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What is my approach towards tuning?
My aim is optimisation, reliability....and drivability!
Reliability, performance or modification.......what is Tuning?
There are many interpretations of the word 'Tuning' so I thought it's best to offer some clarification of my own interpretation, and what my approach is for your vehicle. Put very simply my aim is to set up your car as per the manufacturers settings.
1) Tuned for Reliability and Drivability - Good, reliable and safe enough for my own, or your Mother to drive!
My apologies if this sounds strange, however as some of my existing customers will tell you, this is exactly how I look at certain aspects of the tuning process. I would like your car to be tuned for safety, reliability and peace of mind that the settings applied don't put the engine or driver at risk. Hence you mother, my mother or anyone's 'loved' ones can jump in, start up and head out for an enjoyable drive.
(Below is a typical example of the baseline ignition tuning spec for an MGB...engine serial numbers 40897 (HC) and 40916 (LC))
2) Tuned for performance
The words 'tuned for performance' can open up 1001 different interpretations, so let me again explain what my interpretation is relative to the services that I offer, by giving you an example. If you look at the many examples on this website, all have in a way been tuned for balanced performance, by setting the ignition and fuelling correctly to help the engine run at it's designed optimum. However, from my side it sometimes involves simple recommendations or help set up and get the best out of their chosen build spec.......standard or none standard of course.
Let me give you an actual example. If you look at the case study on my home page, for the MK3 Cooper 'S' replica, it is stunning car and real top quality build. The owner sourced his own engine build to his desired build spec, incorporating a typical rally camshaft, big valve head, increased engine capacity etc etc. He then commissioned my help in setting up an appropriate ignition curve, needle profiles, damper springs etc etc. Hence I helped him to get the 'tuned performance' available from the build spec that he had chosen. However, ultimately the build spec was already there and had been chosen by the owner.
Like the saying surrounding marmite, the build spec chosen is loved by some..... but not loved by others. However, if the chosen cam turns out to be too 'cammy', too 'lumpy' too 'challenging' when in slow traffic, it may be outside my control or influence and solely due to the build specification. Hence not something that I can control by setting the carbs and ignition alone? All I can help them do is to set key baseline tuning of carburation and ignition to get the best performance from it, and also recommend needle profiles and ignition curves which are known to work well in partnership with the engine build spec.
(Below is an example of the typical ignition curves used with a classic mini 1380, CR 10.5:1, running a 286 Camshaft......).
3) Tuned using Performance Modifications
Let's imagine that you have a very nice original Rover V8 SD1, and you contact me asking me to tune your car by adding a 4 barrel Holley and a supercharger. I would regard this as significantly 'modifying for performance'. In just the same way as contacting me with a compatible Turbo, manifold and a box of second hand parts from the internet with dreams of adding 50% torque and BHP to your existing set up.
.....Everyone is happy, until the new power causes something to break and the fingers of blame start to point, and it becomes a matter of insurance indemnities etc etc.
Of lesser significance on the scale of 'modifying for Performance', is such as a carb needle change, airfilter type change, distributor type or curve etc etc. Why? In brief these type of 'modifying for performance' can be quite simple tweaks to help you engine run better, start better, adapt to modern fuelling and iron out 'flat spots' etc etc. Hence, I regard these as being very similar to those mentioned in (1) Reliability and Drivability.
(Below is an image of such a Rover V8 as mentioned, however fitted with a Supercharger.......with any significant performance modification or upgrade, there are significant risks relating to reliability and integrity of the engine, gearbox, diff etc etc etc)
The best way is to ask?
If you don't ask, you'll never know!.......and if I can't help, I may be able to point you in the direction of someone who can.
How to send an enquiry to me?
If you return to my home page there are enquiry form boxes which send an email through to me. It takes only 2 mins to contact me!!
Please include the typical standard details about your car such as make, model and what it is you would like me to help you with.
If you're not sure what to say, just tell me a little about what it is...or isn't doing?.....such as....'I'm having trouble starting the car'......'seems to be running on 3 cylinders'.....'seems to have a flat spot and lacking power'....'running really lumpy'.
All being well I look forward to helping you out and getting your car back to running how it should. Thank you!