Tuning: Which solutions should I go with?

[Nate355RS]

Ok so I have a few options, I recently bought a 1992 AWD Talon that has some mods (see below). The previous owner was at one point in time running a GM MAFT, but then switched to a VPC but left the GM MAF on the car

I want this to be a daily driver and have good manners around town, with a consistent and safe tune. And as always, I'm trying to be as cost effective as possible. Here's my options as I see them:

1. Put the work in learning how to tune using the VPC
2. I already have a GM MAF, so I could just get the 2nd gen MAFT
3. Ditch the VPC and GM MAF and spend the $500 on Link

What do you guys think is the best option? If I left out something I'm all ears, I'm just learning this stuff as I go. I've tuned a number of GM cars, so I'm not afraid of the learning curve on any option, that's part of the fun.

This is just going to be a little quick DD car, so I just want something that can help me get ok gas mileage, have a solid idle, and behave itself on the road. If it puts a smile on my face when I crack open the throttle that's a bonus

1992 AWD Talon
Freshly rebuilt shortblock using new OEM parts
Evo 8/9 cams
Ported 2g head, intake, and exhaust manifold
Ported 18g turbo
Stainless 02 housing, downpipe, and 3" exhaust
Evo 8 Injectors
255lph fuel pump
LC-1
Larger than stock SMIC with hard piping
2g BOV
New Centerforce Dual Friction clutch set

 

[Nate355RS]

Hey guys, thanks for all the help. After reading through your advice and the threads here I think I'm going to stick with the VPC for now. It sounds like it's pretty capable, plus it's free for me. If it works out great, and if it gives me more headaches than I can stand I'll probably bite the bullet and go with Link. I'm from the GM world and I'm use to using HPTuners which from what I can tell is the domestic version of EMCLink.

What are your currant VPC settings at now? Sounds like it just needs adjusted to start with... . Do you have any type of Datalogger and do you have a Eprom Ecu that would be a start...

Not sure if I have an eprom ecu or not. But if it costs money I would say this guy didn't buy it, the more I dig into the car the more I find stuff that's really been half assed. I don't have a datalogger yet, but if there is a free or close to free out there I'll probably go with that.

I would post my VPC settings but I think they're probably moot at the moment. I just ran a boost leak test and found some really shoddy leaky welds on the blow off valve. After taking the BOV pipe off it looks like it made it with a pipe, flange, a pair of tin snips, and had a blind man weld it. I also checked my fuel pressure and the 255 is overpowering my stock FPR and my fuel pressure is really inconsistent. Hopefully after I get those issues sorted I can get the VPC dialed in.

 

[91stocker]

Not sure if I have an eprom ecu or not. But if it costs money I would say this guy didn't buy it, the more I dig into the car the more I find stuff that's really been half assed. I don't have a datalogger yet, but if there is a free or close to free out there I'll probably go with that.

How to check for an eprom ecu.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/frequently-answered-dsm-questions/337343-how-identify-eprom-ecu.html


There are free data loggers, you'll just need a cable. But those can be made for a couple bucks from radioshack.
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/frequently-answered-dsm-questions/337343-how-identify-eprom-ecu.html

Here's some free logging software. You can use a palm, or a palm emulator on your laptop.
http://mmcdlogger.sourceforge.net/

 

[MY1GDSM]

Op sounds good
There are a few people on here including myself that have actually used a VPC before, get your issues sorted out. An get some sort of logger and I'm sure you can get some help pointed in the right direction.
Agian IMHO though if you going to drop a large bit of $$ on anything I think it would be best spent on a GOOD Fmic for the gains over anything else even more so if the ECU is non Eprom.

Here is a write up I did on another way to log... As well there are some much more updated versions of the logger above that is posted above
I'm sure a few people around can share the links to out somewher if not I have them. Laptop logging is the way to go anymore though. Palms are gettign pretty date. or an Emulator as said. They work much better if you can get it worked out... .

Hope this helps Below v

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-tuning-ecu/429444-how-log-your-1g-tuner-pro-rt.html

There are some more link to how to make cables etc. in the link above

Or you can find a good used aem ems for around or cheaper then link and you don't have to use a 20+ year's old ecu.Aem is the last tuning device you will ever need.But if you are just going to stay with smaller turbo and injectors I would try to use the vpc.

I'd rather IMHO use a Flashable Ecu or a few other MUCH cheaper options
If I was the even the average OP on here an tuning myself less of a learning curve... . Anyone DIY is going to be getting in over there head with a AEM in a lot over cases. For most DD's it WAY more then is needed and even a H8 Ecu that can be had for pretty cheap has larger and higher restitution Maps then both ECMlink and the AEM.

Bottom-line is there is not a One ALL end all of tuning for everything and a lot of option aside from what was mentioned here even.
We will all have our opinion. But it The bottom line is what works for some reasons for some is not gonna fit the bill (literally and figuratively) for all.

This has all been discussed in depth all over this site.
I think time would be better spent helping the OP though with their actual issues. Then selling them on something with one line comments

 

[n0de]

+1 for ECMLink.

Reasons:
-Ton of options
-Ton of support through the ecmtuning website (immediately available)
-Ton of support through dsmtuners forum (that you can search for and not have to post then wait for answers)
-Easy install
-Plenty of easily added add-ons (ie. speed density, wideband logging, boost control, etc...)
-You can upgrade it to newer versions for a fraction of the overall price
-User larger injectors than with a safc2
-Finer tuning ability than a ARC-2 and maft
-Can change OEM boost gauge to timing or whatever, or change the CEL to come on when knock is present.
-ETC...

Not saying that the AEM cannot do some of these things but in all fairness I believe there is way more existing tutorials and walk-through threads on using ECMlink then there are AEM threads. Its nice that you're not worried about the learning curve, but when playing with thousands of dollars in mods, you might want to have a little pre-guidance over trial and error.

Ive used
-ecmlink
-s-afc2 (3000gt)
-GM-maft(3000gt)
-ARC-2 (3000gt)

 

[MY1GDSM]

+1 for ECMLink.

Think it's past the +1 post at this point v

Hey guys, thanks for all the help. After reading through your advice and the threads here I think I'm going to stick with the VPC for now. It sounds like it's pretty capable, plus it's free for me.