Instead of using a car dyno tune to answer to arbitrary, flow-based set-ups and timing adjustments, a properly, tuned engine combo can be built whether you are using a Chipped VTEC ECU, Reflashed i-VTEC ECU, JDM Tuned Honda Combo Kit, or making ECU alterations to your engine management system through an E-Tune. Compared to a one day dyno session, Real-Time Tuning on the street or track will take more time, but the end result is more rewarding, beneficial and superior to any dyno tune. Through Real-Time Tuning, I have found an engine’s ideal combination and calculated it’s ignition timing curve without any data logging or use of a dyno tool.
What is Real-Time Tuning?
Real-Time Tuning is the scientific method of combining engine components through computational aspects of tuned lengths and diameters, in order to “time the air” that is captured through an engine’s combustion chambers. The end result is a tuned torque curve that possesses a characteristic of an emphasized power-band at a given engine speed (rpm) or region. The primary purpose of the emphasized power-band is to achieve maximum torque output, highest average horsepower levels and volumetric efficiency, which is relevant to the engine’s performance. Prior to any ECU alterations, the Real-Time Tuning process begins with a theory-based, engine combination of specified dimensions, which is implemented into the engine’s base All Motor Build. The vehicle is then tested in “Real-Time” through street and/or track operation, to effectively and truly discover the ideal fuel & ignition timing curve, as well as other parameters of the tuned engine combo, which completes the “Real-Time” Tuning process.
Tuning The Torque Curve And It's Ignition Timing Curve
The theory behind tuning a torque curve and building the desired power-band is derived from the engine combination. This is where the largest gains are hidden and potentially revealed. If you want to yield the biggest gains overall, the ideal engine combination will have to be found, regardless of ECU tuning. A dyno is not needed to tune the ignition timing curve if you can manually plot your fuel curve through the use of a wideband O2 sensor module. Given the dyno is already used to answer to timing adjustments, this indicates that the tuner is ignoring how the shape of the fuel curve was derived. Altering the ECU fuel and timing curve will only yield torque gains that are limited within the engine combination and this limited approach is the basis for dyno tuners and extended eTuning practices. Each change that is made to the combo will affect the fuel curve, which is a reflection of the torque curve. Making critical observations of the fuel curve will theoretically supply an answer to the critical points in the timing curve. Every torque curve will require it’s ideal timing curve to maximize it’s emphasized power-band that was originally derived from the engine combo.
After your combination is configured, the fuel curve is tuned to a target air/fuel ratio by manually viewing or data logging the air/fuel ratios through a wideband O2 sensor module with an air/fuel viewer. All it takes is driving and cruising at partial throttle loads followed by full throttle pulls. Even without data logging, you will get a general idea of where fuel needs to be increased or decreased based on light, medium and full throttle loads at various engine speeds.For example, let’s say you are doing full throttle pulls. If your air/fuel ratio is 12.5:1 from 4000 rpms to 7000 rpms and 12.1:1 from 7000+ rpms, you would start by reducing the ECU fuel values from 7000+ rpms to yield a target air/fuel ratio of 12.5:1. This is the simplest way to achieve a consistent air/fuel ratio throughout an engine load range. If your target air/fuel ratio is 12.9:1 across the board, you can now reduce the fuel values at all full throttle rpm increments by the same percentage. After the target air/fuel ratio is met throughout the whole map, the street-tuned fuel curve, which is a reflection of the engine’s torque curve, is then analyzed and the timing curve is adjusted at various engine speed ranges to emphasize certain areas of the fuel curve. The amplitude of specific points in the fuel curve dictates the gradual timing changes that are made. With repetitious street and track tests, the total timing, as well as the ideal timing curve is found through spark plug, wideband o2 and fuel curve observations without data logging. Additionally, speed vs time calculations can be made through data logging by using a custom acceleration program that I have created. Not only can the most potent engine combination be computed prior to ECU alterations, the maximum torque output and average horsepower within the engine combination’s power-band will be achieved through the complete process of a Real-Time Tuning / E-Tuning Session.Honda OEM Theory
Honda limits its factory torque output and shapes the physical characteristic of the curve, through it's mass production combo. Through observing the fuel curve and analyzing the change in the torque curve during Real-Time Testing and Tuning, I have found the ideal combination of tuned dimensions to “time the air” at a precise engine speed (rpm). Coincidentally, this is achieved by matching the right Honda OEM components to work together, yielding the highest average horsepower and torque output through Honda’s hidden concept. The engine does not know the difference between “stock” and “fully-built”, therefore a combination is a combination. The Honda OEM, properly tuned torque curve is most affordable, reliable and power efficient that results in superior engine performance for road and track vehicles.
Vehicle applications include, but not limited to Honda, GM (Chevy), Mopar (Hemi), Ford, Mercedes, BMW, Volkswagon, Audi, Subaru and Mitsubishi. Serving NJ (New Jersey), PA (Pennsylvania), NY (New York), the Tri-State area, East Coast, CA (California), West Coast, United States and International. For technical questions or inquiries regarding your Real-Time Street / Track Tune, or Real-Time E-Tune, please Contact me.
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Englishtown, New Jersey USA
