What do tuners do?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,118
Likes: 122
From: Madison (Huntsville) Alabama
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
What do tuners do?
I keep reading about people getting their cars tuned on a dynamometer. Exactly what does the tuner do? What is the process? I'll admit to having no idea.
And will a tune help a totally stock engine or is only for cars with headers and such?
And will a tune help a totally stock engine or is only for cars with headers and such?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 5,526
Likes: 16
From: Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania
In the simplest of terms think of it this way:
The modern car engine is 'managed' or operated by a computer. That computer has a program in it, written by the factory, that tells the engine how to operate under any and all conditions.
So today's engine tuners take that program and rewrite or reprogram certain aspects of it, telling the engine to give you more performance characteristics. i.e. = quicker throttle response, faster fuel flow, advanced spark timing and a whole lot of other electronic changes.
The dynamometer test their programming results and allows them to tweak the program for maximum benefit.
Lastly they may exchange some factory engine and associated parts for more performance oriented parts.
The end result is improved performance, often sacrificing fuel efficiency or idle smoothness - other times improving on them also.
Last edited by michaelinmech; Jul 8, 2013 at 05:09 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 8,970
Likes: 469
From: Between North and South Pole
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22-'23
In the simplest of terms think of it this way:
The modern car engine is 'managed' or operated by a computer. That computer has a program in it, written by the factory, that tells the engine how to operate under any and all conditions.
So today's engine tuners take that program and rewrite or reprogram certain aspects of it, telling the engine to give you more performance characteristics. i.e. = quicker throttle response, faster fuel flow, advanced spark timing and a whole lot of other electronic changes.
The dynamometer test their programming results and allows them to tweak the program for maximum benefit.
Lastly they may exchange some factory engine and associated parts for more performance oriented parts.
The end result is improved performance, often sacrificing fuel efficiency or idle smoothness - other times improving on them also.
The modern car engine is 'managed' or operated by a computer. That computer has a program in it, written by the factory, that tells the engine how to operate under any and all conditions.
So today's engine tuners take that program and rewrite or reprogram certain aspects of it, telling the engine to give you more performance characteristics. i.e. = quicker throttle response, faster fuel flow, advanced spark timing and a whole lot of other electronic changes.
The dynamometer test their programming results and allows them to tweak the program for maximum benefit.
Lastly they may exchange some factory engine and associated parts for more performance oriented parts.
The end result is improved performance, often sacrificing fuel efficiency or idle smoothness - other times improving on them also.
Speedy
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 6,114
Likes: 931
From: Tn
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Modified
A dyno is a tool which allows a tuner to see how the engine and computer behave at various speeds. The dyno can simulate load to mimic how the car would accelerate on the road. It allows the tuner to see how the car behaves at speeds that would not be practical to obtain on public roads over and over. From acceleration it can tell you how much power you are making "rear wheel horse power, rwhp" is this calculated value. You will see that RWHP is lower then manufacturers claimed engine HP which is true because some power is lost turning all the drivetrain components.
A tuner is someone who enters the cars computer and changes setting to make the car make more power. They can adjust the air fuel ratio, spark plug timing and multiple other settings. They learn what they can change and how far to make the car more powerful and optimized from the climate in your area. The factory settings were intended for maximum reliability and to run well in all climates
A tuner is someone who enters the cars computer and changes setting to make the car make more power. They can adjust the air fuel ratio, spark plug timing and multiple other settings. They learn what they can change and how far to make the car more powerful and optimized from the climate in your area. The factory settings were intended for maximum reliability and to run well in all climates
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 0
A "tune" all by itself? Modest performance enhancement, sometimes very modest. If other modifications have been done to engine "hardware" ie; cam, headers, exhaust, etc. a tune is a necessary aspect of gaining the most out of those modifications.
If your car is stock, and still under warranty, personally I would not spend the money. To each their own.
If your car is stock, and still under warranty, personally I would not spend the money. To each their own.
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