At Home Tuning - What to watch for?

[FalconGuy016]

I'm beginning to get into my SCT XCalibrator and now the free personal QuickTune software SCT provides (its not actually called that anymore I think). This is a blessing for me, since I cant pay the costs for a new tune everytime I do something. However, I always want to be on the safe side, and I never want to do anything to hurt my baby What are some numbers I have to watch when I'm changing some parameters in the software? I'm not changing anything drastic, I plan on just some gearing speedo changes, but I have no doubt in my mind ill see something I just "know" wont hurt anything and make it better. So I want to know what you guys reccomend I watch for, for example the A/F mixture, and how I can watch them. What kind of guages can I purchase, etc

Thanks a lot!
Falcon

One last question, is there a way to make the SCT cable?

 

[propellerhead]

"At home tuning" sounds like a home brain surgery kit. Just playing...

I have a Predator and I've only messed with the auto trans parameters and the timing advance. I wouldn't dare mess with the a/f ratio. I keep reading about "wide band O2 sensors" but I still have no clue what they are or what they do. Good luck!

I hope you post anything you find outside this thread.

 

[fordrngr]

Wide band O2 sensors allow the user to see more than the "narrow band" factory sensors. The factory sensors can only see a limited range such as 12-15 to 1 in the A/F ratio. The wide band units allow for a wider range of sight. Such as 10-20 to 1 in the A/F ratio.

 

[YtnGT]

Wide band O2 sensors allow the user to see more than the "narrow band" factory sensors. The factory sensors can only see a limited range such as 12-15 to 1 in the A/F ratio. The wide band units allow for a wider range of sight. Such as 10-20 to 1 in the A/F ratio.

Yup

Except the factory o2 sensors can only read from 14.6-14.8 a/f ratio. Ideal (theoretical) combustion would result in a 14.6xx a/f ratio. That is what the vehicle computer tries to maintain while just driving around. It is only at wot that the computer adds more fuel (13.5 a/f ratio) to keep the combustion chanber cool. All the factory o2 sensors know at wot is that the car is richer than 14.6xx a/f ratio.

Most wideband o2 systems using the bosh lsu-4 WB o2 sensor go from 10-18 a/f ratio. They are really affordable and packed with features these days!!!

If you want to tune your self you either need dyno time or a wideband o2 ($450). Between my predator, predator data logging, and dynojet WB commander (and N2O!) I have no problems tuning.

http://www.widebandcommander.com/


I think some people are "whacked" for spending all kinds of money for mods, power adders, mail order tunes and not having a $300-$500 wideband system.

Do ya understand a/f now?

 

[DBMSTNG]

get the SCT raptor and a wideband 02 sensor. then after you make sure the a/f ratio is corect. then you can play with the timing a bit, but be careful. if you feel knocking, let off the gas. you can also remove torque retards, turn off t/c, or adjust shift points in the auto trans.

 

[Torinalth]

could do something similer (if you can keep your hands OFF the tuner) and just pay for an hour or so of dyno time... most places with a dyno have a wideband to show what a/f is corrisponding to the RPM and showing the relating HP as well... something like 100 or so should get you an hour of time on the dyno... giving somewhere around 4-5 pulls to test your tweaking. then judge for yourself how your timing, a/f ratio, and everything else changes your power.

Torinalth

 

[YtnGT]

could do something similer (if you can keep your hands OFF the tuner) and just pay for an hour or so of dyno time... most places with a dyno have a wideband to show what a/f is corrisponding to the RPM and showing the relating HP as well... something like 100 or so should get you an hour of time on the dyno... giving somewhere around 4-5 pulls to test your tweaking. then judge for yourself how your timing, a/f ratio, and everything else changes your power.

Torinalth

Or you could just put the $100 tword a WB o2 meter. Just $250 more ond you can have an Innovative LM-1 or $350 more for a Dynojet WBC. It all depends on wether you want to do your own tuning or not? Plus it will be usefull for a long time, assuming you continue to mod your vehicle. At some point in time you have to decide what you really want to do with your stang and start going down that path. Buying a lot of mismatched bolt on parts can be a real waste, I know.