Pre Dyno Instructions

Dyno session instructions Surgeline Tuning wants to say thanks for allowing us to tune and refine your car. Your overwhelming satisfaction with our tuning services is our highest priority. We all look forward meeting and exceeding all your expectations.

**Surgeline Tuning is highly qualified to extract power from your mechanically well sorted and well prepared Subaru or Mitsubishi EVO. However, we cannot be expected to “FIX” mechanical issues. It is your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is in proper working condition with no mechanical defects.

Deposit:

Deposits must be received before the deadline of your tuning session.

Boost control:

Make sure your boost controller is working properly. Dyno time is an expensive… don’t use it to fix an incorrectly installed boost control system. Surgeline Tuning recommends two different boost control options:

  1. Stock – that’s right, most turbo’s can be properly regulated with the stock boost control fittings…. It is VERY important that EVERY hose and fitting is absolutely original. The stock system works great on most applications for both UTEC and EcuTek reflash tuned cars
  2. TurboXS DTEC – this external electronic boost controller is an absolutely incredible device for controlling the boost of your larger than average turbo. Surgeline Tuning highly recommends the TurboXS DTEC for anyone interested in big HP.
We also can tune with a properly set up manual boost controller. However, the inherent limitations of MBCs make them second rate to the options above.

Your scheduled Dyno time:
  • Arrive at least one hour early – the more time we have to prepare your car the better your tuning session will be.
  • Be flexible. Dyno tuning is a dynamic process and your scheduled slot may be pushed forward or back depending on how other tuning sessions progress – if this is not acceptable you can schedule weekday tuning sessions for a slightly higher cost. For weekday sessions only one car is scheduled and therefore the start and end times for the tuning are more predictable.
Pre-Dyno Day Recommendations

Following these simple instructions will help your dyno tune go smoothly and you will extract the most out of your allocated timeslot. Dyno tuning will stress your car more than usual. Following these simple instructions will also limit any detrimental effects the dyno tune may have.

Do not modify your car the night before the dyno session! You will have to pay for your dyno time even if you car is not running. (Unless you can find someone to fill you’re allotted time slot.)

At least a week before the dyno session please check the following:

Use Quality Fuel!
It is extremely important that you run high quality gas in your modified WRX or STi. Surgeline Tuning recommends you run 92+ octane fuel purchased at either Chevron or 76 gas stations.

How is the car running?
Are there any major problems that you already know about? Please tell us about ANY issues before we start the tune. You'll save valuable dyno time and save us a headache or two. :-)

General Visual Inspection
Look under the hood and check that all terminal connections and fine and that no liquids are leaking.

Fluids
Check that all fluid levels are correct. This includes coolant, engine oil, transmission and brake fluids. We recommend you change your oil and filter before a dyno tuning session. Clean oil will help reduce wear on bearing surfaces.

Spark plugs
Stock plugs should be just fine for Stage 2 and under cars unless you have excessive mileage on your car. If you have over 30,000 miles on your current set of plugs you should think about replacing them. If you have installed after market plugs please confirm that they were gapped to the above specification. Incorrectly gapped plugs will lead to issues during tuning. Gap ok? (Should be about 0.026-0.028") Replace if needed
  • WRX Surgeline Tuning recommends: BKR7EIX (NGK Iridium) or BCPR7ES (NGK Stock Copper, one range colder).
  • STi Surgeline Tuning recommends: LFR7AIX (NGK Iridium IX)
Hoses
Make sure all are connected correctly, no vacuum leaks. Check that all hose connectors are tight.

Intake
Is the air filter clean? If you have an oiled air filter please check that the MAF sensor is clean?

(To clean remove MAF sensor and place in a plastic bag with a non-chlorinated brake cleaner. Shake, remove and let dry. Do not spray the cleaner directly on the MAF sensor itself) An oiled MAF sensor will skew the MAF reading and we will not be able to tune correctly.

Exhaust System
Check for leaks, especially with the header to uppipe. Replace gaskets as needed. A leaking header to uppipe gasket will affect your turbo spool up and cause unstable boost pressure.

UTEC users
Your serial cable must be accessible Do you have the latest firmware loaded? We can do it for you but please arrange a time before the dyno session to implement this otherwise it may eat into you dyno time.

Check that your TPS is calibrated. If not, follow instructions in the UTEC users manual to calibrate it.

We also suggest you clean your car so it looks nice on the dyno :-)

Click here for a printable version