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Speed Density!!

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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 12:08 AM
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Default Speed Density!!

I was talking with a couple fellow Tech guys that live local here, and they said after my cam swap, it would probibly be wise to go SD. I am going to take up there advice on it. But what I was wondering is.

What tuner should I go with?
And usually how expensive are they? For a good one that is..

I am going to try and do all the tuning by myself and maybe a helping hand from a fellow tech, that way I can start learning That side of the house.

Thanks.

Lane
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 12:45 AM
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Sorta depends on the cam profile that you are considering. Persoanally I don't see any gains by going with a SD tune. GM spent millions making the MAF work, and in almost all conditions it works and works well. Having been running a tuner shop for going on 4 years, I have yet to have to convert to a SD calibration on a LSx engine. You can ask around here as I have several customers here in this forum, all from small to large cams.
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 03:46 AM
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The cam I am going to be using is the one in my sig.. See I have heard both sides of using SD or just the stock maf. And I would like to try both, and see witch one I prefer my self. But to begin with I will try SD. And if it is not what I like then I will go back to maf.. Also I don't think I am lucky enough to have some one close in my region, to be able to take my car too for Dyno Tuning. I really don't find driving for more than 2 to 3 hours away very fun to just get tune work done, That may only take 1 hour to do. LOL. So thats why I would like to do everything my self, and also learn it.

Thanks for the reply though its appriciated. Anybody else have any info I could use also.

Lane
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 07:53 AM
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I agree with tj. I know some guys with radical setups swear by SD tuning. Personally I have had little luck with it. Every time I got mine close something weird happened & it ran like crap again. You will need to buy at least 1 set of new O2 sensors. If they aren't perfect, your engine won't run right. And tuning it with a wide band won't help. Your PCM doesn't look at that sensor. I have 2 bar HP Tuner that hasn't been put to use yet because the SD part is a major PITA....IMO.

I think SD should only be used on cars that go beyond the MAF's airflow range (like my car for instance). Otherwise you should be able tune the car to make it run right for ANY cam. And when you go someplace with a different altitude, your car will still run right. You can get a feel for what it's like....go disconnect your MAF & see how the car runs.

Flack jacket & flame suit on
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 09:09 AM
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Originally Posted by WAHUSKER
I have 2 bar HP Tuner that hasn't been put to use yet because the SD part is a major PITA....IMO.

I think SD should only be used on cars that go beyond the MAF's airflow range (like my car for instance). Otherwise you should be able tune the car to make it run right for ANY cam. And when you go someplace with a different altitude, your car will still run right. You can get a feel for what it's like....go disconnect your MAF & see how the car runs.

Flack jacket & flame suit on

It is a major PITA, and one will spend hours and hours mapping the system. As for your car, what MAF have you tried? Do you know about the 4" LPE MAF that you can put in and all you need to do is to rescale the MAF tables? I have yet to run into a wall with that MAF.

http://www.lingenfelter.com/store/lp..._lpe-4232.html
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 09:41 AM
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I did not post to this on purpose last night. I was once told because I do not SD tune I have no ckue what I am doing and then I was hounded by that person for being stupid.

I am in TOTAL Agreement with what has been posted so far. SD to me is like an old Holley. it is real easy to get running in a day. Then the next day when weather changes it is not running right again. This is where it getts tricky and takes alot of time. I feel, like the others here, you must have both sides tuned well to get what you want out of it.

JMHO take it for what little it is worth
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 10:18 AM
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No Tom, I haven't tried that MAF yet. I've heard some good things about it, and probably should give it a try. Maybe that would be a good reason to finally come meet you, since you have experience tuning them.

PS And I agree Ellis, you don't know anything about tuning.

Last edited by WAHUSKER; Jul 11, 2007 at 10:30 AM.
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 11:16 AM
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If looking for tuning software then I suggest HPtuners. Lane I already have HPT for 98's if you want we can get the tune knocked out in a couple of hours. I'm not the most efficient tuner by any means but we can get it relatively close.

Marty
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 08:36 PM
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Thanks for the info guys. Its appriciated,

I will deffenitly look up that maf tjwong. thanks!!!

Yeah Marty that sounds like a plan. I don't care if we get it perfect. As long as I can learn something about it, and one day start doing it my self. Hey and also we need to set up a date to go to Mission. I think August 3rd they are doing test and tune... Already talked to the wife about it. So maybe NVME, you and I can take off on that saturday.

Thanks again guys.

Lane
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 10:57 PM
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I agree, no need to go SD. I don't think it's really cracked up to be what some claim.
Robert
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Old Jul 11, 2007 | 11:44 PM
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With how fast and often the weather changes around here I'd stay away from SD, next tune will be using the maf in my car when the new short block goes in.
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 08:05 AM
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Do you have a motor lined up yet Josh?
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by WAHUSKER
Do you have a motor lined up yet Josh?
I can't afford to get a short block out right so I've decided to get a good condition bare block and crank, and do it a little bit at a time then sell the core out of the car. Not gonna be done near as soon as I'd like but it's a start. Should've had ellis re-tune the car a little sooner eh?
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 01:18 PM
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OK, I was just gonna say if you still were looking, Boyce backed out on the deal for my old 5.7, so I know where a hot-cam complete motor is if you wanted to plug-n-play.
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 03:27 PM
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Yeah....I know I will spend hours tuning my car with the carb and the next day it won't even run and it's back to the drawing board. Thank goodness mass air fuel injected cars came along because cars were worthless before they came along.
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 09:04 PM
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^^^ Do I detect a hint of SARCASIM??? Ha ha
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 10:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Robert56
I agree, no need to go SD. I don't think it's really cracked up to be what some claim.
Robert

That depends on the application. Looooooooong overlap cams will fool MAF systems too bad. I've actually seen fuel suspended ABOVE the carb at idle on race motors because the cam was causing the air to flow out during overlap. This would fool the MAF into thinking there was twice as much air flowing at idle.

MegaSquirt has code that will use AlphaN mode at idle and then switch to SD at a certian rpm.

Alpha-N - A method of determining fuel requirements for an engine based on throttle position and engine RPM. Because naturally aspirated race engines often produce little or no manifold vacuum, manifold pressure readings are nearly the same at an idle as they are at WOT. This makes tuning the engine in speed/density mode nearly impossible. In these cases, Alpha-N mode is used. Note that supercharged engines should not be run in Alpha-N mode.
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 10:58 PM
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Originally Posted by crazylane
^^^ Do I detect a hint of SARCASIM??? Ha ha

Only time he ever posts
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 11:04 PM
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Originally Posted by NWDragRacer
That depends on the application. Looooooooong overlap cams will fool MAF systems too bad. I've actually seen fuel suspended ABOVE the carb at idle on race motors because the cam was causing the air to flow out during overlap. This would fool the MAF into thinking there was twice as much air flowing at idle.

MegaSquirt has code that will use AlphaN mode at idle and then switch to SD at a certian rpm.
Don that is the MAP sensor...the main sensor use in SD mode

I have nothing against SD. Most all after market ECMs use SD as did most Manufactures at one time.
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Old Jul 12, 2007 | 11:22 PM
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Originally Posted by NWDragRacer
That depends on the application. Looooooooong overlap cams will fool MAF systems too bad. I've actually seen fuel suspended ABOVE the carb at idle on race motors because the cam was causing the air to flow out during overlap. This would fool the MAF into thinking there was twice as much air flowing at idle.

MegaSquirt has code that will use AlphaN mode at idle and then switch to SD at a certian rpm.

See thats the same thing I heard too. That is why I am considering SD. The cam I am choosing has good size overlap, In my opionion. Some may think Different but anything in the high 230 to 240 range is fairely big for a 347.

Lane
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