Tuner questions...

[dbranger94]

Hopefully these aren't stupid questions or ones that have been asked several times, but...

1) What exactly do tuners give you in a tune? Do they tune the engine only, or do they tune transmission features as well? I believe I've read that some tuners change shift points. I guess it would be nice to know what all was being altered with a tune besides just a HP and TQ figure.

2) I've read that certain tuning devices (I'll call them Device-X) aren't capable of reading and/or accessing every parameter in the ECM/TCM and another device (say Device-Y) is then used to extract and save that data so it can be modified. Does this mean that I cannot use Device-X to upload a calibration that contains this extra data? Or will any device write a calibration regardless of the information it contains?

3)Is there a way to replace the "factory" tune in my tuning device in the unlikely case my dealership wants to update my calibration for some reason? Or will it always want to load the first "factory" calibration it saves when you first use the device?

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[tjo1186]

1) Tuners can change a number of variables inc the transmission (shift points on auto/rev limit on stick).
2) Some devices have more tuning capabilities than others and usually you cannot upload one tune from one device using a diff device, esp if the device cannot change those parameters in the first place.
3) Pretty much every device will upload and save your factory settings prior to uploading the new tune. This way, if you ever need to go back to stock you can. That is why most devices are "married" to the car once the device is used on one vehicle.

I'm sure others here can give you more details as well

 

[dbranger94]

First of all, thanks for the reply.

But, I think maybe I didn't ask the third question very well. I'll try again...

The first time you use a device it saves the stock cal.. Then you can load any tune you want and can always go back to stock. I get that part.

Hypothetical situation:
I load my stock tune, go to the dealership for maintenance/repairs and they update the stock tune while the car is in the shop. Now the stock tune I have saved in my device no longer matches the updated tune that's now in the car.

What happens now? Does the device see this as a different vehicle? Or is there information stored in the ECM itself that is used to "marry" my device to my car, such as the VIN number or something else?

 

['Merica]

First of all, thanks for the reply.

But, I think maybe I didn't ask the third question very well. I'll try again...

The first time you use a device it saves the stock cal.. Then you can load any tune you want and can always go back to stock. I get that part.

Hypothetical situation:
I load my stock tune, go to the dealership for maintenance/repairs and they update the stock tune while the car is in the shop. Now the stock tune I have saved in my device no longer matches the updated tune that's now in the car.

What happens now? Does the device see this as a different vehicle? Or is there information stored in the ECM itself that is used to "marry" my device to my car, such as the VIN number or something else?

You want to stay away from this situation. Tell the dealer you do not want the ECU flashed in any way when you drop it off. Or Steeda makes a cap that goes over the port that says not to flash.

 

[MX5Racer]

At the risk of hi-jacking your thread, what happens to all the drive modes in my GT-Premium after a tune? And on the same note, is it possible to "load" different tunes in the "banks" where the drive modes reside? In effect, using the toggles to access different tunes, similar to the different drive modes?

 

[beefcake]

our lund tunes will optimize a/f ratio, cam timing, throttle response, redline, shift points on the autos, redline , etc...

pretty much make the car the best it can be

we can also do flex fuel tuning if you want to run e85, and cam lope tune if you have an offroad setup (ngauge only)

let me know if we can help at all, lots of options on the link

http://teambeefcakeracing.com/lundracing1.html

 

[18psi]

I'll add a few questions (hopefully that's ok, op)

-Is there a compare/contrast thread between the different devices anywhere? I'm most interested in comparing the features and defined/working parameters of altering the different parts of the ecu and code, as well as logging capabilities.

What I mean is: let's say Lund does tunes, but they do it with both the SCT and the nGauge. What makes the nGauge better to warrant the $50 premium? Stuff like that.

Also, when shift points tuning is discussed, it usually mentions higher/sharper shifting, which is cool, but would the customer have the option of asking for the highest possible gas economy at low throttle (low rpm shift points, staying in stoich AFR as much as possible, etc) and then the hard high shifts when in S or something like that? This way you'd get a dual-mode car so to speak.

Sorry for the n00b questions, I'm completely new to mustangs and trying to research tuning devices and softwares as much as possible.

 

[beefcake]

I'll add a few questions (hopefully that's ok, op)

-Is there a compare/contrast thread between the different devices anywhere? I'm most interested in comparing the features and defined/working parameters of altering the different parts of the ecu and code, as well as logging capabilities.

What I mean is: let's say Lund does tunes, but they do it with both the SCT and the nGauge. What makes the nGauge better to warrant the $50 premium? Stuff like that.

Also, when shift points tuning is discussed, it usually mentions higher/sharper shifting, which is cool, but would the customer have the option of asking for the highest possible gas economy at low throttle (low rpm shift points, staying in stoich AFR as much as possible, etc) and then the hard high shifts when in S or something like that? This way you'd get a dual-mode car so to speak.

Sorry for the n00b questions, I'm completely new to mustangs and trying to research tuning devices and softwares as much as possible.

tunes are the same, unless you decide you want the cam lope, it's not offered on the sct

the ngauge has better datalogging and monitoring capabilities, and it flashes quicker. well worth the $50 imo.

the "drive modes" will intensify whatever your tune is doing in your regular drive mode

as far as how you want it to shift, all that can be tailored to your individual needs,

 

[evo8904]

OP, do yourself a favor and buy the nGauge with Lund tune from Beefcake. It will be the best money that you spend on your car.

 

[beefcake]

OP, do yourself a favor and buy the nGauge with Lund tune from Beefcake. It will be the best money that you spend on your car.

 

[whatsup62]

Hypothetical situation:
I load my stock tune, go to the dealership for maintenance/repairs and they update the stock tune while the car is in the shop. Now the stock tune I have saved in my device no longer matches the updated tune that's now in the car.

First if you have a tune warranty is in question (many, many post here about that topic). It is advised that you return the car to stock before going to the dealer for any work. You can't hide the fact anymore that the car had been reflashed, it's embedded in the the ECM and Ford will know. But still a good idea to go to stock before going to dealer.

-Is there a compare/contrast thread between the different devices anywhere? I'm most interested in comparing the features and defined/working parameters of altering the different parts of the ecu and code, as well as logging capabilities.

What I mean is: let's say Lund does tunes, but they do it with both the SCT and the nGauge. What makes the nGauge better to warrant the $50 premium? Stuff like that.

I don't know if there is a good comparison out there. From my own experience, I started with the X4 and loved it. I went with the canned SCT tune that comes with it and the car ran much better. After a while I went to a mail order tune. Again I saw improvements. A bit later I went with another mail order tune from a major tuner provider and thought I was done because the car ran great. After being on here for a while and knowing I was going to go FI sometime down the road it sounded like the Ngauge might be a easier way to get that done. I again changed tunes and bought a Lund tune but was still using the X4. The car did not run as well. Lund asked for some data logging to fix the problem, here is where I knew what the future had in store for me. Data logging with the SCT was a pain in the ass! I finally gave up because I just didn't have the time to mess with it. So I just reloaded my old tune from the "other" tuner and the car when back to running great.
This forum has a WEALTH of info!!!!!!!! You sometimes just have to spend some time looking and reading and reading between the lines. I figured I needed to figure something out since I was sure there would be a lot of data logging to do with FI. I decided to buy the Ngauge. My decision was I could get it a bit cheaper since I had already purchased the tunes for life from Lund and I was sure I could sell it if it didn't work out.
One of the smartest things I did, and should have done this right out of the gate. I spent hundreds on different tunes and ended up where most on here did. Once I installed the Ngauge Lund was able to load their revised tune and all I could say was HOLY S%$T. There was that much of a difference in the way the car ran. Since going with Lund I have changed the CAI and re-tuned, then went with the FF tune and re-tuned. Customer service and turnaround is awesome, not one bad thing to say. Its so easy to data log with the Ngauge. Then there is all the parameters you can view at once. I set mine to show AFR on both banks, coolant temp, RPM, knock, speed. I set the lights up top on RPM and kinda use it as a shift light. I know going to FI will be much easier now and I can change my view to look at anything. I don't believe all that was possible with the X4. If it was it definitely wouldn't look as good doing it as the Ngauge. The $50 is worth the cool factor alone. Working direct with Lund is easy, but I have to give props to Beefcake. He is where I originally purchased my tune from and later went back and got the Ngauge through him.
Hope this helps!

 

[tjo1186]

[MENTION=18582]whatsup62[/MENTION]
I've had tuned cars before but they were always done at the shop ie dyno tuned. What exactly is involved with datalogging? How does that process work?

 

[beefcake]

[MENTION=18582]whatsup62[/MENTION]
I've had tuned cars before but they were always done at the shop ie dyno tuned. What exactly is involved with datalogging? How does that process work?

on the ngauge, you simply click the datalog button

tap the screen, then when your done with your log, tap it again

email it in, super easy

 

[tjo1186]

OK that does sound pretty easy.

 

[18psi]

Thanks for the input, that's helpful.

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