C&L and A/F ratio - tuning

C&L MAF and A/F ratio - tuning

I am really confused and frustrated. Back in December I had Flowmaster Amer Thdr catback, FRPP 3.73, Pro 5.0 shifter and Superchip SCT installed by a local Mustang Only speed shop. I feel like I paid way too much for the chip and dyno tune ($627.00 total for the chip, install, & dyno time/tune) and the results, to me, were not that impressive. See dyno sheet below. What concerns me most is what I am hearing, learning, and about what it should be - the A/F ratio.
In February I installed a C&L MAF and Trueflow tube as well as an Accufab 70mm TB and plenum. The car has run perfectly since the install, is very responsive and does not ping at all. But I am learning that the C&L simply leans the A/F out more to make power. I am really worried sick now that the car is running way too lean. I have had absolutely no problems with it. I did leave a msg for my tuner, but he has yet to return my call - nice! Any advice? I am tempted to yank the C&L out and put my OEM MAF back in. My sincere appologies to anyone I have offended out there, because I was I defender of the power the C&L MAF made...sure, it makes power...but I don't want to burn a piston or something. Any advice is appreciated.

Go HoTO! said:

This is a great post and I am in the same boat as you. I also want you to know, that I am not an expert, but I will tell you where I am at with this issue:

1 - Correct, the C&L MAF "works" by leaning you out. This is how it adds power.

2 - A/F meters is not an exact science. What really matters is what is happening in the head. Accuracy of this testing is questionable.

3 - Have you ever heard of someone wrecking a motor with these mods on an NA car with stock compresson? Me neither. And I have asked EVERYWHERE.

Result, don't worry too much about this. Serious motor heads with serious add-ons go nuts with these, but for standard bolt-ons, I think we are all ok and it is even probably a good mod. If you are worried about leaning, pull your plugs and read them. If they are grey or white, you have a lean condition problem. If they are brown, this is borderline, but livable. Darker than that, and you are SAFE. This si the ONLY way to know for sure.

I have not pulled mine yet, but I am going to. Let me know if you do and what you find.

BTW, was the dyno before or after the C&L mods?

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That's probably a good idea, pulling the plugs to check their condition. Since it is such a chore on this motor, it'll give me a good excuse to install Denso Iridium plugs!
Yeah, please share what you find and I'll do the same...
Thanks!!!

mogs01gt said:

twogts4us
As said on modulardepot, you are running too lean. You may want to take off that C&L or get a retune even though the tune will cost you. From looking at your dyno, your tune may also be causing a problem.

here is my dyno.

Click to expand...

Yeah, I know, I'm a Mustang forum whore . I don't mean to whore around, looking for the answer I want to hear, but rather gathering as much info, experience and support from fellow bolt on gear heads who have had similiar issues. I do see you have a C&L MAF, but a much richer and flat A/F ratio . As you stated, my tune, which was before adding the C&L MAF, was a possible problem to begin with, which I am aggravating with the C&L MAF. Still no call back from my tuner since Monday...I think I'll try calling him again right now. Thanks for the advice.

Go HoTO! said:

BTW, was the dyno before or after the C&L mods?

Click to expand...

Dyno was done with the newly installed Flowmaster American Thunder Cat-back and new 3.73s installed. Since then, my wife and I, in February, bolted on the C&L 85mm MAF kit with Trueflow Tube and Accufab 70mm TB and plenum.