Bully Dog tuner questions

[Rockcrusher]

I know most here will push for the Trifecta tune but I think I'm more interested in the tuner from Bully Dog. I'm not interested max power but rather a nice gain in hp/tq and engine durability over the long haul. Bully Dog tuners appear to be on the conservative side. I've read they don't increase the boost which makes me wonder how they achieve their gains. If I get an extra 20-25 hp/tq, I'm happy. Also, do they allow for the stock tune to be reloaded in case of dealership service?

 

[cndctrdj]

Yes they have the option to go back to stock. It's a nice unit. Well the older ones I've used on diesel stuff are nice


Boost is not the only way to increase power. Just sayin.

 

[Rockcrusher]

I'm guessing it mostly done with timing and fuel curves then?

 

[laborsmith]

I agree since the intake/exhaust kits include a "Premium Fuel Recommended" label.


Laborsmith

 

[ranvette]

Yup timing and fuel curves and a higher TQ target.Most likely 165 170 area.For the money your better of going Vtuner or Trifecta.

 

[sx sonic]

Yup timing and fuel curves and a higher TQ target.Most likely 165 170 area.For the money your better of going Vtuner or Trifecta.

Both of whom can tune to a target limit if you request it.

OP- I would not be suprised if your target numbers could be achieved on 87 oct with trifecta or VTuners.

I won't lie I'm skeptical of any gains from a tuner that doesn't change boost at all. A live dyno tune is only good for ~10hp & tq on an NA engine, alil more with premium fuel. That's basically what you're doing without changing the boost tables on the 1.4t if I take bullydog as they state it (from experience, that's with bigger, sloppier factory calibrated engines too)..... Mind you that's specific dyno tuning, even being conservative, it is more aggressive and exacting then a plug in programmer could be that lacks dyno tuning or datalogging.

Just my thoughts, choose as you may, I'm just giving my opinion as food for thought.

Personally I'm expecting my quite modded and aggressively tuned sonic to last more than 150k miles with nothing more than routine maintenance and non abusive driving. As a former technician I expect a high probability I will hit that goal with many miles to spare.

 

[Al Marino]

I have the bully dog tuner (40415) on my 2013 sonic rs automatic. I changed the a/f first to a k&n the week I bought it. I waited till after the first oil change for the programmer. Yes, it's a noticeable difference. Even with just the air filter- you feel the torque sooner. The tuner lets you enjoy the car more. It's still no moonshine runner, but it's much better comming out of the tolls now, and I only need 1/2 throttle to pass most cars. And I can see what the engine is doing on the bd's display, but I only max out at 14 psi of boost for some reason.. I've heard of other owners comming closer to 20. Let's see what chevy comes out with as an upgrade for this.

 

[ranvette]

I have never heard of anyone running the bully dog haveing 20 psi boost.Trifecta or Vtuner yes.That really bumps the low end TQ up fast at low rpm.Amazeing the differance compared to a stock car.The engine tuned feels stronger and brings on TQ faster than a lot of the GM 2.2 and 2.4 engines.The 1.4 is a little Bear tuned up right for what it is.Does anyone know what Bully dog claims they increase HP and TQ on the 1.4

 

[ranvette]

It was confirmed on the cruzetalk forum Bullydog tune runs 18 to 19 psi boost at wot. So now we know !!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[houser]

Power and boost

I have the bully dog tuner (40415) on my 2013 sonic rs automatic. I changed the a/f first to a k&n the week I bought it. I waited till after the first oil change for the programmer. Yes, it's a noticeable difference. Even with just the air filter- you feel the torque sooner. The tuner lets you enjoy the car more. It's still no moonshine runner, but it's much better comming out of the tolls now, and I only need 1/2 throttle to pass most cars. And I can see what the engine is doing on the bd's display, but I only max out at 14 psi of boost for some reason.. I've heard of other owners comming closer to 20. Let's see what chevy comes out with as an upgrade for this.

14 psi is all I get for boost and thats just a quick spike. My car has a 6 speed
you cant hold it to the floor with out quickly winding out and needing to shift.
I like the added low end power. I used to stall in second gear if I shifted in to slow. Now that never happens.
What settings do you use to get the most power. Do you use the dynamic fuel metering function thing. I run premium power with fuel metering enabled.
My regular driving MPGs are regularly in the low 40s

mike

 

[Al Marino]

Before I installed the tuner, I'd get up to 18 psi of boost, and I had almost nothing off the line. Now I have torque almost immediately, and a flatter torque curve, but now it only gets to 14psi. Yes on 93 octane. I average 29.1 mpg, but I'm at 80 on the hywy, and in stop n go traffic when I'm not. No complaints.cruisin at 65 I see 38- 50 mpg on the bullydog tuner, but that's on that long flat road to ac.

 

[ranvette]

I am not sure what the member runs for settings on cruze talk and is getting 18 or 19 psi boost.But something to keep in mind is depending on temp out side.It is going to make less boost in cooler temps to hit its power(TQ) target

 

[houser]

Don't worry about the Boost #s

Before I installed the tuner, I'd get up to 18 psi of boost, and I had almost nothing off the line. Now I have torque almost immediately, and a flatter torque curve, but now it only gets to 14psi. Yes on 93 octane. I average 29.1 mpg, but I'm at 80 on the hywy, and in stop n go traffic when I'm not. No complaints.cruisin at 65 I see 38- 50 mpg on the bullydog tuner, but that's on that long flat road to ac.

If your car now has plenty of power and still gets good MPGs Don't worry about the Boost #s. Boost requires exhaust gas pressure. More fuel burned = more boost = crappy MPGs. The sonic is an MPG car not a race car. If you pinch off the waste gate tube you can get more boost and the car will be noticeably quicker. Just watch the boost gauge to be sure your not over spooling the Turbo. I think the way the other tunes make so much boost is by adding fuel and not allowing the waste gate to open. Not real sciencey.
Bully Dogs are obviously way more sciencey than trifections.
With the BullyDog tuner on full and with the waste gate tube pinched off my car runs way better than stock But still cant keep up with my 01 3/4 ton Cummins Dodge.
That's very sad for the little Sonic.

Mike

 

[Al Marino]

Ps it was July when I installed the tuner. This nice November coolness isn't affecting the boost pressure. I think the tuner finds the extra power through the timing and remapping the fuel curve. Either way- no complaints.

 

[sx sonic]

Wastegate tube pinched off? I hope your not messing with the vacuum lines to the wastegate.

 

[houser]

No not messing with it, pinching it off
With hemostats. And it looks like a vaccume
Tube but it is a pressure tube that originates
From the compressor side of the turbo.
So what?

 

[sx sonic]

That's a very bad idea. I'm suprised your car hasn't gone into limp mode yet.

That reference line is plumbed into a vacuum and a boost source. The computer operates a pulse width modulated solenoid that either applies positive or negative pressure to the wastegate actuator. This in turn controls when the wastegate opens and thus boost pressure.

By pinching that line off you have removed controlled manipulation of the wastegate, now the only thing that allows the wastegate to open is exhaust flow overcoming spring pressure and forcing the wastegate open.

Now you are risking turbine overspeed, runaway boost pressures, and the engine flipping out because it sees a complete loss of boost control.



And for the record increasing boost pressure (properly) is done by adjusting the boost tables so the ECM commands the wastegate shut until the specified boost psi is reached. Because more air is entering the cylinders more fuel can be added resulting in more power........ Just dumping extra fuel would result in an excessively rich fuel mixture, losing power and not affecting boost pressure.

 

[houser]

Sciency

Wow that does sound awfully technical. I may have to rethink my position on
fuel and waste gate functionality. opcorn:

Mike

 

[houser]

That's a very bad idea. I'm suprised your car hasn't gone into limp mode yet.

That reference line is plumbed into a vacuum and a boost source. The computer operates a pulse width modulated solenoid that either applies positive or negative pressure to the wastegate actuator. This in turn controls when the wastegate opens and thus boost pressure.

By pinching that line off you have removed controlled manipulation of the wastegate, now the only thing that allows the wastegate to open is exhaust flow overcoming spring pressure and forcing the wastegate open.

Now you are risking turbine overspeed, runaway boost pressures, and the engine flipping out because it sees a complete loss of boost control.



And for the record increasing boost pressure (properly) is done by adjusting the boost tables so the ECM commands the wastegate shut until the specified boost psi is reached. Because more air is entering the cylinders more fuel can be added resulting in more power........ Just dumping extra fuel would result in an excessively rich fuel mixture, losing power and not affecting boost pressure.

I guess the Bully Dog GT tuner must have a built in boost fooler that prevents all those catastrophic things from happening when you pinch off the waste gate tube. Most canned tuners do have that.

Mike

 

[houser]

And while I'm on a roll

In fact, Ill bet that's why the Bully DOG GT tune is billed as a 50 state legal tune. It doesn,t mess with the boost but allows the user to if they choose to. That's the way the Diesel tuners are set up. You can run with or with out extra boost. The tune has the fuel mapping built in for the higher boost levels but it doesn't kick in unless the waste gate is blocked. :banana:
Any way, when I the user choose to block my waste gate, the car goes faster quicker and does not set any codes or defuel or go into limp mode or produce excessive boost levels. So that must be the case.

Canned Science At work.

Mike