Dyno Tuning, where to go?

[Jdseibe]

Hey,

My car is running, and seems to be running alright, but it needs a tune hardcore.

I don't really know much about tuning a carb, so I figured I would let a professional do it. but here is the thing. I don't have a ton of cash to do this, and I know it can get expensive quick.

so heres what I want to know, how long do you think it normally takes to tune a carb setup? and where would be the best deal to take it and get it tuned?

i came across a place called livernois motorsports.. i dunno if they are any good, does anyone have any input on them? this is the first time ive ever did a dyno tune, so im new to this whole thing.

thanks.

[MORNINGSTAR2101]

haha, umm, DO NOT go to livernois. i had good experiences with them a few years ago, but the base tune they did on the camaro after it was put back together was way off.

[meissen]

Try shooting a PM to BLKHAWK. He's not only a sponsor on the site for his own tuning side job but he also dyno tunes at Vector Motorsports and they *might* be able to do something, but I don't know if they do carb setups or not.

[steddy]

I haven't done a dyno tune on a carbed car yet. What I do is loosen the distributor hold donw nut juuust slightly, so you can move it, set the idle screws out two turns (this should get it to start), break out a vacuum guage (use the vac advance lead, it kills 2 birds with one stone) and see what the vacuum reading is when running.

Then I incorporate someone i trust (and I mean TRUST) to press on the brake, put it in gear and bring the R's up just a little, doesn't take a lot. turn the Dist either clockwise or counter until the vacuum sits at it's highest and most stable point. At this point, break out the timing light and make sure you're not running too much initial advance. When you connect the vac lead, take another look at where the advance is sitting (which shouldn't be too much higher). Get in the car, press the brake, bring the RPMs up and see if there's a stumble. If there is, just do the same method until there's a good solid ramp-up in power.

This is called a "power tune" method, but works very well. Archaic, but effective. It also won't cost you anything if you have the vac gauge. When you go out driving, you'll figure out what size jets she likes, but this will give you the optimum performance for the sizes you initially run.

[BLKHAWK]

Hey,

My car is running, and seems to be running alright, but it needs a tune hardcore.

I don't really know much about tuning a carb, so I figured I would let a professional do it. but here is the thing. I don't have a ton of cash to do this, and I know it can get expensive quick.

so heres what I want to know, how long do you think it normally takes to tune a carb setup? and where would be the best deal to take it and get it tuned?

i came across a place called livernois motorsports.. i dunno if they are any good, does anyone have any input on them? this is the first time ive ever did a dyno tune, so im new to this whole thing.

thanks.

Put an o2 bung in it and ill tune it

[fbodyhottie]

Pure Tuning in Toledo. they are on secor road. phone number is 419-474-7992, ask for keith or aaron.

[Jdseibe]

Im bringing back this thread cuz I still need help with this, I need to find somewhere to get my car tuned.. it doesnt have to be dyno tuned.. It just needs done.. with places that Ive called.. they either don't tune carb'd vehicles.. or they charge a hundred something bucks an hour wth a 3 hour minimum.. does anybody know somewhere.. or someone who will tune my car for me?

[prorac1]

If you were closer id do it for free. Im pretty good with carb tuning and timing. If you have a way to trailer it to west michigan, as I said, Ill do it for free. I like tuning. Let me know. Eric L

[meissen]

Have you tried talking to Vector Motorsports? Steve @ SB Tuning, one of our sponsors, is their tuner but I don't know if they do carbed systems. They're in Clinton Township by I-94.

[DETROITMUSCLE]

I don't see the problem... Tunes cost a few hundred bucks, save up and have it done right or rent a u-haul and drive It out to get it done for free. Don't skimp on a tune its absolutley crucial!

[Jdseibe]

I don't see the problem... Tunes cost a few hundred bucks, save up and have it done right or rent a u-haul and drive It out to get it done for free. Don't skimp on a tune its absolutley crucial!

the problem is.. is that spending 375 dollars to tune my car is a little too expensive for my taste.. and if i can get it done cheaper.. i will.. which is why im asking if anyone else knows of a cheaper solution.. im not made of money like you apparently.

[prorac1]

I think what Detroit muscle was trying to say was that all the options have been thrown out there for ya. Other than someone doing it in your garage for you. Eric L

[DETROITMUSCLE]

the problem is.. is that spending 375 dollars to tune my car is a little too expensive for my taste.. and if i can get it done cheaper.. i will.. which is why im asking if anyone else knows of a cheaper solution.. im not made of money like you apparently.

I'm not made of money at all, I'm just sick of people trying to cheap out on the essentials. When you do a major mod to your car a tune should be the first thing on the list you can't drive it around untuned and not expect to have problems.

[ICEPICK]

I'm not made of money at all, I'm just sick of people trying to cheap out on the essentials. When you do a major mod to your car a tune should be the first thing on the list you can't drive it around untuned and not expect to have problems.

on fuel injected cars a dyno tune is longer to do, but on a carbed car if not racing or being percise, 3 hours does seem to be alot, its mostly the carb and timing set, its easy to set timing, buy a gun at meijers for like 30 bucks and fined out your base timing, then work on fuel air mix, 2 screws all the way in 3 half turns out each side, basic set up then go from there.

[PWND3r]

3 Hours is not long at all. Setting the car up on the dyno takes time, setting up the tools (air/fuel, knock sensors) takes time. Programming the car into the computer takes time. By the time all is said and done you're at the 3 hour mark after 1 or 2 runs on that dyno, and them looking at the charts. My car was on the dyno for 8 hours when it was first done, and the tune still isn't done.

Like DetroitMuscle is saying. Do not cheap out on a tune. You will regret it, it's not something that you should have just a schmuck off the street do. Setting your timing and fuel is very important and should be done correctly or you'll have major problems down the road.

I'd just save up if I were you. It's Feb. right now, people are getting their tax returns back, maybe you should toss $200 out of that and get a tune done the right way. Pick your tuner wisely.