Lets Talk about EFI tuning...
11-08-2006, 12:58 PM
#1
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I think most FD owners run some sort of an aftermarket EFI system... And I think its about time for us to talk about it and maybe learn something new..
I think most popular unit is Apexi PFC.
And Most people got their car tuned by either Steve Kan... or upcoming BDC.
I've heard good and bad things about both tuners and recently decided to learn more about it myself.
I took this class called "EFI 101" (www.efi101.com). Its an 2 day class and they teach you the basics of tuning ($495 for the class). Was it worth it?? My personal opinion, NO!
I did learn... so I can't say I didn't learn anything. But what I've learned is mostly about piston engines and when you ask them about rotary engine, they say its, "trial and error" (dah??).
So, if you have an EFI system, Post here what you have and what you know... If you have a question, Post here and let see what some of the forum members here know.
I think most popular unit is Apexi PFC.
And Most people got their car tuned by either Steve Kan... or upcoming BDC.
I've heard good and bad things about both tuners and recently decided to learn more about it myself.
I took this class called "EFI 101" (www.efi101.com). Its an 2 day class and they teach you the basics of tuning ($495 for the class). Was it worth it?? My personal opinion, NO!
I did learn... so I can't say I didn't learn anything. But what I've learned is mostly about piston engines and when you ask them about rotary engine, they say its, "trial and error" (dah??).
So, if you have an EFI system, Post here what you have and what you know... If you have a question, Post here and let see what some of the forum members here know.
11-08-2006, 01:40 PM
#2
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: California
Posts: 22,465
i think generally the piston engine theory translates to the rotary. the rotary has the timing split between the plugs (or not), and we run em a little richer on boost, to help cool things, but the basics are the same.
11-08-2006, 02:30 PM
#3
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I agree that the basics are the same. But what I'm having problem is the limitation and trial and error window seems to be smaller with rotaries. But To be honest, I'm just starting to learn about this stuff..
11-08-2006, 03:18 PM
#4
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Originally Posted by herblenny' post='844564' date='Nov 8 2006, 12:30 PM
I agree that the basics are the same. But what I'm having problem is the limitation and trial and error window seems to be smaller with rotaries. But To be honest, I'm just starting to learn about this stuff..
yeah, trial is a bad answer, when they are charging you $450 for a class....
we got to play with a non turbo haltech car a couple years ago, that was a good experience because you have to really screw up the tuning for it to pop.
thats why the power fc is nice because the stock map is really good. with the haltechs you have to spend hours to get the car to start nicely, and idle etc etc
11-08-2006, 03:45 PM
#5
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Originally Posted by j9fd3s' post='844580' date='Nov 8 2006, 01:18 PM
yeah, trial is a bad answer, when they are charging you $450 for a class....
Exactly! When I'm paying $500 + a weekend to learn, I don't want to learn that its all about trial and error.
not only that, they pretty much told me in order to tune correctly, I need a load bearing dyno... The second part (the advance class) is all about learning how to use the load bearing dyno (for $1500).
I also agree with you about PFC.. I'm going to start learning more about it and hopefully get better understanding of timing and such.. I'm kind of prepared in that I have a spare engine just in case my trial and error doesn't turn out positive
11-08-2006, 03:54 PM
#6
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Originally Posted by herblenny' post='844582' date='Nov 8 2006, 01:45 PM
Exactly! When I'm paying $500 + a weekend to learn, I don't want to learn that its all about trial and error.
not only that, they pretty much told me in order to tune correctly, I need a load bearing dyno... The second part (the advance class) is all about learning how to use the load bearing dyno (for $1500).
I also agree with you about PFC.. I'm going to start learning more about it and hopefully get better understanding of timing and such.. I'm kind of prepared in that I have a spare engine just in case my trial and error doesn't turn out positive
ive got an apex seal retaining tucan, bought it in 2001, havent had an engine failure yet.
the load bearing dyno thing, i think is so you can tune ALL the map, it really is the best way to do things, but few of us have one....
11-08-2006, 11:31 PM
#7
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NYC+LI
Posts: 101
Running Power FC.
Tuned by Steve Kan. Someone else tried to tune it once and it sucked. Reloaded Steve's map.
Prior to Steve's map, had a map from RX7store which wasn't all that hot - aggressive timing and more resembling a T78 map than a map for twins. Some more knowledgeable people said worse things about it... Kinda cool that I can say something negative about Rx7store and not get banned.
What do I know?? Enough to try and have a knowlegeable tuner like Steve give me a good map so that I can at least have a good starting point to learn from should I care to do so.
Tuned by Steve Kan. Someone else tried to tune it once and it sucked. Reloaded Steve's map.
Prior to Steve's map, had a map from RX7store which wasn't all that hot - aggressive timing and more resembling a T78 map than a map for twins. Some more knowledgeable people said worse things about it... Kinda cool that I can say something negative about Rx7store and not get banned.
What do I know?? Enough to try and have a knowlegeable tuner like Steve give me a good map so that I can at least have a good starting point to learn from should I care to do so.
11-09-2006, 06:56 AM
#8
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herblenny don't feel too bad about the cash I took a class too and got up and left after the instructor tried to convince the group that tuning a carb cannot add better full effiency for a carbureted vehicle and that intake and or exhaust do the same as well as rob horsepower. someone made the argument that some exhaust may cause flow issues and tried to make sense of it but he responded that factory exhaust is the most powerful system any vehicle can have. I promptly pushed in my chair left and demanded my money back.
it can really **** you of when you go in excited to learn and some dumbass gives you answers like the one u recieved. but yea I use the power fc too
it can really **** you of when you go in excited to learn and some dumbass gives you answers like the one u recieved. but yea I use the power fc too
11-09-2006, 12:48 PM
#10
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Originally Posted by black93fd' post='844635' date='Nov 9 2006, 04:56 AM
herblenny don't feel too bad about the cash I took a class too and got up and left after the instructor tried to convince the group that tuning a carb cannot add better full effiency for a carbureted vehicle and that intake and or exhaust do the same as well as rob horsepower. someone made the argument that some exhaust may cause flow issues and tried to make sense of it but he responded that factory exhaust is the most powerful system any vehicle can have. I promptly pushed in my chair left and demanded my money back.
it can really **** you of when you go in excited to learn and some dumbass gives you answers like the one u recieved. but yea I use the power fc too
Which EFI101 class did you attend??
Who was your instructor??
Did they give you your money back??