supercharger/tuner questions, what are you actually changing?
05-03-2012, 09:21 AM
#11
And it would cost you a fortune to try and tune it yourself as you would have to buy software to do so, even having a dyno.
If you really want to learn about tuning, get Greg Banish's Engine Management Advanced Tuning book on tuning. Read that cover to cover and you will have a MUCH better idea of all that goes into tuning.
I read it and only understood half of it ( And I've been around tuning for years ) so it's def not a light read but well worth it.
If you really want to learn about tuning, get Greg Banish's Engine Management Advanced Tuning book on tuning. Read that cover to cover and you will have a MUCH better idea of all that goes into tuning.
I read it and only understood half of it ( And I've been around tuning for years ) so it's def not a light read but well worth it.
Last edited by Franchi Motorsports; 05-03-2012 at 09:27 AM.
05-03-2012, 09:24 AM
#12
Honestly I wouldn't want to tell you what you need to change since you sound like you know nothing about tuning or forced induction engines. You need to know alot about how an engine work and what forced induction does to an engine to even have an idea of how to tune it. If you strap your truck down to the dyno at your school and you make changes without knowing what 100% what your doing you will blow your engine up. Your best bet is call a local dyno tuning shop.
05-03-2012, 09:40 AM
#13
Member
What is the purpose of the cooler plug? just that it will discipate heat quicker?
My last truck was a Supercharged 4.0 ranger. I did not do the install, previous owner did. I know his injectors were stock but he sent them to RC engineering and had them flow balanced. He also gave me an SCT tuner with it which supposedly had a tune on it.
Looking at SCTs website, the tuner he gave me could not have really done much other than the spark modification.
My last truck was a Supercharged 4.0 ranger. I did not do the install, previous owner did. I know his injectors were stock but he sent them to RC engineering and had them flow balanced. He also gave me an SCT tuner with it which supposedly had a tune on it.
Looking at SCTs website, the tuner he gave me could not have really done much other than the spark modification.
That SCT tuner simply had a custom tune loaded onto it...the unit itself was merely a tool to load the tune into the truck without the need for a laptop and expensive software. I've been there, my supercharger for my cts-v came with one of those tuners but it was programmed to only transfer the custom tune to the car, not tweak any of the parameters that they would normally be used for.
If you are "not going to get another person to do it," I would advise you not getting the supercharger, unless you have a lot of time to burn learning to tune, and you can afford to blow your motor and start over from scratch. I'm not saying you will definitely ruin your motor, but the chances are very high, and even experienced tuners can take hours tuning a car. With no knowledge, you will end up with a month-long project that has slim chance of being worth it in the end.
If you really want to learn to tune, buy the software and a laptop and an old beater car that can be tuned so you can practice. Throwing a s/c on your truck and tuning it with no experience is NOT going to be worth it, no matter how good of a deal you got on the s/c kit.
05-03-2012, 01:29 PM
#14
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Honestly I wouldn't want to tell you what you need to change since you sound like you know nothing about tuning or forced induction engines. You need to know alot about how an engine work and what forced induction does to an engine to even have an idea of how to tune it. If you strap your truck down to the dyno at your school and you make changes without knowing what 100% what your doing you will blow your engine up. Your best bet is call a local dyno tuning shop.
I guess what I was looking for here was more 5.4 specific and this application advice along with trying to jump the gun a little and get real information. A lot of searching has yielded pretty much what you guys have said, "You need a custom tune by a professional" I just didnt know if my device could truly do that considering on their website under, "custom tune file and adjustable options" there didnt seem to be much, but I guess even a low dollar device like that that one can be a carrier for a tune file that is written on computer???
But maybe thats unrealistic since I guess most people here don't know exactly whats goin on in a custom tune, and it now sounds like I need additional software. I was gonna see what changes could be made using the SCT software on the same computer we have the Ford IDS on and my teacher (ex ford TACH emplyee) says I can even reflash and tune to an extent through IDS. Anyone familiar with that?
05-03-2012, 02:01 PM
#15
If you were to use a SCT device, if you wanted to tune it yourself you would need the SCT Pro Racer software kit which runs $349 and can only get from a SCT dealer.
http://www.sctflash.com/products.php?PID=43&VID=
But that makes a lot more sense what you are talking about doing as opposed to most folks who come on here not really even understanding the basic concepts much less applied theory.
http://www.sctflash.com/products.php?PID=43&VID=
But that makes a lot more sense what you are talking about doing as opposed to most folks who come on here not really even understanding the basic concepts much less applied theory.
05-03-2012, 03:08 PM
#16
Yup Pro racer is very good and easy to use. I have been using it for years on mustangs.
You will have to adjust MAF xfer, idle speed, a/f by rpm, a/f by bar, timing, and you can adjust safety features with the IAT.
Basicly when tuning starting out make sure you computer knows what injectors you have, write your first tune rich and pull the timing way back. Make a pull to data log and listen very close for ping. Adjust your a/f till you get it to 11:1 then add timing. Only add 1-2 degrees at a time and listen for ping. If you hear ping back off timing 2 degrees, if you get a lean spike above 12:1 let off the gas. I already know what you timing will end up being but can't tell you because I don't want you to just say screw it and start at that point but when you get your timing right your A/F ratio will have changed to 11.5:1 because of timing which is perfect. That is all WOT, idle and part throttle is a whole different monster you will just have to learn by playing with it. Just remember IAC adjustments are your friend.
You will have to adjust MAF xfer, idle speed, a/f by rpm, a/f by bar, timing, and you can adjust safety features with the IAT.
Basicly when tuning starting out make sure you computer knows what injectors you have, write your first tune rich and pull the timing way back. Make a pull to data log and listen very close for ping. Adjust your a/f till you get it to 11:1 then add timing. Only add 1-2 degrees at a time and listen for ping. If you hear ping back off timing 2 degrees, if you get a lean spike above 12:1 let off the gas. I already know what you timing will end up being but can't tell you because I don't want you to just say screw it and start at that point but when you get your timing right your A/F ratio will have changed to 11.5:1 because of timing which is perfect. That is all WOT, idle and part throttle is a whole different monster you will just have to learn by playing with it. Just remember IAC adjustments are your friend.
this thread is hilarious