Self Tuning

[JoshK]

Just wondering how many of you guys self tune your 3v cars and how you got started? I have been very interested in doing this and would like a little direction on how to get started. TIA

 

[IHVOCD]

Why would you want to do that if Lito tuned your car?

 

[JoshK]

Lito is an amazing tuner, this is just something that I have always wanted to try. I really pride myself in doing all the mods to my car myself and just thought it would be pretty cool if I could start doing my own tuning as well. Trust me when I say that if I do take on this indevor, I would still pay Manuel to look over and check all of my logs and work since I wouldn't trust myself for quite awhile.

 

[IHVOCD]

I hear ya! It sure could go south quick if you don't know what your doing. Good luck.

 

[JoshK]

I will have the best tuner anywhere to watch over me, just something i would like to try. I guess you could call it modding OCD, wanna try everything.

 

[dysan]

Talk with Lito about it...he actually recommended to me that I get the PRP software to do my own tuning/tweaking for my racing. You can also order the software through him since he is an SCT dealer and he will have it drop-shipped to you.

I haven't started messing with the software yet but once I get through inspections(hopefully tomorrow morning) then I will start tuning my new engine for E85 and for the track.

 

[skwerl]

Ditto to what dysan said. The best resource when learning a new skill is somebody who possesses that skill.

 

[Swarzkopf]

Just wondering how many of you guys self tune your 3v cars and how you got started?

I self tune. I started tuning years and years ago with my old '95 GT. I've since tuned quite a few cars (mainly GMs) for friends.

I have been very interested in doing this and would like a little direction on how to get started. TIA

You need to understand the theory before the practical application. A book on engine management (I think Greg Banish' is really good) would be a really good start.

 

[ummduh]

What else is out there besides the PRP by sct? Does diablosport offer a program?

I must admit I don't care for sct as a company nor the restrictions they impose on the end user.

I've been curious as well, same deal...

 

[BruceH]

What else is out there besides the PRP by sct? Does diablosport offer a program?

I must admit I don't care for sct as a company nor the restrictions they impose on the end user.

I've been curious as well, same deal...

Every tuner I've known with Diablosport hates it. HP tuners has software but it doesn't always work.

I like SCT. I don't have anything to compare it to though. It works, doesn't hang up, they reset the burns every time I do an update, I've had to call a few times and they are always courteous.

PRP Advantage 3 will allow you to tune your car. Jump through a few hoops and they will bump it to calibrator which allows full access.

Probably the best part about it is getting all the little stuff. Driveability with cams and a supercharger, mpg indicator to be accurate, speedo to be dead nuts on, turning off or modifiying the traction control. Plus I don't have to get tune updates if something changes.

My car drives like stock until I get on it. Even in cold weather. There aren't too many tuners with the patience to dial that in the way I want it.

It would be pretty hard to blow the motor up by self tuning imo. SCT starts you out with a plethora of value files for a base tune. They also have descriptions of what most of the functions do and why you might want to change them.

Advanced Engine Management by Greg Banish is where anyone interested in tuning should start. It's about $16 and covers more than engine management. Lots of internal combustion theory is covered. It's well worth the price imo.

http://www.amazon.com/Engine-Management-Advanced-Greg-Banish/dp/1932494421

 

[Swarzkopf]

There aren't too many tuners with the patience to dial that in the way I want it.

Exactly! This is the biggest advantage in my eyes.

 

[one eyed willy]

I like having prp, I get plenty of tips and help from the other guys who know more than me (Lito,Bruce)....it's great to be able to make changes and not have to wait on someone to check their email...

Learning the prp has not been easy for me , it depends on if your the book smart type I think....I'm not, so I think it takes me a little longer to figure things out....I'm more of a hands on, just learn by changing things which means I usually have to change it multiple times...

 

[BruceH]

I like having prp, I get plenty of tips and help from the other guys who know more than me (Lito,Bruce)....it's great to be able to make changes and not have to wait on someone to check their email...

Learning the prp has not been easy for me , it depends on if your the book smart type I think....I'm not, so I think it takes me a little longer to figure things out....I'm more of a hands on, just learn by changing things which means I usually have to change it multiple times...

I just test out crazy theories with you, lol. Just kidding. If I've learned something on my own I'll pass it along, it's taken alot of tune revisions and testing to figure some of these things out like cams and idle. I'll bet I've loaded well over 200 tunes to my car testing and fine tuning different aspects to get driveability right.

 

[Turbostangs90]

Is there a help forums dealing with the SCT iii software? Comparing the pricing it is almost half the cost of the HP tuner pro setup.

Also Bruce you mentioned that jumping through a few hoops and they will bump you up to calibrator with full access, what kind of hoops are you talking about?

 

[one eyed willy]

Prp gives you access to their forum, I've learned you don't get that much help there. SCT does not visit too often , most of the advise you get is from people who have different model years or they just don't know what they are talking about....there are a few helpful people on there and the search function works...I asked Kilmer awhile back if we could have our own tuner section here but never heard anything back.

 

[05moneypit]

I've been doing for a couple years with the SCT PRP. It has really given me an appriciation for how good some of the tuners are. I had someone help me get started and has been really good about helping me when I run into problems. The SCT forum isn't very helpfull like others have said.

I guess I'm just getting old but I really have a hard time wrapping my head around some of it, it is pretty much trial and error for me. I do keep detailed notes on a word file of changes I make and the results. I'm sure most who have done it will agree that tuning for peak power is pretty simple but what really seperates the men from the boys is tuning for cold start and drivablity with a highly modified engine. It just really takes a lot of time, patience and good stretch of open road!!!!!

A sub forum on here would be great!

 

[warpig12354]

A sub forum on here would be great!

 

[muztangman93]

Ive always thought it would be cool to have the software as well. Whats something like that cost. Does SCT have a class you can take to learn alot about it as well. I like to learn new things and how it all works myself

 

[sharkbaits]

Best advice is to start with something simple and learn the concepts.

I would recommend trying to tune an N/A car (like your daily driver) and start there. It's not always the best idea to start learning on the car you've got 20-30k wraped up into.

 

[05moneypit]

Best advice is to start with something simple and learn the concepts.

I would recommend trying to tune an N/A car (like your daily driver) and start there. It's not always the best idea to start learning on the car you've got 20-30k wraped up into.

Ya but my DD (08 F150) runs fine..................lol