General LOTS of tuning questions

[giovanniv]

Ok so I have a older laptop that would be perfect for logging and I have some questions.

I think I plan on using Tunerstein for my software but what other software is better that are free? Also are there different cables that plug into my laptop that go to the ECU? Where would be the best place to find the cable? Ebay? Thanks

 

[viprez586]

I'm a fan of MMcD.

Ebay is alright for cables. Make sure the laptop has an RS-232 port.

Read my post here - there is good links/information.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/newbie-forum/330515-new-dsms-but-not-tuning-world.html#post151806120

 

[giovanniv]

What do I have to look up on ebay for the cable? I can't find any. Also Is the cable the same for every computer or is it different for say a Compaq and a IBM?

mmcd is not going to work on that 2g.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/tun.../326872-mhiscan-new-free-datalogger-dsms.html

Evoscan, and there is a couple others as well.

You will also need a cable, I suggest using an openport.

Where can I find an open port cable? Can you send me a link please?

Ok so after about 4 hours of some research I have a couple of more questions.

1st off this is what I plan on purchasing. My setup is going to be 14b turbo pushing ~15-17lbs, 190lph fuel pump, 550cc injectors, then I'm going to purchase the cable for my laptop and run Evoscan. My question is, should I get an SAFC 2 and a wideband? Are they crucial to tuning? I was thinking about only getting the SAFC 2 and dropping the wideband because it is the same thing as the datalogger right?

After reading RRE's injector tuning on vfaq.com it says I don't need 550cc injectors? It says that I can run 16psi safely with just a 190 fuel pump?

 

[matthewdesigns]

Tunerstein is what I use. A little outdated, but it works.

My question is, should I get an SAFC 2 and a wideband? Are they crucial to tuning? I was thinking about only getting the SAFC 2 and dropping the wideband because it is the same thing as the datalogger right?

A datalogger allows you to see certain values (ignition timing advance, rpm, water and air temp, airflow, etc.) that the ECU bases it's operation on and around. An afc allows you to alter the signal your MAS sends to the ECU so that you can compensate for larger injectors. A wideband allows you to monitor your exhaust stream, so that you can have an accurate look at how lean or rich you are running. You cannot monitor as accurately the exhaust with the stock narrowband (through the logger) as you can with a wideband. IMHO a wideband is crucial, and I will never run a modified motor in any car without one. So, no, none of these items can replace the other as they all do different things.

After reading RRE's injector tuning assistor on vfaq.com it says I don't need 550cc injectors? It says that I can run 16psi safely with just a 190 fuel pump?

As long as you have all of the above items...afc, wbo2, and logger...then a rewired 190lph pump will probably be fine for up to 16psi. Technically you don't need the afc if you stick with the stock 450cc injectors, b/c the ECU ought to be able to make the changes needed to fuel delivery. However, you can probably eek out a little more power using one even on this basic setup. You need to learn how to monitor what you are seeing in the logger and make adjustments to the afc as needed. Either way you'll need to know what you are looking at on the logger to know when a certain amount of boost is too much, which will be different on your car than everyone else's.

 

[giovanniv]

Ok so you think I should defently invest on a 190lph instead of just rewiring my stock FP? Also if I go with the 190 FP do I HAVE to get bigger injectors or not cause if I can stay with the stock 450's I would be fine with that.

 

[matthewdesigns]

Let me reiterate how important it is to have the logger and wideband at the very least as you go about all this fuel and boost stuff.

Get a 190 and rewire it. You can avoid an adjustable fuel pressure regulator at this point as a 190 does not need one. This will be fine on the stock injectors.

Fuel injector size does not dictate fuel pump size, the amount of fuel you need is primarily dependent upon how much air you are consuming in combustion. Theoretically, you can run 1600's on a stock pump as long as you can adjust for them, and you don't want to boost higher than the pump can handle...about 16psi on the stock pump.

 

[giovanniv]

So then around how much boost can I run on the rewired 190?

So the final things that I will need is the cable for the datalogger, wbo2, and 190lph. Since the safc is not really life or death right now correct? Also do you know of where to get the openport cable the guy was telling me above or any cable for my 2g?

 

[viprez586]

mmcd is not going to work on that 2g.

Yep, my bad...didn't see he was 2g.

So then around how much boost can I run on the rewired 190?

Over 16psi your really pushing the T-25's reliability/life span. You can make more power over that, but you'll likely be heat-soaking your intercooler.

 

[giovanniv]

I will be running a 14b. But do you guys think that for now I'll be able to rewire my stock fuel pump and run 14-15lbs boost? Do I need any tuning device or datalogger if I rewire the FP since it will be pumping more gas or can the MAS do that by itself?

Oh and I just saw this kit in our classifieds. Is this what I should be looking for or is this some bootleg garbage?

Message - DSM Classifieds

 

[spyderturbo007]

So then around how much boost can I run on the rewired 190?

So the final things that I will need is the cable for the datalogger, wbo2, and 190lph. Since the safc is not really life or death right now correct? Also do you know of where to get the openport cable the guy was telling me above or any cable for my 2g?

It's not boost that you need to look at, it's airflow. Every setup will give you a different airflow to boost correlation, so what works for someone else, isn't going to work for you.

Check out my write-up for the mathematical representation between maximum airflow supported by different pumps.

I will be running a 14b. But do you guys think that for now I'll be able to rewire my stock fuel pump and run 14-15lbs boost? Do I need any tuning device or datalogger if I rewire the FP since it will be pumping more gas or can the MAS do that by itself?

Rewiring the fuel pump is always a good decision. I recommend that anytime you move the car away from stock form, that you invest in some type of logging device. Even if you are stock, it's always a good idea to see what the ECU "sees".

 

[giovanniv]

It's not boost that you need to look at, it's airflow. Every setup will give you a different airflow to boost correlation, so what works for someone else, isn't going to work for you.

Check out my write-up for the mathematical representation between maximum airflow supported by different pumps.

You know it's funny you say to look at that because I did take a look at that but I can't understand it. Like I don't get the math/calculations behind it all and what everything means.