Tuner advice
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,998
Likes: 864
From: Iowa
The PV (Power Vision) is a flash tuner. When you add the wideband sensors, they help it build more accurate AFR tables to flash to the ECM. Same as a dyno, they shove a wideband sensor into the exhaust to get an accurate AFR. I believe the Thundermax operates the same way? The wideband builds tables, which you flash to the Thundermax ECM, or is it real time? Either way, I am a fan of a wideband system.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
I figure the best tuner is the one that has the capabilities you need and has an interface you can effectively operate. I am perfectly comfortable using a MegaSquirt and Tuner Studio. Many are not. Give me a PV, Thundermax, FAST, Motec, etc and I'd have to spend days learning the ins and out. Do that to a dyno shop and they either turn you away or charge you MEGA bucks for their lelaening curve.
So...if you plan to have a shop do the tuning, make sure they are familiar beforehand.
Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 17
From: deep south
I'm learning quite a lot from all the feedback, so THANKS TO ALL! I've been in contact with FuelMoto and they're offering a pretty sweet deal on their Micro EFI Tuner. I'm not going to ever do anything more than maintenance on my stock mill, so cams and big bore stuff isn't in the works. I'm pretty satisfied with the small upgrades I've done (intake and exhaust), so I'm leaning pretty heavy on the K.I.S.S. method for my situation and considering going with their "hook it up and ride" device. You guys, obviously, have a much better grasp of tuning, mapping, controllers and piggybacks, ECU's, programs and all that than I do, so I totally appreciate the technical advice. There was a time that I thought I could (maybe) at least keep up, but damn, man... there are so many different devices for what seems like the same basic thing- jetting.
So...that said...anybody have any experience with the Fuel Moto Micro EFI??? FM's service seems to be pretty outstanding already (I have taken that advice from the forums, too) and God bless Paul over there, he's been answering all my questions without fail (even though he's probably shaking his head saying "not this guy again." haha). Thanks again guys...
So...that said...anybody have any experience with the Fuel Moto Micro EFI??? FM's service seems to be pretty outstanding already (I have taken that advice from the forums, too) and God bless Paul over there, he's been answering all my questions without fail (even though he's probably shaking his head saying "not this guy again." haha). Thanks again guys...
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 711
Likes: 143
From: .
I have never seen two modified/custom engines that have identical tuning parameters. Sharing maps/parameters is only helpful (IMO) to get a useable baseline onto which you build your final tune.
I figure the best tuner is the one that has the capabilities you need and has an interface you can effectively operate. I am perfectly comfortable using a MegaSquirt and Tuner Studio. Many are not. Give me a PV, Thundermax, FAST, Motec, etc and I'd have to spend days learning the ins and out. Do that to a dyno shop and they either turn you away or charge you MEGA bucks for their lelaening curve.
So...if you plan to have a shop do the tuning, make sure they are familiar beforehand.
I figure the best tuner is the one that has the capabilities you need and has an interface you can effectively operate. I am perfectly comfortable using a MegaSquirt and Tuner Studio. Many are not. Give me a PV, Thundermax, FAST, Motec, etc and I'd have to spend days learning the ins and out. Do that to a dyno shop and they either turn you away or charge you MEGA bucks for their lelaening curve.
So...if you plan to have a shop do the tuning, make sure they are familiar beforehand.
I think people here are getting to advanced, I appreciate it tho(!), but I dont think it is what the op is looking for, or am I wrong?
Its bad business for any shops to turn down a job for just a different tuner box or be angry. Its 2020 and the technology in those tuning boxes are already super old. Its about time to learn new stuff or else you just standing still. This of course applies to shops and not individuals. We have the freedom to chose what we want, shops need to adapt.
If the owner is finished with their engine work and dont plan to do more work, by theory, cant they just tune the engine on a dyno and dont need to get a tuner box? Or will the engine change over time?
Road Warrior
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,901
Likes: 379
From: India
Isn't it a natural human tendency to improve in life through learning. The OP is here for the same reason, maybe just a tune/tuner for now..So as advance users we always suggest the best for long term use based on facts, Plus always tell the person to speak to a reputed tuner shop Like Fuel Moto, Hammer Performance etc for the best advice from the pro's.
Its bad business for any shops to turn down a job for just a different tuner box or be angry. Its 2020 and the technology in those tuning boxes are already super old. Its about time to learn new stuff or else you just standing still. This of course applies to shops and not individuals. We have the freedom to chose what we want, shops need to adapt.
Also the reason why we ask ppl to speak to a reputed tuner shop.
If the owner is finished with their engine work and dont plan to do more work, by theory, cant they just tune the engine on a dyno and dont need to get a tuner box? Or will the engine change over time?
Last edited by HotRod917; Jan 24, 2020 at 02:17 PM.
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Thread Starter
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Advanced
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 75
Likes: 17
From: deep south
Thanks again to all!
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 11,448
Likes: 2,299
From: NW Ohio
Its bad business for any shops to turn down a job for just a different tuner box or be angry. Its 2020 and the technology in those tuning boxes are already super old. Its about time to learn new stuff or else you just standing still. This of course applies to shops and not individuals. We have the freedom to chose what we want, shops need to adapt.
I've no doubt any competent tuning shop could figure out whatever customer x brings them, it takes time to learn not only the hardware installed on their machine, but the new software as well. If they have time (small/no backlog) amd the customer is willing to ante up, they would be foolish to turn down the opportunity. However, most decent shops are booked out quite a ways and most customers are cheap (in a bad way). Hence my recommendation to use the systems your favorite tuning shop prefers. It's the fastest, easiest, and probably cheapest overall option...save some simple piggyback options that wouldn't likely see a shop anyway.
DIY away (I certainly do!), but know that a pro may well penalize you for going "off book". Been there. Paid the bills. Hah!