ECU Tuning - DIY
 

Hey guys,

Im looking for info on tuning my link ECU.

i am not looking to tune my car right away, i just want to get a better understanding of what the tuners actually do.

Does anyone have any links to websites or info saved anywhere on how to tune a car?

Thanks, Steven.

I would just get my tuner of choice to do it.

There are lots and lots of variables to take into consideration which takes tuners years to learn. When you are playing around without much knowledge there is a good chance you can pop your motor causing big $$$.

In saying that, if you are keen to learn, I would suggest going to tuning courses that are advertised rather than reading some google links.

[url]www.efi101.com[/url]

efi101 is very good. Despite what some people may tell you, tuning cars is a science and not a black art. Whilst experience is a good thing and can make you quicker, tuning cars is not a difficult process, they want fuel and spark, give them the right quantities of both and your golden.

Cheers for the reply's guys.

i will be leaving the tuning to a professional, but i would love to learn myself eventually.
i dont like not knowing how stuff works, im a hands on kinda bloke.

The professionals had to learn somewhere...

Steve

[QUOTE=Jim621]
The professionals had to learn somewhere...
[/QUOTE]

somehow, i think they didn't use the interweb...

my understanding is, its not something you can just read an online manual, then hop in a car and go, ok lets go!! I think it takes time, practice, and skill and knowledge...

best of luck tho!

[QUOTE=foxey]efi101 is very good. Despite what some people may tell you, tuning cars is a science and not a black art. Whilst experience is a good thing and can make you quicker, tuning cars is not a difficult process, they want fuel and spark, give them the right quantities of both and your golden.[/QUOTE]

The science part is right, but its a little wrong too..

I still think its a bit of a dark art as its a very fine line between power and rattle.

Having the right tools help, however sadly only very few go out and buy those tools required to tune a car correctly. One of the more expensive tools (a dyno) is usually out of reach to the common car enthusiasts, however road tuning is possible..

Dyno seems to be a much easier way to get consistent load and repeatability instead of risking other road users.

Its always good to learn the inside of your ecu, how various tables work, and features of your ecu such as logging. Helps also with communicating with your tuner about various parts of your tune. I personally wouldnt dare touch the parameters of my tune but its alot of fun learning how it all works.

I do agree it is a lot more difficult without the right tools. A dyno and a wide band (with EGT compensation) are tools that should, nay must, be used when tuning an engine to it's limit.

Another thing that makes it all very interesting is the different ways that ECU's are tuned, i.e. MAF, MAP (speed density), Volumetric Efficiency, you need to have an understanding of how each is different before you can begin.

Too much timing will kill an engine before bad AFR's, and timing equals power, rather than leaner AFR's, which have very little effect.

Yeah, i definitely agree, reading can only take you so far.

but, id like to not have to go running back to a tuner if i get a knock. instead just hook up my laptop, and dial back a degree of timing or add more fuel...


i think that EFI101 website would be an awesome idea - if only they had some people in australia running courses.


thanks again for the response guys.
Steve