Noob question about tuning

[CamryDS]

Hi All,

I wanted to try my luck in tuning my car now, and instead of making a mistake by misreading, I rather have questions asked and have directly answered. I've searched but my question wasn't quite answered and also they were all decentralized.

So I have a few questions about tuning and I just want to get to the point. I'm a HUGE noob when it comes to engine work. I'm barely into modifying my own car, but I've done suspension and chassis addon's forever.


Now I know we can buy the tune off of vendors (eg. fa20club.com), but I don't know if that's what everyone usually does.

Here are my questions -- some may be stupid obvious but I might as well get them properly asked and answered.

- Do car mod shops offer this as a service? Is this what everyone just does?

- Is this usually done as just a service or is the norm just to buy the license, and tune and cable ourselves?

- What would be the benefit if we purchase license with tune, instead of just the tune? (is this even possible?) Are there tune updates?

- Is the cable worth it? Can we purchase a cable elsewhere? (250-300 for a cable is hefty)

- What vendor offers a stable tune? Also with the increase in redline with some tunes does it further risk the engine from issues? (This is assumed if we always hit redline while shifting all the time)

- What are the main risks of tuning?

I'm running a TRD intake and TRD (usa) catback exhaust, is anyone have the same setup and tuned their car with decent results? (I'm thinking of Ecutek Stage 2 for my 1st tune).

Please excuse the horrible noob questions and if any and all input can be provided that would be great. I know there are several threads that may speak about this, but it's not all in one place so -- thanks ahead of time guys!! Appreciate all the forthcoming feedback!!

[86_ZN6]

- Do car mod shops offer this as a service? Is this what everyone just does?

not all mod shops offer ecutek tuning. there is only 2 master tuners in the bay area

- Is this usually done as just a service or is the norm just to buy the license, and tune and cable ourselves?

master tuner can tuner your car locally which is better since the tune is hands on and on the dyno. if you buy electronic tunes, you just buy the tuning kit and flash your car on your own

- What would be the benefit if we purchase license with tune, instead of just the tune? (is this even possible?) Are there tune updates?

your need a license to run any ecutek tunes. the license will be attached to your VIN so each license is unique. tunes can be updated as you add mods to your car.

- Is the cable worth it? Can we purchase a cable elsewhere? (250-300 for a cable is hefty)

cable is worth it if you flash your own car and do data logs. you can only buy the cable from master tuners. no other cable will work.

- What vendor offers a stable tune? Also with the increase in redline with some tunes does it further risk the engine from issues? (This is assumed if we always hit redline while shifting all the time)

each tuner is different. my best advice is to go to a local master tuner so he can tune your car hands on

- What are the main risks of tuning?

AFAIK, tunes are very safe and are completely reversible if you want to go back to oem flash.

i think i flashed my car more than 50 times already and no problems on my ECU

[CamryDS]

Originally Posted by 86_ZN6

- Do car mod shops offer this as a service? Is this what everyone just does?

not all mod shops offer ecutek tuning. there is only 2 master tuners in the bay area

- Is this usually done as just a service or is the norm just to buy the license, and tune and cable ourselves?

master tuner can tuner your car locally which is better since the tune is hands on and on the dyno. if you buy electronic tunes, you just buy the tuning kit and flash your car on your own

- What would be the benefit if we purchase license with tune, instead of just the tune? (is this even possible?) Are there tune updates?

your need a license to run any ecutek tunes. the license will be attached to your VIN so each license is unique. tunes can be updated as you add mods to your car.

- Is the cable worth it? Can we purchase a cable elsewhere? (250-300 for a cable is hefty)

cable is worth it if you flash your own car and do data logs. you can only buy the cable from master tuners. no other cable will work.

- What vendor offers a stable tune? Also with the increase in redline with some tunes does it further risk the engine from issues? (This is assumed if we always hit redline while shifting all the time)

each tuner is different. my best advice is to go to a local master tuner so he can tune your car hands on

- What are the main risks of tuning?

AFAIK, tunes are very safe and are completely reversible if you want to go back to oem flash.

i think i flashed my car more than 50 times already and no problems on my ECU

You don't know how f*ing happy I am that someone from norcal answered me =) thanks!

[86_ZN6]

Originally Posted by CamryDS

You don't know how f*ing happy I am that someone from norcal answered me =) thanks!

:happy0180: if you need a tune contact me and i can set you up!

WORKS is one of the master tuners in the bay area

[CamryDS]

Originally Posted by 86_ZN6

:happy0180: if you need a tune contact me and i can set you up!

WORKS is one of the master tuners in the bay area

Definitely, i'm looking into it now and just putting away a little money for it -- should hit you up by the end of next month when I have the budget for it. Btw, how much does a job like this usually cost?

[86_ZN6]

Originally Posted by CamryDS

Definitely, i'm looking into it now and just putting away a little money for it -- should hit you up by the end of next month when I have the budget for it. Btw, how much does a job like this usually cost?

ranges from $500-599 for a base tune with license. take not that license is $300 already

[ShikoBariki]

Originally Posted by 86_ZN6

ranges from $500-599 for a base tune with license. take not that license is $300 already

where is this shop located?i am in need of a tune after i pick up some headers and OP. I am located in east bay pare

[86_ZN6]

Originally Posted by ShikoBariki

where is this shop located?i am in need of a tune after i pick up some headers and OP. I am located in east bay pare

Located in sonoma raceway

[CamryDS]

damn sonoma huh? That's far from where I live -- day trip. Heh. I'm going to hate going through SF for this.