Beginner's Tuning, etc.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
From: Florida
Beginner's Tuning, etc.
Dear all,
I am a fairly new Mustang owner (17 y/o, have had the car for a little over a year) and I'm wanting to tune my car. I'm mainly looking for an increase in performance as well as durability in the motor and overall better specs. However, here's my issue: the prior owners said they installed high compression heads (didn't ask what specific brand, etc.) and on top of that, I also had MSD Racing Coil Packs installed as well. To sum it up, I don't know what my car is making HP wise or Torque wise. On top of this, I don't know what brands to trust in regards to upgrading the ECU, etc. Can anyone give me advice?
Thanks in advance,
Donald
I am a fairly new Mustang owner (17 y/o, have had the car for a little over a year) and I'm wanting to tune my car. I'm mainly looking for an increase in performance as well as durability in the motor and overall better specs. However, here's my issue: the prior owners said they installed high compression heads (didn't ask what specific brand, etc.) and on top of that, I also had MSD Racing Coil Packs installed as well. To sum it up, I don't know what my car is making HP wise or Torque wise. On top of this, I don't know what brands to trust in regards to upgrading the ECU, etc. Can anyone give me advice?
Thanks in advance,
Donald
4th Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,826
From: SoCal
The coils are irrelevant as far as tuning goes. "High compression heads".... I'm thinking that a head gasket was replaced and the heads were milled a little bit to true up the mounting surface. Removing a few thousandths or whatever of material will increase compression ratio, but only marginally.
What grade of gasoline are you using? Does it run fine (no pinging under load) on 87? If so then whatever bump in compression there is is not much of a factor.
For what you're wanting to do, a SCT or Diablo handheld device with preloaded "custom" tunes should be fine. Most of the hp gains will be noticed in the rpm midrange area, like 3-5K rpm. The advertised gains are in that section of the engine's operating range, peak gains at the top of the rpm range are typically only about 10 hp maybe.
What grade of gasoline are you using? Does it run fine (no pinging under load) on 87? If so then whatever bump in compression there is is not much of a factor.
For what you're wanting to do, a SCT or Diablo handheld device with preloaded "custom" tunes should be fine. Most of the hp gains will be noticed in the rpm midrange area, like 3-5K rpm. The advertised gains are in that section of the engine's operating range, peak gains at the top of the rpm range are typically only about 10 hp maybe.
2nd Gear Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 489
From: North Carolina
Beginner's Tuning, etc.
DGH1996, Z28KLR is spot on. Call the boys at BAMA Performance : 1-888-226-9764 and tell them everything you know about your ride. I know there are other "tuning" organizations out there that are also very good. Research and then decide which company you want to use.
The ultimate tune is on the dyno "custom tuning" but I don't know if that level is what you want.
Also, you can only find your horsepower and torque on a dyno. There might be one near you locally.
The ultimate tune is on the dyno "custom tuning" but I don't know if that level is what you want.
Also, you can only find your horsepower and torque on a dyno. There might be one near you locally.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 3
From: Florida
I am using 93 (premium) grade fuel, and I rarely use 87, so I'm not sure. Should I use 87?
Also, thank you for the direction. For these specific tunings, what parts, if any, will I need to upgrade to ensure no major damage is done to my engine? I'm aware that Stage 3-4 turning requires certain parts to be replaced, which is why I ask.
Also, thank you for the direction. For these specific tunings, what parts, if any, will I need to upgrade to ensure no major damage is done to my engine? I'm aware that Stage 3-4 turning requires certain parts to be replaced, which is why I ask.
4th Gear Member
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 1,826
From: SoCal
Stage 3 or 4 tuning? Have you been on the import forums?
Refer back to post #3. Contact Bama or whoever, tell them what you know about your car, give them $400 and call it a day. No parts needed to be replaced, no tuning "stages".
Refer back to post #3. Contact Bama or whoever, tell them what you know about your car, give them $400 and call it a day. No parts needed to be replaced, no tuning "stages".
