I finally picked up a Flashpro for my 2006 ap2 and I' am trying to decide what would be best for tuning. Current engine mods include:

-Greddy Elite SE dual exhaust
-RSG 70 HFC
-Ballade Sports air intake
-Ballade Sports 70mm TB
-Ballade Sports Header
-Ballade Sports Timing Gear (not yet installed)

Trying to figure out the best option as it relates to tuning and getting the most POWER and reliability from the car. I know of a reputable tuner that tuned my previous Ap1 with a V1 Kraftwerks kit several years ago (miss that car ), but I have since been reading up on several post regarding etunes, specifically by Gernby and/or Evans etunes.

I am assuming etunes are probably more cost effective and convenient since your not paying for dyno time and you can do it at your own pace, but is it comparable to an old school tune with a reputable tuner on a dyno? Just trying to figure out what's best, not whats most convenient or less expensive. What are the pros or cons with either? And is one ultimately better than the other?

Hoping to get feedback from people with experience using either tuning options.

Thanks!

 

Gernby tune. This is done on the road where the car is punching thru air (not a fan on a dyno) and experiences road resistance as well.

You'll get seven calibrations to run three times (3x) each on the road in 3d gear. Wide open throttle (WOT) acceleration typically between 1800 and 7000 or 8000 rpm depending on the calibration. By coincidence the speedo and tach match very closely in 3d gear so 8000rpm is 80mph. Be sure to have enough road! Record the data and send back. (None of these are driveable so put the OEM tune back.) In a couple of days you'll get additional calibrations to record and exchange data.

Took 3 sets to tune mine and three weekends. Finding the right road was the hardest part. I ended up on a stretch of smooth rural state highway for some and the interstate at 0500 for the other. One of the calibrations is nicknamed "Prius towing a trailer" so you need open road and no traffic coming up behind you!

Highly recommended. Final tune will have a 3,600rpm VTEC and "VTEC Yo!" will be missing as you'll be on the high power cam very early. Passing on the highway can very often be done in gear without downshifting -- the power is under your right foot all the time.

I'm not sure what the "timing gear" you're adding does for power. Seems completely unnecessary.

-- Chuck

 

This should be no question. Runs are much more repeatable when done on a dyno in a controlled environment. If you need to then have the tuner touch the tune up on the road after the dyno.

 

Thanks for the response guys.

So it seems I have one advocate for eTune and one for manual dyno tuning. Anyone else care to chime in?

Sohc_mshue, your statement regarding performing the tune within a controlled environment makes sense since everything is known and repeatable.

Has anyone had an eTune and follow-up with a dyno tune (vice versa)? If so, was there any difference?

 

For your level it is not the method but the tuner. If you can find a tuner better than Gernby(highly unlikely) and he has a dyno I would that route. You are done in day not three weeks. Since you are not going to find "the guy" with a dyno Gernby or Evans E-tune is the way to go.

 

Thanks DaGou. I know a reputable tuner (Mase) here in Florida that tuned my original boosted Ap1, but he's about 4 hours north from me and similar to what you said, I have read nothing but positive things about Gernby's eTunes. That's why I am having a hard time deciding. I might have to contact Gernby learn a little bit more about this eTune method.

Regardless of which direction I go with (eTune vs Dyno tune), I will update this thread with my final decision just to close the loop.

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

 

I'd also advocate for the Gernby tune. Based on my experience, Gernby's tune is far superior to Evans (I have had both, and they aren't even on the same level). He likely knows the s2000 better than the majority of standard "dyno tuners" out there, and can offer it at a subsidized rate in comparison. I personally would never go elsewhere.

 

+1 for Gernby. When he first tuned my car and I jumped on a dyno the power band was so smooth and so was the a/f. The car drove fantastic and put down 224 on a Dyno jet with just a test pipe and exhaust.

I too now have a ballade sport header that I need to install, along with my custom 3.5inxh intake we will see if it makes more power!

 

A good tuner is better than a bad tuner regardless of what tools they use.
However, with tuners of equal skill, a combination of street + dyno tune is the way to go. Street tuning can get you remarkably close, but it is very, very difficult to hit every cell and optimize ignition tuning on the street. I find that the fueling will be 99% right on the street, but the ignition timing, while safe, is not optimum. A tuner with a lot of experience on your platform and combination negates this somewhat, but it is always possible that your ignition timing is physically off. The counter point to this is that the dyno doesn't necessarily simulate the same airflow and cooling that the street does.

Tim

 

There is more to tuning than just WOT power, there is part throttle responsiveness, drivability, efficiency (mpgs), throttle response, tip in etc etc etc.

I've gotten a few "professional" tunes by reputable and highly regarded tuners, and they were ALWAYS lacking in a few of these areas. I also tune myself, so I would go into the tune and see what was left out, what was untouched, where the tune was lacking and such.

However, Gernby's tune is what truly surprised me. This tune was immaculate, it's the first tune I've had that got the part throttle vtec setting perfectly, seamless part throttle accel vtec engagement made the car COME ALIVE, AFRs were spot on, soft rev limiter was perfect, I could go on and on. Gernby may not be able to get 100% of whats CAPABLE on a Dyno, however he can get you 99% of the way and from what I've seen on these forums, is that he does it consistently.

I spent money on a Gerntune, and even though I can tune my car myself, Gernby can do it better over email, and I would pay for it again.