If you’re chasing extra power or smoother driveability, you’ve likely come across the terms Dyno Tuning, Pump Tuning and ECU remapping. The terms are often used interchangeably which can cause a lot of confusion when understanding the best option for your vehicle.
Technically any tuning done on a dynamometer (usually just called a “Dyno”) is classified as “Dyno Tuning”. A Dyno is a highly specialised piece of equipment that is used to measure exactly how your vehicle’s engine is performing. Now, when it comes to tuning, as in actually adjusting the way your vehicle performs, there is really only Pump Tuning (sometimes called Mechanical Tuning) and ECU Remapping (sometimes called ECU Tuning or Flash Tuning).
At BB Garage, we have a 4WD Dyno, so technically ALL our tuning is Dyno Tuning as every vehicle is tested on the Dyno; this gives you the measurable results to show how any tuning has actually improved your vehicle’s performance.
We highly recommend only ever having your vehicle tuned at workshops that have a Dyno to ensure that your results are safe and proven.
Key Take‑aways
| Pump Tuning (sometimes called Mechanical Tuning) | ECU Remapping | |
| What it adjusts | Fuel & timing via manual tweaks to carburettor or mechanical injection pump | Software maps inside the Engine Control Unit |
| Vehicles covered | Older engines without an ECU | Any engine with an ECU (petrol or diesel) |
| Performance potential | Restores or improves factory output | Largest gains in power, torque & efficiency |
| Cost | Lower (based on time, provided no under-lying issues) | Higher (specialist tools & licensing) |
| Precision | Good, but limited by mechanical hardware | Very high—individual parameters can be dialled in exactly |
What Is Pump Tuning?
Pump dyno tuning for non‑ECU vehicles—often called mechanical pump tuning—involves strapping the car to a dynamometer and manually adjusting the fuel pump:
- Fuel‑delivery screws and android pin adjustment
- Mechanical timing adjustments
- Turbo boost pressure adjustments
The dyno supplies real‑time torque and AFR (air–fuel ratio) data so the tuner can find the sweet spot for drivability, emissions and reliability.
Best for:
- Classic cars, pre‑OBD vehicles and older diesels without electronic injection
- Drivers who want an affordable tweak or a return‑to‑factory baseline after engine work
- Vehicles that have been well maintained and regularly serviced.
What Is ECU Remapping?
ECU remapping (also called chip tuning, ecu tunes or flash tuning) uploads a new calibration file to your car’s Engine Control Unit. Modern ECUs manage fuel, ignition timing, boost, cam phasing, throttle maps, torque limits, and more. By optimising these tables for Australian fuel and climate, a remap can:
- Increase horsepower and torque—often 15–40 % on turbo engines
- Sharpen throttle response
- Widen the torque band for easier overtaking
- Improve or maintain fuel economy with the same driving style
- Improve overall drivability, especially while towing
Best for:
- Any petrol or diesel vehicle built in roughly the last 20 years
- Owners chasing the biggest, safest gains without mechanical upgrades
Which One Should You Choose?
Like we said at the start, technically ANY tuning/ adjustments that are completed on a dynamometer is Dyno Tuning. We ONLY recommend someone has their vehicle tuned at workshops that have a dynamometer to test that you are getting the results you’re paying for and that your vehicle is safe.
Choose Dyno Tuning if:
- If you want your tuning to be completed on a dynamometer
- You want measurable results
- You want a dyno report to show the before & after results of the tune
- You want a tune result that is safe for your engine
Choose pump tuning if:
- Your engine has no ECU (carburettor or mechanical‑pump injection)
- You’re on a tight budget and need a basic optimisation
- You want to verify power output after engine rebuilds or cam swaps
Choose ECU remapping if:
- Your car has an ECU (almost every late‑2005s‑onward petrol/diesel)
- You want the highest, repeatable gains in power, torque and drivability
- You may add bolt‑ons later—software can be updated to suit
Common Questions
1. Can you combine the two?
Only if your vehicle has an ECU and you want the added accuracy of dyno sessions to refine the remap. In older non‑ECU cars, pump tuning is the only option.
2. Will tuning void my warranty?
Some manufacturers may void power‑train coverage after any tuning. Ask your dealer before proceeding.
3. How much power will I gain?
- Dyno tuning (mechanical): typically 10-20 % if the engine was healthy but untuned.
- ECU remap: 15‑40 % on turbo engines; 5‑15 % on naturally‑aspirated engines.
- Results can vary greatly from vehicle to vehicle, which is why a dyno print-out is so important for measuring your specific results.
- Customers are often surprised by the increase in driving performance, regardless of the percentage increase in power and torque.
4. Is it safe?
Absolutely—when performed by experienced professionals who monitor AFR, EGT, knock, turbo boost pressure and stay within safe mechanical limits. For safe results, always have a tune completed by a workshop with a Dyno!
5. Should I get someone to tune my car cheaply, but they don’t have a dyno?
No, we strongly recommend against this. We often see people pay for tunes completed by mobile mechanics. When we test the vehicle on the dyno, sometimes the tune results are under-performing and sometimes the tune is actually dangerous for the engine.
6. My car has fault-codes, will a tune fix it?
This really depends. Generally we always recommend that a car is in good operating condition and regularly serviced prior to having it tuned. If you’re not sure, we usually recommend booking in for Stage 1 Diagnostics first, before booking for a tune.
Ready to Unlock Your Car’s Potential?
At BB Garage we offer both services:
- Book a chat – Tell us about your car, mods and goals.
- Vehicle assessment – We’ll confirm whether dyno tuning or ECU remapping is right for you.
- Tuning session – Our technicians fine‑tune your car on our in‑house 4WD dyno.
- Enjoy the drive – Feel the difference every time you hit the throttle.
The Bottom Line
- Dyno tuning is any tuning done on a Dynamometer
- Pump tuning is any tuning done on vehicles without an ECU.
- ECU remapping is the superior route for modern cars, providing the biggest, safest and most flexible performance gains.
- Tuning is a great cost-effective way of improving the drivability of your 4wd.
Whichever path you take, BB Garage has the tools and expertise to make your car run at its absolute best. Reach out today and let’s unleash that hidden horsepower!
