sonix7

Ok guys I am probably asking for it, but I am getting more and more confused as to what I should do? I have spoke with many and read even more about tuning the FD, but now have no idea what I should do because of so many conflicting opinions and experiences.

The story: I have a 93 Black Touring FD, 44,500 original miles, original wankel. I have pretty much done every reliabilty mod and some upgrades. I have the stock twins in sequential mode, I have installed intake, DP, MED SMIC, I still have to install the high flow cat and PFC and plugs and wires. Now I am at a mile above sea level, I run a mixture of 108/93 at a 30/70 ratio with MMO. When I was on the stock ECU, after fixing my turbo control system, I did experience a spike getting on the freeway. I since got a MBC, but disconnected it until I install the PFC, if the PFC does not hold boost accurately then I will hook the MBC up. Now living in the mountains there are no reputable tuners. So the local guys are investing in flying BDC out to tune. Now I have a friend that ran base map with exact mods I have, exact enviroment and it it ran great 2+ years no problem and he pushes it a lot more than I do and didn't run race gas at all. I since then have spoken to a few people and got some more info. A very highly trusted confidant of mine assured me that he does not think it is worth it to pay $400.00 to tune for a max of 13 lbs boost on the stockers. His experience was that he ran same mods and a base map and there was no noticable difference in the performance of a guy tuned for 15lbs. Now I need to hear what people think about this. I was also told that maybe for that money an HKS twin power would be better. I was told that two people being tuned by Steve Kan experienced ignition break-up of some sort and that after throwing his twin power in there, they both came back saying " I am buying one" Now all this said, if you were me would you travel to Denver which is 2 hours there and back, gas is $2.79 and counting for 93 and I mix in 108 which is $7.99 a gal and pay the money to get tuned on this set-up for a max of 13lbs of boost due to reliabilty issues? My other alternative is to have a reliable friend load a map on my PFC for me or run the base map. I need help, why or why not, I need a consensus or I am going to loose my mind trying to make the decision. We just had a baby and money is not to be played with. Thanx for any advice or info you can provide. Big list feel free to chime in. Much thanx

7racer

I think getting a HKS twinpower is unwarranted at this time. You are already limiting yourself on the boost. How do you even know that you have high RPM break up?? I wouldn't buy one just to add one.

The problem is you don't have enough information to decided on the tune. Since you already have the PFC, I think it is a waste not to get it tuned. YOUR ALREADY THERE!

If you want to know what your car is doing do a couple of pulls on a dyno that has a wideband. See what your AFR is and if there is any breakup at high RPM. Then go from there.


ps. I hope someday you go back to normal font :P

dubulup

WTF Mate?!?!

LOL

take that $400, and save some more and invest in a wideband, EGT, and fuel pressure gauge and tune it yourself.

me too

rynberg

Like we've told you before, stop running the insane fuel mixture. It is utterly pointless and isn't doing anything but draining your wallet. If you took the cost of fuel you have paid out, you could have paid for that tune.

If you are only running 10-11 psi, the PFC base map should be just fine. I would still try to get the car on a wideband to verify, as every car is different and some also have problems.

If you don't want to bother with tuning, I would just put in a Pettit ecu and be done with it. They essentially cost nothing ($400 to buy, $400 to sell). You can hold off on the PFC and tuning until you can afford it.

sonix7

Ok. I am just trying to do the right thing here given the circumstances. I do have an Innovate WBO2 and XD-1 AFR gauge not installed yet. Couple of weeks, everything is stripped due to an interior color change. I am assuming I should pass and get the car running and have it learn the PFC, and see what the numbers are? Then I will know better, is that what people are saying? I guess I just felt rushed to make this decision and wanted some opinions to help me understand the right way to approach this tune. Like I said I might have to wait til next year to get a tune if I need it. Thanx for the advice and sorry the font bothers you guys so much, not my intention. Just my own style. can someone explain why I would want both an AFR and EGT? more precise tuning? You got to give me some credit for trying to do this the smart way, and I just wanted to know what people thought of the HKS twin power and I thought it also boosts ignition and spark, so how could that not be good?

sonix7

I know but it makes me sleep better at night plus I have not even driven it enough to worry about it yet this year. I think your advice is what I was leaning towards, I just wanted to hear why I need to go tune now if people thought that. Thanx, that's why I had to ask. I was feeling overwhelmed with info on what I should do.

dubulup

A:F and EGT are a must have, if tuning...IMO

you can have great A:F and skyrocket EGT's due to timing and think your fine, but kill your internals, turbines, etc. A:F tunes fuel and EGT is used to tune spark...and of course MBC tunes boost

EGT are just as important. I'm not debating with anyone in this thread...this is my opinion (from what I've learned) only.

Never rush when it comes to rotaries.

I see no harm with the TwinPower at this point...but if you aren't running wide open exhaust with lots of boost, stock ignition will be fine; so save that money.

sonix7

Thanx Dub, I trust your guys experience and opinions thats why I brought this to the table, I have been "carefully" modding this car and want to do whats right without learning my lessons the hard way. I appreciate it and your patience for my newbizm on this stuff, everyone.

moconnor

iTrader: (14)

I have a slightly more modded setup than yours on a 49k mile '93: Cheap Bastard intake, Efini y-pipe, SR SMIC, downpipe, high flow cat, RB exhaust, MBC with boost set at 13psi (sequential) and am running the PFC base mod map. 91 octane gas (all that is available here).

With that setup I am getting AFRs close to 10 at high rpm and boost (TechEdge WBO2 V1.1), i.e., rich.

With tuning I could probably get more out of it but I have longer term goals so don't
see the need yet.

Obviously every car is different but I think you should be well within the safety envelope with your settings. With a wideband you should be able to verify this with your car as you continue your modifications.

pluto

It has been proving that the twin power gains hp even if the car wasn't breaking up. I have seen anywhere from 8-20rwhp gain just by adding the twin power. It runs cleaner at idle, part throttle and WOT. I don't see the reason not to get one.

Ignition and fuel are two of the most important elements that I wouldn't take lightly on. It just doesn't make sense to spend all these money in a car and cheap out on fuel and ignition system.

How come you're paying $400 for the tuning? I only charge $350/car and I cover my own travel expenses. Sounds like I should raise my price up after this year.

sonix7

Steve, I want you to tune my car. No matter what, no disrespect to BDC. They just arranged for BDC to come, he has been here before and sounds like a nice guy for sure. The tune was $350 but we were all chipping in on the ticket. Thanx for clarifying the twin power. That is exactly what I will do. In my mind you are the best tuner out. I forgot to mention I have a fuel pump, just need to figure what is the best injector and FPR set-up will be. Like I said no rush, I want long term performance, not pinks performance. Steve I think we can see about arranging for you to come for sure when the time is right. I am sure I won't be the only one interested, Thanx guys, but see how many different opinions there are? I am going to take Steve's advice as gold. I may contact you and we can talk about what's the best way to get what I want. I am not looking for 500 horses or anything like that, I really just want to pull hard on one of those new Vette's. Just represent with class is all I am looking for, secret of Felix is what I call it!