My list of mods, whats next? --- Tune?

[srv2nv]

So I FINALLY have everything installed that I want from the drivetrain aspect, but whats next? I read on here that my car is running rich now because of my exhaust and that I need a tune, but does that mean I need to take it to the mechanic to have him adjust timing/etc or do I have to find a chip/module for my car to fix the problem?

My car is a 2003 Sedan, with these mods (only listing those that effect hp/tq)...

-GG Ground wires (with transmission, ECU and TCM wires)-JWT pop charger with Z tube-Motordyne 5/16th plenum spacer-Stillen equal length headers-Kinetix racing high flow cats -Stillen Gen 2 true dual exhaust

Thats all I can think of for now. The car feels to be running great, and the weird smell from the exhaust is finally gone now. Might add the headers to the modification database sometime as there aren't many entries for mod, and its a pretty serious one to get into.

So what should be my next move, and can someone explain what was meant by tune?

[tollboothwilley]

Did you do the header install yourself? Its a PITA huh? How did you feel the gains were?

You def should get a tune next. Technosquare is your only real option without wiring up a piggy-back. I wired up a greddy emanage and am glad I did.

I'm assuming that you have 5AT?

You might consider the E-fan conversion (i think you have a mechanical fan) and underdrive/lightweight pulleys. I think the TB spacer is a good mod as well.

[srv2nv]

It was a huge pain! Talk about getting a square peg into a round hole while upside down and covered in dirt. Total install time for me thanks to some highly rusted bolts and my inability to let some things just be...11.5 hours!

Was it worth it? Well, thanks to no fuel, an accident scene and cops sitting at the gas station, it took me almost 20 minutes before I could put the pedal down. Dropped it at around 35 kmh and my the car leaped forward, making the sound of a million angels singing my favorite song in my ear, then my SLIP light actually flashed (tires tried to break loose, whaaaaa!!) so I pulled out already doing 80 kmh...I mean, the posted speed limit. I sat at the red light with a smile on my face and a 10" rod in my pants. Yes, oh yes it was worth it. I don't feel any exhaust is complete without headers, I've noticed the gains on all my past vehicles, so throwing everyones warnings out the door, I found a set and am quite glad I did.

Yeah, I have the 5AT. I have actually been considering the E-fan conversion for some time, after I look into a tune, I think I'll look into it further. Thanks for the reply.

[thiefgarrett]

Headers are great for most cars.

I only had my G for 1.5 months so I don't know yet how it looks exactly compared to the aftermarket headers.

What are the diameters of the header? What are the cat. converter dia.? cfm rating? w/ resonator vs. just straight pipe..

I'm pretty sure the LTFT (Long term fuel trim) will become off once an intake and releasing flow restrictions in the exhaust is done. Even stock cars doesn't have the ideal LTFT setting, but could be close.)

I'm not sure on how the fuel injector ecu settings are on a given mod like an increase in MAF reading due to an intake mod. I wonder if it's possible to make a safe FWI (Fender well intake) to the G..

Here's my take on A Tune..

A tune is keeping LTFT anywhere from -3 to +3, offcourse "0" is the ideal. If you always have 0 LTFT on any throttle position, then you are The God of tuning, as they say.

This means keeping A/F ratio to 14.7:1 always on close loop. Open loop are usually higher throttle positions which means higher MAP Kpa readings, this is where it richens but higher cylinder press. and temp.

You have timing settings. It has knock sensors that measures,reports detonation if it's occuring. The higher the MAF, higher MAP, good LTFT, higher timing with no "0" detonation is ideal. 1-3* knock is quite accepted.

[johnparkyourcar]

Next?

Go F/I

[thiefgarrett]

I myself is almost tempted to call Zoomer of ZZ Performance to custom built (me) a regular twin impeler, pulley driven s/c and tune with Turbo XS engine mngt. sys. Stillen? What's the deal with no s/c for auto trans?

Camshafts should be a more open option if there are shops willing to install them, I bet there are. Those that know you. Camshafts going to affect your idle, low end, mid and top end. Bigger fuel injectors to be safe and for easy/worry-free tuning.

There should be local shop/sponsors willing to join or something.

Also, engine management tuning is becoming more like a hobbie just like PC..or pc games/systems

[srv2nv]

I'd love to go FI, but unfortuantly all the money I had saved to go towards it went into my new house. In the long run I think it was a better investment, but the lil kid in me wants that whine from under the hood.

thiefgarrett - I'm actually not too far away from you, a couple of hours away actually, near London, Ont. I was thinking of cams before but heard the gains weren't worth the price (heard that about the headers too which turned out to be false, I think it was just a lie made up by people who are afraid to install it themselves).

Basically, you're saying go for a tune to have the engine running at its peak performance and reliability. I'll be going for that next, and probably start collecting the parts needed for a E-Fan conversion.

Does anyone know of any reviews online of the Technosquare reflash? I'm just wondering how it will act in the winter months here in Canada, plus how well it works at making hp but keeping the engine reliable, as I'd like to keep this car for some time.

[thiefgarrett]

Everyone should consider these hardware (for tuning) as part of the mod list. In fact it is no.#1 as basic mod together with an efficient cold air intake..

These hardware for tuning is not limiting you to F/I or N/A only, ..

These days especially in these side of the imports / luxury brands, these hardware for tuning cost $1000 to 2K and up.

These manufacturers of hardware (+ downloadable software) should have infos and faq's reguarding their hardware/s.

Scanning data logs of engine parameters in real time are part or should be included in these hardware for tuning.

As for myself I do consider purchasing one sometime next year.