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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Fri, 24 May 2002 14:21
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Hi, I've taken my car to 2 places to get my car tuned.
One was at Ultra Tune for EFI tuning and the other was at this performance place for dyno tuning.
Now both places did fuck all to my car.
Ultra Tune basically topped up my oil and used this strobe light gun thing and read this car manual and looked at the gun thing again. Then they told me that my car was alright.
Then just yesterday I took it to this performance place to get it dyno tuned. Now they put it on the dyno, connected these wires to my ignition lead and other things. They watched the computer as my car was idling and they did the strobe gun thing while reading a car manual. Then they replaced the fuel filter and after that they ran it on the dyno to 100km/hr.
Now both places I told them that I had a flat spot at around 3500rpm and they both drove in my car and found it too. Both places said they could fix it. And after supposedly getting my car tuned, I still had the flat spot and my car is still running like crap.
I thought when u tune the car it makes it run better...my car has run the same since I bought it and after getting tuned twice. I always thought that the mechanic will always do 'something' to the car to make it feel new again. Anyway, just thought I'd ask wtf is meant to be performed when u go take ur car to be tuned coz I paid $150 for dyno + $50 for a fuel filter yesterday and it doesn't run any better.
The performance place reckons that if I cleaned the injectors and got new timing belts and stuff my car would run as new. Somehow I feel like he wants an extra $1000 or something he quoted me for doing nothing.
Anyway, enough of my blabbin...what is MEANT to be done when u get ur car tuned????
Thankyou!
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Location:
Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Fri, 24 May 2002 15:09
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A tune up is basicaly whatever it takes to get the engine running correctly without having to take it apart. It varys with the vehicle greatly. With a older car it will often mean replacing the spark plugs, ignition points, adjust the ignition timing (strobe light used), check the plug leads, rotor button, distributor cap and replace if nessesary. And the carburetter pump linkage, idle mixture and idle speed may need adjusting.
Doing all this does not garantee a smooth running engine, because the engine can have internal problems that can not be fixed with a tune-up.
With a late model car, engines are much better built now from a tune-up point of view, and not much needs to be done if the motor is running ok. The computer takes care of most stuff and is very relieable. Ignition timing is checked (strobe light) but is often ok. Only spark plugs can be replaced, and ignition leads rarely need changing on a newish car.
Your problem is probably with the injectors. Get your injectors cleaned by someone. Make sure they actualy take the injectors out and properly clean them, not just in the car. This can be a tune-up item, but you have to tell them to do it.
New timing belts will not help at all. The new fuel filter was a good thing to get and may have fixed the problem, but becuase it didn't, you now need the injectors cleaned. That should fix it.
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Fri, 24 May 2002 15:17
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Sweet! Thanks mate...after seeing people with graphs and stuff and reading the sorta stuff done with Unichips, I thought tuning was more like being able to messa round with air/fuel ratios and stuff. I guess not...but yeh thanks...means I just spent a useless amount of money...but at least I got a new fuel filter put in which is okay.
If I run fuel injector fluids, will it help or are they a waste of money?
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Location:
Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Fri, 24 May 2002 15:32
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Tuning a car on a dyno is only of benifit if you have a aftermarket programable computer. With a standard car everything is fixed and there is only the ignition timing to set, nothing else.
Try a injector cleaner, and after that get them cleaned properly.
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Fri, 24 May 2002 15:45
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Thanks Johnny.
Sorry to bother ya again, but do you know how to change the ignition timing to make ur car faster?
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I supported Toymods
Location:
Perth
Registered:
May 2002
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Location:
Tasmania
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sat, 25 May 2002 02:55
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your not going to gain much with ignition timing. If you are using good fuel, you can advance it a little. If it is ment to ge at 10 degrees, you can try anything up to 15degrees, but it may knock a bit, and you will have to bring it back. You may gain a bit of take off power, not much. You will gain a little more making the mixture a bit rich, by changing the air-flow meter spring. If you have a MAP sensor you may not be able to do this. Short of replacing the cam shafts or fitting a turbo, modifications will only give small changes.
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Location:
North Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sat, 25 May 2002 04:44
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Personally i wouldn't say the injectors arnt the problem. They are solenoids. If they working at 700rpm and 6000rpm they are working and this would not be the cause of the flat spot.
They may be the component that is giving the result of the problem but its not likely the reason.
ie it would most likely be an input to the computer that is way off and the output is a reduction in the pulse width output to the injectors.
But more likely be a vacuum leak, spray wd40 on the intake pipes after the airflow meter and see if the engine hunts up. Then seal the leak.
It could also be your ignition system breaking down. The point at which any ignition system would likely break down is at the peak of the torque curve or after 7 or 8 thousand rpm. So peak torque for your car could be where u are having the problem.
Does it have multi or single coil packs?
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Location:
North Sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sat, 25 May 2002 06:11
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A
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sat, 25 May 2002 08:42
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Thanks for the replies...
My thingie is MAP sensor so I guess I can't do much about the air thing.
I dunno why but it only happens in 2nd and 3rd gear...revving in N throughout the RPM range is fine, 1st gear is fine and overdrive gear is fine too. Just 2nd and 3rd!
I think it's single coil and apparently my ignition is perfectly normal.
???
Still confused ... I guess I can live with it.
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Location:
Montrose, VIC
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sat, 25 May 2002 13:57
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Well, tuning seems to be an art that can be managed by some, and ballsed up something fierce by others...
Just today I finally got to the bottom of why my car has sure as hell not been happy. I certain individual who was meant to set up the ignition map (Haltech) in my car found an interesting way of doing it. When I first got it running, I set the reference angle and crank angle sensor to show 10 degrees with the 'lock timing' function on, then spent a fair while making up a rough ignition map that seemed to get the car running semi reasonably. Well after said citizen had a go at it, it sure didn't seem quite right, so I had a look at it with the laptop, and found everything retarded to buggery. So I went back to my map as it was before I went near him. Since then the thing has run like a pig, and I spent an awful long time look for ignition problems, vacuum leaks, etc, etc, etc. and letting other people have a go to. Today I thought I'd have another look (I'm getting really tired of the popping and farting and disgusting idle), got out the trusty (WWII model!) timing light, and plain as day saw what this other clown had done - he'd advanced the crank sensor by 17 DEGREES(!) then proceeded to retard the timing maps to hell, and gotten nowhere. So tomorrow arvo I'll get the laptop out again and have a go at some on the road mapping of the timing, and no doubt yeild some interesting gains...
Moral of the story? Want something done right, dit it yourself, if you can't, make sure you take a damned close look at what the person doing it is actually doing. 'Customers are not to enter the workshop' signs are not just about 'liability', but also a great way to cover up sloppy practice... 
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sun, 26 May 2002 01:03
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I would love to do it myself but I don't know how!
hehe
Well since I got my car tuned and stuff, I know I can flush the radiator, engine oil, I can prolly replace the fuel filter, but the car needs to be on a hoist. Umm...I can replace the spark plugs and leads and other things I forgot.
No way will I go pay $200 here and there to get those things done anymore.
When I watched the mechanic do the thing with the timing gun, he put a screwdriver somewhere and it made the engine sound like it was ready to race, then he checked the timing and put it back down. I had a look at where he put the screwdriver, but I cant figure out how he actually made it change how the engine sounded.
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Location:
sydney
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Mon, 27 May 2002 09:59
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After a tuneup our car might seem quicker only because your wallet is a lot lighter
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Location:
Newcastle
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Mon, 27 May 2002 11:36
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Ok if the mechanic says you need a new timing belt you may need a new timing belt, i dont think $1000 to do the timing belt is right, a timing belt should be replaced every 100,000 ks and it is normally about $300 worth of labour depending on the vehicle and how hard it is to get to the timing belt.
Tink of it this way if you dont replace the timing belt when it should be replaced, and it snaps, your motor is F*cked the valves will come down and hit pistons and snap and bend, pistons will become un-useable, head wil be damaged and basicly you will ned a completely new engine, what would you rather in the long run?
a $400 maintenance bill or a $3000 bill for a secondhand engine and fitting?
if anything ask a few of your mates where they have taken their cars and what their opinions are of the workshops and get a second opinion on what needs to be done.
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Location:
Hobart, Tas
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Tue, 28 May 2002 01:20
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Depends what sort of engine this is for. Some, with belts, it's a pretty straight forward job from what I gather. Others, with I was quoted $700 about a year ago to do it the proper way by a Toyota specialist. chains (like my 22RE).. the official way is to pull the head! The jobber way is to drop the sump instead Did is with a bit of help over a weekend for the cost of a timing chain kit - about $120 bucks for chain, guides, tensioner and waterpump gasket, plus a tube of gasket sealer.
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Location:
Melbourne
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Wed, 29 May 2002 00:03
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Mechanics rip u off though...
I rather pay $1000 for them to put a whole engine in for me than to put new timing belts on...
It just doesn't justify the costs.
My other mechanic said my timing belts are fine and will there isn't any urgency to change em...however this performance mechanic says it must be done to gain HP and crap...I said how much? He said, might improve ur bottom end. Might?
Whats the going rate of doing an engine conversion? I've been quoted $700 - $1000 two places.
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Registered:
December 2004
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Fri, 03 December 2004 23:36
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You can do the timing chain yourself.... Here in the US I was quoted near $1000 by a shop.... Did it myself for a fraction of the cost....
http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTricks/EngineMods /TimingChain.shtml
Be very careful though.... If you do it wrong or dont make sure everthing is done with correct torque specs you could destroy your engine.... and when your done before you start it up you should crank the engine over manually (to the right I think to avoid loosening the crank pully bolt) with a wrench or breaker bar....
Be also careful with ignition timing (strobe light) (not to be mistaken with valve timing) not to advance too far or your engine may start to knock, ping, and have pre-ignition which I think can get soo bad it will blow holes in your pistons....
Remember an engine Needs to run:
1. Air Fuel Mixture
2. Compression
3. Ignition / Spark
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Location:
Toronto, Downtown
Registered:
September 2004
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sat, 04 December 2004 00:58
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| mrshin wrote on Sat, 25 May 2002 23:57 |
'Customers are not to enter the workshop' signs are not just about 'liability', but also a great way to cover up sloppy practice...
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I beleive it to be the latter I like to talk and discuss about what is happening to my car and u sure as hell cant do that from the waiting room.
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Location:
Wollongong
Registered:
November 2004
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sat, 04 December 2004 05:34
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| Rattlehead wrote on Wed, 29 May 2002 10:03 |
Mechanics rip u off though...
I rather pay $1000 for them to put a whole engine in for me than to put new timing belts on...
It just doesn't justify the costs.
My other mechanic said my timing belts are fine and will there isn't any urgency to change em...however this performance mechanic says it must be done to gain HP and crap...I said how much? He said, might improve ur bottom end. Might?
Whats the going rate of doing an engine conversion? I've been quoted $700 - $1000 two places.
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A timing belt help increase torque? WTF! HA HA HA... This performance shop knows nothing...
A timing belt just make sure everything is rotating at the same time as to get the correct "time" for things to be working, like when valves open in regards to the piston location...
Now then, an actual "Tune" is changing your A/F ratios, and timing... That is an actual TUNE...
Now a tune up is just to help the engine to run better... It is basically the same with a really good service...
Now the reason the engine would of sounded more racey is because he had a cover taken off the engine. When this cover is off, the sound waves from the engine escape better through the hole, thus the "racey" sound... This cover MUST be replaced properly.
My advice to you, go and buy a Haynes Manual...
It will help you learn how to do many things to your car you never thought you could do before.
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
south Melbourne/KL
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sat, 04 December 2004 14:23
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| Rattlehead wrote on Wed, 29 May 2002 10:03 |
Mechanics rip u off though...
I rather pay $1000 for them to put a whole engine in for me than to put new timing belts on...
It just doesn't justify the costs.
My other mechanic said my timing belts are fine and will there isn't any urgency to change em...however this performance mechanic says it must be done to gain HP and crap...I said how much? He said, might improve ur bottom end. Might?
Whats the going rate of doing an engine conversion? I've been quoted $700 - $1000 two places.
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pls post up which mechanic says timing belt increase low end. either he knows jack shit or ripping u off!!
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
May 2002
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sun, 05 December 2004 01:23
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Guys, this thread is two and a half years old... do we really need to bring it back from the dead??
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I Supported Toymods
Location:
south Melbourne/KL
Registered:
June 2004
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sun, 05 December 2004 03:18
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| Norbie wrote on Sun, 05 December 2004 12:23 |
Guys, this thread is two and a half years old... do we really need to bring it back from the dead??
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its all the NEWCOMERs fault 
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Location:
Brisbane
Registered:
August 2003
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Re: What is done when you get ur car tuned???
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Sun, 05 December 2004 06:01
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| b1gb3n wrote on Sun, 05 December 2004 13:18 |
| Norbie wrote on Sun, 05 December 2004 12:23 |
Guys, this thread is two and a half years old... do we really need to bring it back from the dead??
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its all the NEWCOMERs fault
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Thanks for the laugh guys!!!! Man, I haven't laughed that hard and long for ages.... 
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