A Garage Education: Essential Auto Accessories, Substitutes and Ideas

Vehicle Dyno Tuning Tips

23 March 2021

Letitia Thomas

If you are a car enthusiast, you have probably heard about vehicle dyno tuning. It is a vehicle modification technique that aims to enhance the horsepower or torque of an engine. Below are some important pointers for those who want to learn more. 

Determine The Goals Of The Tune

A common mistake made by most enthusiasts is failing to determine the goals of the tune. As such, they end up with vehicles that have too much or too little power. You must be objective when tuning your vehicle's engine. For instance, how much power do you need? Do you need to raise the torque levels? Would you want to improve your car's fuel efficiency? If possible, consult with a few friends that have tuned their cars. They can give you an in-depth analysis of what you should expect after tuning your engine. 

Know Your Vehicle's Limits

As a rule, you must understand the limits of your engine. Once you tune your vehicle, internal engine components will operate under extreme pressures and heat. Therefore, you must be sure that they can withstand these conditions. Conduct some research on automotive blogs to know how much power your engine can handle. Remember, as your engine ages, its components wear out, thus reducing its ability to bear excessive pressures.  

Check The Condition Of The Engine

For the tune to yield the desired results, the engine must be in excellent condition. Therefore, consider the following: 

• Conduct a computer diagnostics check to determine the condition of the vehicle's ECU and sensors.
• Replace worn-out components and clear any ECU errors.
• Consider an oil and air filter replacement if you have not serviced the vehicle in the recent past.
• Clean the fuel lines and fuel filter. If possible, clean the fuel injectors and replace the spark plugs.
• If the engine is past its recommended lifetime (check the manufacturer specifications), consider an engine overhaul before conducting the tune. 

If you need to build your vehicle for competition purposes, a technician could advise you to install performance parts to protect the engine from heat-related damage. For instance, you could use performance water pumps, radiators, intercoolers, and exhausts. 

Work With An Experienced Tuner

Vehicle dyno tuning should be left to the professionals. Therefore, conduct some research to identify reputable tuners in your area. Ideally, the tuner should have high-tech equipment. Additionally, they should give free repairs or an option to detune the vehicle if it develops problems after the tune or you are not comfortable with the tune. 

When tuning your vehicle, determine the goals of the tune, know the engine's limits, check the condition of the engine and work with an experienced tuner.

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