Where to Dynotune?
02-22-2010, 09:34 PM
#1
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Where to Dynotune? So I'm moving later this spring from MA down to TX, with a stop-over in VA/NC.
I have a PCMforLess mail order tune that runs ok, but I want a dynotune. Apparently there aren't any LT1 dyno tuners in the greater Boston area, are there any decent ones in Northern VA, Raleigh NC, or Dallas TX?
I'll have my car on a trailer and could take it anywhere in those areas, close by, or in between...
I have a PCMforLess mail order tune that runs ok, but I want a dynotune. Apparently there aren't any LT1 dyno tuners in the greater Boston area, are there any decent ones in Northern VA, Raleigh NC, or Dallas TX?
I'll have my car on a trailer and could take it anywhere in those areas, close by, or in between...
02-23-2010, 12:45 AM
#2
Speed Inc in shaumberg, Illinois does awesome work from what I've heard...Im heading there this spring with my buddy to do dyno tuning on his '00 SS. They're a sponsor on here and I know AChotrod has had sum work done there, hopefully he'll chime in...
02-23-2010, 08:41 AM
#3
Hey:
There are a few in Ral, NC, but why not goto PCMForless in Mooresville NC, its near Charlotte, NC, it is not far from Raliegh 2-3hrs or so, and they already have a starting point on file from your old tune and many folks are very happy with them? Tick performance and them share a building there.
Dub
When In Doubt Do Without
There are a few in Ral, NC, but why not goto PCMForless in Mooresville NC, its near Charlotte, NC, it is not far from Raliegh 2-3hrs or so, and they already have a starting point on file from your old tune and many folks are very happy with them? Tick performance and them share a building there.
Dub
When In Doubt Do Without
02-23-2010, 11:10 AM
#4
There is Carolina Auto Masters in Durham, NC (DynoJet). They have mixed reviews from folks here and elsewhere. I had mine done there and am pretty happy. There is also a facility about 25 min. south of Raleigh called Steve Ashworth Performance. Steve did my heads and intake and told me he has an Eddy Current dyno and to give him a shot at it if I wasn't happy with CAM. There is also RPM (also DynoJet) in Garner.
Gotta agree with the PCMforLess option as well. They might knock off the mail order cost and 'upgrade' you to a dyno tune for less than a standalone tune. CAM does that, they might do it, too.
Gotta agree with the PCMforLess option as well. They might knock off the mail order cost and 'upgrade' you to a dyno tune for less than a standalone tune. CAM does that, they might do it, too.
02-23-2010, 03:29 PM
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I'd be interested in the one in Glen Burnie MD, or Garner NC. They would be pretty close to where I'll be. I'll also have to check with PCMforLess, I didn't realize they did dynotuning.
Do the TX shops do LT1 tuning?
How much difference is there between different dyno-tuners? I haven't had it done before, so I am unfamiliar with the process. I know they basically will have their laptop plugged into the system while running it on the dyno; but isn't there a range of norms that they are attempting to dial the various timing and fuel maps in for? I would think it would be pretty universal, and cost would be the major differentiator between shops. Help me out here...
Do the TX shops do LT1 tuning?
How much difference is there between different dyno-tuners? I haven't had it done before, so I am unfamiliar with the process. I know they basically will have their laptop plugged into the system while running it on the dyno; but isn't there a range of norms that they are attempting to dial the various timing and fuel maps in for? I would think it would be pretty universal, and cost would be the major differentiator between shops. Help me out here...
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02-23-2010, 04:28 PM
#8
Most of these guys use a Tech-II Scanner. An ALDL cable is hooked to your OBD-I 12 pin or OBD-II 16 pin port and the scanner is usually in turn hooked to a PC. There are various flavors of software that work with a Tech-II for viewing the tables programmed into your PCM. They accomplish the same thing; reading and rewriting portions of the program. The choice of software is whatever the tuner likes best for viewing, editing and saving.
The dyno is indispensable for testing physical results of virtual adjustments. Eddy current dynos (sometimes referred to as "Mustang dynos") set resistance against the wheels and offer better part-throttle tuning. DynoJet dynos will generally read higher numbers in terms of HP because they're not applying 'real world' forces through the rollers. I say this because if you end up getting tuned on an eddy current dyno and you only see 320RWHP you can figure that to be about 345 on a DynoJet.
I have some friends that recommend RPM in Garner highly though I've not been there myself. They're about 10-12 minutes away from me. I went to Jeff in Durham at the recommendation of a friend who knows him and has built engines since he and I were 14-15.
http://rpmmotorsportsnc.com/
The dyno is indispensable for testing physical results of virtual adjustments. Eddy current dynos (sometimes referred to as "Mustang dynos") set resistance against the wheels and offer better part-throttle tuning. DynoJet dynos will generally read higher numbers in terms of HP because they're not applying 'real world' forces through the rollers. I say this because if you end up getting tuned on an eddy current dyno and you only see 320RWHP you can figure that to be about 345 on a DynoJet.
I have some friends that recommend RPM in Garner highly though I've not been there myself. They're about 10-12 minutes away from me. I went to Jeff in Durham at the recommendation of a friend who knows him and has built engines since he and I were 14-15.
http://rpmmotorsportsnc.com/
02-23-2010, 04:37 PM
#9
There is a little art to it, especially transitioning between blocks, addressing the RPM tables right so you don't have a hanging high idle until you get below 2MPH, little things like that. If you want a pretty good idea of what's in there to tweaked, have a look at Solomon's write-up:
http://www.lt1pcmtuning.com/tips/
This covers the DIY approach but the same things will be addressed by the tuner (their experience is worth the cost).
Hit me up when you're in the area and I'll buy you a cheeseburger!
http://www.lt1pcmtuning.com/tips/
This covers the DIY approach but the same things will be addressed by the tuner (their experience is worth the cost).
Hit me up when you're in the area and I'll buy you a cheeseburger!
02-24-2010, 02:54 PM
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So I'm moving later this spring from MA down to TX, with a stop-over in VA/NC.
I have a PCMforLess mail order tune that runs ok, but I want a dynotune. Apparently there aren't any LT1 dyno tuners in the greater Boston area, are there any decent ones in Northern VA, Raleigh NC, or Dallas TX?
I'll have my car on a trailer and could take it anywhere in those areas, close by, or in between...
I have a PCMforLess mail order tune that runs ok, but I want a dynotune. Apparently there aren't any LT1 dyno tuners in the greater Boston area, are there any decent ones in Northern VA, Raleigh NC, or Dallas TX?
I'll have my car on a trailer and could take it anywhere in those areas, close by, or in between...
04-21-2010, 01:23 PM
#16
I would definitely recommend Alivin Anderson of PCMFORLESS in Mooresville NC. He tuned my LT and I picked up a tenth and 2 mph in the heat, and ended up going as fast as a 6.55 @ 101 mph in the 1/8 in the cooler air. I have since went to a carbed SBC, but plan on going back to EFI when my money gets right and Alvin will be the one I go to.
Randy
Randy
04-21-2010, 01:42 PM
#17
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F-body Central has all but closed their doors. The shop is no longer and the dyno is gone. I believe the owner is doing a lot of work out of his house. Not sure if they have the means to a dyno or not. There is also another shop in Glen Burnie called PSI (Performance Specialties Inc). The owner's name is Jeff. He uses a Mustang dyno and has tuned a few of my combos. I've always been happy w/ his work.
http://www.kudzu.com/m/Performance-S...rated-14165024
As far as TX goes you may want to do a bit of research on www.dfwstangs.net. I think there's a shop in Keller, TX that's had good reviews.
http://www.kudzu.com/m/Performance-S...rated-14165024
As far as TX goes you may want to do a bit of research on www.dfwstangs.net. I think there's a shop in Keller, TX that's had good reviews.
04-22-2010, 08:04 PM
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Killeen doesn't look too far (I'm actually going to be in San Angelo).
I think I want to wait until I get to TX to get my dynotune in case I have any issues or need tweaks.
Once I get down there and get settled I'll start figuring out who I should go to.
I also have to figure out what's causing my car to run rough. I have a sneaking suspicion it isn't just the rich tune that's causing it. I have new O2s to install, but I want to wait until I adjust the tune and or fix any other problems to put them in...
Hopefully whatever dynoshop I pick will be able to help me troubleshoot my issues for reasonable compensation.
I think I want to wait until I get to TX to get my dynotune in case I have any issues or need tweaks.
Once I get down there and get settled I'll start figuring out who I should go to.
I also have to figure out what's causing my car to run rough. I have a sneaking suspicion it isn't just the rich tune that's causing it. I have new O2s to install, but I want to wait until I adjust the tune and or fix any other problems to put them in...
Hopefully whatever dynoshop I pick will be able to help me troubleshoot my issues for reasonable compensation.
