Is it safe to dyno without a wideband?

[sprmotohooligan]

Hey guys, as of last night I purchased my first DSM and am now a complete Noob (Pics and a complete mod list will be up when I get home from school this weekend and properly introduce myself to the Talon).

But anyways, the car has a decent amount of motor work. Everything was done by ATX Motorsports in NJ and I have the receipts for the work, so I know all of that was done for sure and done right. I'm just not completely positive on the size of the turbo and supporting mods etc... (should know when I tear into it this weekend) All I know for SURE is that its a t3/t4 setup. Its my understanding though that it has enough supporting mods to run decent power compared to stock (again I won't know until this weekend and I look for myself).

The P/O had it tuned on a SAFC II when he first got the car back from the shop; but he sold it to a buddy to pay off a few tickets (also why he sold the car to me). Anyways the P/O got the SAFC back by the time I got the car, but not in time to install it. I am going to do the whole install this weekend. Right now its sitting at my house while I'm at school this week, so its not getting driven without being tuned. But I want to get it done ASAP.

For the first tune I want to bring it down to TurboTrix so I know its done right and so I don't mess anything up trying to tune it myself. I would like to know if I NEED a wideband 02 to get it tuned by them, or if the shops/dyno's 02 sensor is good enough for a decent initial street tune.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks ahead of time

 

[LiquidX]

Honestly, instead of asking here, call the shop and see what they can tell you about the equipment they are using and how it will work with the DSM. I'm sure someone will chime in though with a more appropiate answer. If you plan on tuning later down the road yourself, get a wideband. I recommend the Innovate LC-1 as it's more accurate than the AEM.

BTW, there isn't a "t3/t4" turbo, that's just a "ricer" term, you more than likely just have a t3 flanged turbo. Take a picture of the compressor cover if you don't know what it is.

 

[willydsm]

I would get the wideband to be safe your gona need it anyways to tune the car and keep it tuned properly.

 

[36mafia]

getting a wideband o2 is a necessity when it comes to these cars. just driving around without one is dangerous. speaking only if your engine is non stock. unless the shop is installing the wideband 3 feet down your exhaust from your turbo, id get one before the tune.

 

[sprmotohooligan]

BTW, there isn't a "t3/t4" turbo, that's just a "ricer" term, you more than likely just have a t3 flanged turbo. Take a picture of the compressor cover if you don't know what it is.

Yes I know there isn't a t3/t4 turbo, and its a t3 flange... I kinda meant that in my post but didn't really imply it so it would be understood via text, that is my fault. (I've wanted a DSM for years so I'm versed well enough on 'terms' like that)

The motor is not stock, I know that for a fact since I have the receipts for the motor rebuild done this June. I just don't know what parts are on it exactly until I go digging around this weekend since it some of the receipt stuff just says "Labor on motor" and "head work "x" amount of hours" things of that nature.

As for calling the shop, that is a good idea and I will make sure to do that this week. I won't be driving the car that much until it gets put on a dyno (its actually sitting at home since I'm at school right now). Getting a wideband was going to be the first step after getting it put on the dyno. Its just that I don't have the funds to get both at the same time right now.

I know not to "get on" the car without it tuned. I kept one eye on the boost gauge and one eye on the road while driving it home. I made sure not to take it above about 8 psi. Its not going to really be driven all that much until I get it tuned.

I guess the more appropriate question should have been "What should I do first if I could only do one at a time: get a wideband or get it professionally tuned?"

 

[LiquidX]

If you take your time and learn how to tune, get the wideband. If not and want it drivable now and willing to spend more money get it done professionally. If you don't have a logger, you should look at one of them as well so you can see what's going on inside the engine. The SAFC and wideband won't tell you if you are knocking

 

[sprmotohooligan]

Well I'd like it drivable now since its going to be my only mode of transportation . I definitely want to learn how to tune myself down the road. I don't have a logger right now, so that is why I'm kinda willing to shell out the couple hundred bucks to get it done at a shop (I'd also just like the piece of mind since I don't really know what I'm doing when it comes to tuning yet). When I feel like I have the knowledge and have enough $$ I'm hoping I'll be able to get a hold of a DSM Link and do everything proper. That will be preferably by the end of summer.


Either way a wideband is happening within the next month though.

 

[JEFFREYCASTGSX]

A wideband is ABSOLUTELY necessary, it at this point is basically your MOST important gauge. You can't tune without it and even if the shop was to stick there wideband on your car (which they would put it on at the tip of the exhaust), it is not accurate.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

Often a dyno shop will use a sniffer style wideband that they tune off of. As mentioned just give the shop a call and find out what you do/don't need.