Terminator X tuning
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Terminator X tuning I’m running a 5.3 with a tsp bfd cam in a c10 with the terminator x and have been struggling to make it run correctly. So far the self tuner hasn’t been working that well for me. I want to use this as an opportunity to get some tuning knowledge but I’m at a point where I’m at the end of my knowledge and abilities. The truck is really sensitive to throttle input and with too much gas too quickly will go lean and cough before correcting its self and going. When free revving I have to get it to like 2k before revving it slow to avoid a cough. It also will cough and go lean when floored from a stop. Any ideas on how to fix the issue? Preferably in layman’s terms.
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From: Florida
i dont know what a tsp bfd cam is but when you did the wizard did you select the correct cam size range?
I have had excellent luck with the startup tune wizards output. a couple friends that were dead scared of electronics i felt like i had to twist their arm to talk them into trying it and it simply worked first try without me even seeing the car, i just told them what to do over texting.
with that, what size is your throttle body? did you calibrate it correctly so its reading less than 1% with foot off the pedal?
are the rest of your sensors reading correctly?
your first step should be to try to drive it around a little bit with slow throttle changes to get the learn table to start populating. if you start adding or removing transient fuel (pump shot in holley terms) right away then when the fuel table starts coming in it will throw that off and you will end up chasing your tail, been there done that on an aem v2.
I have had excellent luck with the startup tune wizards output. a couple friends that were dead scared of electronics i felt like i had to twist their arm to talk them into trying it and it simply worked first try without me even seeing the car, i just told them what to do over texting.
with that, what size is your throttle body? did you calibrate it correctly so its reading less than 1% with foot off the pedal?
are the rest of your sensors reading correctly?
your first step should be to try to drive it around a little bit with slow throttle changes to get the learn table to start populating. if you start adding or removing transient fuel (pump shot in holley terms) right away then when the fuel table starts coming in it will throw that off and you will end up chasing your tail, been there done that on an aem v2.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
i dont know what a tsp bfd cam is but when you did the wizard did you select the correct cam size range?
I have had excellent luck with the startup tune wizards output. a couple friends that were dead scared of electronics i felt like i had to twist their arm to talk them into trying it and it simply worked first try without me even seeing the car, i just told them what to do over texting.
with that, what size is your throttle body? did you calibrate it correctly so its reading less than 1% with foot off the pedal?
are the rest of your sensors reading correctly?
your first step should be to try to drive it around a little bit with slow throttle changes to get the learn table to start populating. if you start adding or removing transient fuel (pump shot in holley terms) right away then when the fuel table starts coming in it will throw that off and you will end up chasing your tail, been there done that on an aem v2.
I have had excellent luck with the startup tune wizards output. a couple friends that were dead scared of electronics i felt like i had to twist their arm to talk them into trying it and it simply worked first try without me even seeing the car, i just told them what to do over texting.
with that, what size is your throttle body? did you calibrate it correctly so its reading less than 1% with foot off the pedal?
are the rest of your sensors reading correctly?
your first step should be to try to drive it around a little bit with slow throttle changes to get the learn table to start populating. if you start adding or removing transient fuel (pump shot in holley terms) right away then when the fuel table starts coming in it will throw that off and you will end up chasing your tail, been there done that on an aem v2.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Florida
a shot in the dark but id try the wizard with the next size up cam.
otherwise, with the termx being this problematic you will either need to keep trying things or break down and hire a tuner to at least get you closer.
you said the tps reads right but not specifically that its at zero with foot off the pedal. my car had all kinds of drivability issues when my tps minimum was 2%.
otherwise, with the termx being this problematic you will either need to keep trying things or break down and hire a tuner to at least get you closer.
you said the tps reads right but not specifically that its at zero with foot off the pedal. my car had all kinds of drivability issues when my tps minimum was 2%.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Florida
thats where the wizards are.... and they wouldnt sell nearly as many if it required a laptop. i have several friends that somehow have made it to 2021 in their 30s and are afraid of computers that have or will be buying termXs
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a shot in the dark but id try the wizard with the next size up cam.
otherwise, with the termx being this problematic you will either need to keep trying things or break down and hire a tuner to at least get you closer.
you said the tps reads right but not specifically that its at zero with foot off the pedal. my car had all kinds of drivability issues when my tps minimum was 2%.
otherwise, with the termx being this problematic you will either need to keep trying things or break down and hire a tuner to at least get you closer.
you said the tps reads right but not specifically that its at zero with foot off the pedal. my car had all kinds of drivability issues when my tps minimum was 2%.
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The wizard should be used to get it running but every combo should really be dialed in with a laptop to get the most out of. I used the wizard once on a blower car just to see what it would come up with. It would have blown the motor if I used what the wizard came up with. If you have stock motor the wizard would probably get you close.
That and advertisings as "self tuning" I cant count how many vehicles we have retuned with holley that they used the wizard and just drove it thinking it would self tune everything. We have one coming today thats stalling out all the time and he thought it fix it self. If you have big cam with a lot of over lap it will never quit adding fuel.
The wizard should be used to get it running but every combo should really be dialed in with a laptop to get the most out of. I used the wizard once on a blower car just to see what it would come up with. It would have blown the motor if I used what the wizard came up with. If you have stock motor the wizard would probably get you close.
The wizard should be used to get it running but every combo should really be dialed in with a laptop to get the most out of. I used the wizard once on a blower car just to see what it would come up with. It would have blown the motor if I used what the wizard came up with. If you have stock motor the wizard would probably get you close.
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From: Florida
Totally agree. If you want DIY scene points to say hey look I built it, installed the engine and it runs, its great for that. But if you want an actual tuned vehicle you need to bust out a computer and get into the options. I agree some of the maps are spicy, not sure who at Holley thought that was a good idea.
i spent about 10 years tuning carbs but i also know several people that get paid to tune that im pretty sure havent ever really tuned one. sure the fundamentals are the same but knowing what each orifice does and how it affects others isnt really a necessary skill to fill in a timing table.
i only used the wizard on mine to get it fired off and use a laptop for everything since, but, <anecdotal evidence warning> a friend of mine used the wizard to get his going, sent me the tune and i fixed up the timing table, afr targets and a few other little things and the holley is doing great managing the fuel with its closed loop. car went low 10s first time out and i never saw the thing in person. but i guess i just agreed with you there.
i only used the wizard on mine to get it fired off and use a laptop for everything since, but, <anecdotal evidence warning> a friend of mine used the wizard to get his going, sent me the tune and i fixed up the timing table, afr targets and a few other little things and the holley is doing great managing the fuel with its closed loop. car went low 10s first time out and i never saw the thing in person. but i guess i just agreed with you there.
i spent about 10 years tuning carbs but i also know several people that get paid to tune that im pretty sure havent ever really tuned one. sure the fundamentals are the same but knowing what each orifice does and how it affects others isnt really a necessary skill to fill in a timing table.
i only used the wizard on mine to get it fired off and use a laptop for everything since, but, <anecdotal evidence warning> a friend of mine used the wizard to get his going, sent me the tune and i fixed up the timing table, afr targets and a few other little things and the holley is doing great managing the fuel with its closed loop. car went low 10s first time out and i never saw the thing in person. but i guess i just agreed with you there.
i only used the wizard on mine to get it fired off and use a laptop for everything since, but, <anecdotal evidence warning> a friend of mine used the wizard to get his going, sent me the tune and i fixed up the timing table, afr targets and a few other little things and the holley is doing great managing the fuel with its closed loop. car went low 10s first time out and i never saw the thing in person. but i guess i just agreed with you there.
I think Holley needs to take that stupid hand held and chuck it. Agreed, post the tune file, I'd be happy to look it over. If you could provide as much info as possible on the particulars of it, that would be helpful.
