Wanting to do link but afraid

[Chase_Smith40]

I am just now getting ready to do a rebuild on my 90' laser i am doing a basic engine overhaul, FMIC, Bigger injectors hopefully 750cc, wally 255, full 3 inch exhaust, possibly lsd and i want to do DSM link and have 2-step but i dont lnow everything i will need to use link, how to use it, and afraid that i cant tune it.

 

[renovatdkitchen]

Link is really rediculously easy to tune as long as you watch and take in the info on the ecmlink site.

 

[Chase_Smith40]

okay well what do i need? Socketed EPROM, DSM Linkv3, do i have to have a wide band set up or whatever the other things is called? and i would need a laptop to connect to as well right?

 

[Fullthrottle7]

In addition to the well put statement above, it really is the only option once you decide to go above 650cc injectors shy of converting to an EVO style tuning platform (Evo or 98/99 ECU, tactrix cable, software licenses). Take the plunge and use the incredible support that comes with it including demo videos, articles for easy setup and tuning, and a private forum where the actual engineers of the product (as well as many other educated members) will help you make your car the best it can be. Stay positive, ask questions, and you'll be rewarded with a car you know well so if anything goes awry you'll know how to take care of it. Sucks to be in the position of paying someone else to retune your car every time you want to mod it further or when something breaks. GL its going to be a whole new car for you once you take this next step!

You can actually send in non-eprom ECUs and they can do the conversion with a discounted price if you're buying software also. If you do find a cheap EPROM first the total cost may be less though. I'll let someone else educate you on the differences between the 90 and 91-94 1g's aren't my thing, sry. Laptop is used through a USB connection to the diagnostic port in your car, doesn't need to be fancy, a Pentium 4 and 1gb of RAM would get you by fine anything more is gravy. Wideband is definitely helpful but not 100% necessary. If funds are tight you can get a decent tune without it, but will be able to lean the motor out to extract more HP safely if you do get one. I'd forego other power mods in order to get one if that is what your decision comes to. I think the "other things" you are talking about are probably a MAP sensor (measures pressure) and an AIT (air intake temp sensor - guess what it does ) which are used to help keep an eye on things and also to run in an advanced tuning mode known as Speed Density. Those two are not necessary at all and you can get a great tune on the stock MAS (mass airflow sensor that intake and filter are hooked to) and factory sensors.

 

[Chase_Smith40]

In addition to the well put statement above, it really is the only option once you decide to go above 650cc injectors shy of converting to an EVO style tuning platform (Evo or 98/99 ECU, tactrix cable, software licenses). Take the plunge and use the incredible support that comes with it including demo videos, articles for easy setup and tuning, and a private forum where the actual engineers of the product (as well as many other educated members) will help you make your car the best it can be. Stay positive, ask questions, and you'll be rewarded with a car you know well so if anything goes awry you'll know how to take care of it. Sucks to be in the position of paying someone else to retune your car every time you want to mod it further or when something breaks. GL its going to be a whole new car for you once you take this next step!

Thanks man i really appreciate it! i just need to know exactly what i need now do run link. and if i can afford it.

 

[Maxthepersonz]

okay well what do i need? Socketed EPROM, DSM Linkv3, do i have to have a wide band set up or whatever the other things is called? and i would need a laptop to connect to as well right?

Yes you're exactly right. You'll need an ECU that's socketed for the DSM link and a wideband as well as a boost gauge will be very helpful for tuning. Laptop is pretty much necessary to make any changes but it does not have to be anything special. The laptop I plan on using was under $150.

Finding someone that knows about tuning will save you lots of $.

 

[Chase_Smith40]

Yes you're exactly right. You'll need an ECU that's socketed for the DSM link and a wideband as well as a boost gauge will be very helpful for tuning. Laptop is pretty much necessary to make any changes but it does not have to be anything special. The laptop I plan on using was under $150.

i have the gauges and i absolutely have to have a wideband?

 

[Fullthrottle7]

Sry, had to edit my post above cause I hit enter too soon, see it regarding WB and other sensors. As an addendum for you, the MAP sensor would be helpful as a second purchase after the WB if you have money left over. It is just like your boost gauge, but is very accurate and can be logged in the DSMlink software. It is very helpful to see an accurate boost measurement while tuning to compare to an element captured as BoostEST, DSMLink's assumption of how much boost your engine is seeing. Without getting overly complicated until you have this all in front of you, a good tune will see this BoostEST match the actual boost pressure your gauge and MAP display around 5500-6500 RPM. The more of these sensors you get the more accurate, safe, and powerful your tune can be and the easier others can help you remotely. If you are just using the gauges you can see, the majority of the tuning is going to have to be done in the car since there will be no way to show us all whats happening when you post the logs DSMLink will save as you drive...

 

[Chase_Smith40]

Sry, had to edit my post above cause I hit enter too soon, see it regarding WB and other sensors. As an addendum for you, the MAP sensor would be helpful as a second purchase after the WB if you have money left over. It is just like your boost gauge, but is very accurate and can be logged in the DSMlink software. It is very helpful to see an accurate boost measurement while tuning to compare to an element captured as BoostEST, DSMLink's assumption of how much boost your engine is seeing. Without getting overly complicated until you have this all in front of you, a good tune will see this BoostEST match the actual boost pressure your gauge and MAP display around 5500-6500 RPM. The more of these sensors you get the more accurate, safe, and powerful your tune can be and the easier others can help you remotely. If you are just using the gauges you can see, the majority of the tuning is going to have to be done in the car since there will be no way to show us all whats happening when you post the logs DSMLink will save as you drive...

okay thank you that helps clear it up a little bit. with link is it like programmers in any way like i am used to with my diesels? like i can have different tune set ups and just select one?

 

[Fullthrottle7]

No, its is fully customizable and needs a working knowledge of how fuel trims, o2 sensors, closed and open loop systems, etc. work. Then you'll make adjustments to the fuel, timing, and A/F tables via sliders or directly in spreadsheet like excel form. It sounds intimidating at first but they have great instructions and support. Go here: start [ECMTuning - wiki]

That has a ton for you to dig through before purchase to see if you feel up to the task. I promise you if you can use a modern computer and do things like make a pie chart in excel you'll do fine, not that you'll be making charts but you get the point !

* With that said, there are may people who will guide you through to end up much better off than an Off-The-Shelf tune like those programmers do. You are getting the full control of your vehicle's ECU just like a race car would pay $2000 for a Motec or AEM, etc. You can take full advantage of every last mod you do, not just use a set map to get close. There are settings in place to make it run well without digging in as deep as you can though, if you want to just install it, set your injector size, and make sure your mechanical timing and fuel pressure is good, the car will run fine just not 100% as good or as powerful as it could!

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I had ECM Tuning socket my '90 Talon ECU and put DSMLink V3 full on the chip. I will be putting it in the car this weekend and I don't have a wideband - running stock MAF and injectors but a bigger turbo. My wideband is on its way but won't be here until next week so I will try to let you know how MY car starts and runs without the wideband installed, as Thomas from ECU Tuning told me that it will work just fine without the "extras" but they are very helpful when you want to upgrade the tune on the car with Link. I will be going with 1120 injectors (already have them but want to start from stock and move up when I am used to using Link) as you can always tune them down but cant ever make a set of 450's flow more than 450. Bigger turbo is a 20G with a tubular header, my cast manifold had a crack in it and a 14b turbo without a inducer nut (it ate it.....almost). Maybe we can learn together. I have alot of other parts to mod the engine but want to add them one at a time or in conjunction with each other so I can see the performance changes. I have those other parts on my profile, you might look at it and see if it is anyway close to your set up.

 

[Chase_Smith40]

I had ECM Tuning socket my '90 Talon ECU and put DSMLink V3 full on the chip. I will be putting it in the car this weekend and I don't have a wideband - running stock MAF and injectors but a bigger turbo. My wideband is on its way but won't be here until next week so I will try to let you know how MY car starts and runs without the wideband installed, as Thomas from ECU Tuning told me that it will work just fine without the "extras" but they are very helpful when you want to upgrade the tune on the car with Link. I will be going with 1120 injectors (already have them but want to start from stock and move up when I am used to using Link) as you can always tune them down but cant ever make a set of 450's flow more than 450. Bigger turbo is a 20G with a tubular header, my cast manifold had a crack in it and a 14b turbo without a inducer nut (it ate it.....almost). Maybe we can learn together. I have alot of other parts to mod the engine but want to add them one at a time or in conjunction with each other so I can see the performance changes. I have those other parts on my profile, you might look at it and see if it is anyway close to your set up.

We seem to have the same end goal in mind we need to work together man.

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Hey anytime you want just PM me and I will see if I have already done what you are doing and I'll do my best to help you out, along with all the other good people on here. They have all been a big help to me.