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Help with "tune"
Now, don't laugh; but when I started driving, the first mod was to go from single to multi[ple carburators. Question: what is a tune; and what's the advantage of a custom versus a canned tune. When you finish guffawing; only serious answers please. At my age, I don't have the time left to distinguish between the two. This will be applied to 12 V6 with no other mods except for CAI to be installed at same time. Thanks in Advance.
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Originally Posted by numnutz
(Post 6819528)
Now, don't laugh; but when I started driving, the first mod was to go from single to multi[ple carburators. Question: what is a tune; and what's the advantage of a custom versus a canned tune. When you finish guffawing; only serious answers please. At my age, I don't have the time left to distinguish between the two. This will be applied to 12 V6 with no other mods except for CAI to be installed at same time. Thanks in Advance.
Yea those were the day huh? Remomber when we would go out and tweak the carborators with a screw driver and twist the distributor back and forth to "tune" our cars? Well now all of that and a many many more functions and adjustments are computer controlled, and these "programs" or "Tunes" can be programed to change how the engine runs. So when you buy a "Tune" you are buying a program that controls how your engine runs. These "Tunes" can change the timing and any and all other engine adjustments. Someone can get into a lot more details but that's the basics. Hope that helps :) |
A tune just changes how the computer controls everything on your car. A computer controls almost every aspect of it, and those functions can be "tuned" with a handheld tuner that connects to the OBDII port. There are a ton of different functions that can be changed, but often it's just engine timing, fuel delivery, throttle response (even your throttle is electronically controlled) and if you have an automatic, shifting points are often changed. Other parameters can be changed that's just the basic ones.
All this does is allows the engine to make a little more horsepower, reduces any throttle lag (often with electronic throttles there is significant lag between pressing the pedal and the throttle actually opening) and makes the transmission shift at different points and increases shift firmness. I've heard the term "canned tune" used several different ways, but I see them as the tunes already available on the tuning device when you buy it, or tunes that have been made without getting any datalog info from your car before hand. Custom tunes are custom made specifically for your vehicle, and they are fine tuned either on a dyno or through datalogging software (connecting a computer to your vehicle to record data from the engine). Custom tunes are generally safer and allow for more power since they can be tweaked until they are just right. Canned tunes do not allow for this, and either do not make as much power, or are unsafe as they might allow unsafe engine operation if they change parameters too much. Often times you can buy canned tunes, then do some datalogging on your own and send the tuner your datalog file. Then they can tweak the tune if needed. All this can be done over email, no need to go to a shop and get on a dyno. You just record a couple WOT runs through a couple gears, which should give them all the info they need. I have a Steeda tune on my V6 and I love it. It's "canned" in the sense that they send you a tune file without having seen a datalog file, but you can datalog on your own and send that to them, and they can revise the tune (if it needs it). For most folks, especially without significant engine modifications, email tunes are just fine. Dyno tunes make more sense if you start adding super/turbo chargers, different cams, bore/stroking the engine, etc. |
Originally Posted by Joeywhat
(Post 6819542)
A tune just changes how the computer controls everything on your car. A computer controls almost every aspect of it, and those functions can be "tuned" with a handheld tuner that connects to the OBDII port. There are a ton of different functions that can be changed, but often it's just engine timing, fuel delivery, throttle response (even your throttle is electronically controlled) and if you have an automatic, shifting points are often changed. Other parameters can be changed that's just the basic ones.
All this does is allows the engine to make a little more horsepower, reduces any throttle lag (often with electronic throttles there is significant lag between pressing the pedal and the throttle actually opening) and makes the transmission shift at different points and increases shift firmness. I've heard the term "canned tune" used several different ways, but I see them as the tunes already available on the tuning device when you buy it, or tunes that have been made without getting any datalog info from your car before hand. Custom tunes are custom made specifically for your vehicle, and they are fine tuned either on a dyno or through datalogging software (connecting a computer to your vehicle to record data from the engine). Custom tunes are generally safer and allow for more power since they can be tweaked until they are just right. Canned tunes do not allow for this, and either do not make as much power, or are unsafe as they might allow unsafe engine operation if they change parameters too much. Often times you can buy canned tunes, then do some datalogging on your own and send the tuner your datalog file. Then they can tweak the tune if needed. All this can be done over email, no need to go to a shop and get on a dyno. You just record a couple WOT runs through a couple gears, which should give them all the info they need. I have a Steeda tune on my V6 and I love it. It's "canned" in the sense that they send you a tune file without having seen a datalog file, but you can datalog on your own and send that to them, and they can revise the tune (if it needs it). For most folks, especially without significant engine modifications, email tunes are just fine. Dyno tunes make more sense if you start adding super/turbo chargers, different cams, bore/stroking the engine, etc. |
You can check out this video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZCpCoMBxUA Let me know if I can help assist you with placing an order for a Steeda tune & tuning device. You can reach me at tim@steeda.com. Best Regards, TJ |
Originally Posted by numnutz
(Post 6819544)
Thanks. AM as good a market as any? Qeustion 2; exactly how is the tune downloaded to the car? Last time I did this, I just swapped out the computer chip.Thanks again.
To get the tune into the car you need a "tuner". It's a handheld device that connects to the OBDII port (that's the same port an auto parts store connects to to check codes). SCT is a common handheld tuner that many folks go with, they make a number of handheld tuners to use. Their X4 model would probably be your best bet, although you can look at their entire line and see what works for you. Getting the tune on the device depends on who you go with. When I bought my Steeda tune the original tune file was already loaded onto the device. At that point you just follow the instructions and connect the tuner to the car, and upload the tune file to the car's computer. It takes a good 10-15 minutes, then you're done. If the tuning device doesn't already have the tune file on it, you generally have to connect the tuner to your computer (it comes with a USB cable), install the software that lets the tuner communicate with the computer, and install the tune file into the tuner that way. It's usually just emailed to you, so you save the email attachment and put it right on the tuner. It comes with instructions on how to do this, it's really not too hard. |
Originally Posted by Joeywhat
(Post 6819694)
I'm really happy with my Steeda tune, and that's all I have experience with. So, no comment on anyone else's tune.
To get the tune into the car you need a "tuner". It's a handheld device that connects to the OBDII port (that's the same port an auto parts store connects to to check codes). SCT is a common handheld tuner that many folks go with, they make a number of handheld tuners to use. Their X4 model would probably be your best bet, although you can look at their entire line and see what works for you. Getting the tune on the device depends on who you go with. When I bought my Steeda tune the original tune file was already loaded onto the device. At that point you just follow the instructions and connect the tuner to the car, and upload the tune file to the car's computer. It takes a good 10-15 minutes, then you're done. If the tuning device doesn't already have the tune file on it, you generally have to connect the tuner to your computer (it comes with a USB cable), install the software that lets the tuner communicate with the computer, and install the tune file into the tuner that way. It's usually just emailed to you, so you save the email attachment and put it right on the tuner. It comes with instructions on how to do this, it's really not too hard. |
I had the 91 Steeda tune. It made a great improvement, but I had drivability issues in my automatic. The car would really shift hard from 1st to 2nd. After 2 revisions and a year later, it was better, but I wasn't satisfied and the Wife didn't even like driving the car. It felt like being in the passenger seat with a 16 yo kid trying to learn to drive a manual transmission and bucking the car back and forth.
Anyways... I recently decided to try a Lund tune and absolutely love it! The car shifts are smooth and great for stop and go traffic, and when I go WOT, the car's rear tires would really bark and screech into 2nd gear. The harder you get into the throttle, the more aggressive the shifts tend to be. In my experience, the Lund tune is the way to go. My only regret was waiting a year to get a tune from Lund. |
I had the 91 Steeda tune. It made a great improvement, but I had drivability issues in my automatic. The car would really shift hard from 1st to 2nd. After 2 revisions and a year later, it was better, but I wasn't satisfied and the Wife didn't even like driving the car. It felt like being in the passenger seat with a 16 yo kid trying to learn to drive a manual transmission and bucking the car back and forth.
Anyways... I recently decided to try a Lund tune and absolutely love it! The car shifts are smooth and great for stop and go traffic, and when I go WOT, the car's rear tires would really bark and screech into 2nd gear. The harder you get into the throttle, the more aggressive the shifts tend to be. In my experience, the Lund tune is the way to go. My only regret was waiting a year to get a tune from Lund. One thing to note: Steeda's Cold Air intake is top notch, and their customer support is pretty good. |
Yes, time to time there are cars that just do not react well to tunes, for whatever reason.
Glad you are enjoying your new tune & thank you for the feedback. Best Regards, TJ |
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