Apart from their primary function to take us from one place to another quickly and conveniently, for many car owners, there’s another dimension of ownership. Cars get treated like family members, with the best possible care and maintenance. It’s not uncommon for enthusiasts to invest additional money, often beyond the point of ROI, to improve the car performance beyond factory standards. These strictly performance-related modifications are called ‘tuning’. Tuning typically includes modifying transmission, increasing engine power, altering intake and exhaust and improving the road characteristics.
If tuning was good…
The design process of every car is marked with numerous compromises. Between the competitive price, fuel economy and performance, factories often resort to standardization in order to achieve the optimal balance between what is invested and what is gained. This means that they put the same engine with a few modifications in a number of different models. Since factory tuning is a process that wouldn’t be cost-efficient enough to be performed in-house, it’s up to car owners to decide whether they are content with the factory settings or they want to get the most out of their cars.
Is tuning bad for your car?
More torque means greater stress for all the aggregate components, and definitely more wear of the moving parts. Still, it doesn’t necessarily mean that tuning will shorten the engine life. If executed professionally and expertly, the only effect of the tuning will be improved engine performance. Many car owners are rightfully concerned about tuning their cars while under factory warranty. However, if you go to a factory tuning shop or an authorized tuner, your warranty is safe.
What is performance ECU?
Tuned cars often have issues with the notorious ‘check engine’ light and mechanical dysfunctions derived from changes in torque. A performance-tuned ECU (Electronic Control Unit) is a highly advisable compound of any engine tuning process, since it will ‘be able’ to crunch any changes in horsepower or torque output and prevent inconsistencies like a rough engine start or idle. In cars with automatic transmissions, an ECU can also be tweaked to modify gear ratios, resulting in faster shifting between gears.
All cams are not the same
Many tuning enthusiasts have tried different cams in their cars and experienced disappointment when the results were not as expected. In many cases, the cam in question finds its way to another owner who finds it the best cam they have ever used. Quality components such as Crow Cams camshafts are CNC-built, finished and inspected in-house, which ensures maximum product consistency and performance.
Is tuning legal?
While legislation varies between states and territories, the general rule is that changes are permitted only for personal use and when the alteration improves the vehicle safety, technical culture and invention, in other words, enable carrying out specific activities the vehicle is not manufactured specifically for. However, a modified vehicle needs to pass the technical inspection and tests related to safety and environmental requirements. Playing safe usually means going with qualified tuning experts with years of experience behind them.
Are rims only for swag?
A set of performance rims and tyres do not only look mean, but can do a lot to improve the car responsiveness on different surfaces. Although stock rims are more resistant to wear and corrosion, aftermarket rims are lighter and wider, so they can accommodate more rubber, increasing the overall grip on the road. However, keep in mind that changing the factory recommendation rim size often calls for stiffer springs and shock absorbers, which not only better handle the extra weight but also improve the handling. Factory-produced cars are built to be as economic and reliable as possible, at a competitive price. Modifying your car in any of the ways mentioned here may ultimately change the way the car behaves and feels. To make sure the improved performance in which you are looking to invest is not dogged by unwanted side-effects, make sure you use an authorized or factory tuning service, who warranty their work.
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