dyno/tuning question

nzelinsky · 08-19-2009, 09:53 AM

Hey I just have a question about dyno/tuning as I have never done it before. I just got cai and Im going to install cattman header/catback combo. I think I would benefit from tuning the car after this is done.
If I take it in for dyno, will they have the necessary equipment to tune the car for me? do I need anything special or do they take care of the tuning when they do the dyno? Also, how much should a service like that cost roughly?
thx

*rroderiques77* · 08-19-2009, 10:30 AM

No, A dyno shop will not have any tuning devices. You will have to install it yourself. Do a search and you will find tons of info on tuning. (SAFCII, VAFCII, UTEC, E-Manage Ultimate, etc..)

This should get you started:
Thread to consolidate info about SAFC/VAFC, SMT-6/7 and EU

nzelinsky · 08-19-2009, 10:36 AM

Thats what I thought, I was just hoping that they might do that stuff...

Grand_hustle17 · 08-19-2009, 05:45 PM

you will need to tune, u may get a CEL from running too rich (assuming u do get o2sims also) there's a bunch of used Safc's and Vafc's on here, ebay, other car forums etc... should be able to get one for cheap........... i must say bruh... u are moving real fast with the modding lol

MoncefA33 · 08-19-2009, 10:51 PM

You'll also need a wideband O2 to monitor your air/fuel ratios and making tuning decisions accordingly.

nzelinsky · 08-20-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand_hustle17

you will need to tune, u may get a CEL from running too rich (assuming u do get o2sims also) there's a bunch of used Safc's and Vafc's on here, ebay, other car forums etc... should be able to get one for cheap........... i must say bruh... u are moving real fast with the modding lol

yeah I'm addicted. Doing the 1/4 races has really given me motivation to go faster. My exhaust is rusted out so I need that, and I wanted headers anyway so I'll get em together for the discount.

I'm just learning how to work on the car and all this stuff is really fun for me. Its basically my full time hobby now... Im even trying to get a part time job (on top of regular FT) to get extra cash for the car.. I have a list of mods planned that is going to all cost probably more than I paid for the car... Its gonna take at least 3-4 years.

So I should get a vafcII and a wideband 02 sensor asap I guess.... didnt think I would need that for a while... Once I have all this stuff installed will the dyno tech's do the tuning for you or make recommendations or what?

tookrzy4u192 · 08-20-2009, 12:15 PM

you should look around in your area for dyno and tuning charges.. i just found out yesterday the place i dyno charges $175/hr to tune..

nzelinsky · 08-20-2009, 01:13 PM

is this the kind of thing that can be done in 1hr or does it take a long time?

Grand_hustle17 · 08-20-2009, 04:31 PM

you can get by with just an SAFCII u can use just that for the tune and you'll be good... heres a good mod list for you as an auto

Intake
Header
Exhaust
Crank pulley
NWP Spacers
NWP Block plate
TS ECU
SSIM (after the ECU upgrade)
and yes the safcII
that should keep ya going good for a while lol

nzelinsky · 08-20-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand_hustle17

you can get by with just an SAFCII u can use just that for the tune and you'll be good... heres a good mod list for you as an auto

Intake
Header
Exhaust
Crank pulley
NWP Spacers
NWP Block plate
TS ECU
SSIM (after the ECU upgrade)
and yes the safcII
that should keep ya going good for a while lol

Right on! thanks Hustle! looks like Im on the right track with i/h/e... crank pulley? you mean like the stillen lightweight pulley? I dont want UDP cuz Im pumping a pretty sick stereo and upgrading with touchscreens etc. etc...

I was thinking about doing the nwp spacer at the same time as header install to save labour time.

Im going to order the block plate pretty quick here as it is very inexpensive.

Im going to buy an extra ECU to send to TC because I need mine for DD and I live in canada.. shipping takes forever.

I thought VAFCII was better than SAFC?? am I wrong?

tookrzy4u192 · 08-20-2009, 05:14 PM

if your miles are high, might as well change ur spark plugs when youre getting your spacers done.. that is if you haven't changed them already

Grand_hustle17 · 08-20-2009, 05:15 PM

Vafc was moreso made for honda's to control vtech... still works but if you get an extra ECU you will pay more due to the fact that u have to pay to copy ur OEM ECU then tune it, so reguardless you will still have to send in your oem one... idk if they even sell underdrive pulleys for 5.5s all i saw was crank (unless both are the samething...) i've seen where it advertise as underdrive crank pulley... stillen... unorthodox, motostorm whatever works... question, did u run at the track with ur system in???

jr schultz · 08-20-2009, 09:12 PM

vafc 2 can be set up for one tune at 24 rpm points. safc 2 is good for those who want one tune for motor and one tune for something else like nitrous. safc 2 has 12 rpm points to tune with. If you're staying all motor go with the vafc 2.

nzelinsky · 08-21-2009, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand_hustle17

Vafc was moreso made for honda's to control vtech... still works but if you get an extra ECU you will pay more due to the fact that u have to pay to copy ur OEM ECU then tune it, so reguardless you will still have to send in your oem one... idk if they even sell underdrive pulleys for 5.5s all i saw was crank (unless both are the samething...) i've seen where it advertise as underdrive crank pulley... stillen... unorthodox, motostorm whatever works... question, did u run at the track with ur system in???

No I take my subs out, I actually haven't had them in for the last month or so.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jr schultz

vafc 2 can be set up for one tune at 24 rpm points. safc 2 is good for those who want one tune for motor and one tune for something else like nitrous. safc 2 has 12 rpm points to tune with. If you're staying all motor go with the vafc 2.

Staying all motor as in no t/c or s/c? I can't afford either of those, but I am planning on installing nitrous oxide setup next spring.... so safc for me?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tookrzy4u192

if your miles are high, might as well change ur spark plugs when youre getting your spacers done.. that is if you haven't changed them already

Miles are low still - 120k KMS (around 75k miles) Im going to hold of on plugs till I get the nitrous oxide.

Grand_hustle17 · 08-21-2009, 08:47 AM

+1 goodluck

nzelinsky · 08-21-2009, 09:17 AM

Thanks, Im going tonight! I think I should be able to crack 15's (@ my elevation 15's are like your 14's) with lower tire pressure (20-25psi sound good?) and manual shifting. Ill post vids and times prob tomorrow

Grand_hustle17 · 08-21-2009, 09:28 AM

cool... i did 18 psi, but 20 is good too

STILLENGLE · 08-21-2009, 10:24 AM

IIRC you can't really do much tuning wise for the maxima anyway, we"ll at least for the 5.5 gen, I believe the 04-up use the same connector as the 350z so tuning is alot easier. I believe someone tried to upload a map from UPRev and couldn't download the full file onto the ECU, it was to big or something.

Grand_hustle17 · 08-21-2009, 01:52 PM

hmm..... TS then lol

MoncefA33 · 09-08-2009, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand_hustle17

hmm..... TS then lol

or UTEC

Grand_hustle17 · 09-08-2009, 02:20 PM

^^^ never really proved itself to be so much more greater than TS so ill go the least expensive or headache route

**nismology** · 09-08-2009, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand_hustle17

^^^ never really proved itself to be so much more greater than TS

Seriously? You just haven't looked hard enough my friend. If all the control it gives you scares you, just say so.

Grand_hustle17 · 09-08-2009, 03:21 PM

im not at all afraid of the UTEC seeing that i wouldnt even be messing woth it even if i owned it... im not saying the UTEC made no difference but i dont think it makes any more difference than the TS ecu, and until i see 1/4 numbers or dyno numbers of a N/A 5.5 with a UTEC that did better than my boy Jaypee99 who only has the basic TS reflash then i dont think all the hassle is worth it, just me... $500 for the unit ???$ for a harness, ???$ for tuning just seems like too much to get the same if not less than the TS Ecu.... Again just me

**nismology** · 09-08-2009, 03:52 PM

Anything that is user-tuneable has the potential to be better than a cookie cutter tune. Not many maximas are running with a UTEC in the first place and those that are are probably not running with Jaypee99's mod list. Not enough info to go by...

MoncefA33 · 09-09-2009, 06:18 AM

And you still have to piggyback a TS ECU with an S/VAFC so why dont you just run the whole car off your laptop with UTEC?

Grand_hustle17 · 09-09-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nismology

Anything that is user-tuneable has the potential to be better than a cookie cutter tune. Not many maximas are running with a UTEC in the first place and those that are are probably not running with Jaypee99's mod list. Not enough info to go by...

i can understand that, but i guess my expectations have a small limit because if i can make 270+ WHP all motor i think i would be satisfied

MoncefA33 · 09-09-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grand_hustle17

i can understand that, but i guess my expectations have a small limit because if i can make 270+ WHP all motor i think i would be satisfied

Hehe...there are plenty of people on these boards who thought the stock 255 crank hp would be enough...

Grand_hustle17 · 09-10-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoncefA33

Hehe...there are plenty of people on these boards who thought the stock 255 crank hp would be enough...

Hahahaha!!! really i would be satisfied with that too