Dyno tune...who's doing it?

[Critter]

I'm curious how many LS swappers are running a truck that had the donor LS engine put on an engine dyno before it was installed. Or maybe it was run on a chassis dyno after installation, either way. It sounds like a lot of guys are just running the "canned" tune that can be easily be installed on a mail order ECU. I'm curious what the breakdown is and if you are happy with your decision.

[HavinSomeFun]

I ran the first two LS swapped setups with just a flashed ECM. The third one (current) I had a mail order tune done that was close. However, decided to take advantage of a real dyno tune and it was worth it.

[usmcchevy]

I'm running mail order. I'm happy with the tune, but next time I'm going to buy the software and do it myself.

[Clyde65]

I had Nelson Performance do my tune, in San Antonio.

[Daaaanz67]

When I had my computer flashed i asked for a slight performance tune. The shop explained to me that he would not have a problem doing it if the computer was going back in the vehicle I got it out of. He said since my set up was goin in an older truck that I would benefit from a dyno tune. He also said that the dyno tune would be taylored more towards my truck. Timing shift points fuel curves gear ratio. I have good knowledge for efi so I knew exactly what he was talking about. I was kinda acting dum just to see what sales pitch he was going to give me. I will be going with dyno tune.
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[Clyde65]

How much are they? I have heard $350 or so

[Daaaanz67]

Flash 100 plus dyno 300
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[mooseknuckles]

def thinkin of doin a dyno tune and cam swap after I get this thing running and I can find someone here to do it...

[68GMCCustom]

I'm getting a mail tune....then thought I would have it dyno'd later. It'll not only give me hp/tq numbers.....the wideband will let me know if the a/f ratio's need further dialing in.

[BR3W CITY]

Dyno tuned, 4 pulls tuned with HP Tuners.
Soon I will have a 4wd Dynojet sitting 20ft from my office....so, yeah.

[68GMCCustom]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

Dyno tuned, 4 pulls tuned with HP Tuners.
Soon I will have a 4wd Dynojet sitting 20ft from my office....so, yeah.

so what did it make?

[my4by2]

My engine package was dyno tuned by Mast Motorsports prior to shipping, but as we've added a different intake & because I want to get the most out of it, we'll be sending it to SVS R&D in Sacramento to get chassis dynoed & final tuned once it's all up & running.

Anytime you're running an EFI set-up it's always best to get it tuned for maximum power & efficiency!

[Daaaanz67]

Where in sac is Svs r&d located
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[my4by2]

Originally Posted by Daaaanz67

Where in sac is Svs r&d located
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SVS R&D
2550 Tower Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95822
(916) 489-3072
http://svsrnd.com/

[y5mgisi]

Bah... I want a dyno/street tune so bad now!

[Super73]

Mail order tunes might get you running, but I can tell you they by no means get it perfect.

I have tuned many LS based cars/trucks starting with LS1edit in 2002, then moved to HP tuners in 2004.

Example of motors wanting something different, I tuned two 4th gen F-body's that had pretty much the same combo on the same day, same dyno. Both had:
stock heads
MS3 cam
LS6 intake

The differences were
headers
one ran a stock style aftermarket lid where the other had an FIPK filter

They made with in 5rwhp of each other on the same day, same dyno, but each one wanted a slightly different air fuel and a big difference in timing. One wanted 29* of total advance, where the other stopped making power at 24*

I have had my truck on the dyno for a total of about 60 pulls through the years, with varying combos. Little changes can make big differences when it comes to AFR.

Personally, I would never run a mail order tune for much time if any.

[68GMCCustom]

I plan on keeping my dual AEM UEGO's....to see how well dialed in the tune is and accurate they are. Once I go to a dyno with a wideband...I'll be able to verify how accurate the gauges are.

[code4]

I tune my ls set ups on the street. I have found that dynos end up loading the engine more or less than the street causing the afr's to be off on the street.

I do dyno every year for people at car shows. I always end up with an unrealistic tune to get a good high HP pull. I reflash the old tune as soon as I pull off the dyno.

[BR3W CITY]

code4; are you using an eddiecurrent dyno? Those are the only ones I'm used to that can put artificial load on the engine, great for giving diesel guys HUGE tq numbers but, I agree they aren't really realistic.
The question I have to ask "street" tuners, is....how the hell do you tune it while trying to do WOT pulls on uncontrolled public streets? Just seems like a bad idea; then again, Montana DOES have plenty of wide open roads.


68GMCCustom; truck ran 366 to the wheels through the built 4l80e, 12bolt and steamrollers. (Overcammed) Cam-only lq4, and a very conservative tune; setup for start-anytime drive anywhere ease. There should be a big stage 2 to the build, involving shiny things that move air...just need the time, and a quick cross-country move.

[68GMCCustom]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

68GMCCustom; truck ran 366 to the wheels through the built 4l80e, 12bolt and steamrollers. (Overcammed) Cam-only lq4, and a very conservative tune; setup for start-anytime drive anywhere ease. There should be a big stage 2 to the build, involving shiny things that move air...just need the time, and a quick cross-country move.

That's not bad, and I don't know your cam specs... but I'd have thought maybe a little more? I'm interested in having mine strapped to one and planned to with the carb to help dial it in. Now it'll be efi and tuned a little differently.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by 68GMCCustom

That's not bad, and I don't know your cam specs... but I'd have thought maybe a little more? I'm interested in having mine strapped to one and planned to with the carb to help dial it in. Now it'll be efi and tuned a little differently.

Keep in mind the drivetrain loss with the tranny and rear is a bit high, but ya there is prob 30hp that I'm "missing out' on. I'm running a TSP Tsunami which is a huge cam for a stock truck engine, with the truck intake and my tbss manifolds, the cam vs my powerband isn't perfect. With some long tubes and a better manifold, we would run a few hundred rpm's higher and should have hit 4 flat to the wheels. Again, it is literally a cam only engine.
Theres some fun stuff for it on the way, but I need to sign some paperwork first

[code4]

We have a dynojet and a mustang available. Mustang puts a pretty strong load on, I don't like it.

Our turbo rat puts down 700 to the tires, it's exciting tuning it. My wife does the tuning. For WOT she locks it into 3rd gear (4l80e) I start pour the coal to it at very low rpms, check afr adjust do it again adding rpm each time. Then we strart adding timing and do it again. Yes it would be very dangerous if any cars were around. We have the luxury of open space.

[Super73]

Originally Posted by code4

We have a dynojet and a mustang available. Mustang puts a pretty strong load on, I don't like it.

Our turbo rat puts down 700 to the tires, it's exciting tuning it. My wife does the tuning. For WOT she locks it into 3rd gear (4l80e) I start pour the coal to it at very low rpms, check afr adjust do it again adding rpm each time. Then we strart adding timing and do it again. Yes it would be very dangerous if any cars were around. We have the luxury of open space.

So, how do you know when your are making the most power possible, both timing and AFR? SOTP?

[code4]

Originally Posted by Super73

So, how do you know when your are making the most power possible, both timing and AFR? SOTP?

My track/street car I stop when it runs the best et. The play cars/trucks such as the panel, I'm not in any competition, it will do 70 mph burnouts though. I have a certain afr & timing that has worked for me depending on goals and whether I am using meth etc. Of course I always read the plugs.

here is my turbo 54 ad, don't need more power right now:

Click pic

[IMG][/IMG]

[Super73]

Oh, the street tuning vs dyno tuning argument There are pros/cons to both.

Pros for street tuning:
Motor is loaded with real life weight/gearing
You can get AFR set more accurately based on the weight/gearing (assuming your wideband is accurate)

Cons for street tuning (not talking at the track):
Traffic, putting others in harms way
Don't really know what AFR makes the best power (12.8 doesn't always make best power and SOTP is a big lier)
Don't really know what timing makes best power (Again, SOTP does not always tell the truth)
If you make decent power, traction can become a problem.
Less consistancy
Aftermarket widebands are not always spot on from the factory. Sometimes you need to offset the voltage in a datalogger to get it right.


Dyno's are a tuning tool, period. They can help you see what changes in a tune help make power and get you very close. Best thing to do IMO, dyno tune it, then take it to the track. Make small adjustments and see what it does, but make multiple passes per adjustment. Try to make those passes consistant, sometimes a change of 200rpm on the shiftpoint will make you think your tune magically picked up/lost ET/mph.

BTW, density altitude can play a big role on AFR changes. Then your street tune and dyno tune can both go out the window.

Just my 2 cents.