The process of tuning a car is worth the effort due to obvious benefits such as increased performance, more aggressive driving or even energy efficiency if you like. Tuning is strongly recommended when you’ve installed an mods that are aftermarket.

Tuning isn’t risky when it is done by a trusted tuning service and will not result in additional wear on the engine (given you don’t overboard).

Personally, I have tuned my vehicles numerous times – particularly after making major modifications like turbos and headers.

Here, I’m going to talk about the process of tuning more thoroughly. It is important to decide if you want to tune or not, and what tuning method to opt for.

Upcoming content:

Why is tuning worth the cost
Different types of tuning Costs, risks, effort and power
Does tuning shorten engine life?
Does tuning void warranty?
Should you tune your car?

Why Tuning is Worth The money (The Benefits)

Tuning is worth it since it provides you with more power, a more customized ride and also ensure that aftermarket modifications are operating exactly as you expect.

Tuning is basically adjusting the settings of the car’s computer. It is dependent on what you want to accomplish you’ll find a lot of variables you can adjust, like the engine torque map and air/fuel ratio, as well as top speed, and more are all variable.

Here are five benefits of tuning your car’s performance:

Performance improvements. The stock ECU from the factory comes with moderate software settings (for emissions and fuel efficiency). Tuning can gain more power and speed by eliminating the top velocity, rev limiters, and ignition timing.

The all the potential of mods available on aftermarket. Mods such as headers and catback exhausts can boost the volume of air that gets into the engine, resulting in greater power. But, if you don’t tune the mods, they could not function correctly or even lower the power. It is important to tune the system to make sure the ratio of fuel/air is at a high level.

Aggressive ride. You can adjust the map of torque to provide you with more power, depending on your riding style. For instance you can get more torque when you are riding at a lowest RPM (great for cornering) or a steady torque output across all of the higher RPM (great for drag racing).

Improve fuel efficiency. If you’re keen to conserve fuel, then the custom tuning option can do the same results. In making your vehicle run more efficiently it will save you money over the long term. Discuss your needs with your tuner and you’ll be able to attain it.

Take out the Check engine lights (CEL). Some modifications that are performance-oriented, such as a catless downpipe are sure to cause the CEL. By tuning it to your specifications you can have it shut off.

Different types of tuning cost, risk, and power

ECU Chip

ECU Chipping is an easy-to-use solution in which the chip can receive data that is incoming into the actual vehicle’s ECU and alter it to get the desired output (more power or less consumption).

ECU chips are simple to set up and can be also the most inexpensive alternative – they are priced at around 200 dollars (depending on the model) and all you need to do is to connect them to the car’s OBD2 port and wait for couple of minutes.

There is no guarantee of power in any ECU chip (it might not provide any power in any way). Personally, I wouldn’t go to ECU chipping. The previous ECU chip I put in many years ago didn’t yield me anything.

ECU chipping is not likely to cause engine damage since modifications have been made that are safe and evaluated by the company that sells the chip.

Flash Tune

Flash car tuning is the process of alter the settings of your ECU in order to alter the way your car performs.

Flash tuning a preset is using an already installed ECU configuration to the exact car model and output you want to. This is what I’m discussing in this article.

For example, you have an 2008 Nissan 350z and you’d like to upgrade to an aggressive vehicle and an increase in horsepower. The tuner may download a preset from a different 350z owner, and then flash the configuration to your vehicle.

A preset that is flash tuned is quick, inexpensive and will work because it has been used on a variety of cars prior to you.

The flash tune can pose a risk of causing engine damage when you have installed an incorrect setting. However, it’s unreversible if your tuner has taken a backup of the default configuration.

Custom Dyno Tune

Custom dyno tuning occurs when the tuner creates an ECU setup specifically for your vehicle and requirements. It is a custom setup to you and your vehicle and therefore it will be the best for you and one of the highest priced.

Custom dyno tuning generally takes a few days since the tuner must check the tuning configuration using a dyno, and then recalibrate to ensure that the intended output has been reached.

Custom dyno tuning is the most dangerous (especially in the event that your tuner isn’t reputable). It’s complex and requires extensive understanding of ECU. Only perform custom dyno tuning when you have a reliable tuner and have sufficient capital.

Does Tuning Shorten Engine Life?

ECU tuning is not harmful to your vehicle’s engine , and it will it will not decrease the lifespan of the engine in the event that it is done correctly. A well-tuned process may assist to improve the efficiency of fuel of your vehicle.

However, more maintenance could be needed. Furthermore, overt tuning such as taking out the rev limiter and running too rich could impact the lifespan of the engine.

More power with ECU tuning means more strain for all units in the aggregate, as well as greater wear on the moving components.

But, this doesn’t necessarily mean that tuning can shorten the lifespan of the engine. If done correctly it is unlikely that tuning will affect the engine other than increasing the overall performance.

Does Tuning Void Warranty?

When car tuning is done by an authorized tuner or factory tuneer the warranty for the car is in place, as you do not end up losing the warranty of your vehicle.

If you’re thinking of tuning your car to boost power, and make modifications to your vehicle then your warranty for your car is likely to be canceled.

It’s also difficult to restore your car to its original settings before you claim warranty. The majority of car’s ECU detects tampering and record it.

In accordance with the Law concerning road safety, alteration is only permitted only for personal use. It is only permitted when the change will improve the safety of the vehicle, its invention as well as the technical technology.

It is the practice of carrying out specific tasks that require a vehicle not designed specifically for. In this scenario you could think about the possibility of tuning race automobiles.

Motor trailers and automobiles as well as their respective components, equipment and assemblies, made in a series or individually, or repaired, must be in line with the standards of technology of homologation standards.

This means that the vehicle must pass the tests and checks on the security and ecological elements.

Do You Need to Tune Your Car?

If the warranty has expired and you’re determined to improve your performance, tuning is highly suggested.

It is impossible to avoid tuning while searching for the best performance. The installation of major modifications like headers, exhausts, and turbos will require tuning. So, sooner or later, you’ll be tuning your car.

I suggest tuning your car after you’ve installed these major modifications. Don’t invest in tuning your car for each minor modification such as cold air intake or filter (you will not see any changes).

Tuning a car that is completely stock is an alternative (if you’d prefer). You can choose to do items like:

Remove rev limiter
Take top speed off
Adjust engine torque map
Increase the throttle response