Thread: just got my hp tuner...questions!!!!

Look at the Sticky at the top called Jerry's Notebook, read over on the HPTuners site eveything you can, go to FullthrottleV6 and read Gary's tuning Guide 101.
That should help out quite a bit, unless you are like me, and hard headed.

The only advise I would give, is make sure your backup your stock bin in case you need to start over. Go slow, make small changes one at a time, so if your car doesn't like something you know what caused the issue.

I have the HPTuners, but seek out the experts for help with mine. No way would I ever be able to catch up with the years of experience some of them have.

I havent done it much as I have not been able to spend a lot of time tuning. But what I do is as Lee mentioned, I have a full back up of my BIN file. Then I created a new folder, something along the lines of Tuning Diary. I then put a copy of my stock BIN file in there and work from that.

Each time I made a change I save it as a new file with a revision number. For instance MyBINFile_v1. Then I also have a notepad file called something along the lines of BINFileRevisionHistory.txt. Each time I make a change to the BIN file and upload, I go in that notepad, add the new revision number and write notes as to what I did, why and what the results were. I suppose you could even go as far as to use a MS Doc file and put in links to scan files and so forth.

The point to all this is that I can see EXACTLY what has been done over the course of time to the vehicle. I can also switch back to any previous tune if some issue should arise. Consider it a manual restore point if you will. I dont have to go in and edit the BIN file trying to guess at what all I may have changed, I just have to upload the last revision or any of the previous revisions before the issue showed up.

Once you get to a point where all your revising is done and you have what you believe to be a solid tune, create a new folder and call it something along the lines of Base Tunes. Then save the BIN file as General or Base Tune. Then you can go back and start all over again if you want to create a track specific tune or highway tune and so on. Though I dont know how practical that is, but just something to consider.

Originally Posted by TDCRacing

pretty much the only thing i can tune a stock car for is transmission shift points/pressure ect right or wrong? could i dip into timing if the kr is not too bad?

Jerry guide is based off of the Powrtuner, although the principles are the same, whether right or wrong.

Gary's guide is for the HPTuners and isn't as long or indepth.

You can change so much with the HPTuners, I can't even tell you how much. Air, Fuel, Spark, shift points, timing advance, gearing, speed limiters, torque management, fan settings, DTC troyble code clearing or disabling,,,and a crap load more.

sorry I misunderstood. I imagine it depends on what your scanning shows. Surely you can improve on the generic tune loaded from the factory. Let me see if I can dig up that link for you.

see if this works

FullThrottleV6.com -- The V6 Tech Source - FAQ

Originally Posted by TDCRacing

OH IT'S OK I THINK I MADE IT KIND OF VAUGE LOL ....THANKS FOR THE LINK...I HAVE ANOTHER CUPPLE QUESTIONS FOR YOU GUYS....



I Was Looking At The Vcm Controls Tab In The Scanner And It Said If Any Selections Are Made Like Comanding The Fan On (when Im At The Track Lets Say And Trying To Keep Things As Cool As Possible) That They Will Take Effect Immediatly. Can Someone Explain To Me What A Case Learn Is? And If I Were To Do This With The Scanner (command Fan On) I Would Have To Manually Reverse It For The Fan To Go Off Correct? Even After I Turned The Key To The Off Possition Then Back On? Would It Automaticly Reset Back To The Vcm Commanded Position? Thanks.....99 Gtp All Stock If That Would Make A Difference


ALSO WHEN Converting MAP kPa to boost in PSI THAT IS THE SAME AS HAVING AN AFTERMARKET BOOST GAUGE CORRECT? I KNOW WHAT TO DO TO CHANGE IT BUT WHEN I PUT THIS... [PID.11.IMP]-14.5 .... INTO THE FUNCTION BOX DO I PUT THE PARATHENSIS ALSO?? I COULD HAVE SWORN I READ SOMETHING ABOUT NOT PUTTING THOSE IN....SO IN OTHER WORDS IT WOULD BE LIKE THIS...PID.11.IMP-14.5 ....??...THANKS JUST TRYING TO LEARN THE SCANNER BEFORE I GO INTO THE EDITOR...

The VCM controls are live while the scanner is is connected. BTW give the cylinder balance test..it is very interesting to see how the HPT takes over the engine. As far as the fans, you would have to keep the scanner connected and the fans commanded on so they won't shut off.

A CASE learn, is something you would only do if you changed out the PCM, and a few other items. Most don't mess with it unless a code is thrown referencing the Crank Position Sensor. If you atttempt a CASE learn and one isn't required it won't allow you to complete the process.

I've never created the boost parameter so someone else will have to help you with that.

Special VCM Controls

Cylinder Balance: The cylinder balance test calculates % of efficiency using current RPM. RPM is gauged with all injectors running normally. Injectors are then cut 1 cylinder at a time and the new RPM is compared to the pre-test RPM to determine % of efficiency. To use this test the main scanner must be stopped. You must also control the IAC steps as well for consistency.

Cylinder Balance Test - How-To

Bring the engine up to full operating temp (at least 180*)

Open the Scanner

Sectect VCM Controls and then Special

The scanner need to be connected but stopped and no log file opened.

Set the IAC to around 800 to 900 RPMs

Set the IAC steps to 60

Click Begin


Idle (IAC) Control RPM: Force a desired idle RPM.
Idle (IAC) Control Steps: Force the IAC motor to this position. This control is also used for the cylinder balance test.

CASE Learn: To use the CASE learn function please follow these steps:
Put the vehicle into park (auto) or neutral (manual).
Turn off all accessories and A/C.
Apply the parking brake.
Press the brake pedal. Keep the brake pedal depressed during the entire procedure.
Press Begin.
Gradually rev the vehicle to fuel cutoff (around 4000-5000 RPM's) over a period of about 4 seconds. When fuel cuts out, immediately release the throttle.
Allow the engine to come back to an idle.
Turn the ignition off for at least 15 seconds. This step is required for the VCM to store the newly learned configuration.

just some quick reading generalized

Tuning Tips

Not sure I can say much more than described.

It is just a tool, and a very basic one at that. Since it cuts one cylinder out of the picture at a time, it allows you to see if there is a problem with that cylinder. All of the percentages should be within 3% of each other iirc. It's just fun to watch and feel the control over the engine. If one percentage is way off though, you will have to figure out what the problem is.

I believe my cylinders, when tested, were all around 93%.

As far as the brackets in the boost conversion, I believe the answer is yes, from other custom PID's I've seen. Try it out and let us know. If it doesn't work then it's not going to hurt anything.