General Tuning options

[JJMoonen]

So I'm brand new to the DSM world. I own HP tuners but have found that unfortunately sam's are not supported. So I'm looking at options for tuning our new endurance road race build. It looks like ECMLink is the go to path. What is it though? I'm unclear on whether it's just a chip that needs to be added to the ECU or if it's software used to tube your ECU or what?

I'd like to be able to retain the factory ECU and simply do tuning on that if possible. Sending it out for tuning or remote tunes would be my 2nd choice. We definitely don't have the budget for a standalone AEM or Halltech setup. We do run in "budget" racing series after all.

 

[CrackedDSM]

Is this for the 2G non turbo in your profile? If so, ecmlink won’t work. Those ecus are basically Chrysler ECUs. I don’t know if anything works as a piggyback tuner other than your SAFC. Mega squirt is an option as well, at least I think it is. I don’t even know if they’re still in business. But mega squirt is an awesome budget stand-alone.

 

[JJMoonen]

Is this for the 2G non turbo in your profile? If so, ecmlink won’t work. Those ecus are basically Chrysler ECUs. I don’t know if anything works as a piggyback tuner other than your SAFC. Mega squirt is an option as well, at least I think it is. I don’t even know if they’re still in business. But mega squirt is an awesome budget stand-alone.

Correct, for the '98 2gnt. So my only true option is megasquirt or the big money stand alones like AEM?

I've always wanted to play with Megasquirt I guess. Haha

So do you know how these respond to simple bolt on mods without tuning? We don't plan on anything major. Going through the engine to address any potential maintenance or wear issues. Cai, header and exhaust, EGR delete, better coils/wires and that's about it.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

So do you know how these respond to simple bolt on mods without tuning? We don't plan on anything major. Going through the engine to address any potential maintenance or wear issues. Cai, header and exhaust, EGR delete, better coils/wires and that's about it.

The car will handle those modifications without a tune just fine. You can install a wideband AFR gauge just to make sure it's running right but you won't be able to make adjustments to the stock ECU anyway. When you start upgrading the fuel system or changing the internals is when a tune is practically necessary for proper engine function.

There really aren't any options for tuning the stock ECU. The only option I've ever heard of is sending it off to a guy who claims to have the proper program to "re-flash" it. But to me that seems a bit sketchy and no one can provide any proof that he does anything to it. That same guy sells "re-flashed" ECU's on Ebay, but once again, no proof of anything.

MegaSquirt is the most popular option for tuning the N/T's. There's plenty of threads & articles on this site about installing/using them. Try looking in the 420a Engine Management section or using the search function.

 

[JJMoonen]

The car will handle those modifications without a tune just fine. You can install a wideband AFR gauge just to make sure it's running right but you won't be able to make adjustments to the stock ECU anyway. When you start upgrading the fuel system or changing the internals is when a tune is practically necessary for proper engine function.

There really aren't any options for tuning the stock ECU. The only option I've ever heard of is sending it off to a guy who claims to have the proper program to "re-flash" it. But to me that seems a bit sketchy and no one can provide any proof that he does anything to it. That same guy sells "re-flashed" ECU's on Ebay, but once again, no proof of anything.

MegaSquirt is the most popular option for tuning the N/T's. There's plenty of threads & articles on this site about installing/using them. Try looking in the 420a Engine Management section or using the search function.

Will do, thank you very much. Now I can focus on 1 path instead of swimming in uncertainty.