General New to tuning

[91Bomb]

I'm thinking about getting a pocketlogger after I get my engine rebuilt and have a few questions.

The rebuild will basically be stock on my 1g auto trans except for 2g pistons and I plan on running only 12-14 lbs boost with everything being stock except the 8.5 pistons.

My plan is to read the pocketlogger and adjust the boost to its highest 'safe' level based on the logs.

Am I going to need an AFC? Will the higher compression pistons throw off the ECU and make the engine run too lean or rich?

During the 500 mi break-in period I don't plan on running WOT so will a logger be useless or will I be able to get some useable info?

I've never used a logger before and know very little about them. Will I have to constantly be logging even after the car is tuned properly or can I just drive and forget about it for awhile? I'd really hate to have to constantly be monitoring the engine.

If I was to stay at stock boost would I need a logger? Because the turbo solenoid valve cuts boost if knock is detected and O2 makes fuel adjustments.

BTW, I'm going to be installing a boost gauge and would be happy running only 12 lbs if this meant I would be reasonably safe doing so without having to get a logger in the first place. Any thoughts on this?

 

[evil_eagle]

I wouldnt be to concerned about running stock boost levels on a stock turbo with that motor, you will be fine, in fact with everything stock except the pistons being higher compression, you will still run alittle on the rich side.

As far as the logger, tune for mininum knock counts, typicaly I don't like to see anything more the 15 counts of knock on pump gas, tune your o2 volts roughly around .90-.92. Thats a pretty safe margin. But here is break down on pump gas and race gas on stock ecu.

pump gas ~ (stock fuel system) no more then 16lbs of boost .91 on the o2 volts with mininum knock counts. if you have an afc then try to tune the car on pump gas with that boost level and no more then 25 degrees of timing, the more you lean out the afc, the more timing your going to get, don't get carried away though, pump gas and alot timing does not mix well..


race gas~ (stock fuel sytem again) no more then 18-19lbs of boost and tune for .88-.90 on the o2 volts (depending on what your car likes the most) You can run as much timing as you want just as long as the knock counts are under control. You can hurt a motor both ways, too much timing will hurt it, and no timing will melt shit, thats when the good ole EGT gauge comes into play.

Once you get the logger, you will more fully understand how your car works and performs, and what it likes and does not like.

Rule of thumb though, when tuning start out at the lowest boost levels, logging every run, then work up from there, just keep the knock under control and you will be fine.

good luck.

-Jake

 

[91Bomb]

I wouldnt be to concerned about running stock boost levels on a stock turbo with that motor, you will be fine, in fact with everything stock except the pistons being higher compression, you will still run alittle on the rich side.

Why would I need a logger then if I'm only going to be running 12 lbs? I can hook up a volt meter to monitor a/f ratio, right? And like I mentioned my o2 is working fine, and I'll be keeping my wastegate solenoid valve in use so if I get any knock it will limit the boost and then I can troubleshoot the problem should that occur. I always use 93 octane. Am I missng something here? Because I'd rather not have to get a logger and palm pilot unless I knew it was a must have because I'm only looking to run 2 lbs boost over stock using a real boost gauge. Isn't it a big part of the ecu's job to manage the a/f ratio so you don't run lean? Please tell me what I'm missing here.

As far as the logger, tune for mininum knock counts, typicaly I don't like to see anything more the 15 counts of knock on pump gas, tune your o2 volts roughly around .90-.92. Thats a pretty safe margin.

How do you tune for knock counts and o2 voltage anyway? Directly from the palm pilot?

 

[evil_eagle]

You really don't need a data logger if you are running stock boost levels and stock fuel, but they are nice to have.

And yes you would monitor knock and o2 volts on the palm pilot.

Don't worry yourself so much, you will be fine with what you got, just when you start to get more mods and turning up the boost, get a logger so you know whats going on with the motor.

-Jake