Procedure
- Boost-leak test the entire intake tract at your target boost. A tuner finding your leaks at $150/hour is the most expensive soap bubble test in history.
- Fresh plugs at the correct heat range and gap - one step colder if you're raising boost meaningfully. Old plugs mask as tuning problems.
- Verify fuel delivery basics: pump health on a datalog (fuel pressure or injector duty under load), and fill with the exact fuel you'll run daily. Tune on 91, run on 91.
- Fix every mechanical issue first: no CELs, no boost-control gremlins, no exhaust leaks - a pre-turbo exhaust leak skews the front O2 sensor and ruins the tune.
- Log a baseline third-gear pull (safely, or on the dyno) and email it to the tuner ahead of time with your full mod list. Surprises on the mod list waste dyno hours.
- Show up with a healthy battery, decent tires, and half a tank - dyno straps and wheelspin don't mix with worn rubber.
- After the tune, log your first week of driving and send the tuner a knock/fuel-trim summary. Every good protune includes a revision - use it.
Work at your own risk. Torque values and procedures vary by vehicle — always confirm against the factory service manual for your exact model.