Things to Do Before You Tune Your Car

Tuning an engine is all about optimizing its performance, yet there can be numerous obstacles in its path that prevent this from happening. These include boost leaks, oil leaks, exhaust leaks and other mechanical issues which could prevent you from reaching its full potential.

Prior to visiting a tuning workshop, ensure your ignition systems, sensors and linkages are free from dirt. Cleaning is often essential.

1. Change Your Oil

If it has been some time since your car has been serviced, it would likely be wise to do so before having it tuned. This will help avoid any mechanical issues caused by tuning, as well as make sure that its oil remains fresh for optimal engine performance.

Car tuning is something anyone, including you, can do themselves to a high standard at home as long as they invest the time, receive guidance, and purchase some reasonable-priced tools. Common tools include aftermarket ECU chips and reflashing tools (to re-flash factory ECU software), while fuel pressure testers help verify if everything is functioning as expected.

2. Replace Your Spark Plugs

Spark plugs may seem small, but their impact is immense. Responsible for lighting the air/fuel mixture that powers your engine, these spark plugs are essential in firing up properly and increasing acceleration of your car. With time though, spark plugs may wear down or lose their ability to ignite this mixture properly and cause misfires that limit acceleration.

Ignition wires and coil packs convert low battery voltage into thousands of volts that ignites spark plugs, wearing out over time. Coil pack boots should also be regularly replaced in order to prevent shorting out or spark failure.

Finally, investing in a high quality fuel filter is vital to protect the health and integrity of your car’s fuel pump while giving new spark plugs access to oxygen for ignition. We advise changing it at least annually.

3. Check Your Battery

Checking the battery is one of the easiest and most essential parts of tuning. A poor-quality battery can have disastrous effects when placed under extreme stress; therefore it is imperative that a car always haves one of high quality.

Dyno tuning can be taxing on your battery, so if it can’t handle the demands, you could find yourself stranded at the side of the road with your car unable to start again.

As is true with most components, ensuring your boost system is well sealed is of critical importance for successful forced induction tuning. Most forced induction problems that arise during tuning stem from leaky hoses and clamps. A full dyno test should involve testing each coupler, pipe transition and quality “T” bolt clamp in turn.

4. Check Your Electrical System

Your vehicle’s electrical system is responsible for everything from turning on your car and charging its batteries, to making sure all electronic devices you use while driving work correctly. Therefore, its regular testing is vital to ensuring its proper function as well as to identify any potential problems before they become serious.

Keep an eye out for telltale signs that your wiring may not be in good shape, such as frequent fuse blowouts or an unpleasant burning smell. Early inspection can save both time and money in the long run, particularly when tuning your car – this will prevent surprises on the dyno and ensure maximum gains from your new tune!

5. Check Your Fuel

Ignition systems, fuel pumps and carburetors don’t take kindly to dirty fuel. Make sure your tank is full with clean fuel and that both its blowoff valve and catch can are operating effectively.

Boost leaks, oil leaks, coolant leaks (ensuring your system runs a 50/50 water/glycol mixture for street vehicles and whatever ratio works for track vehicles) and exhaust leaks will all have an adverse impact on the quality of your tune and make tuning difficult if not impossible. Exhaust leaks may even skew air:fuel ratio readings on the dyno, making accurate tuning impossible!

Avoid taking your high octane fuel without first informing the workshop you plan on tuning it, as dyno runs tend to deplete their supply faster. Be sure you have enough fuel on hand so it can last throughout your tune session.

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