Hennessey's Tuning School, what are your thoughts?

pumpkin head · 07-27-2009, 07:55 PM

Has anybody heard of this program? I came across it in a magazine and went to have a looksy at their site.
Just wanted to see everybody's opinion on it. Do you guys think it would be worth it? Do you guys see much as far as employment opportunities in this field?
Trying to get some "real-world" input. Thanks in advance!

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OxCitywrx09 · 07-27-2009, 08:01 PM

This is something that I would really be interested in.

Gitkrunk · 07-27-2009, 08:30 PM

are those the guys that make the twin turbo vipers?

MGAMAN · 07-28-2009, 01:56 PM

If you're truly interested in advanced tuning (pop quiz: how many people know what the extra fuel sprayed onto the intake valve after it's closed is called, and why is it done?), and really understanding the relationship between components and programming, then yes: it would definitely be worth it.

Worth it to make into a career? Anywhere but in Alaska probably, and even then; the economy isn't exactly supportive of the tuner market right now. Learning to properly corner weight and align suspensions, and fabricate, are skills you could probably apply here and get a job with. You could also build your own manifolds and sell them. If you just wanted to do it for your own personal gain, I'd say go for it. Hennessey builds some great stuff.

Carter · 07-28-2009, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gitkrunk

are those the guys that make the twin turbo vipers?

This. I'd stay away based solely on the reputation that proceeds their name.

TurboSetch · 07-28-2009, 04:48 PM

@MGAMAN

The term I know for that is 'End of injection timing'. The main function is to better atomize fuel, it also reduces CO2 emmisions, provides a cleaner more powerful burn. Some research has shown power gains. There is more to it, since it also helps with fuel trim trasition especially when running injectors that are large and have few holes in the nozzle.

As far as tuning in AK...I have to say I have found at least recently a very high demand. In the last few months I have done a lot of work with Suby, EVO, Ford, and Dodge. All of these are tunable via software and require no special chip burning technology or code breaking so to speak.

I have to admit when I first moved to AK I didn't expect there to be much demand for tuners but I think I was wrong. If you look in the phone book or google search you will find very few if any pro-tune shops. I'm not ready to quit my day job and go back to doing this personally but you never know what the future holds.

MGAMAN · 07-28-2009, 05:02 PM

Dead on answer woo!

Anyways I do agree there's been a growing demand for it, and if you act now (like you are) you could probably well establish yourself for the boom should it come, but I would be leery of training and coming back with the only intention to have it as your day job for the time being.

JordyB · 07-28-2009, 05:27 PM

Really tho, when the time comes and you need to charge 100 to 200 an hour to tune, who's gonna pay that? You need a dyno, etc, to do it legally!

TurboSetch · 07-28-2009, 06:40 PM

You only need a dyno for peak tuning and doing things like finding MBT which requires a load based dyno. You also might use a dyno for tunes that are done from scratch. Sure its great to have one and it will save you in time and safety. I doubt we will see a load based AWD dyno anytime soon. I have crunched the numbers and it just would not pay for itself quick enough.

Granted when I tune we do 2nd and 3rd gear runs but over the speed limit 65+MPH are kept to a min for checking up to redline. Unless you are remapping a custom MAF or intake tube its usually fairly easy to know if your ECU is calculating fuel properly.

The other thing to keep in mind is that once a tuner has a nice stash of tunes for many common setups and cars it becomes easy to apply those tunes to others. This once again eliminates the need for dyno tunes and drops the amount of road tuning time.

I also use a software dyno which is very accurate when setup properly. Its easy to read gains and losses while tuning with it. I have posted dynos here before from it.

I can't quote prices here but for instance people typically will pay $150 for an email tune online. People pay way more than that for a silly cobb generic off the shelf tune. Trust me people will pay for a good tune. Its also nice to have your tuner local so that he/she can help you quickly with any follow up issues or revisions.

To stay on topic I would say there is no harm in going and getting trained but if no one is hiring your on your own to make it work....Even after all the training in the world the best on only way to really understand it will be to do it. My advice would be to start hanging out with people who tune even if there not pros you can still gleam good experience.

pumpkin head · 07-28-2009, 09:32 PM

Thank you all for the input thus far, especially MGAMAN and TURBOSETCH.
MGAMAN, you have a very good point as far as coming back up with the intention of that being my only work. I do have the opportunity to get my job I have now back when I do return, so there is some relief there. I would be doing it on the side for the time being until I get more established, so-to-speak.

Also, I have the opportunity to work with Hennessey directly, after class. That is, if the work is needed and I am doing well in class. This also means potential full time employment with Hennessey upon completion of the course. But I do have the benefit of using their name and repuation to my advantage when I go job hunting or even tuning on my own.

Afterall, this class is really just a "beginners" in a way since it just the fundamentals of tuning. I think I would have to go to their advanced tuning classes if I actually wanted to get anywhere with it. Either that, or spend alot of time with fellow tuners (which I am hoping) or get onboard with a performance shop and continue to expand my knowledge and experience.

I thank you all again and please, do continue to give your opinions and thoughts.

07-27-2009, 07:55 PM	#1
pumpkin head Scooby Newbie Member#: 197239 Join Date: Dec 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: In your rear view mirror Vehicle: 1989 JUSTY! Silver	Hennessey's Tuning School, what are your thoughts? Has anybody heard of this program? I came across it in a magazine and went to have a looksy at their site. Just wanted to see everybody's opinion on it. Do you guys think it would be worth it? Do you guys see much as far as employment opportunities in this field? Trying to get some "real-world" input. Thanks in advance! * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

07-28-2009, 01:56 PM	#4
MGAMAN Scooby Specialist Member#: 24671 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage, AK Vehicle: 2003 Audi A4 2006 R1 - 06/08 hybrid	If you're truly interested in advanced tuning (pop quiz: how many people know what the extra fuel sprayed onto the intake valve after it's closed is called, and why is it done?), and really understanding the relationship between components and programming, then yes: it would definitely be worth it. Worth it to make into a career? Anywhere but in Alaska probably, and even then; the economy isn't exactly supportive of the tuner market right now. Learning to properly corner weight and align suspensions, and fabricate, are skills you could probably apply here and get a job with. You could also build your own manifolds and sell them. If you just wanted to do it for your own personal gain, I'd say go for it. Hennessey builds some great stuff. Last edited by MGAMAN; 07-28-2009 at 02:02 PM.

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07-27-2009, 08:01 PM	#2
OxCitywrx09 Scooby Newbie Member#: 216362 Join Date: Jul 2009 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Ox City Vehicle: 2013 WRX DGM	This is something that I would really be interested in.

07-27-2009, 08:30 PM	#3
Gitkrunk Scooby Newbie Member#: 214562 Join Date: Jun 2009 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage Vehicle: 2008 WRX STI	are those the guys that make the twin turbo vipers?

07-28-2009, 04:48 PM	#6
TurboSetch Scooby Specialist Member#: 192358 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Palmer,AK Vehicle: MANY P3 Import Auto 907 355 6655	@MGAMAN The term I know for that is 'End of injection timing'. The main function is to better atomize fuel, it also reduces CO2 emmisions, provides a cleaner more powerful burn. Some research has shown power gains. There is more to it, since it also helps with fuel trim trasition especially when running injectors that are large and have few holes in the nozzle. As far as tuning in AK...I have to say I have found at least recently a very high demand. In the last few months I have done a lot of work with Suby, EVO, Ford, and Dodge. All of these are tunable via software and require no special chip burning technology or code breaking so to speak. I have to admit when I first moved to AK I didn't expect there to be much demand for tuners but I think I was wrong. If you look in the phone book or google search you will find very few if any pro-tune shops. I'm not ready to quit my day job and go back to doing this personally but you never know what the future holds.

07-28-2009, 05:02 PM	#7
MGAMAN Scooby Specialist Member#: 24671 Join Date: Sep 2002 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Anchorage, AK Vehicle: 2003 Audi A4 2006 R1 - 06/08 hybrid	Dead on answer woo! Anyways I do agree there's been a growing demand for it, and if you act now (like you are) you could probably well establish yourself for the boom should it come, but I would be leery of training and coming back with the only intention to have it as your day job for the time being.

07-28-2009, 05:27 PM	#8
JordyB Scooby Specialist Member#: 20328 Join Date: Jun 2002 Chapter/Region: AKIC Vehicle: '05 FXT - '98 Foz '07 Legacy spec.B	Really tho, when the time comes and you need to charge 100 to 200 an hour to tune, who's gonna pay that? You need a dyno, etc, to do it legally!

07-28-2009, 06:40 PM	#9
TurboSetch Scooby Specialist Member#: 192358 Join Date: Oct 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: Palmer,AK Vehicle: MANY P3 Import Auto 907 355 6655	You only need a dyno for peak tuning and doing things like finding MBT which requires a load based dyno. You also might use a dyno for tunes that are done from scratch. Sure its great to have one and it will save you in time and safety. I doubt we will see a load based AWD dyno anytime soon. I have crunched the numbers and it just would not pay for itself quick enough. Granted when I tune we do 2nd and 3rd gear runs but over the speed limit 65+MPH are kept to a min for checking up to redline. Unless you are remapping a custom MAF or intake tube its usually fairly easy to know if your ECU is calculating fuel properly. The other thing to keep in mind is that once a tuner has a nice stash of tunes for many common setups and cars it becomes easy to apply those tunes to others. This once again eliminates the need for dyno tunes and drops the amount of road tuning time. I also use a software dyno which is very accurate when setup properly. Its easy to read gains and losses while tuning with it. I have posted dynos here before from it. I can't quote prices here but for instance people typically will pay $150 for an email tune online. People pay way more than that for a silly cobb generic off the shelf tune. Trust me people will pay for a good tune. Its also nice to have your tuner local so that he/she can help you quickly with any follow up issues or revisions. To stay on topic I would say there is no harm in going and getting trained but if no one is hiring your on your own to make it work....Even after all the training in the world the best on only way to really understand it will be to do it. My advice would be to start hanging out with people who tune even if there not pros you can still gleam good experience.

07-28-2009, 09:32 PM	#10
pumpkin head Scooby Newbie Member#: 197239 Join Date: Dec 2008 Chapter/Region: AKIC Location: In your rear view mirror Vehicle: 1989 JUSTY! Silver	Thank you all for the input thus far, especially MGAMAN and TURBOSETCH. MGAMAN, you have a very good point as far as coming back up with the intention of that being my only work. I do have the opportunity to get my job I have now back when I do return, so there is some relief there. I would be doing it on the side for the time being until I get more established, so-to-speak. Also, I have the opportunity to work with Hennessey directly, after class. That is, if the work is needed and I am doing well in class. This also means potential full time employment with Hennessey upon completion of the course. But I do have the benefit of using their name and repuation to my advantage when I go job hunting or even tuning on my own. Afterall, this class is really just a "beginners" in a way since it just the fundamentals of tuning. I think I would have to go to their advanced tuning classes if I actually wanted to get anywhere with it. Either that, or spend alot of time with fellow tuners (which I am hoping) or get onboard with a performance shop and continue to expand my knowledge and experience. I thank you all again and please, do continue to give your opinions and thoughts.