new guy with questions

[4everboosted]

hey guys im somewhat new to the dsm world. I used to be a mechanic by trade and have built two diesel pulling trucks so I know my way around a vehicle just to clear that up. I had a talon and an eclipse before but with the 420a motor. my newest project is a 95 eclipse gsx I just picked up and looking to build a fast car. My question is about tuning, with my diesels I just always had custom chips made and plugged them in and that was that. I know dsms aren't the same. after I decide the upgrades im going to go for. (and give the car a once over and replace timing belt etc) I was wanting to know how you guys tune these things and what you use? any help would be appreciated

 

[kneipperk]

hey guys im somewhat new to the dsm world. I used to be a mechanic by trade and have built two diesel pulling trucks so I know my way around a vehicle just to clear that up. I had a talon and an eclipse before but with the 420a motor. my newest project is a 95 eclipse gsx I just picked up and looking to build a fast car. My question is about tuning, with my diesels I just always had custom chips made and plugged them in and that was that. I know dsms aren't the same. after I decide the upgrades im going to go for. (and give the car a once over and replace timing belt etc) I was wanting to know how you guys tune these things and what you use? any help would be appreciated

ECMTuning, Inc. that should answer a lot of your ?'s... also the vfaq is extremely helpful VFAQ Site - Visual Frequently Answered Questions

also on the 2g 95-99 you have to watchout for "crankwalk"... not sure if you heard about it before... it can be a pretty serious problem. I had a 95 that was crankwalked and it was scary. I would check crankshaft play before you mod it. Most people do a 6bolt engine swap from a 1990. The motors were built much better in the early 90's

 

[BigRed12]

Your best bet is to search around a bit, there a few ways to tune our cars and its all been covered multiple times and only you know what exactly you want to do, so only you can determine your needs for tuning.

A lot of guys use DSMlink (ECMlink). You can also use a black box ecu to do minor tuning, evo 9 ecu's, standalone AEM and Megasquirt. Like I said, there are quite a few ways, so determine what you want to do with the car and find the best fit for your application.

 

[95gstnate]

I would run ecmlink. That is what I am personally running in my 95 gst and I love it! Being you have a 95 there is a good chance you have a eprom ecm so you could remove it and send it to ecm tuning to have it socketed for ecmlink. Also with ecmlink you can get in touch with some members on here that specialize in tuning they can take your info on your vehicle and write a tune for you then send it to you over an email then you download it and run it. That is if you don't feel comfortable doing your own tuning.

 

[gorf]

With that 95 you have an eprom ECU already in the car. This gives you a ton of options.
a.) burn another chip
b.) ECMLINK which is a full blown tuning program, basically you write the new tune to that Eprom.
c.) Moates Ostrich - a chip burner that you can change the tune on the fly - search not real familiar with this one either.

I run a chip that was burned by a guy that quit doing it. There may be others that can help you out. I modified my engine and told him what I had, he burned new maps to the chip and I haven't had to do anything to it. Downside is if you change anything, such as larger turbo so you need larger injectors, you need a new tune - that is where ECMLINK shines. You can monitor and change on the fly. I believe you can do the same with Ostrich but as I said not real familiar with how it works.

If you are not going real big with turbo or injectors you can search want ads for a SAFC which allows you change what the MAF reads. You can add or subtract fuel to point.
Get a wide band o2 to protect your engine.

 

[98dsm31710]

also on the 2g 95-99 you have to watchout for "crankwalk"... not sure if you heard about it before... it can be a pretty serious problem. I had a 95 that was crankwalked and it was scary. I would check crankshaft play before you mod it. Most people do a 6bolt engine swap from a 1990. The motors were built much better in the early 90's

^This Yes crankwalk is an issue but it's not as common as people here make it out to be. It seems like everyday someone gets on here and says oh I have a tick I must have crankwalk. Get your endplay measured and if it's good go on with life. Just my 2¢. On the other hand welcome to our community you will find anything you need just search around some. Others have already said what your tuning options are. DSM/ECMLink is what the majority of us use. I have a black box and it's fine for tuning a DD. One more option is a GM MAF and MAF translator it's pretty limited but it gets the job done. Good luck with your DSM

One more thing. Use better capitalization. It sounds dumb I know but it's a rule here and the mods may jump your case for it. Just trying to help.

 

[David9er]

Your profile and original post don't indicate that anything is done so I will assume for the time being that the car is stock. This is the recommended upgrade path for a 2nd generation dsm from VFAQ: 2G recommended upgrade path
I would concentrate on the fuel system. Fuel pump, larger injectors, fuel rail, wideband/EGT and fuel pressure regulator and the above mentioned ECMLink to monitor and control these components. Once all that is done then you can upgrade to a big turbo, MAF, TB, piping, Intercooler, ect. If you want to swing for the fences and this is gonna be a stripped down no nonsense track car get in contact with Magnus motorsports or one of the other big boy outfits as they can supply you with high dollar parts and advice.

 

[4everboosted]

thanks everyone for the help. the car is not stock sorry forgot to mention it has 8 grand in the motor with receipts to prove but none of that matters because its not running right. i just wanted the clean shell to do my own build but when i just wanted some opinions on how to tune these things. thanks again for the help i have a lot to look into but im loving this car!

 

[spectre22]

There is also DSMAP I have been using it for years and love it