So once I get my wideband O2 , hondata 4b and emulator is it safe to say that dyno time will really not be needed?

 

To be honest with you, you can get your car set-up fairly well before hitting the dyno. You still need to get some kind of hp and tq readings so you can alter you fuel/timing curves to get the max hp. Just b/c you have a certain air/fuel ratio doesnt correlate to the most hp being produced. You want to stay within a window of air/fuel namely 10.5:1 to 12:1, anything over this is kinda risking it with higher boost levels. Before i hit the dyno i used my datalogging capabilities on my PMS to get my car to run on 12lbs before i went to the dyno, then took my baseline, played with my cam gear settings and played around with my timing and fuel to get what i thought was the best power and torque curves. Basically remember to take out timing throughout the entire rpm band and run it rich, you will be safe then.

 

if you have a wideband o2, EGT gauge, and a long stretch of road where you can test full throttle 3rd gear runs, you can minimize dyno time down to maybe an hour.

 

so assuming you had all that, what WOULD you mess with at the dyno? ignition and cam timing?

-Xerxes

 

Basically you would be limited to just timing can cam gear tuning. But even then you can pretty much figure out where your timing should be at...this is assuming you have a standalone in the first place to make such changes. My general rule of thumb is to take out lots of timing throughout the entire rpm band and run the car very rich. Using the egt gauge and air/fuel readings i tailor the fuel curves between 11:1~12:1. Having the minimal timing gives you alot less power, but lets you play it safe until you get to they dyno to establish a baseline run, then you can start adding timing till you get the satisfactory hp and torque numbers. You have to keep the timing numbers relative to the bearings and ring lands...the more timing you run the more stress these items have placed on them. It is a delicate balance IMO. After you establish timing you move onto the cam gear settings, once you get the curves in the way you want, tinker with the fuel and timing to flatten the curves if at all neccessary. Overall tuning is fairly guess work with the aid of electronics...being a good tuner is part luck and part knowledge, but the knowledge is mostly aided by electronics.