tuning examples

Tuner Types
Base Map: A base map is a starting calibration that is a "best guess" as to what settings will work to get the car to at least start and idle. Basically, just based off info about the car and experience, this is "guessing" fuel tables, ignition timing, and air. As those are the 3 things you need to get a car to start.

Canned Tunes: aka Off-the-Shelf, standard maps different tuners sell so customers can do minimum work to achieve power gains. Generally, you email a tuner, send them your mod list, and they send an advanced base map back. This gets you up and running, without having to go to a dyno and getting your car tuned. Cobb is one of the most well known "Canned Tuners" out there.

Dyno Tuning: Exactly how it sounds. If you want the most out of your build, you get it dyno tuned. They put the car on a dyno, and go over all the details, to give you a custom tune specific to your car based off live settings.

Piggyback Tuners: Generally regarded as the worst way to tune, these are little boxes that "man in the middle" your ECU and tweak certain sensor readings to attempt to gain power when other methods of tuning aren't available.

Stage 0/1/2/3/etc Tuning: This is kind of a new age thing. Many tuners now offer "Stage" tunings. You go to their website, they list the basic mod list for an engine, and give a rough estimate on HP/TQ gains. Stage 0 (aka OEM+) might be a simple tune on all stock hardware. Stage 1 is basics of better spark plugs, coil packs, and air intake. Stage 2 might be exhaust, intercooler, and turbo wastegate or supercharger pulleys. Stage 3 would generally be where you get into turbo swaps, injector upgrades and more.