Going for a re-tune.... (Round #2) Updated 10/28/13

akoutmos · Jul 12, 2012

Re: Going for a re-tune.... (updated 7/11/12 -- Kinda Tuned)

If you don't mind me asking...how much did you pay for the tune? And honestly, if you don't mind burning any bridges, i would go confront them and see if you can get some of your money back. Call them out on what they did...which was essentially nothing seeing as your ignition map is identical to what it was, and tell them that this was not the work you paid for. If not, give them bad feedback on forums, online, or better business bureau.

It really sucks man. Everyone is out to get everyone else. They just couldn't be honest with you and tell you that they did not know how to tune on E85. Hopefully you find someone to tune it for ya.

AFAccord · Jul 12, 2012

Re: Going for a re-tune.... (updated 7/11/12 -- Kinda Tuned)

akoutmos said:
And honestly, if you don't mind burning any bridges, i would go confront them and see if you can get some of your money back. Call them out on what they did...which was essentially nothing seeing as your ignition map is identical to what it was, and tell them that this was not the work you paid for. If not, give them bad feedback on forums, online, or better business bureau.

...They just couldn't be honest with you and tell you that they did not know how to tune on E85. Hopefully you find someone to tune it for ya.

This.

hotaccord243 · Jul 12, 2012

Re: Going for a re-tune.... (updated 7/11/12 -- Kinda Tuned)

akoutmos said:
and honestly, if you don't mind burning any bridges, i would go confront them and see if you can get some of your money back. Call them out on what they did...which was essentially nothing seeing as your ignition map is identical to what it was, and tell them that this was not the work you paid for. If not, give them bad feedback on forums, online, or better business bureau.

...they just couldn't be honest with you and tell you that they did not know how to tune on e85. Hopefully you find someone to tune it for ya.

The tune was 2 hours worth of tuning @ $140/hr and was $280 total, so not horrible, but not minor at the same time.

Thank you guys! I completely agree. He did smooth out the air/fuel ratio extensively which is a positive and helped it run extremely better than before so he did do some things that were beneficial. It does run fantastic now.

But,

I'm involved with the shop through my work as well as of recent, so it makes it that much more un-ethical (IMHO) to "burn the bridges" and go back there and do this. A little bit of a pickle eh? I will probably end up mentioning it to someone over there though either way.

They are all good guys, do good work, and are a fantastic shop, and in no means am I badmouthing them. But it's frustrating, that I feel like I know about what should have been done, and it wasn't even touched. Especially the fact that I had to pay for it on top of that and fed some lines that weren't necessarily true.

I do know of a shop in another part of the city that i'm going to bring it to in the next few weeks and have the same discussion that is going on in here, with them, and get a second opinion, and have them take a shot at it without a doubt. This other shop tuned a buddy of mine's Audi A4 built motor car from scratch in 2.5 hours, and that thing is fu**ing sick.

AFAccord · Jul 12, 2012

Re: Going for a re-tune.... (updated 7/11/12 -- Kinda Tuned)

You should be able present it to them in a way that isn't accusing, but still concerned that they weren't touched. I don't know what kind of tuner would charge for a tune and not touch ignition timing.

If he said, "Hey, I'm not familiar with the limits of ethanol, so I'm just going to clean up your A/Fs and charge you half" then it would be perfectly reasonable. If you paid for a regular tune, or only paid for enough dyno time for him to clean it up then I'd understand, but if he told you it was tuned and said your motor was just worn out, as he did, that's flippin shady.

Despite your affiliation with the shop, I'd tell him "no hard feelings, you trust that he did the best that he could and you appreciate the work the shop put into the car", but ask for half of your money back because the ignition tables weren't touched, and take the car elsewhere. It's not worth risking him to redo it if he's already conceded that he can't do any more. You've spent WAYY too much money and time on this setup for a half-assed tune.

akoutmos · Jul 12, 2012

Re: Going for a re-tune.... (updated 7/11/12 -- Kinda Tuned)

^ completely agree with this. The tune is the most important part when dealing with with modifications such as ours. It's gotta be spot on...or the car will forever be less than what it deserves to be.

hotaccord243 · Jul 12, 2012

Re: Going for a re-tune.... (updated 7/11/12 -- Kinda Tuned)

^ I agree with both of you, you both have good points and out is true that after this point the tine IS the most important and key part of the tune. If its not done right the car well never reach its true potential. Ever.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Plus, next week I'm gonna start conversations with the other shop to see their thoughts and costs to a tune.

Thanks guys! Its this reason why I'm part of the best accord forum around!

hotaccord243 · Jul 20, 2012

Re: Going for a re-tune.... (updated 7/11/12 -- Kinda Tuned)

Going to talk to the other shop this afternoon about their thoughts regarding the original tune and pricing for a tune through them!

Edit - *Tomorrow morning

akoutmos · Jul 20, 2012

Re: Going for a re-tune.... (updated 7/11/12 -- Kinda Tuned)

Sounds good buddy. Almost there. Hopefully these guys know what's up and can do the job correctly

hotaccord243 · Jul 21, 2012

Re: Going for a re-tune.... (updated 7/11/12 -- Kinda Tuned)

Thanks akoutmos! Just got back from that shop, explained the situation and he confirmed exactly my thoughts on the ignition tuning. Said should only take an hour @ $150/hr rate, especially if the A/F is all smoothed out.

He confirmed the need to advance the timing significantly (15-20% advance at a minimum). Just my thoughts exactly. I would do it myself, but 1. it's ignition and very key for a car and 2. I wanna see what it puts down, so i'll throw it on a dyno for an hour no problem!

Got a tune set up for Monday afternoon at 2pm on July 30th. Hopefully (which I don't have any worries now) this will be done right! :coffee: