Quote:
Originally Posted by fmaxwell
This is general advice and not meant to single-out any particular company:
If they won't show you the results of instrumented testing (dyno sheets or timed before/after acceleration runs), walk away.
Don't be taken in by feel-good marketing-speak or (supposed) customer testimonials. Tales about how you will "feel" about the car or the fun or thrill you will get driving it are meaningless. Companies often hide behind "customer testimonials" because they can't be sued for reporting what a customer claims. Make them tell you, in measurable terms, what you're getting for your performance dollar. Are you really getting performance or are they just making the throttle pedal respond in a non-linear fashion?
Comments about how good a tuner service is for other makes, models, years, etc. has little to do with what they can coax from your smart fortwo. Your smart fortwo engine already makes more than one horsepower per cubic inch -- and that's pretty good for a normally aspirated, three cylinder engine that's designed for low RPM operation.
Do not trust anyone who tells you that a dealer can't tell that the car was "chipped" or flashed. The dealer's mechanics won't check if you just take your car in for oil changes, tire rotation, or rattles, but if the engine detonates under warranty, the dealer and/or the factory may have a keen interest in what went wrong -- and whether it could happen to the other tens of thousands of 1.0L smart fortwos that have been sold.
There are some very reputable tuners out there, but there are also many snake oil salesmen. If you're going to give someone hundreds of dollars to tune your car, then make sure that you have more to go on than one or two testimonials from customers.
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I have to agree with you on this. After doing lots of searching, I havent found and good dyno sheets for remaps on the us 451.
We are a small tuning firm here in the US. We have been tuning Porsche, BMW, and Mercedes autos for quite some time. We also have a rather large following in the Mazda, Mitsibishi, and Honda Markets. Recently we partnered with Piasini Engineering, one of the oldest tuning firms in europe. We now have the equipment and backing to remap the Smart 451 US version. We are a full service tuning firm, with inhouse chassis and engine dynos.
Now, what does this mean to you?
I'm gonna go out on a limb, and make you guys an offer; I will reflash one smart 451 for someone at half price on the forum to show just how damn good this is.
Here is the deal;
1 I would prefer a stock, or close to stock smart for two. I want the owner to run before and after dyno pulls(on the same dyno, at the same shop).
2 I require a good wide band o2 and data log on your car, independant of the dyno's o2 and data (most reputable shops have an LM2 for this).
3 Your car has to be in good shape, no claped out crap, lower the mileage the better.
4 You pay for your own dyno time, shipping, and outside labor.
5.You may post whatever dyno sheets you have of this flash, its your money if you want to share, fine.
6. I will raise the limiters, however, I will not be held accountable for you doing something stupid. You agree that this is for track use only, and as the driver you are solely liable for your actions in driving the car after the flash.
7. You must be able to do the removal and install on your pcm( or have it done by a reputable shop) without damaging it. OK this sounds simple, but trust me, I have had several pcms show up at the shop that have been DOA due to faulty removal. And even more after they get back cause somebody got to excited and reversed the battery conections!!!
So thats the deal, anyone out there wanna give it a try? Wanna put you money where you mouth is? I have!
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