Ok I know every car is different as well as tuning techniques but what are the secrets? Fuel Pressure? Timing? What is a good baseline for all the readings? Of course I know most tuning comes from experience. Any and all helpful hints would be great! Thanks!
Tuning Techniques?
- Thread starter vader87
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Race gas?.. What octane.. 108/110/112/116
Alky? Who's kit?
Pump gas? What base octane 91/92/93/94?
The baseline needs to be done. Drivability has to be 100%. If it doesnt run correctly at idle, off idle, cruising, part throttle, etc... then it wont be rite at WOT.
Actually WOT is the easiest part to get dialed in.. once the foundation has been made(drivability)
Alky? Who's kit?
Pump gas? What base octane 91/92/93/94?
The baseline needs to be done. Drivability has to be 100%. If it doesnt run correctly at idle, off idle, cruising, part throttle, etc... then it wont be rite at WOT.
Actually WOT is the easiest part to get dialed in.. once the foundation has been made(drivability)
Well lets see... All of the above. I would like to be able to tune my car for 93 Octane as well as C16 race fuel (don't we all!) I am looking for what the readings should be and how to maximize all my bolt ons.
My opinion regardless of if you are tuning for race gas / 93 octane / alky or any other fuel are you need a standard set of tools / patience & common sense.
I think if you can get your self a good EGT guage / A/F meter and a set of electronic ears. These of course accompanied with the vital monitoring guages oil pressure, water temp, fuel pressure, boost should allow you to tune safely along with a safe place to put your car through the paces shouild allow you tune your car.
You can probably do a search and find what the relevant fuel pressure / oil pressure / water temp readings are if you don't know them. As far as EGT I have yet to find the average number for that. I am going to guess no more than 1550 - 1600 degree f. With A/F I have learned that the best power comes in the 12 - 12.5 range. I think most run a little richer than this though as a safety parameter. Not only does the fuel stop detonation from taking place but it also has a the ability to cool. Which we know detonation is a by product of heat.
So with all that said, I think you said it. Each car is different, I can get my eclipse to idle @ 15 / 1 a/f while the buick stumbles and needs more like a 12.5 - 13 to 1. So take your time and just move through the paces to find out what your car likes.
Oh yeah, I think most are of the mind set that boost over timing is going to yield more torque and power. So when runnin big boost numbers you want to keep the timing down. I think I have seen quite a few post indicating anything above 20 lbs = 17 degrees @ top of 3rd gear as an average. But again detonation is going to be your personal indicator. So you need to start low and slow and build up.
I think if you can get your self a good EGT guage / A/F meter and a set of electronic ears. These of course accompanied with the vital monitoring guages oil pressure, water temp, fuel pressure, boost should allow you to tune safely along with a safe place to put your car through the paces shouild allow you tune your car.
You can probably do a search and find what the relevant fuel pressure / oil pressure / water temp readings are if you don't know them. As far as EGT I have yet to find the average number for that. I am going to guess no more than 1550 - 1600 degree f. With A/F I have learned that the best power comes in the 12 - 12.5 range. I think most run a little richer than this though as a safety parameter. Not only does the fuel stop detonation from taking place but it also has a the ability to cool. Which we know detonation is a by product of heat.
So with all that said, I think you said it. Each car is different, I can get my eclipse to idle @ 15 / 1 a/f while the buick stumbles and needs more like a 12.5 - 13 to 1. So take your time and just move through the paces to find out what your car likes.
Oh yeah, I think most are of the mind set that boost over timing is going to yield more torque and power. So when runnin big boost numbers you want to keep the timing down. I think I have seen quite a few post indicating anything above 20 lbs = 17 degrees @ top of 3rd gear as an average. But again detonation is going to be your personal indicator. So you need to start low and slow and build up.
Close but off..
Egt will range from upper 1400's to 1700. Depending on power and timing the motor makes. My car at 22 PSI will run 1570's at 11.2:1. At 26 PSI it will run 1650's at 11.2:1. 125 MPH vs 132 MPH. Both runs at 24 degree's timing.
Best power on most Buick engines is 11.5-11.8 non alky. 11.0-11.3 alky.. typically.
Idle.. the Buick likes that fuel thrown at it.. mid 12's is norm.
Lastly the lower the timing, the higher the EGT.. keep turning timing down... now has a higher EGT.. if you knock a little.. it avalanches really fast, so it doesnt recover as fast. Low timing also slows down responsiveness.
Just my observations. hth
Egt will range from upper 1400's to 1700. Depending on power and timing the motor makes. My car at 22 PSI will run 1570's at 11.2:1. At 26 PSI it will run 1650's at 11.2:1. 125 MPH vs 132 MPH. Both runs at 24 degree's timing.
Best power on most Buick engines is 11.5-11.8 non alky. 11.0-11.3 alky.. typically.
Idle.. the Buick likes that fuel thrown at it.. mid 12's is norm.
Lastly the lower the timing, the higher the EGT.. keep turning timing down... now has a higher EGT.. if you knock a little.. it avalanches really fast, so it doesnt recover as fast. Low timing also slows down responsiveness.
Just my observations. hth
