What's A "tuner"?

[blind_elk]

I see a lot of threads "need a tuner". What do you people mean when you ask for a tuner?

Being a bit old-school, a tuner to me is someone who will know how to read spark plugs, can adjust fuel mixtures on carbies, play with timing, etc.

Given that you can't generally fiddle with the (OEM) ECU, so you can't adjust fuel mixtures, and you can't adjust timing (you can make gross changes by adjusting the CAS), I see little point for a "tuner" in these days of "the computer controls everything".

Thoughts, comments, etc welcome.

[666DAN]

An elusive creature that isn’t easily found amongst the horde of pseudo-tuners or pretenders, when you find a good one, don’t let them go!!!

Well most people requesting a tuner most likely have engine management that can be played with, so needing a tune is applicable.

People that say they need a tune with stock ECU aren’t going to get much done in essence, just a timing check and look here and there.

[R31Nismoid]

Tuner = person who tunes the aftermarket ECU in my car

Some tuners are also mechanically minded (do mechnic style work), other tuners just tune ECU's exclusively and shouldnt be allowed to change spark plugs should something fall into the cyclinder...

[blind_elk]

Fully aware that a good tuner is an absolute "must have" for an aftermarket / programmable ECU (like my Wolf).

This is the thread that really prompted me to start this thread.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/Fi...Me-t233491.html

It's not clear whether or not this guy has a programmable ECU. If not, then there seem to be a "horde of pseudo-tuners or pretenders" willing to offer advice on the subject.

[mid life crisis]

someone who comes to ya house and gets your piano sounding sweet

[666DAN]

Yeah would have been my first question..."what management do you have?"

Otherwise it's just going to be a 'wind up the boost & check AFR's & timing on the dyno' type situation.

[madbung]

A tuner

A selection of tuners

[matlowth]

ROLF!

Tuner = person who tunes the aftermarket ECU in my car

Some tuners are also mechanically minded (do mechnic style work), other tuners just tune ECU's exclusively and shouldnt be allowed to change spark plugs should something fall into the cyclinder...

[nakedterror]

Tuner = person who tunes the aftermarket ECU in my car

Some tuners are also mechanically minded (do mechnic style work), other tuners just tune ECU's exclusively and shouldnt be allowed to change spark plugs should something fall into the cyclinder...

BWAAAAAAAAAHAHAHAa

PHEAR TEH LSB

[(B1) MR_fanny]

mmm....tuna...ah i mean tuner

[blind_elk]

A tuner

A selection of tuners

Nah, those are choona.

[Duncan]

Its frightening how many people say, I went to the gurus at xyz and they tuned my car. it runs great now and only caost me $400.

mostly it sounds like someone has been really ripped off for a set of copper plugs and a dyno run

[PM-R33]

Haha so true. Get ppl in work all the time with stock commodores or something saying yeah just got the car tuned, runs so much better now....

[funkymonkey]

car "tuners" in australia are in general a bunch of charlatans who take your money for tinkering with your ECU and boost controller. Most of them have no mechanical knowledge or background, simply know how to work a lappy, a serial port (or USB these days), know how to edit an AFR map and may have access to a dyno.

A good tuner is someone who has the mechanical know how to get a car running 100% safe and sound before he even starts programing anything electronic. I've seen cars taken to "tuners" who can't even diagnose a vacuum leak.

Too many cowboys in the market with a six shooter but no horse.

Either find an electronics "tuner" who works at a mechanic shop (so they can rely on a mechanic to fix your car properly) or find a tuner who knows his way around an engine bay at least.