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View Full Version : Where to get a good tune

aussie455
29-08-2007, 04:03 PM
Where's a good place around melbourne that tunes american muscle cars? I wanna get my Buick tuned but don't want to take it just anywhere.
anychevy
30-08-2007, 05:01 PM
Where's a good place around melbourne that tunes american muscle cars? I wanna get my Buick tuned but don't want to take it just anywhere.

Why don't you have a crack at it yourself ? I'm sure a few of us here could talk you through it ?
aussie455
30-08-2007, 05:17 PM
well what do I do first? timing?
anychevy
30-08-2007, 05:44 PM
well what do I do first? timing?
Is it a stock 455 ? with points, a rochester and the original air cleaner ?
aussie455
30-08-2007, 10:18 PM
no. apparently it's got a cam in it (no idea what sort). know nothing about the bottom end. heads look stock. edelbrock intake. rejetted rochester. k&n air filter with the top bit too. that's basically it.
anychevy
31-08-2007, 12:57 PM
no. apparently it's got a cam in it (no idea what sort). know nothing about the bottom end. heads look stock. edelbrock intake. rejetted rochester. k&n air filter with the top bit too. that's basically it.
Buy a set of plugs, points and a condenser (if points) if HEI or some other ignition ? Just get plugs to start with.
Does it have any obvious issues ? Rich at idle, flat spots, bogging down, missing etc. ?
aussie455
31-08-2007, 04:39 PM
yeah it runs crap while cruising. not cruise control but you know sittin on 70k or something. it seems to idle alright and acceleration seems alright but when you drving on the speed limit it sorta misses and jerks along.
anychevy
31-08-2007, 05:04 PM
yeah it runs crap while cruising. not cruise control but you know sittin on 70k or something. it seems to idle alright and acceleration seems alright but when you drving on the speed limit it sorta misses and jerks along.
May just be timing, too much total advance maybe ? Check with timing light, vacuum advance connected at around 3000 rpm should be no more than 36-38 deg. BTDC
Initial timing (idling vacuum disconnected) should be around 12-16 deg. BTDC but it depends alot on cam, compression ratio, fuel etc.
If the engine "pings" "rattles" under load. like going up a hill in top gear without shifting down, that's detonation, fuel igniting before spark, not good, definately too much total advance or you need better fuel.
Engines with a compression ratio of 10-1 or more will run best on 98 octane and will respond better to more spark advance.
You also need a dwell meter if it's got points ? Dwell (point gap) should be set to 28-32 deg.
A bad set of points, wrong gap and or a bad condenser will make it run rough as well.
I'd check all the above before you start replacing anything
aussie455
02-09-2007, 11:41 AM
wouldn't it be better if i take it to get a dyno tune?
anychevy
02-09-2007, 01:11 PM
wouldn't it be better if i take it to get a dyno tune?
If you need to know what HP at the back wheels ? But it sounds like simple tune will do the job.
Contact the Buick club and ask them to recomend someone in your area
http://www.buickclub.org.au/
aussie455
02-09-2007, 06:34 PM
I'd like to know the hp. But doesn't a dyno tune assist in getting the max potential hp with what you've got?
anychevy
02-09-2007, 07:17 PM
I'd like to know the hp. But doesn't a dyno tune assist in getting the max potential hp with what you've got?
Ask them what they can or will do before you commit your car to them for a couple of hours.
It could be a real expensive basic tune up with a dyno report.
Most engine tuners don't know what to do with a rochester :confused: and a points dizzy ? you can only do so much with the advance curve.
That's just my experience dyno tuning a basically stock engine, not worth it.