Hey everyone so i will be tuning my friends stock lsvtec turbo i understand most of it and have talked to multiple tuners and read multiple articles about tuning so i think i understand a lot of it just wondering if you guys have any tips and tricks to make it a bit easier. Using hondata S300v3. Thanks!

 

In the same situation, but it's my car. Honestly, if by the time I'm done putting the car together(1-2months) and I don't feel comfortable enough, it's going to a tuner.

So, somebody please help us.

 

What tips do you guys wana know?

 

I am 100% self taught and I have yet to blow an engine from a tune since about 2002 back in the VAFC and FMU days. There are a LOT of self made tuners that extremely good. In my opinion there are no real tips or tricks. It's one of those things you either eventually get the hang of or you always struggle. I have met quite a few people who claim to be "tuners" (even ones that own dynos) and their tunes were pure crap. Cars would buck, start ruff, wideband reading like a narrowband (bounces back and forth LMFAO), maps look like a seismograph chart, etc.

You guys NEED to master the art of reading plugs. There are many write-ups on this across the web. There is also a good tuning manual by VegasInvasion on here. He is the moderator of this section. AEM's manual for their EMS is actually a good guide to read as well. Basically read until your eyes bleed and them slowly dive in. Don't make huge adjustments and always start more rich then slowly lean it out. Timing should be the LAST thing on your mind. If you are concerned about your skills, pull at least 2* - 4* of timing across the whole map (aside from idle area) to give you a little more wiggle room and add back later (assuming you aren't detonating). BUT being too retarded can be just as bad as too advanced. Definitely a fine line for everything that is tuning.

How much timing you initially pull and fuel you add will depend on your complete setup. Things like static compression, cams, header, intake, turbo, etc... many factors go into a base tune's setup.

 

A wideband, some means of knock detection (not an OEM Knock Sensor), and today's tuning tools makes it alot easier for those with good aptitude to start tuning......

I have a method that works with Crome free + Linzster DL/ TunerView + Freelogger in which what I datalog by CSV through LDL or TV I convert into a CSV format that Freelogger can understand and since FL can playback CSV data you get cell tracing in a sense, and with FL you can adjust the amount of 02 hits a cell see's before deriving a calculation for the AFR per cell so with for street tuning especially on my lowcam fuel its a neat way of refining my tune without lugging a laptop around

 

I learned, self taught.

I'll just say, you won't break it, no matter what settings you throw into the computer, in trying to get it to start, and idle.

If you can get it to start, and idle decently, you can probably figure the rest out.

It's actually pretty easy. Just go slow, and read your plugs/gauges. If you see something bad, make a correction, and continue trial and error. Again, go slow, don't just right to flooring it. Driving lightly, if you feel hesitation, or hear bad things, take your foot off the gas, and make some changes.

Give it the Jeremy Clarkson mindset, "How hard could it be?"

 

knock detection is an absolute must, in my opinion.
adjust in small increments to avoid damage or overcompensation, use safe settings and targets, and follow your gut. if something seems wrong, it probably is.
make sure you have a solid understanding of how internal combustion works.
like OneBadTurboCRV said, reading plugs is crucial. it's your only visual insight to how the engine is performing.
most importantly, TAKE YOUR TIME. it sounds obvious, but there is more going on than you're aware of and the slower you go the more information you'll absorb.
lastly, don't touch a single thing unless you're willing to accept the reality that you may cause engine damage.
not saying it'll happen, but if you think it won't, then it will.
the tuning manual is in my signature.