Azar

iTrader: (13)

Hey all,

My project car is nearing completion (kind of) and I'm probably going to need a good old fashioned tune. I was wondering, if there is a usual time that the tune takes.

My reason is that a local shop costs 450 for the tune, whereas another local shop is 150 an hour. Both deal pretty much exclusively with LS1's. So, yeah...just kinda wondering. Thanks!

TV559

iTrader: (3)

A tuner that knows what there doing should not take more than a hour, But some shops take up to 4-5 hours to tune a car I dont why but they do.

ringram

Is that full timing map tune or just a WOT one in 1hr?

EPP

iTrader: (22)

A tune that takes the time to do good part throttle tuning takes a lot longer. It is easy to get the full throttle tuning accomplished, the time consuming portion is the part throttle tuning. Three to four hours, sometimes longer can be expected. Bob

Black02SS

iTrader: (36)

This is very untrue. I'd like to see a tuner get it all done properly in an hour. Key word is properly. Sure you can cut corners but the customer will ultimately be back to fix a problem.

Slowhawk

iTrader: (12)

A tune can take 15 minute's to 8hr's depending on the car and if there are mechanical issue's with it.

A dyno only tune can take 5 minute's but it won't last long

dynocar

I find it hard to believe that a good tuner can do a proper, professional tune on a load control chassis dyno on any car, especially an auto trans H/C car in an hour. Doing optimum fuel/spark tuning for engine start, idle, part throttle, WOT, auto trans shift points and dealing with typical bugs takes a lot of time. I've seen good shops spend more then an hr just on idle with some of the after-market throttle body/cam/tight torque converter combos. One hour (?), it usually takes over 30 minutes to get the car strapped and all the equipment hook-ups on and off the dyno. One thing I've observed about tuners, the more they know, the longer they take.

EPP

iTrader: (22)

Well said! Bob

ringram

Good info. Has made me change my mind on how much time Ill book the dyno for. Lucky I have the road runner, so hopefully that will help reduce time on the dyno. I think Ill go for a half day for a start.

Doc

iTrader: (9)

This is a very good point. If you assume the car does not have any "issues," and a straight WOT tune, ok an hour. Furthermore are we talking elapsed time or time billed? Is this a Wild cam that the customer wants it to drive like butter in all conditions? One heat cycle to get the dead cold start is at least 6 hours inbtwn sessions. The more experience a tuner has the less time it will take him to get into the ballpark.

Tom@SpeedInc

iTrader: (5)

Considering a good tuner may put the computer in speed density, smooth the VE table then go back to running the MAF you get your $450 worth.

Patrick G

iTrader: (14)

I've spent over a year's time trying to get perfection with my tune. I'm glad I'm not paying by the hour. This is where doing it yourself pays big dividends.

AJay

iTrader: (1)

Can someone recommend a good tuner in the Pittsburgh area?