What's easier to learn for the tuning illiterate?
What's easier to learn for the tuning illiterate? I'm going to have a single turbo setup built for my GTO and I want to learn how to tune it myself in SD.
For those of you that have experience with multiple types of tuning solutions, which would be easier for a tuning noob to learn? I've got some college physics, heat transfer and fluid flow.
I don't want this to turn into a brand x is better than brand y debate.
For those of you that have experience with multiple types of tuning solutions, which would be easier for a tuning noob to learn? I've got some college physics, heat transfer and fluid flow.
I don't want this to turn into a brand x is better than brand y debate.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 620
Likes: 0
From: Katherine N.T Australia
Much for muchness really. The principles behind tuning are common among all the tuning solutions. You can at least download the Demo of EFI LIVE and have a play around to get your feet wet.
I've used ls1edit and hptuners. Hptuners is very easy as far as the gui goes. Can't see it getting much easier, but I haven't used efilive. Ls1edit just sucks last time I used it(2004 or so).
Start with reading the links on thirdgen. They don't apply directly to our ECM's but there is a lot of theory and practical information on tuning. After that, get the demo of EFILive and read their tutorials. Once you understand the basics, download some modified tunes from holden crazy and compare them to the stockers. You'll get a pretty good idea of the changes people make while tuning.
Trending Topics
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: Port Huron
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo
Banish has a good book covering tuning principles too. As far as picking a software to tune with, that's very much a personal decision. The stickies in this section are a good place to start your research.
Dan Maslic also has a new tuning book out called Master EFI Tuner. I picked it up a few weeks ago and it is great! It even has specific case studies, including a 2002 camaro with a turbo setup. It walks you through how to prep the car with HPT and the dyno pulls and how to adjust the tables with HPT. Also, Dan has been great with helping me personally, if you have any questions you can call the shop and he is always there to help.
I plan on doing a SD tune N/A on it before going with the turbo. When I get a couple of days off from work(I work 12hr shifts), I'll mess around with the EFI Live demo and hit up one of the local GTO owners that has HPT and check that one out.
I recently tuned my friends car with HPTuners 3-bar SD custom operating system 76mm turbo and 370ci. It was pretty easy. LTFT's and a bunch of driving to dial in the part throttle. Found another setup similar to his and used their VE for a starting point. Made small changes to the boost cells until it was close. I probably have a total of 2-3 hours tuning it.
I've probably tuned 10+ cars besides his, all N/A or nitrous and always on MAF. SD was pretty easy. I'll be converting my 408 Camaro over to SD once I swap clutches.
The best way to learn is to do it. HPTuners has an info bar when you mouse over every tab that tells you what it does. Read all the tuning docs you can and play with it.
I've probably tuned 10+ cars besides his, all N/A or nitrous and always on MAF. SD was pretty easy. I'll be converting my 408 Camaro over to SD once I swap clutches.
The best way to learn is to do it. HPTuners has an info bar when you mouse over every tab that tells you what it does. Read all the tuning docs you can and play with it.
