Tuning questions

[dsm darthvader]

I have a 97 gsx evo III 16g, fmic, all supporting mods running 20 psi. I have a stage 3 chipped ecu from dsmchips.com. The car runs fine it idles kind of rough but other than that it drives fine. I also have a gm mas sensor and a maf translator gen 2, and i was wondering if i should get the car tuned, I mean would i gain anything over the burned chip. I was also thinking of going the flashable ecu route and do you guys think that would be a smart choice, im not sure if you can change timing curves and other stuff with this ecu. And last but not least if tuning is recomended does anyone know someone aroound the north jersey area that could tune a car with the maft gen 2?, i have called a few shops and they dont do anything but aem ems or motek etc. Please i really need some input as i have some money that i can invest on the car right now and want to know which would be the smartest way to use it, thanks
Luis

 

[BrokenTsi]

You're pretty limited with that setup. You wont be able to do much with the chip and maft. If you show them what the translator does, a good tuner will be able to utilize it, but he will tell you that there isnt all that much he can do.

All you need is a wbo2 and you can pretty much tune it yourself with a little research.

You need dsmlink at least to get a more flexible tune out of your car.

 

[dsm darthvader]

i dont want to get link ive heard is very complicated and i just got the gen 2 like 2 months ago, Few things i like about it is that i can run the turbo open( i designed a screen mesh sandwich with air filter material in the middle held by a worm clamp to prevent anything to get in the turbo) and i can vent to atmosphere. I understand link is a very powerful tool but ive also read of cars on the 10s with piggyback systems. Another question, is it possible for a tuner or a tuning shop to advance/retard spark timing on the chipped ecu, thats my main concern because the gen 2 would allow them to add/remove fuel where is needed, thanks again for the quick reply.

 

[jeffo]

You can't change the timing on a chipped ECU without editing and reflashing the chip. If you have a 6-bolt conversion you can add timing advance overall by rotating the CAS, but otherwise you are stuck with my maps.
Do you have anything to log with? Do you have a wideband? Without being able to see your fueltrims and your AFR at WOT you wouldn't know what to adjust on the MAFT anyway. You *could* get a 1998/99 flash ECU, but then you would have to find a shop that is knowledgable in ECUFlash tuning on the dyno.
Why only 20psi? If you see no knock on the gauge or logger turn up the boost.

 

[dsm darthvader]

hi jeff yea i got the evoscan from you . I havent been able to install on the computer correctly, i think the problem is windows 7. Well my friend is going to lend me his laptop which has xp on it so i can log but i dont have a wideband yet and i dont know if i should get one. I have a 6 bolt so i believe i have a 6 bolt cas, now if a shop would tune it with the current setup that would make me happy. Another thing the boost is 20 psi because i dont have a mbc i had one but it was a pos and boost would creep like crazy. Im planning on getting a better one but if i cant tune i dont see the point of turning up boost. Thanx
Luis

 

[jeffo]

Luis,
EVOSCAN should work fine under Windows 7. Did you use the FTDI v2 driver on the CD? You will probably have to use XP compatability mode to run EVOSCAN.
As I said, my tunes are usually very close, so get yourself a better MBC and start turning up the boost slowly, as you watch the knock. If you still have no knock, try advancing the CAS 1-2* and see what happens.

 

[dsm darthvader]

i did use the drivers but it would get an error well ill have it running soon i gave up on it but ill have time to play with it soon. Which way would i have to advance the CAS?

 

[BrokenTsi]

i dont want to get link ive heard is very complicated and i just got the gen 2 like 2 months ago, Few things i like about it is that i can run the turbo open( i designed a screen mesh sandwich with air filter material in the middle held by a worm clamp to prevent anything to get in the turbo) and i can vent to atmosphere. I understand link is a very powerful tool but ive also read of cars on the 10s with piggyback systems. Another question, is it possible for a tuner or a tuning shop to advance/retard spark timing on the chipped ecu, thats my main concern because the gen 2 would allow them to add/remove fuel where is needed, thanks again for the quick reply.

I used to run your exact setup. I plugged in DSMlink, asked a few questions, spent some time reading and understanding, and I picked up almost 100whp, and I dropped a full second off my 1/4 mile and ran a 10.96 without doing anything else.

There is nothing complicated about a plug and play device. If anything, "tuning" with knobs is a much harder way to get your car running right.

 

[dsm darthvader]

well i really dont know how dsmlink works i mean its plug and play in the car but i would still need to get a wideband and learn to tune which ive done a lot of reading on but im a little afraid of blowing something up im, damn i really dont know what to do

 

[BrokenTsi]

Its really not as difficult as you're making it out to be. Try to find someone in the local area that has it installed on their car so you can get familiar with it.

 

[dsm darthvader]

no i believe you is that i just spent the money on this setup kinda wish i hadnt