# Fundamentals of High Performance Engine Tuning **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [February 3, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834 "2011-02-03T13:54:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 1:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/1 "2011-02-03T13:54:23Z")
Feb 12-13. $500 bucks. I’m thinking of going. [http://www.efi101.com/efi101.html](http://www.efi101.com/efi101.html) Use by: K&N Air Filters Lexus Motor Company Superflow Test Systems Dyno Dynamics DynaPack DynoJet Honda R&D America Bob Norwood Autocraft Ken Dutweiler Racing Engines Valvoline BP Fuels Motec Haltech Autronic AEM FAST EFI Live Superchips Competition Cams ECUTek Innovate Motorsports AIM Sports Split Second MegaSquirt Scoggin Dickey Chevrolet Kent Stotz Racing Paul Pfaff Racing Engines Import Tuner Magazine Chevy High Performance Magazine GM High Tech Performance Magazine Honda Tuning Magazine Garret Turbos Precision Turbos T1 Race Development JoTech Motorsports Being at RIT on the formula team (ME/automotive option, EE minor) I think this could be good for a bunch of reasons. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![harvboi05](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/harvboi05/32/5124_2.png) [@harvboi05](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/harvboi05)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 3:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/2 "2011-02-03T15:26:45Z")
ill ask a few people from my previous employer if that seems like a good idea or not. ---
**Author:** ![99\_civic\_si](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/99_civic_si/32/7319_2.png) [@99\_civic\_si](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/99_civic_si)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/3 "2011-02-03T20:45:53Z")
I can’t imagine it being a bad thing. But I doubt it will be what u might be looking for. By no means will it turn u into a “tuner”. But it may not be a bad idea to get your foot in the door. Honestly if you understand what each sensor in a car does and how it interprets data with ecu and how its affected by user modifiable data tables that is all you need to know to get you started to making maps. You can never replace real world testing. Tuning is an art form that can’t be perfected really because ideal situations and environments are non-existant in the world of combustion for auto applications. There is a lot of useful articles online that you can read for free. I suggest spending a few hundred hours reading. The more you understand the control systems, the physics that involve combustion and airflow, and the software that you are using for tuning, the better at tuning you’ll become. Its really a never ending learning process. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/4 "2011-02-03T21:04:03Z")
I’m not looking to be a ‘tuner’ per say, just to expand my knowledge and be able to apply it. So I would be better off buying megasquirt for the same amount and tuning my e30 myself? ---
**Author:** ![upstateclipse](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/upstateclipse/32/7348_2.png) [@upstateclipse](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/upstateclipse)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 10:52pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/5 "2011-02-03T22:52:40Z")
> [@travisn](#): > > I’m not looking to be a ‘tuner’ per say, just to expand my knowledge and be able to apply it. > > So I would be better off buying megasquirt for the same amount and tuning my e30 myself? You will learn much more doing that(megasquirt and online research) then you will taking their 2 day course. That being said, Efi university does a good job with their courses and reading material. ---
**Author:** ![99\_civic\_si](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/99_civic_si/32/7319_2.png) [@99\_civic\_si](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/99_civic_si)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2011, 11:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/6 "2011-02-03T23:30:44Z")
> [@travisn](#): > > So I would be better off buying megasquirt for the same amount and tuning my e30 myself? Yes, or talk to turbociv and have him tune you. I’ve learned to tune cars, and I must say its a cool thing to be able to do. However, if you only plan on tuning a few cars here and there you are really better off just paying someone to do it. The amount of time (and motors 🙂 ) I have invested into learning is huge, and I still don’t know and can’t work with half the stuff that’s out there. It’s not the type of thing you just learn to do and can do it, it keeps changing constantly with different cars and management systems. The general principle behind it just stays the same. ---
**Author:** ![turbociv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dfb087/32.png) [@turbociv](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/turbociv)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 12:13am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/7 "2011-02-04T00:13:19Z")
read this front to back and dont skip anything. do not move onto the next section until you understand completely what you have read. > **[Engine Management: Advanced Tuning](https://www.amazon.com/Engine-Management-Advanced-Greg-Banish/dp/1932494421?tag=5336432695-20)** > > As tools for tuning modern engines have become more powerful and sophisticated in recent years, the need for in-depth knowledge of engine management systems and tuning techniques has grown. Tuning eng ... when your done reading this you will need first hand experience. unfortunately this is the most important part and the most time consuming. Theres certain things that you need to hear and experience in person to realy know what they sound/feel like. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 2:35pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/8 "2011-02-04T14:35:17Z")
I think you guys are kind of missing the point. I’m not trying to be a ‘tuner’ per say, I think it would be a great addition to my resume and engineering career. I’ll buy some books and see what happens in the next year or so. ---
**Author:** ![Saxon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@Saxon](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Saxon)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 2:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/9 "2011-02-04T14:37:52Z")
efi classes are great and most any tuner will tell you its a great place to get the fundamentals down ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 2:40pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/10 "2011-02-04T14:40:37Z")
I really think the fsae team should boost the r6 motor. I would love to be the one who designs and tunes it. ---
**Author:** ![vt1992s10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/73ab20/32.png) [@vt1992s10](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/vt1992s10)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 4:46pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/11 "2011-02-04T16:46:58Z")
> [@travisn](#): > > I really think the fsae team should boost the r6 motor. I would love to be the one who designs and tunes it. Might want to check the rules? RIT formula doesn’t need a whole lot of improvement in performance (afterall back to back 1st place finishes on the west coast). As an OEM “tuner” (Performance Analyst), as long as you have a basic knowledge the company will teach you everything you need to know. The majority of OEMs are not looking for horsepower, they are more concerned about Emissions. ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 8:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/12 "2011-02-04T20:15:26Z")
The rules allow for it and you are probably right about the power thing though. \ ---
**Author:** ![Coldaccord](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/coldaccord/32/7272_2.png) [@Coldaccord](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Coldaccord)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 8:30pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/13 "2011-02-04T20:30:28Z")
would you be ready for this class ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 8:38pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/fundamentals-of-high-performance-engine-tuning/208834/14 "2011-02-04T20:38:25Z")
> [@Coldaccord](#): > > would you be ready for this class Yea, but I think with a few more engineering classes I could take more away from it. But even still, I’m pretty sure I’m more ‘ready’ than most that attend the class. Through spring and summer Ill have taken material science, mechanics of materials, statics, thermo, fluids, multivar calc, diff eq, and maybe physics 3. Lots of learning is bound to happen in the next 6 months. lol.