Poor man tuning tips

[tc86gn]

Soon I will be getting my crank back and hopefully if everything clearances, I will be firing it up. I have never tuned a turbo buick before and all I have is a scan tool. Can I get this thing tuned properly with this? What are some of the key things to look for. I know I need a more updated tool to do this but right now budget does not want to cooperate. TIA

 

[bruce]

Originally posted by tc86gn
Soon I will be getting my crank back and hopefully if everything clearances, I will be firing it up. I have never tuned a turbo buick before and all I have is a scan tool. Can I get this thing tuned properly with this? What are some of the key things to look for. I know I need a more updated tool to do this but right now budget does not want to cooperate. TIA

They are just like any other car.
Establish a bae line. Get the car and your driving so that you can do things consistantly.
Get a stopwatch, Gtech, or some measuring devise.

Then slowly make changes, take notes, and notice changes. The trends will become apparent in what you combo likes.

You should consider learning how to do you own chips, or get a translator plus so you can actually make tuning changes.

 

[tc86gn]

Thanks

Thanks Bruce. I am going to be running the stock chip at first until I get another one. It is my understanding that the stock chip will work with the injectors that I have. I figure tune it with what I have ... then start adding some more things.
I don't know squat about burning chips. but, as you said I should get a translator Plus to make my own tuning changes. I have never seen one before but have heard lots of people on the board talk about them.
I have also been told that my turbo is too small. I imagine it is.

 

[ES1]

I don't think a stock chip will work with 009s (if that is what you have). Contact Jim Testa for a chip.

 

[tc86gn]

I double checked before I bought em. They are Lucas 009's green stripe,3 holes,pn# D3181AA. Exact match for the one illustrated on gn/ttype.org. I was hoping I could get by for now with the stock chip. Looks like not.
I am a heavy equipment mechanic by trade. Engine and mechanical are no prob. ECM mods,chips,translators and gadgets are all new to me. only had the scan tool to keep up an 86 firebird with a carb. Very simple. Quick learner though.

 

[Mile Hi GN]

Originally posted by tc86gn
I double checked before I bought em. They are Lucas 009's green stripe,3 holes,pn# D3181AA.

I think you can get by with the stock chip and the Lucas 2 hole with a Green Band (30# per hour vs. Stock 29.8#) but not the 3 hole Lucas with a Green band (42.5# per hour). You will need a new chip.

only had the scan tool to keep up an 86 firebird with a carb

What scan tool will you be using?

 

[tc86gn]

I have an XP240 that I bought from SEARS a long time ago. It worked fine for my firebird. I know there are better ones out there but this is all I ever needed.

TOM

 

[ES1]

To tune the car, you will need to monitor things at WOT. Will your scantool do this and will it monitor knock while driving?
To tune you will need an egt or at minimum a way to review 02s at WOT. You will need to be able to review knock to see what boost you can run without to much knock.

 

[tc86gn]

What would be the best tuning tool for the money that I may be able to pick up in the for sale section?? I am open to all suggestions. I really need an education on this stuff guys. Thanks for all the input so far.
I definitely need to get a chip and something to tune this with.

 

[ES1]

Do you have a laptop?
If yes, check into turbo-link, I see some being sold for 100 used. I think about 150 new. I would want a knock guage if I had only turbo-link.
If no laptop, go with the Scanmaster. 249 new and you see them for 200 every now and then used.
The SM reads info from the computer. The first mode shows 02 and knock count at the same time. It is the size of a radar detector.
Costly ain't it!

 

[tc86gn]

I am definitely gonna start shopping the for sale section first before I buy a new scanmaster.
I have seen a few laptops for sale but have no idea what to buy also I am not too computer literate, so looks like the scanmaster or something like it is what I need.
And a good chip for my setup.
ES1 mentioned Jim Testa as a source for a good chip,what are some of the other opinions out there. I only want to do this once and be sure I get the right chip for what I have.

 

[49-blues]

if you are referring to the autoxray 240,then this tool does everything a scanmaster can do plus give real time monitoring-its one of the scan tools im using along with turbolink-

 

[tc86gn]

Yes, That is exactly what I am refering to.

 

[49-blues]

great scan tool-it will tell any trouble and also any operational troubles plus parameters on all the essential points and sensors-plus real time monitoring while your driving.you should be fine with thius for quite a while.

 

[tc86gn]

That would definitely save me some money that may be better spent on something else for the time being. I figured this thing might be good for something. Glad I didn't throw it in with the firebird when I sold it.

 

[Chromemirrors]

Chips

Red Armstrong makes a good chip, also Joe Lubrant from-I Believe- Precision, makes a very good street/strip chip. I have used both but now have the Lubrant chip in and it works great with pump gas. My buddy is using the Lubrant chip in his car and his knock has gone from the 2's, which isn't bad, to none at all.

 

[49-blues]

and they can always be upgraded to much newer cars.

 

[tc86gn]

I really appreciate you guys educating me a little. Seems you have already helped me to avoid 2 pitfalls. Running a stock chip with 009's and spending money on a scanmaster. I can get by for now with out one.
Any other input or advice for my setup would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Tom

 

[ES1]

I see more positive post for Jim Testa's 009 chips than anyone else.

 

[tc86gn]

Where is the best place to get a Jim Testa chip?