Tuning / Dyno suggestions for DC metro area
 

Hey all,

So my birthday is fast approaching and my wife is buying me dyno time for my car. I have a 2002 Miata with Adaptronic and really need tuning help... just don't have the time to dig in and do it. So the wife figured that a couple hours of tuning on her dime will be a good gift. I gladly accept!!!

Anyhow, I don't know of any decent shops in the area that know Miata's... I'm only a little way from Altered Atmosphere in Gaithersburg but don't really trust them based on feedback from peers. So I also hear that Curry's has moved from their building in Sterling and no longer have a dyno... so my usual suspects are out of the question.

Does anyone in the DC metro area know of a good place where I can get my Adaptronic tuned by a shop that is not gonna "learn" on my dime? Anyone here have any desire to come with me that has experience tuning a Miata with MS maybe? Granted the screens are different; but the basics should carry over well...

I'm open to suggestions and welcome your help!

Thanks,

Matt

Classic GT in Manassas. I think Late Aug / Early Sept we should have a large dyno day.

FAIL! (But thanks for the suggestion) Guess an alternate is next up on the plate Any thoughts on these guys: http://www.totalperf.com/index02.html OR http://www.amstuning.com/amscontact/

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Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo. That was the only good place left. There's Moore's Automotive in Fairfax, they have a loaded dynojet but the eddy brake is always on the fritz so they can only do power pulls. You can always call and see.

Personally I'd stay away from Altered Atmosphere. The guys at AMS are pretty good w/ the EVO and 350z community (from what I gather)...but don't think they're familiar w/ the Adaptronic. Can't hurt to ask.

I think AA would probably try to sway you for business, even if they don't know what the eff they're doing.

I think if you ask some of the tuners at the local shops, they might have an idea who might've tuned with Adaptronic and are familiar w/ Miata characteristics.

it's sad that there used to be like 8 or 9 dynos readily available in our area...

scott, wanna go in on classic GT's used dynodynamics?

PTuning in Man-asses has a loaded AWD Dyno Dynamics. Naturally they do lots of STI and Evo stuff. They look kind of pricey though and I'm not sure if they're familiar with either Adaptronic or MS. Maybe you could offer to teach them the software for a discount on their rates? Or maybe they won't charge you as much if you have some idea what you're doing and can do more than sit behind the glass and watch them work?

Yeah, AA in G'burg is the type of place that I generally avoid. I've actually got a relative from marriage who works there; but I'm not sold on their abilities.

I know that there are a few good shops out there; but now they have to be discovered!!!

There are 2 shops within 20 min of my house so I will check them out and see what they have done with Miatas in the past. Argh, this should be a hoot!

Cheers,
Prospero

Chris over at Moore tunes on the MS platform, but like Scott said they had eddy brake drama last time we were there. Couldn't hurt to ask.

They are crazy pricey, but are goods from what I hear. Climate Controlled dyno non-the-less.

Unlike Mach5 in Sterling who charges $225 for an hour on a non-loading dynojet dyno where you do all the tuning yourself. rofl.

If you guys decide to buy it I will gladly store it in my garage in Manassas for free.

ptuning is $250 an hour to tune, $150 each additional

PTUNING - Dyno Dynamics AWD Dyno

they do not list the adaptronic.

Have any of you heard anything about Element Tuning in Gaithersburg?

Ed @ York Automotive in Mt. Airy has a Dyno Dynamics but he doesn't know your ECU. He likes miatas though and races corvettes on the track not the strip.

If you guys find a shop I can walk them through tuning using the software. Its really quick with the adaptronic on a dyno. Reportedly all cells below 5000 on a 300rpm span in 15-20 minutes.

Lock RPM Load cell, wait for tune, load next cell, wait for tune, etcetera... up RPM 300. Load cell wait for tune, load cell wait for tune.

Then you can either do ignition autotune, or by hand with det-cans.

mt airy's only an hour from me. I might be up for a road trip and tune.

incidentally, I'd trust "rapid learn" just fine on a dyno. you can get pretty aggressive because the dyno's so slow to change speed.

Regarding PTuning - beautiful facility from what I hear. Guys are nice and try to accomodate to the aftermarket community. Tuan (sp?) IIRC does the tuning. He's a certified tuner (taken some course) and from what I gather, okay.

Element Tuning is Phil. He used to work at TurboXS and did some tuning in the day with the UTEC. He'll charm your pants off and get you in the door. Supposedly the MD tuner for the Hydra. He's a great salesman. Vague enough for you? Well, I know he's blown a few motors, but wouldn't accept responsibility. Who would? Well, I suppose it's how you handle the blame and resolution that makes me worry. Hydra (Subaru) folks swear by him...but they are UTEC-detractors. Anyhoo, he doesn't have his own dyno (unless it's a recent purchase) and used to rent from AA, IIRC.

Mach V - Hmmm. Yeah, Dan's a good businessman and won't budge on cutting you a deal...unless he gets something out of it. Granted, he's got a huge space and must pay rent, and a good welder, so he doesn't even price match w/ folks. Meh. I like Dan, when things are going well. However, if you have a complaint, he turns into a businessman (not so nice one). My thoughts are if you get a warm and fuzzy from him and the price isn't too bad, maybe consider?

TurboXS - Jermaine is a good friend and has been kept in the loop regarding my turbo upgrade. I don't know if he's familiar w/ the Adaptronic and would even consider touching something he doesn't play with on a regular basis...but I like him and will probably have him get familiar w/ the MS. TurboXS, Altered Atmosphere, and AMS are within walking distance of one another (Gaithersburg Airpark). I would think that someone in one of the 3 shops would have someone in mind they'd consider recommending.

Oh and regarding Curry's: I've heard good stuff from folks about the Chantilly location. The Dulles one...not so much. The effed up a few cars including a Subaru owner that I know dropped b/w $15-20k on a blown motor and other headaches. They blamed him for the whole ordeal and didn't admit any fault....for the work they did.

Most important quesiton: would any of these shops perform dyno operator duties and let me tell them what to do while I tune the system?

Made contact with these guys Thursday...

Atlantic Motorsports | Performance Garage | Gaithersburg, MD | Serving Mid-Atlantic Region | 301-869-7700

Going to meet the owner and see the shop on Tuesday. They responded well to my email and invited me over just to show and tell... Cory offered to look at the software on Adaptronic and so I may take Travis up on his offer.

Nice thing is that these guys are in my back yard; so home field advantage!

Cheers,
Prospero

It's an hour away from you but Ed @ York did that with me.