Tuning for a Spearco

[tim sewald]

Hello,

Are there any special tuning secrets after installing a Spearco? My mods are 33lb injectors, adj. wastegate and fuel pressure regulator, hot wire kit, 160deg thermostat, Eric Marshall chip. Not sure what the boost is, guessing around 15lbs...don't have a real guage.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Get a Powerlogger and learn how to use it. It costs alot up front but will save you alot of time and easily pay for itself . Without a product like this or one that captures the data on a laptop for review while parked you are tuning blind folded and deaf. I have tried for a year and a half to tune with a Scanmaster and it was a waste of time. Good luck. Brad

 

[Chuck Leeper]

A suggestion:

Hello,

Are there any special tuning secrets after installing a Spearco? My mods are 33lb injectors, adj. wastegate and fuel pressure regulator, hot wire kit, 160deg thermostat, Eric Marshall chip. Not sure what the boost is, guessing around 15lbs...don't have a real guage.

Before 1 spends money on modifications, they get the basic necessities. AKA: boost, oil psi, and water temp gauges.

 

[Boost231]

+1 powerlogger and a LC-1 (wideband) are a must. cant tune without them.

 

[tim sewald]

Where can I get a Powerlogger and LC-1 wideband what do they cost? What does this tool measure?

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Fullthrottlespeed.com. It will cost around $600 shipped. I am putting the wideband o2 on this week. Good luck- Brad

 

[tim sewald]

Item Description




SHIPPING NOW Only $249.99
Our new Buick "Power Logger" scan tool is the latest in Turbo Buick tuning tools. This unit will log 25 frames per second, all computer data plus data fields not seen on other scan tools.
Features 5 analog inputs for boost, EGT, wideband air/fuel, or whatever all with full logging capability.
Comes with an USB output for logging to a laptop (laptop required for logging) with Windows98, 2000 or XP.
Has an special output to connect to our Scanmaster for use without a laptop. Scanmaster update willl increase to 5 frames per second (any faster is impossable to read on the screen).
Works with ANY chip in the ECU
Included accessories:


Power logger interface that connects to stock computer
USB cable to connect to PC for logging
Scanner Pro Software
Basic Analog Input cable to connect Scanmaster and analog inputs
LIMITED TIME Free upgrade chip for scanmaster 2.1 included in package to upgrade scnamaster to display the new data items (only works with Scanmaster 2.1 older 2.0 units or 2.1 units that are upgraded 2.0 units will not work with new chip)
Nothing else to buy!

Is this it? Nothing else to buy?

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

The powerlogger will get you along way towards a tune. In the end you will eventually need a wideband o2 sensor which costs another $250 plus shipping. You also need and 87 ECM and the powerlogger need a laptop as well. This takes alot of guessing out of the tuning process. Good luck. Brad

 

[Boost231]

The powerlogger will get you along way towards a tune. In the end you will eventually need a wideband o2 sensor which costs another $250 plus shipping. You also need and 87 ECM and the powerlogger need a laptop as well. This takes alot of guessing out of the tuning process. Good luck. Brad

+1 by far the best setup you can go to.

 

[tim sewald]

Boost231,

I really hate to sound dumb.....but is a +1 and a powerlogger the same thing? If not where do you get a +1?

Thanks
Tim

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Tim- You are not dumb if you are asking questions. I think Brent is referring to a different kind of o2 sensor which is probally called a +1. I am sure he will chime in and clarify this. I am installing a ZT-2 wideband o2 sensor right now. I am the point where the wideband o2 sensor is attached to the test pipe and all the wiring is done. All I have to do is put my center console back in. I should be tuning by the end of the week. Take-care. Brad

 

[Boost231]

i put +1 because of what brad posted that i agreed. Powerlogger and a LC-1 wideband is the way to go. once you change over to an 87 ecm that is.

 

[tim sewald]

Thanks for clearing that up guy's.....However I didn't know that I had to change over to the 87 ecm. Not sure what to do now. The car runs pretty good as-is....I've had this Spearco a couple of years (basically new) figured it's time to install it but I didn't realize all the bagage that come with it.

 

[BRAD_PADGETT]

Tim- Converting to the 87 ECM is not expensive at all. All you need is an 87 ECM from the bone yard, MAT sensor conv. kit from Caspers and pick up at stock 87 chip on the board. Keep your calpak(small ) chip and use it. There are around seven diff. cars that use the 87 ECM-but the chips in them won't work. Good luck- Brad

 

[1QUICK85]

This guy will hook you up with a Good used working '87 ECM if you don't find one local:
http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/members/red-regal-t.html?action=getinfo

If you don't get the powerlogger, at least get a knock gauge, FUEL PRESSURE GAUGE and a boost gauge to start. Water Temp and oil pressure too! You don't need the '87 ECM if you stick to the basic gauges. If your on a budget an old OTC2000 Scanner($50) from the late 80's will read your '85 ECM. Its old but can help diagnois problems and basic tuning. Do a lot of research on this site on how to tune your car(basically balancing fuel + boost for no knock/good 02 counts) and make sure you have something in the car with you at all times to monitor knock.
Helpful tuning values: Quick Reference Page For the '86/'87 Turbo Regals and '89 Turbo T/A
Since your running a front mount intercooler with a belt fan, your going to want to upgrade to electric fans. My car would get too hot in traffic with the stock fan.
-Nick.