From understanding the basics to maximizing performance, we've got you covered.
There's a reason that billions of dollars in revenue are generated by performance aftermarket parts—stock cars and trucks leave a lot to be desired! Even if you’re still riding the high of a newly-acquired vehicle, you can count on the feeling fading with time.
When it does, you'll start looking for ways to get a little more oomph out of your ride. What that looks like will depend on what you're after, but in the case that you just want to give the vehicle a little more of an edge under specific conditions, a computer tuner or programmer just might be the right fit.
Tuners and programmers are seemingly simple devices, but they pack quite a punch. Best of all, they don't require you to do much more than find that pesky OBD-II port. They can cost a good amount of money, though, so it's worth understanding exactly where your dollars are going. That's why we're here to give you the breakdown of what exactly vehicle tuning and programming tools do for your ride.
What Is Vehicle Tuning, Anyway?
"Tuning" is far from a new term. Anyone who's ever been near a car has heard this phrase before. That doesn't mean everyone is up to speed on exactly what it describes.
A vehicle's tune refers to its established settings that directly relate to how it runs.
Engines draw in air and fuel, then squeeze it and ignite it to create power. While air intake and compression are set variables, others like fuel mapping and ignition timing can be altered to directly impact how and when the engine makes its power.
Vehicle tuning refers to altering these settings. It's important to note that a vehicle's factory tune is set to perform well under all circumstances but not amazingly in any given area. You can tweak these settings and shift points to better equip a vehicle for towing, performance driving, or even to yield better fuel economy.
Many newer vehicles offer some version of this customization with “driving modes,” which you can select to get better performance under specific conditions. These work well, but a computer programmer or tuner is the next step.
Stock vs Preloaded vs Custom Tunes
Now that we know what vehicle tuning is, we can talk about the different types of tunes that are out there. There are three main categories of tunes: stock, preloaded, and custom.
A stock tune is whatever the manufacturer gives you straight from the factory. Whatever the established parameters are in any mode is considered stock. While not inherently bad, stock tunes cast a wide net to satisfy the most people during normal driving conditions – so they ultimately fall short of satisfying anyone with serious ties to any form of niche driving.
A preloaded – often called “canned” – tune refers to what a computer programmer or tuner comes with. These tunes represent the next step over factory. The teams behind them come up with a combination of parameters that are a little more aggressive than the stock tune. These tunes still do try to appeal to the masses, as there are some variables they simply can't account for, but they will give solid results over stock in any case.
A custom tune is the most radical of options. It tailors the tune specifically to your vehicle's usage, considering any modifications you’ve made as well as certain operating conditions like elevation and climate. Since they’re so specific, custom tunes will deliver the best results. However, they lack the flexibility of a programmer. Additionally, a custom tune will cost more and often requires sending the computer to a specialist.
On that note, custom tunes typically void warranties -- unlike most aftermarket tuners and programmers. This factor often sways car owners towards the latter option. However, it’s always best to check with the stipulations of your exact vehicle warranty to be absolutely sure.
What’s the Difference Between a Programmer and a Tuner?
It’s important to understand that there is a difference between a computer programmer and a tuner. Even though the difference is minimal and the terms are often used interchangeably, there is a difference.
Tuners will give you control over some variables, while programmers do not. What variables a tuner gives you control over depends on the specifics of the vehicle you're working with, but will never involve tapping into fuel maps and ignition timing. Instead, you may be able to tweak shift points and speed limiters. Programmers also differ from tuners in that they may give you additional functions such as reading and clearing trouble codes.
That being said, you will need to read into the specifics of whatever piece you're looking at to determine if it's right for you.
Is a Tuner or Programmer Right for Me?
Most drivers who just motor along the highway and occasionally use their car or truck for towing, light off-roading, or performance driving, will probably be happy with their vehicle’s stock tune. However, once you tip into a more hardcore level of involvement with any of those activities, you should consider investing in a tuner or programmer. The right tune can significantly enhance your vehicle's performance, regardless of your usage requirements.
You should also get a tuner or programmer when you start making mods, like upgrading to a cold air intake, changing wheels and tires, and altering gear ratios. The right device will help you get more out of those mods and can be used to correct calibration issues.
When Should I Consider a Custom Tune?
Custom tunes will generally give the best results in terms of all-out performance, but they aren't the right fit for everyone because of cost and warranty concerns. However, they are the only option under specific circumstances.
Both stock and preloaded tunes are set to work with a vehicle's factory configuration -- to a degree. Although they may work well with simple bolt-ons, they can't really accommodate more serious hardware upgrades.
Items like superchargers, turbochargers, nitrous, aftermarket cams, high-compression pistons, bigger injectors, and so on really change what an engine can do. Getting the most out of them does entail a custom tune. Furthermore, not having a custom tune to accommodate these mods can cause catastrophic engine failure because they place different demands on variables such as fuel and ignition timing.
The Who’s Who of Computer Programmers and Tuners
As you shop around for computer programmers, you'll find that there are only a few key players in the game. That makes it easy to find a good, reliable product in this space. That's not to say there aren't traps out there, though. Steer clear of anything that claims to make performance gains by simply plugging into an auxiliary port. For those of you who don't know, these ports have no ties to the computer and are simply supplied power. Yes, these scams actually exist.
A real tuner or programmer accesses the PCM (powertrain control module) via the OBD-II port.
We suggest not sticking anything in there that doesn't come from Bully Dog, Diablo Sport, Edge Products, Superchips, Hypertech, or SCT Performance unless it comes from another reliable supplier who specializes in performance.
There's a good reason why we carry the brands above, and that's because they have a track record of delivering real results. Which is right for you depends on your vehicle and what you deem important, and we suggest visiting the supplier pages for more information.