Does any one on this forum tune ther own car? If you do what software are you using? I know i'm not the only one interested is this, so speak up.We don't want to be left behind by the ricers.

 

If you understand the complex correlation between 20 different PCM factors and the theory behind the operation of a MAF, EGR, load based timing, load based fueling, and numerous other things, then yeah, go for it.

Otherwise leave it to the guys who get paid to make cars fast.

 

how did these people get started? not on customers cars i'll bet. check all the available programs for mitsubishi and subaru, there mostly free and or cheap.They are shown to be performers. There must be a way.

 

They spent their own time with their head in a book and their nose to the grindstone. Some tuners have decades of experience of tuning under their belt. You have to absolutely understand what a minute change in a MAF transfer function does vs counts vs air/fuel ratio and what consequences that has when running X amount of timing vs coolant temperatures and so forth. It really isn't for the faint of heart.

If you're new at it, try to change simple things. Change your spark timing table. Learn how different weather conditions affect how much timing you can run. Learn how a tune that makes 400hp in cold weather only makes 350 in summer due to humidity, D/A, and temperature.

Sometimes, if you go down to a local bookstore, they have a book in the automotive section that gets into detail on performance aspects of tuning. It's a great resource if you just want to learn about it.

 

changing the simple things, thats what i am mostly talking about. But, where do you obtain the software to make said changes. SCT, SNIPER, TWEECER or are ther others out there.I would want to monitor these changes and ther results via a laptop.

 

SCT Advantage3 is the licensed SCT tuning software that works in conjunction with the XCal 2/3 boxes to datalog engine parameters. It costs big money, but you have unparalleled flexibility with what you can do. Sniper from what I've heard is great for tuning OBDII PCMs and I also know that you can datalog and make small changes with a Predator as well. Just pick and choose. If I were you, I would pick a brand that has a tuner in the area that will work with it. Have him set you a SOLID baseline tune and as the weather varies or as you mod, make small changes to the tune and monitor the engine performance.

PS - FYI 90% of the people that run around on laptops in the car have NO idea what they are doing. I've seen some of the worst tunes to come out from "those" guys. Make sure you learn what you're doing and don't jump around and make changes with parameters you don't understand.

 

Hey. i don't want to blow my car up. I want to be able to make minor changes, and see results. I've seen sniper for $500-$600 with the chip and data logging.Is there any free stuff worth looking at. Maybe just to monitor parameters on the fly.

 

When it comes to these cars not really... You need at least a handheld/aeroforce gauge to monitor any sort of parameters.

Unless, you have a buddy that will let you use a tuner. I have a handheld with no more changes available on it that you can have. YOU CANNOT USE IT TO TUNE YOUR CAR AS IT HAS NO MORE VEHICLE CHANGES, but you can use it to datalog. If you want to pay the shipping on it (probably less than 10 bucks) you can have it.

 

pm sent

 

having used the various tuning programs for both the Subaru and the Mitsubishi(ie: Cobb's accessport, Turbo XS' Utech and ECUflash)... These programs are also developed with the end user in mind... better than a lot of the programs for domestics... except maybe Ls1tech. Some of that software doesn't require you to be as experienced as a lot of the tuners that can tune a good map for our cars. Those "ricer" programs, for lack of a better phrase, give you enough "ability" to be dangerous.... I've seen a few guys blow up their cars with detonation and pre-det on their own tunes... not a good idea. Just my 2 cents.....