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Pre Dyno Tuning Checklist

Pre-Dyno Tuning Checklist

To get the most out of your tune, go through the following list prior to your dyno appointment to make your horsepower goals as easy as possible. 

#1 Fluids

  • Ensure your oil is topped off. Bring extra oil at time of tuning, limited oil types and brands are kept in stock. If your engine is fairly new or starting up for the first time, bring additional oil for the break-in process. 

  • Ensure your coolant is topped off. Cars get extremely warm through the tuning process. This is something to ensure at all times, especially with a modified vehicle. Ensure all radiator hoses are securely on & tightened. Ensure the coolant hoses are not swollen. Ensure coolant system is entirely bled through if any part of cooling system has been recently replaced. Bubbles that are stuck in the system will cause random but consistent overheating issues. 

  • Top off transmission fluid. Being low on transmission fluid can prematurely wear your transmission synchros & gears. Ensure your transmission fluid is topped off especially if you have an active leak. Limited transmission fluid kept in stock.

#2 - Engine 

  • Timing! Set your engine timing. This is pertinent to a well running vehicle & smooth tune. Check all timing marks to ensure your car is mechanically on time. We will check this during the inspection process. If you are using aftermarket cams, it may be required to degree the cams to ensure the car is on time. 

  • Check the compression of your engine. You don’t want a variance greater than 15%. If your compression varies more than 15%, recheck the compression after pouring a small amount of oil into the cylinder. If the compression increases, there is an issue with the piston rings (either not sealing or damaged). If the compression does not increase, there is a valve related issue. 

GOOD #1 155 #2 155 #3 150 #4 160

BAD #1 160 #2 160 #3 120 #4 150

  • Get a valve adjustment. This will optimize your horsepower and compression. This should be done as general maintenance as well as anytime an engine or head is rebuilt. 

  • Change your spark plugs -  Fresh spark plugs will make a world of a difference during a dyno tune. It is also imperative that you ensure you're running the correct heat-range spark plugs for your motor/build. Appropriate spark plug choice depends on fuel type, power goals & engine type. Please reach out to nicole@vipperformance.net if you have additional questions. 

Transmission/Clutch

  • Check the specs of your clutch. Ensure your clutch is rated for the horsepower & torque levels you are planning to make. If you have a turbo'd vehicle, a stock clutch will not hold. Certain aftermarket clutches require a break in period, please follow your manufacturers break in period prior to tuning your vehicle. Please be aware that if a clutch or transmission cannot ‘hold’ the horsepower or torque produced, you will be charged for the tune and will need to return at the retune rate. 


Electrical

  • Clean all bare wires, engine grounds and battery terminals. A bare or exposed wire can easily lead to a short and endless other wiring problems! Your tune will not run optimally if there are electrical problems. Cleaning the terminals and battery grounds will help ensure that all sensors are receiving a healthy voltage. 

  • Get your battery and alternator tested. A tune is dependent on a battery's voltage reading. Thus, ensuring your battery voltage is between 13 and 14 is pertinent to a healthy tune. Alternator issues are common due to bad alternators or poor grounding 


Fuel 

  • Come with at least ½ tank of fuel for the tuning appointment. Running low on fuel can damage an engine during high rpm pulls. Additional fuel fees may be charged. 

  • Change Fuel Filter & clean fuel injectors. It is common for fuel systems to collect dirt and debris. Ensuring this system is clean improves a tune dramatically. It is common for a faulty fuel system to prevent an optimal tune. 

Alignment/Suspension 

  • Ensure your cars alignment is healthy. Cars get strapped on the AWD dyno and face 'walking' problems if the cars alignment is heavily off. An alignment is required for a safe dyno tune process. 

  • Check the cars ride height. Cars that sit too low to the floor will have problems sitting healthfully on the dyno. Raise the suspension of your vehicle to help ensure we don't have to make additional suspension adjustment the day of your tune. 

Exhaust Set Up 

  • Ensure your exhaust is set up for your power goals. Optimal exhaust size depends on motor and modifications made 

  • Verify your exhaust has a 02-sensor bung. Aftermarket or custom-built exhausts can be missing these bungs which doesn't allow the tuner to plug in an air/fuel sensor at the beginning of the exhaust which A.) either doesn't allow us to get the most accurate air/fuel readings or B.) doesn't allow us to tune the vehicle altogether (if the exhaust doesn't fit w/ an exhaust-tip 02 sensor reader)

Turbo Charger / Turbo Charger setup 

  • Boost leaks are fairly common, most likely due to clamps not properly tightened. We recommend doing a boost leak test prior to your tuning appointment. If you do not have a boost leak test, tighten all boost couplers and clamps as needed. 

  • Vacuum lines for the wastegate and blow off valve need to be installed correctly. Over boosting problems often occur due to incorrectly routed vacuum lines. Verify w/ the boost controller you have that vacuum lines are ran correctly. 

  • Vacuum lines for the wastegate and blow off valve need to be installed correctly. Over boosting problems often occur due to incorrectly routed vacuum lines. Verify w/ the boost controller you have that vacuum lines are ran correctly. 


Summary 

Please pay close attention to detail to your car prior to your tuning appointment.  If the problem is minor enough, we may be able to resolve the issue same day. However, if the problem cannot be resolved within the day, we will have to reschedule your dyno tune. 

If your vehicle does not pass the inspection process, this means any problem the vehicle faces, will too greatly influence the tune. 

If after reading this you still have questions or concerns, email your questions to nicole@vipperformance.net