Any way to tell if a car has a tune?

[JAM AFF 813]

Going to be looking at a few SHOs over the next few weeks. Is there anyway to tell if a used car has a tune? If that wasn't disclosed to a dealer is there anyway for the next person to know?

-John

 

[SHOdded]

Not really softwarewise, it is a Ford-level initiative to figure that out. The dealer may be able to find out though how many times a tune has been flashed to the PCM. Does make for a crapshoot for a potential buyer. You could always insist that the PCM be flashed to the latest OEM tune before you buy?

Hardware-wise, if you see a 3 bar MAP atop the manifold, that would be a clue that the car is tuned. Up on a lift you can see if the downpipes are aftermarket, though the current tune may still be stock if the manifold MAP is 2 bar.

 

[xFallenxCripplex]

Usually the programmer is married to the ecu if they want to use their programmer or sale it, it needs to be unmarried detune the car before they can do that.

Is there away to tell if the car had a tune before I'd look to see if the bolts on the intake look worn scratched
Can't think of anything else at the moment

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[StealBlueSho]

Shodded is correct... the only way to guarantee there is a tune is if there is a 3BAR map on the intake manifold and if the Downpipes don't have cats and there is no CEL from not having cats...

Not all dealerships take the time to update or flash the ECU... some just detail, change fluids (maybe!), and resell them...

Intake, exhaust, and even catted Downpipes don't necessarily need a tune.


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[limited02]

If it's a good tune, easy to tell between stock or not. If you can spin the tires a little in first and chirp second from a dead stop (brake boosting) is one way IMO. Otherwise, my car never could even chirp the tires in first when stock. It would just squat and go.

While the 3-bar sensor is one way to tell, the car could be tuned on the 2-bar. I personally wouldn't worry too much about it and just buy the SHO/MKS that floats your boat and go from there.

 

[SilverSH0]

If it's a good tune, easy to tell between stock or not. If you can spin the tires a little in first and chirp second from a dead stop (brake boosting) is one way IMO. Otherwise, my car never could even chirp the tires in first when stock. It would just squat and go.

I would say that also depends on tires. My car had crappy tires on it when I got it and I could chirp the tires in first. Having the car stock for awhile and then tuned I can definitely tell the difference in power. However, if someone isn't familiar with the cars I doubt they could get on it and tell if it's tuned or not since they don't have a good feel for stock power levels.

 

[JAM AFF 813]

Thanks for the info. Obviously private party would disclose or I'd hope, that information. My concern is dealers, Ford or non Ford.

 

[Grouchy]

I would say that also depends on tires. My car had crappy tires on it when I got it and I could chirp the tires in first. Having the car stock for awhile and then tuned I can definitely tell the difference in power. However, if someone isn't familiar with the cars I doubt they could get on it and tell if it's tuned or not since they don't have a good feel for stock power levels.

What does flash mean. No mechanical ability here and trying to learn on the fly

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[SHOdded]

Flash means updating the programming of the PCM, whether it is a new calibration from Ford, or an aftermarket tune.

 

[OgreSmash]

how can you tell the difference between the 2 and 3 bar map?

 

[StealBlueSho]

Part number...

Here is a picture of my 3BAR... has the part number on top..




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