Using a Tuner wears out the engine faster?
Thread Starter
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 27
From:
RE: Using a Tuner wears out the engine faster?
ORIGINAL: NickSezz
Having an A/F ratio gauge has shown me a lot about how the car runs.
Besides disabling some features, most tunes advance timing and addmore fuel to the engine due to the larger MAF. What I don't think people understand is that the timing is what's in effect most of the time and is what we "feel" in concern of performance. The AFR is only changed at WOT. The factory WOT AFR is acually pretty good. From my testing with the stock V6 tune, the AFR was between 12.8 and 13.1 right in thebutter zone.
My first tune ran a 15.1 AFR at WOT andthats pretty lean.I ran this tune for a year and I do not believe I "hurt" myengine for the following reason. When you are at idle or constant rpm, the computerand oxygen sensors work together to hold an AFR between 14.5 and 15.0for max efficiency in a closed loop system no matter what the tune says to do. This AFR is considered stoichiometric and is when the engine acually run the hottest. Lean mixtures run cooler from the extra air and less burn, and rich mixtures run cooler from extra fuel and less burn. (this is for NA engines) When you are at WOT, the computer is set to hold a constant WOT AFR determined by the tune. Right now I have mine around 12.9-13.1. It is not far off from the stock setting, maybe 2-4% leaner. I also have the stock size MAF so I do not need to add more fuel to the mixture because the engine is getting a similar amout of air compared to stock.
The only time I can see the engine being hurt is when the timing is bad and there is detonation. Hopefully these tuning companies we use know the limits of each fuel grade when advancing timing. I havn't messed with this at all and do not really know how to make sure everything is ok besides listening for the tell tail noises of a knocking engine. But, my car runs well and I couldn't be happier unless a went FI.
All that being said, your engine life will depend on propper maintenance and how hard and often you push it. No matter what the computer settings, your engine is still getting the propper lubrication from the oil system. Knocking produces unwantedmechanical stress on parts, and rich or lean mixtures reduce power. Good tune=don't worry. And...you gotta be willing to pay to play.
Having an A/F ratio gauge has shown me a lot about how the car runs.
Besides disabling some features, most tunes advance timing and addmore fuel to the engine due to the larger MAF. What I don't think people understand is that the timing is what's in effect most of the time and is what we "feel" in concern of performance. The AFR is only changed at WOT. The factory WOT AFR is acually pretty good. From my testing with the stock V6 tune, the AFR was between 12.8 and 13.1 right in thebutter zone.
My first tune ran a 15.1 AFR at WOT andthats pretty lean.I ran this tune for a year and I do not believe I "hurt" myengine for the following reason. When you are at idle or constant rpm, the computerand oxygen sensors work together to hold an AFR between 14.5 and 15.0for max efficiency in a closed loop system no matter what the tune says to do. This AFR is considered stoichiometric and is when the engine acually run the hottest. Lean mixtures run cooler from the extra air and less burn, and rich mixtures run cooler from extra fuel and less burn. (this is for NA engines) When you are at WOT, the computer is set to hold a constant WOT AFR determined by the tune. Right now I have mine around 12.9-13.1. It is not far off from the stock setting, maybe 2-4% leaner. I also have the stock size MAF so I do not need to add more fuel to the mixture because the engine is getting a similar amout of air compared to stock.
The only time I can see the engine being hurt is when the timing is bad and there is detonation. Hopefully these tuning companies we use know the limits of each fuel grade when advancing timing. I havn't messed with this at all and do not really know how to make sure everything is ok besides listening for the tell tail noises of a knocking engine. But, my car runs well and I couldn't be happier unless a went FI.
All that being said, your engine life will depend on propper maintenance and how hard and often you push it. No matter what the computer settings, your engine is still getting the propper lubrication from the oil system. Knocking produces unwantedmechanical stress on parts, and rich or lean mixtures reduce power. Good tune=don't worry. And...you gotta be willing to pay to play.
I have the Injen CAI no tuneand on the Injen website they showed a dyno sheet that this intake did not run leaner or anything. Now I wonder if im able to tune my GT with a Diablosport with my Injen CAI? good or bad?
2nd Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 396
From: Raised in Chicago; living near St. Louis in Troy, IL
RE: Using a Tuner wears out the engine faster?
ORIGINAL: speedstang06
+1
I'd say 90% of the s197 owners (on this forum)seem to tune their engines, so I would doubt that it hurts it, its all in the way you care for it/drive it.
ORIGINAL: vphokie
I'm no genius on this topic....but to me, it would seem that it's not so much the tune that affects the wear, but how you drive the car. Stock tune or 93 tune, if you drive it hard, then the engine and accessories will get more wear. I don't think that a tune would really hurt your "life expectancy" of your engine. But that's just me hypothesizing.
I'm no genius on this topic....but to me, it would seem that it's not so much the tune that affects the wear, but how you drive the car. Stock tune or 93 tune, if you drive it hard, then the engine and accessories will get more wear. I don't think that a tune would really hurt your "life expectancy" of your engine. But that's just me hypothesizing.
I'd say 90% of the s197 owners (on this forum)seem to tune their engines, so I would doubt that it hurts it, its all in the way you care for it/drive it.
Personally I think we can't necessarily look at "other" owners to gauge how much a tune may or may not negatively affect our engines over time. I do think we need to hear from some '05 owners who tuned their cars very soon after purchasing them, but overall, I think the jury is still out and will be for a few more years as to whether or not changing tunes is bad for the engine. Personally though, I'm thinking maybe it is a bit, but probably not much more than other hard driving would cause to any engine. Like others have said, I think it mostly depends on how you drive the car and how often you treat her badly with excessively hard driving. For example, driving like you're at the track on a regular basis in a car that only has a CAI and tune can't be good thing, but going WOT a time or two here and there can't be all bad.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,235
From: MO
RE: Using a Tuner wears out the engine faster?
This thread is a major waist of time.
Based on some of the arguments here.. you could say that manual cars have a shorter engine/drivetrain life because they tend to stay in the higher RPM range than an auto.
Based on some of the arguments here.. you could say that manual cars have a shorter engine/drivetrain life because they tend to stay in the higher RPM range than an auto.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,547
From: The High Country
RE: Using a Tuner wears out the engine faster?
Some would argue that an engine only has a specific amount of rpms built into it, and if you run at a higher rpm, it will wear out quicker. I agree with this thinking.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,235
From: MO
RE: Using a Tuner wears out the engine faster?
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/features/telomeres/
ORIGINAL: GidyupGo
Some would argue that an engine only has a specific amount of rpms built into it, and if you run at a higher rpm, it will wear out quicker. I agree with this thinking.
Some would argue that an engine only has a specific amount of rpms built into it, and if you run at a higher rpm, it will wear out quicker. I agree with this thinking.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,209
From: CT
RE: Using a Tuner wears out the engine faster?
ORIGINAL: MrSandman
This thread is a major waist of time.
Based on some of the arguments here.. you could say that manual cars have a shorter engine/drivetrain life because they tend to stay in the higher RPM range than an auto.
This thread is a major waist of time.
Based on some of the arguments here.. you could say that manual cars have a shorter engine/drivetrain life because they tend to stay in the higher RPM range than an auto.
I'm not saying don't mod your car, I'm saying for every action, there is an equal and oppositte reaction, more power, more wear.
3rd Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 825
From: NJ
RE: Using a Tuner wears out the engine faster?
You could beat the crap out of a "stock" car, or baby a car w/ a tune, it depends on how you drive, BUT all other things being equal, it doesn't matter, tune or not, I wouldn't worry about it.
I would only be concerned if you went to an inexperienced tuner who really doesn't know what they're doing.
I've also heard (FWIW) a real aggressive tune (hard shifts) for auto transmissions can shorten their life.
I would only be concerned if you went to an inexperienced tuner who really doesn't know what they're doing.
I've also heard (FWIW) a real aggressive tune (hard shifts) for auto transmissions can shorten their life.
5th Gear Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,547
From: The High Country
RE: Using a Tuner wears out the engine faster?
ORIGINAL: MrSandman
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/features/telomeres/
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/features/telomeres/
ORIGINAL: GidyupGo
Some would argue that an engine only has a specific amount of rpms built into it, and if you run at a higher rpm, it will wear out quicker. I agree with this thinking.
Some would argue that an engine only has a specific amount of rpms built into it, and if you run at a higher rpm, it will wear out quicker. I agree with this thinking.
Well there you go. It would suck only having a life expectancy of 30 years. 1000 sounds pretty good though. Maybe that is how aliens got here.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 396
From: Raised in Chicago; living near St. Louis in Troy, IL
RE: Using a Tuner wears out the engine faster?
ORIGINAL: Missionary
Well outcome I will be buying a Diablosport tuner to do a 87 octane tune
Well outcome I will be buying a Diablosport tuner to do a 87 octane tune