Why get a tuner?

[Laser]

I dont really understand what the tuner does and why u would get one. Could someone please explain to me? Who needs a tuner? Would a daily driver use one or someone that races? Car with or without mods?

[Matthew]

A flash tuner reprograms your engine management system. A typical generic tune on a flash tuner will slightly enlean the mixture and increase the timing, as well as require you to run premium fuel. The reason these changes are made is to increase power of the car. Most of the flash tuners on the market provide a small amount of user adjustability for things like your rev limit, and gears. Additionally, most flash tuners provide the ability to read and clear OBDII codes and to datalog the car.

A Dyno shop can build a completely custom tune for your car on the dyno using their own software and a flash tuner. This type of tune up is much more effective than a generic tune, and is highly recommended once you have significant modifications.

If you have an 04 or earlier Mustang, and it is close to stock, a flash tuner may not offer the best return for your performance dollar. As you get further down the road for modifications, it becomes increasingly worthwhile. If you have an 05 or newer Mustang, I personally think a flash tuner may be worthwhile right out of the gate.

To give an example, on my 02GT, I gained 7 or 8 ft-lbs in the lower RPM range, and 6 or 7 HP in the upper RPM range, and nothing at the peak power point with a Diablo Predator on an otherwise totally stock setup. Frankly, that was better than I thought I would get without other changes, but a high flow cat X-pipe will do better for about the same money.

-Matthew

[SpectorV]

The computer basically controls your car and a tuner alters the factory specification (or parts of it) for optimized performance or what not. It can help greatly but generally it is best on highly modified cars or cars with a power adder.

[Thomas91169]

if you know what youre doing a simple handheld can net you some nice gains. otherwise just installing their tune isnt going to do much.

i have the timing maxed out and the fuel leaned up a bit on my diablo on my GT. i had the fuel leaned out all the way but due to the winter blend of gasoline (being 91 octane to boot) i started to get some pinging past 4500 at wot, so i added some fuel all around for good measure.

though with handhelds, the ecu will still try to override the settings. if the o2's see the mixture getting lean because you tried to take too much fuel away, it will still add more fuel in to compensate.

[2002silverGT]

not really any need to a tuner unless u plan or allready have a SC in ur car

[Y2E0L0L5OGWT]

Quote: Originally Posted by 2002silverGT not really any need to a tuner unless u plan or allready have a SC in ur car

thats not true, really you should have your car turned for any type of serious modifications you do to it (i.e. gears, removing your cats, etc.), but you get the most of those tuners when you use them in combination with a serious of upgrades, not just one thing like an intake...and it also depends on your car as to how badly you need a tune depending on how sensitive the ECU's are. The computer in my S197 is far more sensitive than that in your 02 or any other mustang for that matter. My car will run super lean without a tune even if i do something as simple as put an intake on it. So when you get a tuner really depends on what all you are going to do to your car and what kind of car you have...

[whipster24]

you can't make the most out of modifications unless you get a tune.

and you definitely need a tune if you go with any sort of power adder

[FattyMcFaterson]

You also need a tuner if you decide to put some 5.13 gears and 38.5" boggers on your stang... to make the speedo correct

[rydog]

^
I always wanted to do that to a mustang

[SpectorV]

The only real way to fully tune a car is via data logging and simply taking the time to get it right as each car is different. Strapping it to a dyno and getting it tunned in is not the best, but its all most do as most dont have the time to log all their driving habits etc etc.

[FattyMcFaterson]

Quote: Originally Posted by rydog ^ I always wanted to do that to a mustang

Or even better, they just released some 54" boggers. Those things are f-ing huge.... plus they are a little over 650 bucks each....