Need Some Tuning Advice

[Chaotic94]

Okay so here's what I'm going to have setup in my 1993 Eclipse GSX very soon.

MHI Small 16g turbo
650cc Injectors
Evo 8 MAF
2.5" Exhaust
FMIC

I have two options available at this point. The parts car I got had both SAFC and Ostrich 2.0. I've never done any kind of tuning before and I've read that Ostrich is very very in depth. I've also read that SAFC isn't powerful enough for what I'm going to be running. I want to run 18 - 20psi but I know I'm going to know what I'm doing as far as tuning goes and as of right now, I dont. So what are your opinions? Can I run stock wastegate pressure. I read that the Evo 8 MAF along with 650 injectors will give me pretty much stock fuel trims. So in theory I would be okay running this whole setup on stock wastegate pressure, correct? Someone fill this newb in. Thanks

 

[mercaholik]

I wouldn't use safc if you don't have to. There are a few options for tuning and you should consider it another mod. It's important to have the best tune for your car and parts you can. It not only makes more power it can do it safer, even save your engine ( lean boost cut, timing retard).

 

[Chaotic94]

I understand tuning itself. I just hear that the ostrich tunerpro software is a pita to understand for a new tuner like myself

 

[Kapok6]

I understand tuning itself. I just hear that the ostrich tunerpro software is a pita to understand for a new tuner like myself

Jackal/Werewolf are other options for the ostrich if you wanted to go speed density.

 

[Chaotic94]

How difficult is that?

 

[Kapok6]

It's the only tuning system I have used so I don't find it that difficult because it was the the first thing I was introduced to, so I went with it and haven't used anything else yet. That being said, I can't compare it to other forms of tuning obviously, because I haven't utilized them.

You can read up on ds-map.net. There is all kinds of info about it and how to use it. That way you can research it, along with your other options out there, and settle on what you feel is best.

 

[Chaotic94]

I just hear that tunerpro is very difficult to adjust tunes with. Or maybe it just seems difficult when reading about it...

 

[95_gsx_2g]

Okay so here's what I'm going to have setup in my 1993 Eclipse GSX very soon.

MHI Small 16g turbo
650cc Injectors
Evo 8 MAF
2.5" Exhaust
FMIC

I have two options available at this point. The parts car I got had both SAFC and Ostrich 2.0. I've never done any kind of tuning before and I've read that Ostrich is very very in depth. I've also read that SAFC isn't powerful enough for what I'm going to be running. I want to run 18 - 20psi but I know I'm going to know what I'm doing as far as tuning goes and as of right now, I dont. So what are your opinions? Can I run stock wastegate pressure. I read that the Evo 8 MAF along with 650 injectors will give me pretty much stock fuel trims. So in theory I would be okay running this whole setup on stock wastegate pressure, correct? Someone fill this newb in. Thanks

Ostrich I am not familiar with what so ever, ecm link v3 on the other hand I am and it's amazing and has made some extremely serious power! You will have plenty of room to work with if planning on upgrading more down the road. Has great support and always coming out with new firmware and software updates! The super air fuel controllers are not good at all or even comparable what so ever because it's just a piggy back and they are very inconsistent.

 

[Chaotic94]

^Thanks for the info. I've done a ton of research on ecmlink but it's not really in my budget. So I think I'm going to be learning how to run tunerpro on ostrich 2.0.

 

[95_gsx_2g]

Anytime man, and hey I understand some are not I don't blame you since you already got the ostrich. Good luck with everything!

 

[CrackedDSM]

I understand tuning itself. I just hear that the ostrich tunerpro software is a pita to understand for a new tuner like myself

I've used TunerPro, Jackal, and ECMLink. Between all three of them, Jackal was honestly the easiest to use, and to setup. TunerPro I think it what you're thinking of. As long as you find a .bin/.xdf for what you're looking for, TunerPro isn't that bad but it's nowhere near as easy as Jackal. Link overcomplicates a lot of things when we're talking about Speed Density, but the sheer amount of support kind of negates that. However if you're just starting out, grab yourself a GM 3 bar map, GM IAT, adapter harness, and use Jackal. Plug all the parts in, start jackal up, edit your deadtimes and injector size, start it up. Add or remove fuel from the VE until you hit target AFR(after setting target AFR in the AFR tables), done. No MAF comp, no maf clamp, no SD tools, no complication. Jackal is more than enough for your current goals. In the future if you get crazy and want over 600+awhp, go with Werewolf.


ECMLink is not a bad choice by any means, at all. It's an incredible, powerful tuning solution, with a ton of support. However it's $545 just for the chip and cable, not including a socketed ECU(because you'll need that with the Ostrich too) and etc and Jackal/Werewolf will do the same things. For 1/3 the price.


For the record on my 2G I plan to go with ECMLink, but only simply because there is no Jackal/Werewolf or TunerPro SD bins for 2G DSMs.

 

[Chaotic94]

Can jackal adjust timing?

 

[CrackedDSM]

Yep. Timing, AFR, VE, ECU based boost control, all that fun stuff.