Tuning Basically Stock Car

[HLxDrummer]

Well I finally found some time to tune my car a little. Started at wastegate boost and got high 10's AFR with a degree or two of advancement and no knock. Bumped up the boost to around 9 (using a GM boost solenoid and the eManage Ultimate). Boost curve is all over the place, up and down by 1 or 2 psi to redline. No clue why it's doing this really... I have duty cycle set at ~90% in one column (say 6-7 psi) and 75% on the next (say 10 psi) then 40% from there on. Obviously the duty cycle changes based on RPM, but at a set RPM that is about how it changes from low to higher load. Do I need to smooth this out some?

Also, with a high 10's AFR and basically stock timing I was getting a few counts of knock at 9 psi. Any clue why? One of my SMICs (stock) is bashed in on the end tank from the previous owner, so maybe it's really obstructing flow? I thought I'd be able to advance timing a degree or two here and 3-4 degrees around 6/15 psi.

Thanks!

[x2xtreme360]

How are your fuel trims looking? Your IDC's shouldn't get anywhere near 100% at 9psi, but you never know.

[Boomer3000]

what numbers did you lay down?

[HLxDrummer]

You know I didn't log IDCs since I was banking on having enough fuel for 10 psi with a hot-wired stock pump. My AFRs were like 10.7-10.8 at redline though.

And I was street tuning since I'm poor so no numbers...

[Badandy247]

Which SMIC do you need? I bought a pair and I only needed the passenger side so I've got an extra driver side...cheap...

[HLxDrummer]

Thanks for the offer but I need the passenger side. I have a set of DSMs in the garage, just waiting for my friend to get a TIG.

As far as boost control, I think I just needed to smooth out the map a bit. I tweaked it some but won't get to test it until next week but hopefully it works!

[NOMIEZVR4]

Did you get the flash'd ecu setup going??

[HLxDrummer]

Na ended up doing the eManagae Ultimate setup. Does fuel/timing/boost/two step control basically plug and play and injector control so less hassle for me really. If the flash setups become common and easy I may switch down the road though.

[lawdogg]

Louie:

(1) It's been long settled that on pump gas these cars like boost more than timing. If you wanted to do some comparisons, using IDC as a rough power estimate, I'd love to see what you find out.
(2) You shouldn't be knocking at that low load. Stock boost and stock AFR and stock timing = any knock isn't good. Do you agree?
(3) Wish I could help on the boost tuning but I've never used one of those before. :(
(4) What is your goal? Are you shooting for max power at a given boost level? Are you shooting for max power on pump gas period? Or something else?

Glad to see you tuning finally! :p

//Ryan

[HLxDrummer]

Thanks for the reply Ryan!

1. I figured boost would make more power than timing, but I was hoping that I could run 6-15 psi on 9Bs with at least stock timing (was hoping for a few more degrees, actually).

2. I agree 100%. I am shooting for 0 knock which I have been able to get in the past with almost 20 psi spikes (when I was setting my old MBC) and lean AFRs. Now I'm having issues with 10 psi, but maybe that has something to do with the boost being so erradic and confusing the computer (can't adjust quick enough?). I'm going to try to smooth out the boost curve first and see what happens and report back. Pretty swamped right now with physical chemistry though :p

4. I'm trying to tune for max power at 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 psi one at a time. Then I will have my entire map tuned and just alter the boost control solenoid map to set my desired boost. I figure I could set it to 15/16 psi and tune that, but then at part throttle and during spool my tune won't be optimal. Dunno if it'll make a significant difference or not, but it would make me feel better :) Plus then I can have a bit extra power when I'm running low boost to save my turbos (getting a bit of shaft play).

Thanks again and I'll try to keep you guys updated.

[UTRacerX9]

I am shooting for 0 knock which I have been able to get in the past with almost 20 psi spikes (when I was setting my old MBC) and lean AFRs.

What have you changed since then and now?

[KeithMac]

I`ve never been able to get over 12psi on any TD04 turbo without pulling timing or using octane boosters of some description (could be down to shitty UK fuel though)..

[x2xtreme360]

I`ve never been able to get over 12psi on any TD04 turbo without pulling timing or using octane boosters of some description (could be down to shitty UK fuel though)..

Octane boosters? Like the stupid gimmick items at the auto parts store? Those don't really increase your octane.

You should easily be able to get 12+psi of boost even with the ECU pulling timing. I'm running 17+ with mine.

[HLxDrummer]

What have you changed since then and now?

It's hard to say but I don't think much. Just stupid stuff like went from MBC to eManage boost control, SS fuel loop, other than that I can't think of anything. Pretty weird... Hoping it's the crazy boost curve but I haven't had a chance to play with it lately between school and being sick.


I`ve never been able to get over 12psi on any TD04 turbo without pulling timing or using octane boosters of some description (could be down to shitty UK fuel though)..

Really? That seems pretty contrary to what most people on the forums say. At least I'm not the only one in this situation. What did you do to solve your issue, methanol/ethanol?


Octane boosters? Like the stupid gimmick items at the auto parts store? Those don't really increase your octane.

You should easily be able to get 12+psi of boost even with the ECU pulling timing. I'm running 17+ with mine.

Ya that's what I thought. I mean 2Gs run 12 stock! lol Guess we'll have to see what happens when I play with it some more.