Op, i think the best thing you can do is volunteer or get a job working in a reputable shop to get the hands on aspect. Some shops are very helpful to get you some side work to lend a hand here and there. And as far as engineering is concerned, just understand concepts and rules from the sciences. Automotive engineering books will suit you just fine, no need in being knee deep in thermodynamics and differential equations if you can't interface it with a specific use. Most individuals who study that, can use it in their specific job role, but it's not used every second when working on automotibles. Now on the other hand, if you work for Garrett or FP and you are trying to test new turbine designs and systems, applying for patents, then you need to strengthen that aspect more.

 

Just finished reading this book. It really doesn't help with engine building, it just gives you a general idea of how stuff works. The only valuable chapters were the last 2-3 in the book. Any other 4g63 engine building books out there? I've been slowly going through the EvoScan book and it's helping, as well as talking and watching my tuner work through things with the AEM software.

 

pretty awesome to hear how you got started and i think that most top shop owners, if they reply, would probably say close to the same thing. I think you are exactly right about the "teaching" part in programs such as wyotech, uti, etc etc. a few of my friends have went to those schools and some similiar such as Nashville Automotive and Diesel College, which is "suppose" to be a highly accredited school here in TN, and came out not knowing anymore than when they went in. and on top of that are still not working in the automotive field.

op alot of what there is to learn does come from trial and error. and on top of that it is going to take a lot of hands on and a lot of research. i personally am not the type to go to school to try and learn. i prefer the hands on approach because most schools do not go by individuals skills. by that i mean most schools or programs are going to start out with basics and i dont feel i need those basic things because i already know them, but the next person may not. so basically im paying for something i dont need because my skill level may be higher than someone elses.

if your only interested in the tuning aspects of motors and the 4g in particuliar the link previously provided is a great place to start. there is also i think 16 videos somewhere in the tactrix/ecu scan section that the developers made showing how to tune your evo. they are very in depth and very long and goes step by step.

if your looking to learn all about the 4g in the evo then your already in the right place. evolutionm is full of stuff to learn just by reading through everyones posts. if i see something interesting i read through it in case i ever encouter a similiar problem. and your definately headed in the right direction by asking questions. good luck to you in your search for more knowledge

 

^Agree with this 100%! I can't tell you how many people I've worked with at GM Dealerships that are fresh out of UTI or Wyotech and hardly know how to even change spark plugs. I've actually even been asked by my manager to take on a mentorship with a couple UTI grads because they seriously just didn't have any diagnostic knowledge after graduating. It's amazing how these people pay $30k+ to learn the technical aspects of automotive diagnosis/tuning and repair but don't seem to retain even half of what was taught. A lot of it really does come down to the persons drive to learn and willingness to continue learning though. Most the guys I've worked with or have had to mentor have had the (I know it all) Personality. Just like samebody said above, they either get it or they dont.

But as far as good general tuning education...The EFI University classes are awesome! I've taken the EFI 101 Course and also their Diesel Course. Both were great!

 

I will continue on to say how disappointing it is to see some of the people coming out of these tech schools and their lack of basic problem solving skills. I am a Wyotech grad and as much as I did learn while attending the school it doesn't 100% prepare you to work in the field. I think having a good technical background so you know how engines work and why certain sensors are on the car and what the computer looks for in certain driving situations is good but having common sence about all that and applying your technical knowledge is key. I am also a graduate of the EFI University's ACP class which was an amazing class and I feel worth every penny. Now with that said in my opinion tuning factory computers rather than stand-alone's is much more complex and more involved. I just bought an evo and I'm still learning the in's and out's of the factory computer and slowly tuning my own but I'm getting there. I come from the cobalt community and using hptuners which is much more user friendly but on the same guidline as ecuflash.