit out for the customer so he could send it back for warranty repair. When he gets it back in, we'll tune it again at no charge.
Besides the actual PCM tuning, we spend the necessary time to make sure everything is mechanically sound.
We are both capable tuners and on some of the tough ones we really have to bounce ideas off one another. It's kind of like tag team tuning!
We really do try to get the most out of every car. Driveabilty is just as important to us as big dyno numbers.Case in point. Both of us worked on a Magnuson car with alky injection on Saturday. The customer had done the install himself. We both spent about 5 hours on the car before deciding it had a bad controller. We ran outside vacuum lines to the box ( just in case the lines under the dash were restricted) and a gauge to see just what the box was reading. Turns out that the controller was turning the alcohol on before it actually saw boost. We took the whole unit out for the customer so he could send it back for warranty repair. When he gets it back in, we'll tune it again at no charge.
Besides the actual PCM tuning, we spend the necessary time to make sure everything is mechanically sound.
Got a call back from Julio Don and the MAP sensor was bad...
Former Vendor
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,518
Likes: 7
From: Valencia CA
Just my .02
Charlie is an excellent tuner and a really good, genuine kind of guy. He isn't pompous, doesn't claim to know it all, and I respect the fact that the bulk of what he knows is essentially self taught from actual experience and time spent tuning on the chassis dyno. He spent MANY a night and a few Sunday afternoons helping me tune my 2000 coupe which we have used as our (AFR's) in house test vehicle for the 205 H/C package many of you have read about....the results obviously speak for themselves and my car drives perfectly. LAPD was kind enough to lend us the use of their dyno facilities for most of that testing, as did Andy at A&A. Charlie is, and has always been, more of an "independent" contractor, hence his previous dealings at both shops. As a few people have already mentioned, what went down between him and LAPD is strictly their own business...I'm guessing they had their differences and decided to part ways....that kind of thing happens every day.
Bottom line, I think all parties involved are good for the Corvette community and we should leave the soap opera stuff to the women while we figure out how to make a little more power or get down the track a little faster.
Tony M.
Bottom line, I think all parties involved are good for the Corvette community and we should leave the soap opera stuff to the women while we figure out how to make a little more power or get down the track a little faster.
Tony M.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 0
From: Edmond Ok
Originally Posted by Tony Mamo
Bottom line, I think all parties involved are good for the Corvette community and we should leave the soap opera stuff to the women while we figure out how to make a little more power or get down the track a little faster.
Tony M.
Tony M.
Preach on Tony...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,221
Likes: 899
From: CA
2017 C5 of the Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '08
Originally Posted by Tony Mamo
Charlie is an excellent tuner and a really good, genuine kind of guy. He isn't pompous, doesn't claim to know it all, and I respect the fact that the bulk of what he knows is essentially self taught from actual experience and time spent tuning on the chassis dyno. He spent MANY a night and a few Sunday afternoons helping me tune my 2000 coupe which we have used as our (AFR's) in house test vehicle for the 205 H/C package many of you have read about....the results obviously speak for themselves and my car drives perfectly. LAPD was kind enough to lend us the use of their dyno facilities for most of that testing, as did Andy at A&A. Charlie is, and has always been, more of an "independent" contractor, hence his previous dealings at both shops. As a few people have already mentioned, what went down between him and LAPD is strictly their own business...I'm guessing they had their differences and decided to part ways....that kind of thing happens every day.
Bottom line, I think all parties involved are good for the Corvette community and we should leave the soap opera stuff to the women while we figure out how to make a little more power or get down the track a little faster.
Tony M.
Bottom line, I think all parties involved are good for the Corvette community and we should leave the soap opera stuff to the women while we figure out how to make a little more power or get down the track a little faster.
Tony M.
Very well put Tony!!
JB
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 204
Likes: 5
From: Grapevine Tx
OK, for what it's worth, I'm going to join in. I'm new to the corvette tuning scene although I have had other types of cars tuned. I've been around modified vehicles all my life. I always ask alot of newbie questions hoping that I don't get talked down to.
I was just at A & A yesterday and felt that all of Andy's crew were the type of people one hopes to have work on their property. I watched them all hustle for 6 hours while taking time to answer any questions. It was a great friendly atmosphere.
Charlie was really trying to make sure that I left satisfied. He was concerned with what kind of driving I did and what improvements I wanted to accomplish. This guy is one sincere person. Comunication was excellent.
I was just at A & A yesterday and felt that all of Andy's crew were the type of people one hopes to have work on their property. I watched them all hustle for 6 hours while taking time to answer any questions. It was a great friendly atmosphere.
Charlie was really trying to make sure that I left satisfied. He was concerned with what kind of driving I did and what improvements I wanted to accomplish. This guy is one sincere person. Comunication was excellent.
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
Let me ellaborate.
I have had no dealings with A&A. I have heard of only good things from them.
My dissatisfaction with my original tune turned emotional when I nearly ran a woman and her kids into oncoming traffic. I didn't know the TM was turned off and I wouldn't have tried what I did had I known it. The smart a--'s will claim I should have been a better driver. If I'd been worse, somebody would have gotten hurt.
When I confronted LAPD, they took advantage of my state and I said some things here that were unsubstantiated. Actually, when I calmed down a couple hours later, I edited my first reply. Too little too late. The forums have a life of their own. I want to apologise to anyone that was hurt by my earlier comments. I should have stayed out of any pissing matches.
On a final note concerning TM, we need to think ahead. A document should be signed at the time of tuning informing the customer of what was done and what the consequences could be. When we get tired of our toys and sell them we need to think of the repercussions of a 20 year old kid getting into one of these.
I have had no dealings with A&A. I have heard of only good things from them.
My dissatisfaction with my original tune turned emotional when I nearly ran a woman and her kids into oncoming traffic. I didn't know the TM was turned off and I wouldn't have tried what I did had I known it. The smart a--'s will claim I should have been a better driver. If I'd been worse, somebody would have gotten hurt.
When I confronted LAPD, they took advantage of my state and I said some things here that were unsubstantiated. Actually, when I calmed down a couple hours later, I edited my first reply. Too little too late. The forums have a life of their own. I want to apologise to anyone that was hurt by my earlier comments. I should have stayed out of any pissing matches.
On a final note concerning TM, we need to think ahead. A document should be signed at the time of tuning informing the customer of what was done and what the consequences could be. When we get tired of our toys and sell them we need to think of the repercussions of a 20 year old kid getting into one of these.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 525
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Paradox
Let me ellaborate.
.
My dissatisfaction with my original tune turned emotional when I nearly ran a woman and her kids into oncoming traffic. I didn't know the TM was turned off and I wouldn't have tried what I did had I known it. The smart a--'s will claim I should have been a better driver. If I'd been worse, somebody would have gotten hurt.
When I confronted LAPD, they took advantage of my state and I said some things here that were unsubstantiated. Actually, when I calmed down a couple hours later, I edited my first reply. Too little too late. The forums have a life of their own. I want to apologise to anyone that was hurt by my earlier comments. I should have stayed out of any pissing matches.
.
.
My dissatisfaction with my original tune turned emotional when I nearly ran a woman and her kids into oncoming traffic. I didn't know the TM was turned off and I wouldn't have tried what I did had I known it. The smart a--'s will claim I should have been a better driver. If I'd been worse, somebody would have gotten hurt.
When I confronted LAPD, they took advantage of my state and I said some things here that were unsubstantiated. Actually, when I calmed down a couple hours later, I edited my first reply. Too little too late. The forums have a life of their own. I want to apologise to anyone that was hurt by my earlier comments. I should have stayed out of any pissing matches.
.
