How to tune while breaking in motor?

[jakk220]

I just bought a new block since my last on threw a rod through the side and I am getting ready to throw it all together. I have weisco pistons and eagle rods in thee bottom end and the head is going to be stock. going to be running 255lph, 550cc injectors, FPR, and 14b turbo with front mount. All I was really wondering was how i should tune it during the break in period since i don't want to just throw it on a Dyno right off the bat. I'm currently running a Apexi AFC NEO and was wondering if i should use that to break in the motor and then hook up my DSMlink afterwards. I'm trying to avoid having to tune with DSMlink twice since i'm short on cash and was wanting to get some opinions. Thanks.

 

[1983gsp]

Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

 

[Calan]

Just hook up Link and never look back.

Have everything ready to go when you first fire it up (including double-checking all of your sensor inputs and ECMLink initial setup). You should only let it idle long enough to warm up and check for leaks, and then start driving it and do several engine braking runs as soon as possible. Don't worry about getting a perfect tune on it; mechanical break-in is more important and you'll have plenty of time to tune once the initial 20-50 miles of break-in is done. Remember to change the oil often and use good filters.

Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

EDIT:

I type too slow.

 

[kchaazz]

^^ Do it this way, but first, just to eliminate any potential hiccups since the Motoman break in method requires you to go WOT, put the stock injectors back in, set boost to stock and fuel pressure to factory setting as well. After doing as the instructions say, change the oil and put the 550cc injectors back in and begin tuning the car.

 

[crash89]

Im running 1000s with a 255 pump and 19psi on my 20g with dsmlink right now and plan to run the same set up next year on a new motor.. Alls I am going to do is put my stock injectors back in, take my MBC out ### the spring in my wastegate is a 7lb spring and put my stock ecu back in for break in, then back to the old set up..

So, as stated above keep the car as stock as you can(injectors, and tune wise) just for the first 100 miles or so. Thats what I would do. Once you get better with link or tuning in general you could actually get a nice set up and a decent tune before even running the motor like some people can do.. I cant! Good luck!

 

[jakk220]

Thanks. I will definitely take the advice given. The only problem is that i do not have the stock injectors but i could just use my MBC to set the stock boost which I'm hooping should be good enough. Also could I just use the Apexi AFC to turn down the injectors a bit while I'm breaking the motor in?

 

[ed1380]

That wont work. You need stock injectors or get a close enough tune from someone with a similar setup. Stock injectors can be had for $50 and then just resold.

 

[jakk220]

OK ill go with that then. So then basically all i need to do is hook up dsmlink with out a tune on stock injectors and a FPR for my 255lph, and stock boost level? Also since I am going to be running a 14b should i still just set it to 7psi?

 

[ed1380]

If you're using stock injectors then you can use a plain ecu. Just put the 14b on wastegate pressure.

 

[jakk220]

Would it matter that my waste gate solenoid is cut out?

 

[ed1380]

Just make sure you don't have vacuum leaks. If you run a vacuum line from the turbo to the wastegate, the solenoid doesn't make a difference.

 

[jakk220]

Sounds like a plan. So just run one from the J-pipe to the waste gate and then the one from the intake manifold to the BOV.

oh, and just to make sure, the NGK dual tip spark plugs i have is okay to use for the break in right?

 

[ed1380]

They'll be fine for break in, but once you start tuning get some bpr7's

If you have time to kill read this.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/frequently-answered-dsm-questions/233421-spark-plug-faq.html

 

[jakk220]

thanks a lot. Just ordered a set of them. Looks like now all i have to do it get the new bottom end on and order some more parts and get ready for the break in. Thanks a lot guys.

 

[Calan]

The guy is running ECMLink, right? Why is everyone insisting that he runs stock injectors?

Although stock injectors are a little easier to deal with out of the box, as long as they are dialed in close enough to prevent running rich and washing the walls, it doesn't really matter.

 

[donniekak]

I always tell anyone who has tuning questions on a fresh block to run a stock maf, injectors, and tune. Figuring out how to get the afrs right for any length of time, will wash out the cylinders in a fresh block. Get the rings seated, then learn to tune.

 

[Calan]

I always tell anyone who has tuning questions on a fresh block to run a stock maf, injectors, and tune. Figuring out how to get the afrs right for any length of time, will wash out the cylinders in a fresh block. Get the rings seated, then learn to tune.

Well it is good advice for someone that has never tuned before, or if it is a new build that has never been tuned with that ECMLink/injector combo I guess. But it could be just as dangerous to simply drop in stock injectors and assume that no tuning is required.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Going back to stock could be just as dangerous?! I better write that one down.

 

[Calan]

Going back to stock could be just as dangerous?! I better write that one down.

Well not if everything goes back to stock.

 

[Archer Fabrications]

My rings seated in my new 6 bolt with forged internals in the first 10-20 miles. didnt see any smoke after that what so ever. I'm at 300 now and shes running strong. just keep under 4k for the first little bit but dont be afraid to touch on 4k-4.5k... and let the engine rev down on decel. and when idling blip the throttle every few seconds, maybe as the miles increase push the top end a little more each time. Asuming of course, everyhting looks good in link. id try and find the safest self tune you can possibly make until you are able to go to a pro. I'm having a small issue running lean at idle and rich at WOT need to tune bad but i haven't messed with dsmlink too much. I guess i need to start reading up about fuel trims etc.. although i cant find out how to put combFT in my displayed values. doesnt seem to be in there