Dyno tune

[aldive]

Have you had your truck dyno tuned? If so, where and by whom?

 

[aldive]

Anyone?

I had mine dyno tuned by Doug Studdard of Bama Chips ( http://www.bamachips.com/ ) last year. We gained over 10 rwhp over a mail order tune.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Could you explain the procedure that was done?

 

[aldive]

Could you explain the procedure that was done?

The actual details of the dyno tune are propriety and have been developed by Doug ( http://www.bamachips.com/ ) and I will not comment on them.

However, the basic procedure is to run a baseline dyno test and from there make manipulations in the software to optimize AF ratio and power/torque.

A dyno tune is the only way to get the most out of any computer tune. Mail order tunes are great but not optimized for your vehicle.

 

[BrooklynBay]

So basically, it's like making a custom chip for your vehicle. How much are they? Is this for OBD-II only? My EEC-IV computer doesn't have an option of swapping chips.

 

[aldive]

So basically, it's like making a custom chip for your vehicle. How much are they? Is this for OBD-II only? My EEC-IV computer doesn't have an option of swapping chips.

Price varies with the tuner and the dyno facility.

Not mucj can be done with EEC-IV.

 

[BrooklynBay]

I saw on that website some custom tuners that you could hook up to fine tune it yourself. It probably has specific patterns preprogrammed into them which could be used to fine tune an average system. I understand that dyno tuning would be the most accurate.

 

[MoabB2]

aldive, maybe you would know what is my best option.

I run a 97 Mountaineer 5.0, trans, and computer in my Bronco II. I hope to purchase a Xcal2 tuner. My local SCT tuner shop has a dyno, I will be dialing in the tunes using the dyno. Should I just use the tunes from the local shop, or will I benefit from a tune from Doug?

Can Doug get me the right tune, being halfway across the country?

 

[aldive]

You would need to e mail Doug for answers.

He can send you a tune via E mail.

Good luck ...

 

[MoabB2]

Just sent him an email. Thanks!

I'll be sure to post my dyno results in here.

 

[Fredness]

If so, where and by whom?

In my driveway, by me.

Here are some details on tuning.
EVERYONE has a slightly unique set up with their vehicle. All the parts are +/- some percentage of error. Ford is around a 4-5% error margin on all parts and sensors. A "mail-order" tune is just that, it's good for 6-10HP gain on most Ford 4-6cyl cars and trucks at the wheels. A "Dyno-Tune" or "Custom Tune" removes or normalizes that "slop" to get you better performance and economy than a mail-order tune.

For a good place to start, go to http://www.sctflash.com enter your zip code in the top right corner and contact your local tuner/dealer.

I've gone from 34MPG in my Focus to over 37MPG and the idle quality/driving experience is totally different. I'm tweaking the Wife's "Sport" tonight and tomorrow, so we'll see how it does this weekend.

There are different ways to do this as well. Dyno tuning, road testing, data-logging. It's pretty awesome.

 

[stang99x]

Could you explain the procedure that was done?

Depending on the tuner, a custom tune involves almost every parameter in the computers memory. EGT, O2 voltage, shift points, timing and so forth. Optimal settings can be edited on the dyno to achieve top performance, or you can mail order, get dyno results and fine tune it. I gained 27 RWHP by changing from a diablo chip to an SCT xcal2 with custom tune.

 

[jah81592]

Depending on the tuner, a custom tune involves almost every parameter in the computers memory. EGT, O2 voltage, shift points, timing and so forth. Optimal settings can be edited on the dyno to achieve top performance, or you can mail order, get dyno results and fine tune it. I gained 27 RWHP by changing from a diablo chip to an SCT xcal2 with custom tune.

If you gained that much your diablo tuner must have really sucked. I am a custom tuner and have seen increases but never that much.Ouch! I bet you really felt the difference.-James

 

[jah81592]

Yes, I have had my truck dyno tuned. All the tuning was done by me (HensonPerformance,Inc).
#'s aren't being released yet because there are some major changes happening just wanted to know where I am. Really only went to the dyno for #'s and very fine adjustments, truck was mainly tuned on the street!

 

[SnakedMark8]

In my driveway, by me.

Here are some details on tuning.
EVERYONE has a slightly unique set up with their vehicle. All the parts are +/- some percentage of error. Ford is around a 4-5% error margin on all parts and sensors. A "mail-order" tune is just that, it's good for 6-10HP gain on most Ford 4-6cyl cars and trucks at the wheels. A "Dyno-Tune" or "Custom Tune" removes or normalizes that "slop" to get you better performance and economy than a mail-order tune.

For a good place to start, go to http://www.sctflash.com enter your zip code in the top right corner and contact your local tuner/dealer.

I've gone from 34MPG in my Focus to over 37MPG and the idle quality/driving experience is totally different. I'm tweaking the Wife's "Sport" tonight and tomorrow, so we'll see how it does this weekend.

There are different ways to do this as well. Dyno tuning, road testing, data-logging. It's pretty awesome.

That pretty much sums it up. My dad has a 96 Explorer AWD that he wanted me to tune for him. Since there wasn't a dyno in his area when I was there visiting I street tuned it. He didn't want to run premium so I was able to do a whole lot, data logging really helps in these situations. When I was done he was extremely happy with the performance and shift quality. About a month later he called me to let me know he gained 3 mpg in the city. When he drove down to FL for a visit he picked up 6 more on the highway. Part of this could be right before he left he changed the O2 sensors. He wasn't interested in how hp he gained so it was never put on the dyno.

I've gotten pretty close to the same results with mail order. A few have had their vehicles dynoed after one of my mail orders and only gained 3 – 4 more hp. So it all really depends on the tuner. The factory likes to keep these vehicles on the rich side and depending on the EEC calibrations some are set up to never go into Open Loop. This kills power but is good for economy with an under powered vehicle such as the older Gen 1 Explorers.

With a dyno tune you get everything engine wise dialed in for peak performance hopefully, depending on the tuner. After a dyno tune you should drive it around to make sure there are no drivability problems. Sometimes when tuners go for peak power they sacrifice drivability, this isn't good. Also there aren't many out there that can tune an auto trans properly. This is why I prefer to street tune or test after a dyno tune.

The best thing with those with the EEC Vs is that if you go the mail order route, you can always contact your tuner and have them email a correction to your programming if needed or an update as your modifications change.