Troubleshooting My Tune after Vortech SQ install

DogVomit · Nov 23, 2005

I posted before with my dyno run chart. This thread also has my A/F chart.

My car is a 2003GT 2V 4.6. Aside of the Vortech SQ, Superchip, weld in Flows and Triax, it's stock. I have NGK tr6's gapped at .035 and run only 93 Octane.
My oil is synthetic and changed regularly.
I run my car easy, 85% of the time and open it up every once in awhile for 1 or 2 gears, that's about it!

I emailed these charts to Mike Ancheta at Vortech, but haven't gained any advice yet, aside of they think it's the tune and that the A/F should be more of a straight line throughout the run, instead of squigly. Does that sound right?

Ramsey's Perfromance in Tampa did my tune. They're standing by it. They mention that once I get the aftercooler, I'll see more HP. I'll get it, just not now. I want THIS issue cleaned up before I invest anymore money into the shop, OR Vortech. Ramsey's is willing to take a little more timing out of the tune if detonation continues.

Vortech claims that on a stock 4.6L 2v, this system offers a 104 HP increase.
If my gt put down 225-230 rwhp STOCK, shouldn't I see 325-330 STOCK, with the blower ONLY???

Anyways, I hope someone has had a similar experience and can think of a way to help me.

Thanks all!

Leftoverchinese · Nov 23, 2005

wow, that is weird. i got a MPH mongoose kit with a vortech sq . i dont have an intercooler, but i do have an o/r x-pipe. with this set up i put down 368rwhp, and thats with california's 91 octane. Tim Barths tunes are supoosed to be right on the money, although my a/f is kinda rich, it is safe. are you using an SCT chip? your car should be putting down more, at least 350 rwhp.

TacBear · Nov 23, 2005

My Vortech Install was worth 140 rwhp, with a custom tune.

nic01scgt · Nov 23, 2005

Do you even know how much boost you are running? Like I said before you can't just slap a blower on a stock engine and expect it to put down 400hp. I guarantee you have the stock pullie and are running 5psi. If your worried about your numbers you need a smaller pullie and you need some actual supporting mods.

reeber · Nov 23, 2005

I would like to see a data log... Something isn't right.. You should pick up way more than that. Did he use the stock 3.60 pulley, upgrade injectors, fuel pump, MAF, Power pipe? Or just the supercharger and nothing else?

nic01scgt · Nov 23, 2005

TacBear said:
My Vortech Install was worth 140 rwhp, with a custom tune.

Did you also have the power pipe, plenum, x-pipe etc.?

DogVomit · Nov 23, 2005

reeber said:
I would like to see a data log... Something isn't right.. You should pick up way more than that. Did he use the stock 3.60 pulley, upgrade injectors, fuel pump, MAF, Power pipe? Or just the supercharger and nothing else?

The "complete" kit came with the 3.60 pulley, 38 pound injectors, new high flow fuel pump (in the kit), 90 degree intake assembly (with all hardeware and K&N filter), all brackets, hoses, clams.

I don't know how much boost I'm getting and the installer didn't know either.

DogVomit · Nov 23, 2005

nic01scgt said:
Did you also have the power pipe, plenum, x-pipe etc.?

No to the above.

But I did gain some extra ping for free.

nic01scgt · Nov 23, 2005

Well what's your HP goal? I'm sure we can help by telling you what you need to get there.

DeadLurker · Nov 23, 2005

I don't like your a/f at all.

You definitely need it retuned by someone who can control the tune better.

mrvax · Nov 23, 2005

I noticed in your first graph you have a column of data labeled "AUX". Is this boost? If so, you are only getting 5 lbs max. If not, what is this "AUX" reading?

Deadlurker: What specifically do you see wrong with the a/f? Is it that spikey area?

DBMSTNG · Nov 23, 2005

the AUX is probably MAF voltage. although it looks low.

Deadlurker is right, your A/F ratio is rich especially considering that those numbers are after the cats. you're probably running in the 10.5-10.8 A/F ratio range. leaning that out closer to 12:1 will pick up a nice chunk of power. i'd guess 25-35rwhp. also, how much timing is the car running?

DogVomit · Nov 23, 2005

mrvax said:
I noticed in your first graph you have a column of data labeled "AUX". Is this boost? If so, you are only getting 5 lbs max. If not, what is this "AUX" reading?

Deadlurker: What specifically do you see wrong with the a/f? Is it that spikey area?

It is my Mass Air Flow sensor voltage.... topping out!

DogVomit · Nov 23, 2005

DBMSTNG said:
the AUX is probably MAF voltage. although it looks low.

Deadlurker is right, your A/F ratio is rich especially considering that those numbers are after the cats. you're probably running in the 10.5-10.8 A/F ratio range. leaning that out closer to 12:1 will pick up a nice chunk of power. i'd guess 25-35rwhp. also, how much timing is the car running?

I'll call the shop to get specs. After the dyno, the test run revealed ping/detonation. So they took some of the timing back out of it. I'm not sure where it stands now. BUT DAMN, I'm still getting preignition/ping, even after they took a bit of timing out of it.

I went under the hood today looking for any sort of open vacuum lines. I'm so frustrated right now. I'm starting to wonder if I should have just left it stock and drove it like a station wagon.

DBMSTNG · Nov 23, 2005

DogVomit said:
It is my Mass Air Flow sensor voltage.... topping out!

what MAF do you have? the stock one?

DogVomit · Nov 23, 2005

DBMSTNG said:
what MAF do you have? the stock one?

Yes. I left almost everything stock so I could get the Vortech gains they boasted. I want to mod as time goes on and funds are available though...

white99gt · Nov 24, 2005

Afew issues here.
1) if they are real tuners ,they should know that you dont tune a/f AFTER the cats.
2) the stock maf is good to around 425 or so rwhp.So pegging the maf is NOT the problem.They are trying to sell you something.

2) the a/f is wrong because of after the cat tuning.If the car is pinging you WILL blow it up.Dont go into boost till it is fixed.Ping on a blower car esp if you hear it is a VERY BAD thing.

In stock form with a properly installed/tuned vortech it should be in the 360~380rwhp range.

Id recommend a new tuner ..

DeadLurker · Nov 24, 2005

DogVomit said:
Yes. I left almost everything stock so I could get the Vortech gains they boasted. I want to mod as time goes on and funds are available though...

I don't like that idea. Get a new MAF and retune it. Don't be cheap now or you'll be dealing with an expensive bill later on.

The almost 10.1 a/f at redline is definitely killing your power potential.

RedGTvert · Nov 24, 2005

white99gt said:
Afew issues here.
1) if they are real tuners ,they should know that you dont tune a/f AFTER the cats.

In stock form with a properly installed/tuned vortech it should be in the 360~380rwhp range.

Id recommend a new tuner ..

No offense, but there are plenty of tuners who put the wand up the back end of the exhaust and do a pretty good job of tuning. I have had three cars done this way and never a problem. Most people do not weld in a bung.

Beisdes that, the rest is so true.

white99gt · Nov 24, 2005

RedGTvert said:
No offense, but there are plenty of tuners who put the wand up the back end of the exhaust and do a pretty good job of tuning. I have had three cars done this way and never a problem. Most people do not weld in a bung.

Beisdes that, the rest is so true.

THey tune a blower car that HAS cats at the tailpipes? .After the cats?My own was tuned in the tail pipe but i DONT have cats.

Cats will effect a/f readings at the tailpipes.So the tune can be off.

Troubleshooting My Tune after Vortech SQ install

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