Hydra Master Ken Hill Remote Tuning - Review of Services
 

I'm pretty tech savvy, but the learning curve on the Hydra and getting it dialed in perfectly is brutal. Especially with no good info on it like the MS3 has. So I decided to work with Jeremy at FM. Great guy, just super busy. Only $35 for 90 days, but I wanted more and someone who could spend a lot of time with me on it. The original FM base tune of the car (99 1.8 FMII) was okay, but I knew it was nowhere near what it could be and I was having some issues with idle. I was pretty bummed because there are no tuners in my area with Hydra experience.

Then I read about Ken on here and saw him on the FM website as a registered tuner. Emailed Ken and he got back pretty quick with his rate. Ended up paying $160 for two hours of time. It's a pretty simple process, I drive the car with the settings and map he provides. Do a data log and then send it in to him. He reviews it, changes it and then I drive again. He is super quick to respond and has been explaining a lot to me through the process so I can actually learn about the Hydra.

So far he has been extremely generous (he spent a lot more than two hours with me) and for $160 the car is running the best it ever has. I do have a dyno session booked for a couple hours coming up, and will be working with Ken remotely to dyno tune the car. He just needs to edit the map after seeing the datalog from each run.

I'm extremely happy with Ken's services and wanted to post this up as I wish I would have contacted him a year ago.

To reach Ken, email him at:
oracletuning@comcast.net

Ken has responded to posts that I have made on this forum with great suggestions. I've seen similar helpful posts by him to others with Hydra problems as well. A great resource for the Hydra community. With the bulk of Miata folk going with the Megasuirt option and FM migrating to the FM221, it's more important than ever to have a guy like Ken available to help.

Paul

I also have to say Ken went very much out of his way to help me with my MSM.

I'm thankful to live close to Ken and have him work with my Hydra a few times. He's always done an excellent job and been a great resource.

You know I had a thought, why don't the remote tuners just use a WebEx session into your laptop via your (tethered) cellphone connection and remote control your PC to tune while you drive while on speakerphone?

It's definitely far and few between for tuners that can handle the Hydra. Most of the ones I deal with around here 'kinda' get it going, but miss or skip key areas like idle or cruise fueling.

I wonder if Ken can still tune the 2.5 hydra software. I just installed a hydra with a GT2560R and it is running what I believe to be an FM basemap but cannot confirm that.

I'm sure he can. Email him to confirm.

Thank you all for your kind words. I truly appreciate it.

That is a very good idea for tuning idle or starting settings where immediate feedback from the car makes thing go faster. For power runs data logs emailed to me work the best. I can set up a block of time where I'm at home in front of my computer. The owner takes a log, e-mails it to me, I analyze it and send back a new map in 15 or 20 minutes.

I can tune Hydra 2.5 ECUs. I still have an old laptop with the 2.5 software loaded and operational. If you e-mail me your map (.s20) file, I can give you an ideal of the parameters. Actual tuning would require you lo download a logging program like DataLogLab or MegaLog Viewer. E-mail me at ken@oracletuning.net if you would like to discuss this topic further.

Ken,

I am working on getting my Hydra to connect to my buddies laptop. Once I can actually get it to connect I will send you the map and have you take a look at it. Thanks for the response you may be hearing from me in a couple weeks once I have some time to mess with it.

Results from tuning with Ken...

https://www.miataturbo.net/dynos-tim...d-lines-94878/

99
 

I had ken install my hydra, injectors and 02 sensor.
cost about 1100
all went well.
I had it dynoed again and the 2 different dynos.showed a 35hp difference from 1 to the other
so now I have no idea of what it really makes

From what I have read and seen different dynos can provide drastically different results, and then throw into the mix operators who usually aren't 100% competent with the machine for another variable. It's best to stick with one dyno to compare before and after of work done. Really all that matters in the end is that the car runs good and you're happy with it.

Yes the car works and drives great thank you Ken

Tossing my review into the ring here instead of creating a new thread. I recently purchased a used Hydra and the tune needed a lot of help to keep the car running properly. It would start on occasion, but was riddled with issues. I'm not electronically gifted (read: electricity/tuning moron). I found Ken's email address here after reading/hearing a bunch of positive reviews and decided to reach out. Next thing I know, he is emailing me back with TONS of information and suggestions.

I have modded cars for over 15 years and have worked in the auto performance industry for the past 8.5 years... I must say that Ken is probably the nicest guy I have ever met in the automotive world. Since I'm not far from him, he even offered to do a house call! I ultimately decided it would be best for me to visit his place in case we needed something that I didn't have at my residence. He opened up his garage to me and spent almost 2 hours dialing in the idle and making sure the car was at least safe to drive home on the Hydra. I do not have a wideband yet since I wanted to ensure the used Hydra was functioning properly before I sunk more money into it. Ken was able to do exactly that and needless to say, I'm looking to purchase injectors and a WBO2 for the Hydra before going back up for dyne/road tuning.

Tried stealing Ken's phone, but he caught me haha ;) Thanks Again Ken!

Oracle Tuning Closing its Doors
 

I was not sure where to put this post, but I figured since this thread is about my tuning services, I would post it here. I'm not a sponsor of this website, so if this post breaks any business advertising/communication rules, I sincerely apologize.

With FM stopping sale of the 221 and Hydra ECUs, I'm taking this opportunity to stop accepting new ECU tuning customers. The work has been mostly fun for me while providing a little extra money to make my Miata go faster. However, I have been doing this as a side job for 14 years along with being a Dad to a special needs son, husband, and working a day job as an engineer. I tuned 50 this year and my priorities need to change. I want to spend more time with family and driving my Miata instead of working on other's Miatas.

I'm not taking on any new customers. If I have tuned your Hydra, FM221, or AEM FIC6 in the past and you make a change to your car that necessitates re-tuning, contact me via e-mail and I will be glad to work something out for you.

Thank you again, for all the kind comments. I appreciate them very much. Sorry to remove one ECU tuning resource from the market. There are not a lot of us out there.

Sad to see this, as I've always seen nothing but good things about you and your services, but family is way more important, so all the best to you sir.

Damnit Ken, the Hydra resale value just went from a bar of soap and a jolly rancher to just a bar of soap. Haha

Best wishes Brother and it was a great experience working with you!

Yeah, I pretty much have to drive to FM to get a tune that's worth anything. Everyone up here struggles with the Hydra and ends up focusing on peak power rather than all the meat in the middle.

That's what 90% of "dyno tuners" do. The real tuners that actually dial a car in start to finish to behave like oem are rarer than unicorns.

Thank you 18psi. Your level of knowledge has impressed me since joining this forum. I appreciate your kind words. I'm grateful so many people trusted me to tune their cars and I was able to give them the Miata they wanted. Not every tuning experience went perfectly, and some down right sucked, but the success far outweighed the times things went pear-shaped. This part of life has been a lot of fun. I wish there was enough business out there to make this a full time gig. It sure beats the hell out of my day job. Again, I'm not going away. I'll still be here on the forums from time to time.