OK, so I'm a real DIY guy, I really want to get into tuning, one day I'll be getting a chipped p28, crome, or some other app, wideband o2, the whole datalogging thing, but right now, here's my setup:

1993 Prelude Si
H22A Swap
VAFC
P13 ECU
cat back exhaust
empty cat
header

now I'd really NOT like to take it to a guy to get it tuned, I want to know how it's done, and I just want to do it myself, so I have a dyno to go to, I just have a couple ?'s

1. What exactly is a dyno session like? Do they have a wideband o2 to use?
2. Will I have to remove my wideband to use it? or does it stick in my tailpipe?
3. Is there some kind of 'magic number' I should try and get my A/F to?
4. What is the overall 'goal' of tuning? Better A/F? Better HP? or the best of both worlds?

thanks guys, and I apologize for these stupid newbie questions. I'm planning on making a guide to help out guys like me with getting started at tuning, but till then, I'll just have to rely on your guys's help.

 

ok, so after doing some searching it looks as though I look at the graph on the dyno, and if there are spikes on the A/F graph, I need to try and smooth those out. I've also heard I should try and get my graph down to 13.1. So when it's on the dyno, will it graph out the hp, torque and a/f?

 

1. differs from location to location. typically it's one of the employees running the dyno and adjust fuel maps to get more power from your setup. Go to a dyno days event that most shops do and hang out for the day. It will give you a great idea of what they do and are capable of.

2. again it depends on the shop, typically they place theirs in the tail pipe.

3. 13-13.5:1 is good for N/A richer is typically safer.

4. tuning is simply getting the engien to run at it's best. Better mpg and throttle response is typically obtained via street tuning, all though power tuning is mainly done on the dyno.

great write up.
http://www.xenocron.com/install/CromeGuide.htm

 

ok, thanks for the tips!