I've been casually looking around my local area (Dulles) for a shop nearby that can do both dynos and custom tuning. After making a few calls yesterday, I was able to locate a shop that does dyno tuning and they use EFILive. My '02 Z06 was tuned with EFILive by the previous owner's tuner, so that's a plus.
After I downloaded the software to take a look for myself, I'm going to purchase the V2 Scan and Tune offering and attempt to do some tweaking after the shop does the initial tune next week. Point being, I don't want to have to spend the coin each time I want something adjusted. I'm a tweaker by nature and love having the capability of making adjustments myself.
However, seeing as there are a ton of settings to adjust, I was wondering if anyone using EFILive would care to give some pointers on what is safe to tweak and what to avoid touching; best practices regarding preparation/setup/backups, any additional hardware needed or recommended (i.e., wideband O2 sensors, AFR bung/plugs, etc.), how various adjustments affect performance and maybe even provide .tun files for different setups.
I've searched this site and others and haven't found much regarding actual tuning experiences on the C5 Z06, even on EFILive's forums. I found some .tun files for a modified '02 Z06 along with a stock tune for two different PCM numbers (called operating systems or OSes). Right now I'm doing a calibration comparison between the two, but it looks like very few things were adjusted.
Anyhow, the goal is to eventually turn this into a workshop-type thread where anyone can discuss tuning with EFILive in much greater detail than previously seen. FRC Tom and Jub Jub are guys I've seen that have a lot of experience with street tunes, so I'm hoping they'll be active here. Considering there is a lack of info in general, this should be very beneficial to everyone interested going forward.
Thanks for the offer, WiseGuyZ. I won't have my specific tuning file until Wednesday night after I return from the tuner. Right now I'm working with a couple of vendors to see where I can get the best deal for V2 + Innovate LC-1 wideband O2 sensor.
Tuning is pretty involved and would fill a book. Best thing to do if your getting a wideband is to download the auto tune tutorial from efilive's web site.
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Thanks for the offer, WiseGuyZ. I won't have my specific tuning file until Wednesday night after I return from the tuner. Right now I'm working with a couple of vendors to see where I can get the best deal for V2 + Innovate LC-1 wideband O2 sensor.
I placed my order tonight for the V2 Commercial Scan & Tune plus an Innovate LC-1 wideband controller/sensor for just under $900. More than I wanted to spend but I figure it's cheaper than a set of tires and I anticipate getting a lot of use out of it. Currently reviewing the user manual, the software comes with all the PDF tutorials, is it the AutoVE Tuning tutorial that you were referring to, Jub?
is it the AutoVE Tuning tutorial that you were referring to, Jub?
Yes, it will walk you through the tuning process. The auto tune is the fastest and simplest way to tune the VE map. Once that's done then you can fiddle with timing and power enrichment maps.
Since you are getting a dyno tune, your tuner will tune your car for best WOT performance, meaning optimum settings on timing and AFR. All you will really need to do then is tune for drive ability, which the auto tune will help you with.
Don't hesitate to ask me for help and also be advised there is a wealth of info on live's website as well as LS1Tech.
Thanks, Jub. Quick question... In the EFILive LC-1 Installation PDF it mentions a DynoTune digital AFR gauge; is this mandatory for tuning or just a "nice to have" for easy viewing of the AFR in real time?
I'm prepared to order the gauge if needed so it can be installed at the same time as the LC-1 and wires run for the FlashScan device, it's around $100 shipped.
It's not necessary. You can use the analog out of the wideband and read/log directly to the scan tool. You will have to activate a PID for this, which is explained in the manual.
I monitor commanded AFR vs. LM-1 output. I can also see the AFR on the LM-1 digtal display, which the LC-1 doesn't have.
Why don't you spend the extra money and get the LM-1?
I already ordered a package deal which included the LC-1 for half price ($100). The saved difference gives me enough to get the AFR gauge if I want it. As long as the ScanTune device can display AFR easily, I'll skip the dedicated AFR gauge for now. Need the cash for getting the dyno tune done anyhow...
I already ordered a package deal which included the LC-1 for half price ($100). The saved difference gives me enough to get the AFR gauge if I want it. As long as the ScanTune device can display AFR easily, I'll skip the dedicated AFR gauge for now. Need the cash for getting the dyno tune done anyhow...
Get the dynotune gauge,you wont regret it.. I have the square one its the shit.. dynos are overrated, as long as youre afr is in check at wot who needs a dyno....
Dropped the car off at the shop this morning with all my stuff to be installed and stuck around while it was put on the dyno for its first set of pulls.
My tuner is using a Dyno Dynamics chassis eddy current dyno, which is more precise than a regular "old fashioned" chassis inertia dyno (DynoJet, Mustang, etc.) regarding true horsepower. It allows the car to be tuned not only at WOT, but at varying throttle positions under a wide variety of conditions, thus allowing 'street' tuning.
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My car is tuned with efilive with an lc-1 and it works great. I make small adjustments and number my tunes. If something doesn't work the way I like I just flash it back and try something else. If you need technical help you can always use the efilive forum and those guys can help you. They have helped me plenty of times. Just remember if someone gives you a copy of their tune I would look at it as just a guideline of what you might do. Every car is different and they may not have the same upgrades you do. If you really want to learn to tune efilive offers classes. Go to ***edited*** Good luck and have fun.
Last edited by MikesZ06 : 11-08-2007 at 05:00 PM.
Reason: Link to non supporting vendor
Thanks for the info, DLong. I'm familiar with the classes, but it's not in the budget and none are going to be in this area any time soon. My tuner has done the EFI Univ. certification, however.
Just picked the car up from the shop and unfortunately my tuner hasn't used EFILive before, so he wasn't able to do any tuning, but he did install the LC-1 (ran the wires to the glove box so I can easily hook it up to the ScanTune device), TR55 copper plugs (.060"), Magnecor KV-85 wires, AMSOIL 5w30 synthetic oil and filter, along with a Wix fuel filter (from AMSOIL). He did another dyno pull and it bumped up the RWHP by 8, not bad. Car idles a little smoother and doesn't want to bog in first like it did before.
He said the AFR was around 12 at low RPM and became richer as the RPMs increased, to about 11. So there's room to lean it out a bit so that it's 12.5 across the whole range, is that a good target AFR?
I also had the vendor which I bought EFILive from call him and give him info on where to start, so now he is going to familiarize himself with the software. BTW, he was very impressed with how robust EFILive is.
So, in a nutshell, now I am free to start scanning, logging and tuning on my own until I bring it back in a couple of weeks (tuner's going on vacation).
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