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Old 12-31-2008, 09:39 AM   #42 (permalink)
Evil Twin
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Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Oregon
Posts: 858
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Interceptor View Post
I think they just messed with the mapping not completely sure because I didn't want to get in their way and just watched from afar. There is some great tuning software out there for the Evo though, forgot the program I used since last I used it was 2 years ago but we'd hook the laptop up and mess with the maps while going down some back roads. All I know after adding a new fuel rail, the cams, bigger fuel pump, etc the HPF's tune really helped out with making the car perform without fail.. at least until my exhaust manifold warped.
If you can re-program an existing ECU, then at least you've not lost the benefit of the thousands of hours already spent by the manufacturer to tune the car. If you're dealing with a car that's already boosted, then you're even further ahead, as seems to have been the case for your Evo. But if you're adding a turbo onto an engine designed for NA -- and you're using a stand-alone ECU -- then you're starting at ground zero. In my experience, having done this once, it's easy to get the car to start and run "okay" but as soon as you start leaning hard on the motor, you'll discover all sorts of issues that may never materialize on a street-driven car.

My bigger point is that everyone takes fuel-tuning way too lightly, and it's (i) harder to do right than the (most of the) tuners would have you believe, (ii) much, much harder to get the fuel-tuning right for a turbo than a supercharger, (iii) only on the track that tuning reveals its limitations, at which point you might find yourself buying a new motor and having to admit that, well, that dyno-tune wasn't as robust as you had hoped.

But 'nough said. I just hate to see folks go through this without their eyes fully opened about the risks/costs and issues.

Best,
Twin
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2005 Graphite Gray with Black Interior, Sports Package, Touring Package, Hard Top, Starshield, 6-point Schroth Harness, Fire Extinguisher, and Wiring Loom for DL-1. Otherwise bone stock -- and staying that way -- okay, okay, that's true if you ignore the Braille battery, Micro mirror, Multivex mirrors, ROTA slipstreams, RA-1s, two-piece rotors, springs, polyurethane ASB bushings, RTD brace, Sparco seat, and all the stuff I've taken out of the car...

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