The process of tuning a car is worth the effort due to obvious benefits such as increased performance, more aggressive driving or even the efficiency of your fuel if you want. Tuning is strongly recommended when you’ve installed an aftermarket modification.
Tuning isn’t risky when it is performed by a reliable tune-up professional and should not result in additional wear on the engine (given you don’t overboard).
I’ve personally tuned my car several times – particularly after the installation of major mods such as turbos and headers.
Here, I’m going to talk about tuning more in depth. It is important to decide if you want to tune or not, and what tuning method to opt for.
Upcoming content:
Why is tuning worth the cost
The types of tuning available Costs, risks, effort and power
Does tuning shorten engine life?
Does tuning void warranty?
Should you tune your car?
Why Tuning is worth the Cost (The Benefits)
Car tuning is worth it since it provides you with extra power, a more customized ride and also ensure that aftermarket modifications are working exactly as you expect.
Tuning simply means changing the settings of the computer in your car. Based on the goal you’re trying to achieve you’ll find a lot of variables that you can alter – things such as the map of torque for your engine the air/fuel ratio and top speed and air/fuel ratio are all variable.
Here are five benefits of tuning your car’s performance:
Performance improvements. The stock ECU from the factory comes with moderate software settings (for emissions and fuel efficiency). Tuning can increase the horsepower and speed by eliminating the top speeds, rev limiters, and ignition timing.
The maximum potential of aftermarket modifications. Mods such as headers and catback exhausts may increase the volume of air entering the engine, which results in greater power. If you do not tune them the mods, they could not function correctly or even lower the power. Tuning is required to make sure the ratio of fuel/air is at a high level.
Aggressive ride. You can alter the map of torque to provide you with more power based on the riding conditions. For instance you can get more torque at lowest RPM (great for cornering) or steady torque output across at high speeds (great for drag races).
Improve fuel efficiency. If you’re keen to conserve fuel, then tuning your car can help you achieve the same results. If you can make your car run a little more efficient and reducing fuel consumption, you can save money over the long term. Talk about your goals with your tuner and you’ll likely achieve it.
Get rid of the CEL or check engine warning (CEL). Some modifications that are performance-oriented, such as a catless downpipe are sure to cause the CEL. By tuning it to your specifications you can get it shut off.
The types of tuning available cost, risk, and power
ECU Chip
ECU Chipping is an plug-and-play solution in which the chip can receive data that is incoming into the car’s ECU and alter it to produce the desired output (more power or less consumption).
ECU chips are easy to put in and also the most inexpensive option , costing around 200 dollars (depending on the manufacturer) and all you need to do is to connect them to the car’s OBD2 port and wait for couple of minutes.
It isn’t necessary to expect a lot of power in the ECU chip (it might not provide any power in any way). Personally, I would not opt to ECU chipping. The previous ECU chip I put in several years ago didn’t give me anything.
ECU chipping is not likely to cause any damage to the engine since modifications have been made that are safe and verified by the manufacturer of the chip.
Flash Tune
Flash tuning is the process of alter the settings of your ECU in order to alter the way your car performs.
A preset that is flash tuned refers to applying an ECU configuration that is compatible with the exact car model and desired output that you. This is the topic I’m discussing in this article.
As an example, say you own an 2008 Nissan 350z and want an aggressive car with an increase in horsepower. The tuner can download a pre-set from another 350z owner, and then flash this configuration onto your car.
The process of flash tuning a preset is easy, affordable and will work because it was flashed on numerous other vehicles before you.
The flash tune can pose a risk of causing engine damage when you have installed an incorrect setting. However, it’s unreversible if your tuner has created a backup of your default configuration.
Custom Dyno Tune
Custom dyno tuning occurs when a tuner develops an ECU setup specifically for your vehicle and its needs. It is a custom setup to you and your vehicle that is why it will perform best and is also among the most costly.
Custom Dyno tuning typically requires a long time since the tuner needs to check the tuning configuration on a dyno before recalibrating till the output desired is reached.
Custom dyno tuning is the most dangerous (especially when the tuner you use is not reliable). It’s a complex process that requires a lot of understanding of ECU. Tune your dyno in a custom way only in the case of a trusted tuner and have sufficient capital.
Does Tuning Shorten Engine Life?
ECU tuning won’t harm the engine of your car and will do not reduce the life of your engine when it is tuned properly. A successful tuning process could assist to improve the efficiency of fuel of your vehicle.
However, more maintenance could be needed. Additionally, excessive tuning, such as removal of the rev limiter or running too rich could impact the life span of the engine.
More power with ECU tuning results in more stress on all the units of the aggregate and greater wear on the moving components.
But, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the tuning process can reduce the life of your engine. When done properly the tuning process will not impact the engine other than increasing the overall performance.
Does Tuning Void Warranty?
When car tuning is done by an authorized tuner, or a factory-certified tuner The warranty for the car is secure, and you will not end up losing the warranty of your vehicle.
If you’re considering tuning your car to boost power, and make modifications to your vehicle then your warranty for your car is likely to be canceled.
It’s also difficult to restore your car to its original settings before you claim warranty. The majority of car’s ECU will detect any tampering and record it.
In accordance with the Law regarding road traffic safety, a change can only be done only for personal use. It is only permitted when the change could improve the safety of the vehicle, invent as well as the technical technology.
It involves performing specific tasks that require a vehicle not made specifically for. In this scenario you could think about the case of tuning race automobiles.
Motor trailers and cars as well as their respective components, equipment and assemblies, made either in series or separately, or repaired, should be harmonised to the standard requirements of homologation standards.
This implies that the car will be subject to the tests as well as inspections of safety and environmental elements.
Do You Need To Tune Your Car?
If your warranty has expired or has expired and you’re determined to improve your performance, tuning is highly advised.
It is impossible to avoid tuning while searching for the best performance. Making major modifications such as headers, exhausts, and turbo will definitely require tuning. This means that sooner or later, you’ll be tuning your car.
I suggest tuning your car after you’ve made the major modifications. Don’t invest in tuning your car to fit every minor modification such as cold air intake or filter (you will not notice any change).
The option of tuning a stock vehicle is an alternative (if you’d prefer). It is possible to go with items like:
Remove rev limiter
Take top speed off
Adjust engine torque map
Enhance the throttle response
