If you just flashed your entire ROM into your buddys car.........................

If you think using an MBC is safer than ECUflash..........................

If MJ hasn't replied to your last fifty PMs........................


MB

 

I think having some of these questions while getting the basics down is perfectly normal. Not everyone just knows how to do it, but can learn.

I had over two years of college in the automotive field, and 4 years working in it. I understand all the concepts of tuning, but getting used to the interfacewas the hardest part for me.

All the questions that came up in your original post MJ, i had. Not because ill never be able to tune my car (as i already have been) but you cant expect someone who has never done it before just to know.

Once i got the basics down, i have been doing very well, so i think this thread is misleading. Everyone has a learning curve, and some are steeper than others. I dont think anyone should be discouraged from doing this if they truely want to take the time to learn.

I know when you are as advanced as you MJ, little things seem as though they should just be known, but for alot of people, its really not. There just doesnt seem to be any type of collected information for startup procedures listed, so all questions have to be searched, and it isnt always there.

I only have one friend using this software and we are both new at it, but since we started he has run a 13.7 (04 wrx) from a previous 14.5 and i brought my 13.6 down to a 12.9.

So i think that anyone can tune if they take the time and really want to learn. I appreciate you guiding me and thank you for being respectful through PM's.

 

Hi

I agree that most have to ask for pointers when getting started, I know I did. But there are more than a few instances where you look at what a persons posting and think, this guy is going to blow someones car up.

If someone post, say asking what a .rar file is, you link to a download and the guy says thanks, got that, and now I can see the .hex and the xml file but I'm getting a error saying can't find flash method "evo", you get the idea that the person your helping can install and use PC applications, orgainse files and work stuff out for themselves. Even though they have asked another question, you have confidence they are following a logical path and there building there own knowlage.

If a different person asks about .rar and you send them a link and they reply, I've downloaded that now what do I do with it? You know there is a problem. Most people on here really do help out and enjoy doing so, it's one thing helping people over the lumps and bumps, this quite another trying to teach a logical methods, tuning techniques and PC skills all to the same person.

Now, can anyone help me with my idle problem, I've just fitted a VTA DV........

MN

 

Although I don't disagree with any of the previous points.. My entire motivation for this thread was to get this sort of conversation going.

In reality everyone has questions, but when you deal with computers, there's really a basic level of literacy that people should have. Some of it is learning, some of it is probably a little common sense.

But I get questions such as "What is a zip file, or how do I run a rar file." Which in and of itself is a very normal question to ask. Then you give them the next few steps and I almost always get the "now what" response. Don't get me wrong, I'm really patient and sympathetic, but if you can't find files on your hard drive, or open/close/save zip/unzip, or other basic computer things, I can't be the one to explain all of that. Some people are so eager to get into flashing that they sometimes make silly mistakes, but basic computer skills and discipline go a long way. Most people know if you don't want to lose a copy of your original file, you make another copy somewhere else. Yet this concept is frequently lost when people are reading and writing flashes.. I've had numerous PM's from people who have overwritten their ECU with their "Friends Flash" only for their car not to start. Now, not everyone knows there is different settings and the immobilizer code is hidden in developer for access level. But everyone SHOULD know that you save a copy of your original rom FIRST before you write a new one to your ECU. Whether or not you modified your own original (after making a backup copy) or got it from somewhere else.

For the people who are slightly insulted by this thread.. Thats good, it makes you think a little harder and think if your prepared enough to do this. I don't want anyone to be discouraged, but I want people to understand that buying a cable and some software doesn't do the work for you.

 

I was trying to be funny but have no talent
With A:F and boost in check, max timing used should be 1-2 degrees before first sign of knock.

But it all really depends on how you prefer the tune i.e., more timing, moderate A:F, mild boost (my favorite); less timing, aggressive A:F, high boost; mild timing, mild A:F, insane boost; and so on. All depends on taste, driving, turbo, fuel, altitude, and even political affiliation

 

I didn't read any of the replies. However I've always been a firm believer that even when you fail you still learn. Teaching yourself and forcing yourself to make something work without asking questions only helps YOU in the long run.

 

Any question that ends or begins with "I am afraid that I might blow it up (but I still HAVE to know)."

 

If you dont have a wideband you shouldnt be tuning your own car. Seems to be the biggest one to me.

 

Very true.. But I've seen $20 Learning experiences and $5000 learning experiences.. Which would you prefer??

I am a firm believer in learning by doing and from example also. However I am also cautious enough to not take unecessary risks if at all possible. I have heard enough horror stories about problems as simple as overwriting an immobilizer code, and getting charged a few hundred dollars at the dealership, and also getting their warranty voided for tampering with the ECU, to a few folks who were completely ignorant to tuning, insisting on doing everything themselves and blowing up engines.

 

This is actually a very good one.. Its essential to have the proper tools to do a job correctly. You certainly wouldn't ask a blind man to perform a vasectomy would you? You just can't get away with tuning efficiently by "feel" any longer.. As you get more experience, the Ecu does provide data that could be used, but its still not a safe or recommended simply because any unknown you experience could really do alot of damage if you don't handle it properly.

 

Some good points here. Add to that:

- If you're looking for shortcuts or the "easy" way, then...
- If you cannot afford to blow up your car, or have the warranty voided, then ... (actually then you shouldn't be modding at all)

and on the lighter side:
- If you have to phrase your questions and comments in 1337-speak, ghetto-speak, newspeak or any other form of invented dialect, then...

l8r)

 

Wow ... first double post in almost 3 years... I think I need to stop tuning my car too.

l8r)

 

This is actually the one thing that bugs me the most about forums. I really don't understand why people don't write in a manner that is easy and clear to understand. All of that stuff comes across as incoherant, ignorant, and uneducated when I have to try to decipher what people are asking. Sadly it comes from some very smart kids, who have forgotten that writing is intended to communicate ideas.

 

A new one..

- If you have to ask what to do first with this tuner map you downloaded off a friends ECU, then....

 

I like the "If you cant even get the program to work you shouldnt be tuning" ones. So true hehe.