Learn to tune, or find a better tuner?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Learn to tune, or find a better tuner? This is probably a common question but my case is a little unique, so give me a minute to explain...
I have a 944 with a 2001 LS1 and a mild cam (224/.575). The car has an irritating surge at around 2000rpms under low load.
I have been to two tuners--that's another story. Basically i live at 7200ft elevation and most nearby tuners are at about 5000ft.
I am a little hesitant about going to a third tuner (with the caveat that i would find a good one this time). Would i be better off learning to tune by myself? I understand the basics and am fairly computer-savvy but I understand that i'm not going to hit expert mode for quite a while. Can a tuner at 5000ft get my tune fixed for 7200ft, or am i operating in totally different cells? Is this type of issue difficult to fix?
Lots of questions, tried to keep it short. Thanks!
I have a 944 with a 2001 LS1 and a mild cam (224/.575). The car has an irritating surge at around 2000rpms under low load.
I have been to two tuners--that's another story. Basically i live at 7200ft elevation and most nearby tuners are at about 5000ft.
I am a little hesitant about going to a third tuner (with the caveat that i would find a good one this time). Would i be better off learning to tune by myself? I understand the basics and am fairly computer-savvy but I understand that i'm not going to hit expert mode for quite a while. Can a tuner at 5000ft get my tune fixed for 7200ft, or am i operating in totally different cells? Is this type of issue difficult to fix?
Lots of questions, tried to keep it short. Thanks!
well if you buy the software one of your last tuners should fix it, probably the 2nd one though. They did the job and obviousl its not satisfactory so they need to make it right. hptuners is an awesome diag tool as well as tuning.
i still take mine to a tuner for big things but i have been slowly learning as i go. i can tune injectors mafs and other simpler things soon i want to invest in a wideband so i can monitor more and tune more
i still take mine to a tuner for big things but i have been slowly learning as i go. i can tune injectors mafs and other simpler things soon i want to invest in a wideband so i can monitor more and tune more
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
The second guy i went to was hopeless. He didn't tune with a wideband and his idea of a test session was a 1st gear pull on the street (my 1st gear is very short). I just don't have any confidence that he could fix it with a touch-up session. Basically i've come to the conclusion that i either need to go out of state or do it myself...
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TECH Resident
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 980
Likes: 2
I know if you buy the software from pat G he includes free tunes and he's pretty much the best. http://www.guerragroup.com if he can't fix it then there is a problem
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Nothing at all. The car is basically equivalent to a Corvette. Everything is pretty standard and it should be a pretty easy fix. I just need a good tuner, but before i go for round three i was wondering if due to my elevation I might be better off just doing it myself.
I'm in NM so i know there are good tuners in TX and Denver. Denver would be close to my elevation. I just don't want to drive 7 hours to Denver and pay money for tuning, then get home and find out that i still have a surge in the city where i drive it most!
@maroon thanks, i'll check it out!
Edit: Okay, i checked it out, and i really like that option. If he has good reviews that would sure make things easy on me, and i'd wind up with the software on top of it...
I'm in NM so i know there are good tuners in TX and Denver. Denver would be close to my elevation. I just don't want to drive 7 hours to Denver and pay money for tuning, then get home and find out that i still have a surge in the city where i drive it most!
@maroon thanks, i'll check it out!
Edit: Okay, i checked it out, and i really like that option. If he has good reviews that would sure make things easy on me, and i'd wind up with the software on top of it...
Buy the software and learn to tune yourself. There's a learning curve involved but it's well worth it when the car runs great because you can tweak it to your heart's desire.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,756
Likes: 4
From: Maryland
The best option is to learn to tune yourself, esp if it's an easy tune without excessive power adders. Even the best tuners put out crap when they have a line at their door and they want to get everyone taken care of (and paid up). Gotta make hay while the sun shines.
Nobody will take the time you will on your own car. I paid for a tune and then after buying the software for a separate project found out how bad of a hack job the guy did. Don't find out after the fact like I did.
Nobody will take the time you will on your own car. I paid for a tune and then after buying the software for a separate project found out how bad of a hack job the guy did. Don't find out after the fact like I did.
