Tuning Schools
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 76
Likes: 4
Tuning Schools Is there a consensus on tuning schools? I'm mostly interested in the GM stuff. I've been messing with my HP tuner on a couple of different vehicles. Even got paid to tune one truck, but I still have tons to learn. I'm an experienced automotive tech and auto instructor. Totally new to tuning though.
Is there one school that stands out? Please give me your recommendations.
Joe
Is there one school that stands out? Please give me your recommendations.
Joe
Last edited by JoeRJr; Feb 7, 2019 at 04:31 PM. Reason: Spelling
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, Michigan
Are you looking for an online course? Or did you actually want to go to a physical school and learn on a Dyno. There are tons of really good learn at home courses, but as far as Dyno tuning hands on, The Tuning School would be the one that comes to mind.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 76
Likes: 4
Thanks for the reply. I did look at the Tuning School, but their next GM class is in March or April and it's already full. I guess that's a good class!
I originally was looking at classroom style learning, but the next best thing would be books. I'd absorb more by reading it than by watching a video.
Joe
I originally was looking at classroom style learning, but the next best thing would be books. I'd absorb more by reading it than by watching a video.
Joe
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, Michigan
Yea to be honest, it's a slow process but you can learn A LOT by digging. This forum is good, the HP tuners forum is good as well. The vehicle specific forums tend to be pretty junk for tuning know how.
Not sure what your skill level is, sounds like you have the basics down, but if you're still trying to figure out things like what volumetric efficiency really means, there are some really good EFI basics books available on amazon that aren't specific to GM tuning. You'll need the base knowledge to understand why you're doing things.
Not sure what your skill level is, sounds like you have the basics down, but if you're still trying to figure out things like what volumetric efficiency really means, there are some really good EFI basics books available on amazon that aren't specific to GM tuning. You'll need the base knowledge to understand why you're doing things.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,291
Likes: 3,616
From: Central Cal.
This one?
https://www.amazon.com/Greg-Banish-M.../dp/B00HTK1AOE
Yea I read it as well, agreed. Good place to start.
https://www.amazon.com/Greg-Banish-M.../dp/B00HTK1AOE
Yea I read it as well, agreed. Good place to start.
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Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 76
Likes: 4
Not sure what your skill level is, sounds like you have the basics down, but if you're still trying to figure out things like what volumetric efficiency really means, there are some really good EFI basics books available on amazon that aren't specific to GM tuning. You'll need the base knowledge to understand why you're doing things.
The reason I know a school would help me is this:
I see posts about tuning in open loop. So in my mind I think the process is-Use the scanner to zero the fuel trims, disconnect the front O2s. Install the Wide Band and start tuning. Do the VE table first. Go to the PE table next. Finish with timing. Re-enable the front O2s. Double check the VE table.
I'm not sure if the O2s need to be disabled with my tuner or not. I beliueve that is done in the Diagnostics tab, but not sure which setting to use.
Then there's a pile of torque management stuff that I'm not sure what it does, other than de-torquing the engine during shifts, or for failsafe operation.
Lots of little stuff like that.
A book would be great. I'll pick up that one on Amazon. Every little bit helps.
Thanks,
Joe
Last edited by JoeRJr; Feb 10, 2019 at 11:46 AM.
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Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Detroit, Michigan
If you buy the online course from The Tuner School you can talk directly with their team to ask them specific questions. They have different levels, I imagine your best bet is to call them and ask what they suggest.
[QUOTE=JoeRJr;20045257]As a rookie tuner, I have huge holes in my game. I understand the goals, but not the process. I've tuned an endless number of carbureted vehicles over the years. Snowmobiles, motorcycles, cars and more. I own a portable 5 gas, and understand how to use it.
The reason I know a school would help me is this:
I see posts about tuning in open loop. So in my mind I think the process is-Use the scanner to zero the fuel trims, disconnect the front O2s. Install the Wide Band and start tuning. Do the VE table first. Go to the PE table next. Finish with timing. Re-enable the front O2s. Double check the VE table.
I'm not sure if the O2s need to be disabled with my tuner or not. I beliueve that is done in the Diagnostics tab, but not sure which setting to use.
Then there's a pile of torque management stuff that I'm not sure what it does, other than de-torquing the engine during shifts, or for failsafe operation.
Lots of little stuff like that.
A book would be great. I'll pick up that one on Amazon. Every little bit helps.
Thanks,
Joe[/QUOTE
Your level of knowledge appears to be a bit above what most "tuning school" type information is designed for. You will probably be wasting your time having stuff you already know explained to you. As for things like torque management, the particulars change with every model of every make of vehicle, so you just have to stay up yo speed on what works with whatever you are tuning. Once you know the basics, everything else is a matter of ever-evolving details inherent to the particular platform you are working with.
The reason I know a school would help me is this:
I see posts about tuning in open loop. So in my mind I think the process is-Use the scanner to zero the fuel trims, disconnect the front O2s. Install the Wide Band and start tuning. Do the VE table first. Go to the PE table next. Finish with timing. Re-enable the front O2s. Double check the VE table.
I'm not sure if the O2s need to be disabled with my tuner or not. I beliueve that is done in the Diagnostics tab, but not sure which setting to use.
Then there's a pile of torque management stuff that I'm not sure what it does, other than de-torquing the engine during shifts, or for failsafe operation.
Lots of little stuff like that.
A book would be great. I'll pick up that one on Amazon. Every little bit helps.
Thanks,
Joe[/QUOTE
Your level of knowledge appears to be a bit above what most "tuning school" type information is designed for. You will probably be wasting your time having stuff you already know explained to you. As for things like torque management, the particulars change with every model of every make of vehicle, so you just have to stay up yo speed on what works with whatever you are tuning. Once you know the basics, everything else is a matter of ever-evolving details inherent to the particular platform you are working with.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 76
Likes: 4
Thanks for the vote of confidence. I was wrong on the O2 sensors. At least for my trucks. I found where you can set the min temps for open and closed loops. That's what I should be doing, and not disabling the front O2s. I was able to pick up one book, and a guy I know let me borrow another one in the same series. I'm picking away at it slowly. I read, play with some tune files....read some more. My current job has me on a lot of airplanes, so I can fly, read and play with tunes and nobody can bother me!
Joe
Joe
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 88
Likes: 8
If your wanting to tune the VE table, yes STFT and LTFT need to be turned off. With my ecm I have drop down boxes that disable the trims. Some don't. Disable the MAF in the engine and engine diag section. Your O2's cant be messing with the fueling while your doing the same thing. You need a Wideband AFR gauge for this method. This is the method I use, because I have removed the MAF.
As for schooling, I'm in the same boat. There's only so much people can help you with over the web. I've been actually looking into hands on schooling and I keep getting drawn to the Sam Tech aka (School of Automotive Machinists). Mainly because of their reputation and contacts. If someone just wants to learn as a hobby and get caught up a little then The Tuning School I'm sure would gain a person some knowledge. You'd get one on one interaction and some hands on experience. I myself want to be fully involved in tuning and enjoy leaning about it. Sam Tech's cost is by far the most expensive but I believe they have the most to offer in the way of getting a person going in the right direction. Plus get 8 months worth of dyno and class room experience.
As for schooling, I'm in the same boat. There's only so much people can help you with over the web. I've been actually looking into hands on schooling and I keep getting drawn to the Sam Tech aka (School of Automotive Machinists). Mainly because of their reputation and contacts. If someone just wants to learn as a hobby and get caught up a little then The Tuning School I'm sure would gain a person some knowledge. You'd get one on one interaction and some hands on experience. I myself want to be fully involved in tuning and enjoy leaning about it. Sam Tech's cost is by far the most expensive but I believe they have the most to offer in the way of getting a person going in the right direction. Plus get 8 months worth of dyno and class room experience.
Joe,
As gametech stated you will probably be wasting your money by going to that class. In my opinion you are learning the right way. I have taught/helped several people learn how to tune and it sounds like you know how an engine operates so you are light years ahead of some guys!!! The easiest way to go about it is to make small changes (2% at a time) until you know what you are changing. Also if you keep changing something and it just keeps doing nothing, then stop, and figure out why it is not responding. Once you figure out how to tune your vehicle perfectly, put the stock file back in it and start over using all the new tricks you have learned. Make sure you take notes as far as what you changed that worked and didnt work because if youre like most of us you will forget it.
As gametech stated you will probably be wasting your money by going to that class. In my opinion you are learning the right way. I have taught/helped several people learn how to tune and it sounds like you know how an engine operates so you are light years ahead of some guys!!! The easiest way to go about it is to make small changes (2% at a time) until you know what you are changing. Also if you keep changing something and it just keeps doing nothing, then stop, and figure out why it is not responding. Once you figure out how to tune your vehicle perfectly, put the stock file back in it and start over using all the new tricks you have learned. Make sure you take notes as far as what you changed that worked and didnt work because if youre like most of us you will forget it.
Greg Banish has 2 books, and Dan Maslic has 1 book. These books combined with Greg's videos and some EFI Live tutorials online have done everything I've ever needed to when tuning. Also.....forums like this to ask questions for those special cases.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,343
Likes: 2
From: South of Augusta,GA
Upgrade 98TA, to 411 ecm/4L80e Ordered custom harness that plugs in to stock plugs on passenger side. Pin for 4L80e, and 411 ecm. Fuel hand pegged. Do I need to flash a tune in from a 2000+ TA, and add the 4L80e. Do I totally rewrite the ecm to the 2000 TA?
http://www.chipsbyal.com/convert98/
. I had some correspondence with him on a tuning issue he seemed a straight up good guy. Life is short.