Wizard Tuner

[RSM]

Anyone know anything about these tuners ? Are they a quality piece ? What RPM range ? Thank's

[Raceman]

Ahhh, yet another oportunity for a tuner bashin: Aftermarket tuners are the most over-rated accessory ever sold for an outboard and make VERY SMALL differences, if any at all. They ain't like expansion chamber changes on a two stroke, or header additions on a four stroke, although the people sellin' em would like for you to think so.

[patchesII]

i saw this right after it went up and thought about you. at least your short and sweet with the answer.hope you have a good holiday season

[RSM]

I believe in that also for the most part when comparing exhaust tuners of the same lenght but I also beleive that there is exceptions to some degree and my application may be one of these. I have a 150 pro-max that has the longest tuner possible at 14 in. in length and holds a 2x1.5 in. rectangular opening the complete length "straight". I believe this design will aid in bottom end tourqe. I can't help but to believe that if the tuner was shorter or progressive in width to the opening that it would aid in top end performance to some degree. So I see this WIZARD tuner for sale on another web-site and was just curious what it was. I believe the MERCURY tuner is as good as any aftermarket it's easier to get measurments from the aftermarket tuners. I may just cut 5 in. off of what I have now. Would love to get more info or feedback thanks raceman and HAPPY NEW YEAR to all. Randy

[RSM]

Does anyone have a tuner off of a 200 pro-max that they can take a couple measurments, like length and opening size ? Also a part number would be much appreciated thanks. Randy

[Travis Fulton]

hey raceman, so in general what you are saying is ---- that a stock tuner is about the best? , or the best to start with(modify the stocker?) just curious about tuners also, :D

[Raceman]

Travis, my opionion is, that there's not a whole lot of difference one to the other. I've run short ones, long ones, fat ones, skinny ones, aluminum ones, sheet metal ones, and broke completely off ones, and I haven't found enough difference between em to be worth the trouble of changing. In some cases there are some small differences in how/when the powerband hits, but as far as top end numbers, which is what 90% of lake boaters are most concerned with, there's just not enough difference to get exited over. I also think that anybody that's running one of those longer tuners would see as much increase from whackin' it with a hacksaw as buying an expensive aftermarket replacement.

People peddling these tuners prey on the fact that most everybody knows the dramatic differences there are from one expansion chamber to another on a two stroke bike. A tuner is in no way similar to the stinger on a chamber and changing them doesn't produce the same dramatic results.

[Travis Fulton]

ahhhhhh. ok that clears up some ideas that i have been taught over the last while, like you said raceman the manufactures of thoes aftermarket tuners boast a-lot but i guess they should put their money where their mouth is!! huh! thanx for clearing that up:D

[Rodney Nance]

Raceman first off I agree that in most cases tuner performance gains are wishfull thinking. Top end numbers don't change on light weight race boats. ET's in the 1/4 mile are affected because of the changes in the powerband as you said. Every time we changed the motor combination or the set up on the boat or prop we had to do the tuner tests also to find the fastest one. And I agree the average lake boater will not be able to tell the difference. But where I have seen the Wizard tuner make a difference is on a Bass/Lake boat stock engine with minor modifications such as compression , reeds and tuning. It has been the difference to make running a bigger pitch prop possible on several boats I have worked on. If someone try's one post it here for the board to see the results.

[Raceman]

Rodney, I agree with you to an extent. If I was going roundy round racing, or drag racing, I might fool with em some, again, expecting only VERY small differences. The problem is that the people who market them make big claims that are pure BS, and 90% of em are sold to people who receive the same amount of benefit as putting chrome tail pipe extensions on the old Ford truck. The sheet metal peddler has "up to 25 horsepower increase on YOUR engine" right in his catalogue.

In all these years, I've never seen one single example of a tuner change in itself adding speed to any Merc powered boat. It's a funny disease...........a guy will cut his heads, do the exhaust chest, buy a jackplate, change the prop, and swear the tuner put 5 MPH on the boat when it was all done at the same time.

I've got a shelf full of em, and one of these days when I've got a weekend to waste, I'm gonna run about 4 different ones on one of my STV's and radar them on video with no other mods just to prove a point. I'd be shocked beyond words if there's 1 MPH difference on top from running with no tuner at all to the old T3 unit I've got that's about a foot long.

[Firestarter]

Hey Raceman tell us what you really think? :),...... and can I be the test driver.......I got some tuners to try too.

Rt

[Rodney Nance]

I agree again Raceman that snake oil salesmen are out there. But the thing that makes this forum so great is it's ability to get to the truth. I hope you do the test's on your boat and the top end numbers. I dont think there will be much difference in the end. But as I posted find a Bass/Lake boat (heavy) raise the compression to 93 octane specs put some good reeds/blocks in it and go run it. Then put the Wizard tuner in it and do a little blending between the plate and the tuner and see if there is a difference. I think you will find what I have.The ability to pull a bigger prop. Either way post the results for everybody to see. I can see this turning into a feature article. PETT. ( People for the Ethical Treatment of Tuners) vs. the PLTA (People should Leave Them Alone.

[T-REX]

Raceman, U juss got all tha bad tuners out tha bunch!!!..Kinna like U got all tha UGLY in tha state ov Georgia...I have a secret tuner that will add 2000 rpm on top end and double ya low end torque...Satisfaction guaranteed or I'll keep ya money!!!...Half tha price of tha other bran name tunerz that don't make no differnce...Pleeze send cash, U might not have enuff money in da bank ta kover a check...:D Yo Fren, Da REX

[tabararacing]

On our OPC boats I can tell a difference with a change of a tuner. I'm talking about the 12" mid sst 120 and sst 140 stuff. Not Promax's.
Brian

[Laker]

REX!! LMAO!!!
Ya kill me orange buddy!!!

[tabararacing]

Oops for got to say. I wouldn't purchase any aftermarket tuners. I stick with Mercury built stuff. I think they know there stuff best, then modify them from there. Mike Wienandt knows tuners very well. He'd probably be a good person to consult on modifying a stock tuner.

[RSM]

Hey Brian how can I get ahold of Mike Wienandt ? I am going to shorten my stock tuner and would be interested in any does and don'ts. THANKS. Randy

[us1]

Originally posted by tabararacing
Oops for got to say. I wouldn't purchase any aftermarket tuners. I stick with Mercury built stuff. I think they know there stuff best, then modify them from there. Mike Wienandt knows tuners very well. He'd probably be a good person to consult on modifying a stock tuner.




I totally agree with what you are saying. I can tell the difference on a light F1 boat with a totally built motor. On a lake boat it is hard to see a big difference. I use the tunner to fine tune the power band not for huge HP gains. Yes the Mercury tunner is the best.

[tabararacing]

Haven't messed with lake boats yet. I see you want to do your tuner yourself. I don't know if Mike gives free advice but its always worth a shot. [email protected] . When guys are doing tuner mods its not just cutting the thing off, they do change the shape, along with width. Happy modifying,
Brian

[tabararacing]

Change the word WIDTH in my above post to length. It's been a long day..
Brian

[Markus]

Brian, push the EDIT button, and you can change it yourself...

[Raceman]

"I use the tuner to fine tune the power band not for huge HP gains. "

That's very well put John, and exactly what I've been preaching around here since the beginning of time. Unfortunately, the tuner people like for people to think just the opposite. If all the tuner peddlers had a try before you buy program, they'd never sell one to a lake boater.

[dash]

i think tuners make a bigger difference on smaller engines
ive made several for my 3cyl yamaha and they all went diferently
it was a big difference

[Raceman]

Dash, if you understand the relationship between exhaust pulses in a shared chest, there's not much potential for big gains with tuners, once they quit being restrictive. Some manufacturers choke the chicken with tuners, to move the powerband down and in these cases larger gains might be noted.