Ahh! THE AGE OLD MYSTERY....TUNING.

[boostmaster]

To many of us tuning is a great mystery that's often used on this board like a flagrant foul. Many of us have made numerous upgrades to our vehicles only to get disappointing timeslips at the track. And others who have aquired the knowledge from their masonic brothers with very little upgrades are pulling low numbers in nearly stock trim. What exactly is the mystery behind the imfamous, tune-tune-tune, it's got to be more than just boost and fuel pressure. Also, how much can a good "tune" drop off your time slips. I, like many others on this board, I'm sure, am just looking for some hope.

 

[zam70]

Tuning = first making sure everything is operating properly. This includes ignition system, sensors, alternator, vacuum lines & exhaust (no leaks!) and all gaskets and IC hoses sealing properly and that your fuel system is up to the task at hand.
THEN--->
It comes down to the chip in the ECM, boost and fuel pressure. Not much else to tune.

Tuning is basically taking the time to try small changes and testing them thoroughly BEFORE making any other change. Step by step, one by one giving the car what it wants.

It is easy to make these cars run good. it just takes a good tune up and check over (spring cleaning) Making them run fast is a little different. This is where tuning and patience come in.

people approach it in different ways. Some run the stock stuff to it's limit and run fast (on the edge). Some upgrade and alter to make it run fast easier (not on the edge). The difference in my opinion would be longevity. I personally think if you build a car that is 11 second capable (over built), but only push it to low 12s, it will last longer. everyone has their opinion and there are alot of cars that prove this theory wrong.

You ust need to decide what you are wanting to do and take the time (and research) to do it.

 

[bose]

tuning

With the stock injectors and turbo I was able to run low 12's.This was 2 years after owning the car and tuning very slowly and finding the right chip.Then I moved up to my present package and started off with a 92 octane Thrasher chip.My first time out with this combo was a 13.2.I got three runs in that night and made it to a 12.9.I have since run an 11.93 with a Thrasher 108 and slicks but I will tune my car to run in the 12's.I now have a Testa chip in the car.I have not been to the track since installing it but for the knid of chip I asked for it feels very good on the street.Bruce

 

[bruce]

First off you have to establish a base line.

Do the Spring Cleaning, and then measure your performance. Stop watch, GTech, or at the strip. Get to where you know where you're at. You and your car need to be repeatable.

Then figure out what your goals are.

Accurately and specifically. A fast street car is a fool's goal. you'll always be looking for something. You can always revise your goals after getting to some known. Look at your budget, and what level of reliability you want.

Now, that you have a goal, you can look to see what parts it will take to get there.

Once you have made it this far, it's a matter of tuning.
Now, again there are choices, do you want to settle for having someone burn chips for you, burn your own, or go to an aftermarket ecm.

Having some one burn chips for you leaves you with buying chips, and adjusting boost and FP for tuning.

Doing you own chips, and or using the Translator and MEs, allows you to tune timing, fuel, as well as boost and fuel pressure. And if you do you own chips, there are a host of items you can change to get the drivibility the way you want.

Now to actually use these abilities to tune means being able to gather information to see where you are and what changes change what. A Direct Scan, and WB are handy.

Now, with that commitment, you can experiment with whatever adjustments you can make, and then guage the results.

Once you get to where you have repeatable results you can note trends, and quickly optimize your tune.

And it all depends on your level of commitment.

 

[azgn]

egt useful also, plus a bucket of patience

keep a log of your results and changes

 

[boostmaster]

Yes, but what kind of results can be expected in terms of ET'S & MPH.

 

[Brooks]

I got bored just tweaking fuel pressure and boost. I decided to learn how to burn my own chips (with the help of some friends!) and the end results were very satisfying.

After a spring cleaning my car ran 14.6@94 after using a Vendor street chip and punching out the cat the car went 14.2@96. With bolt ons and doing my own chips each step of the way I'm now around 13.4@101 on pump gas before the THDP in the sig. 8/10's of a second and 5mph improvement since baseline and I don't have to buy chips every time I want to change something.

How much was the ability to tweak my own chip and how much was the bolt ons? I have no idea but hope the info helps.

Charles Brooks