Tune questions???

[mmpyro777]

Ok im new to the tuner world so laugh you may at my questions but I know nothing . How does a tune work...i understand that the computer is reprogramed but thats about as far as my knowledge goes. And how is the tune helping increase power...timing? airflow sensor? boost? Also with all this tuning im assuming the boost is going up...what kind of range are we looking at...too much can obviously destroy an engine.

Basically what im asking, is for anything everything to know about a tune. thanks

 

[mister2d]

Ok im new to the tuner world so laugh you may at my questions but I know nothing . How does a tune work...i understand that the computer is reprogramed but thats about as far as my knowledge goes. And how is the tune helping increase power...timing? airflow sensor? boost? Also with all this tuning im assuming the boost is going up...what kind of range are we looking at...too much can obviously destroy an engine.

Basically what im asking, is for anything everything to know about a tune. thanks

Wikipedia can help.

Car tuning - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[laborsmith]

First, if we are talking about a Sonic, you should understand the car has several computers. Second, whether auto or manual, the engine control unit is most often modified, i.e., flashed. Tunes for power will usually require the use of premium fuel, because timing is reset. Third, tunes for auto flash a different computer, result in sharper shift changes and change shift points.

Fuel pressure can change fuel flow and that may be a third computer for the Sonic.

There are basically two forms, dyno and email. Email will call for data-logging so the parameters can be adjusted, where a dyno tune does it live.

The now famous Trifecta tune has an advantage in that if the dealer reflashes to OEM (and I know that can happen but I have experienced it) you can reflash the tune w/o having to return to the original tuner.

That is my take, quick and dirty. Questions I haven't answered others will be able to, so fire away'

Laborsmith

 

[laborsmith]

Looked at the Wikipedia article, very informative, and concluded the only thing left to modify is the audio and then I will be driving a tuned Sonic. HaHa.

Thanks for the link. I enjoyed the read.

Laborsmith

 

[BNRacing]

First, if we are talking about a Sonic, you should understand the car has several computers. Second, whether auto or manual, the engine control unit is most often modified, i.e., flashed. Tunes for power will usually require the use of premium fuel, because timing is reset. Third, tunes for auto flash a different computer, result in sharper shift changes and change shift points.

Fuel pressure can change fuel flow and that may be a third computer for the Sonic.

There are basically two forms, dyno and email. Email will call for data-logging so the parameters can be adjusted, where a dyno tune does it live.

The now famous Trifecta tune has an advantage in that if the dealer reflashes to OEM (and I know that can happen but I have experienced it) you can reflash the tune w/o having to return to the original tuner.

That is my take, quick and dirty. Questions I haven't answered others will be able to, so fire away'

Laborsmith

That's correct. We can typically get a 1.4T Sonic up to around 160-170HP and 180-200TQ with just a tune. Even at 5000ft elevation we are seeing 180-190HP at the flywheel on the 1.4T tunes.

You can read more, watch a how-to video, and order your tune here-

Trifecta Tune 2012-2012 Chevrolet Sonic 1.4L Turbo, Bad News Racing

 

[Sonic]

The search function and reading, a LOT of it, are your friends.