There are several different things which you can modify which will allow you to properly tune your car using an obd1 honda eprom editor.
A brief run through: Low Cam = Non Vtec / High Cam = Vtec
There are high & low cam fuel & ignition maps on a vtec ecu. As you can imagin a non-vtec ecu does not have a high cam map.
Now each map can be edited cell by cell via rpm & load. For example, most motors idle around 21" of vaccum which is about 288 millibars. These figures are measures of pressure. Using the low cam fuel map, you can add or remove fuel to the idle via editing the proper rpm & vaccum collums. Using the low cam & high cam fuel maps a vehicle can be properly tuned via load/rpm usign a wideband oxygen sensor etc.
The low cam & high cam ignition timing maps are maps which work the same way as the fuel maps except for the fact that you are editing ignition timing values per load & rpm instead of fuel values.
There are several different things besides editing fuel & timing maps that one must know before attempting to tune a vehicle, but this is simply a run through as to how the softwares work. I DO NOT RECOMMEND you attempt to use any kind of tuning software unless you have proper training!
What is a basemap?:
A basemap is an ecu program that is specifically modified for your vehicle & its modifications. A basemap contains fuel & ignition timing values along with other important settings such as revlimit etc. Phearable.net uses basemaps which are only from actual vehicles which have been tuned by phearable.net using a wideband oxygen sensor and a dynojet. This is what separates phearable.net from other modified ecu distributors.
What is an eprom chip programmer/burner?:
An eprom burner is a device which is used to program binary data to a 28 pin eprom chip which is then installed into an obd1 ecu for a vehicle to run off of.
What is a romulator?:
A romulator is a device which allows you to emulate a 28 pin eprom chip being in your ecu. (The romulator is actually connected to a pc which sends it data to run the ecu off of) This unit basically pretends to be an eprom chip in the ecu. This allows you to make changes without having to remove the eprom chip while tuning. Once your final binary program is done being edited via crome, hondata, uberdata etc, you or your tuner would save the binary file to a eprom chip using a chip burner. You would then install the eprom into the obd1 ecu which would enable the vehicle to run off of the binary file just created or edited by you or your tuner.
What is datalogging / a datalogging cable?
A datalogging cable is a cable which is connected from your computer to your obd1 honda ecu. This cable allows you to use feedback from your ecu to log or view information which is live from your ecu. Using datalogging along with a wideband oxygen sensor and a good eprom editor will allow you or your tuner to view critical air/fuel information.
General obd1 ecu tuning equipment:
What is a wideband oxygen sensor?
A wideband oxygen sensor is a sensor which allows you to monitor parts air to fuel. Most people have the preconception that a basic autometer air/fuel guage using the stock oxygen sensor in their vehicle will give them all the information they need about being in a lean or rich condition. This information is false, the factory narrowband oxygen sensor will not provide you with an accurate reading because the oxygen sensor is a narrowband sensor which does not have a wide enough of a range to accurately sense air/fuel mixtures needed to properly tune a vehicle. The purchase of a wideband oxygen sensor is not required due to the fact that almost every tuner provides one with his services etc.
What is a 3 bar or 2.5 bar map sensor or an aftermarket map sensor used for?:
An aftermarket map sensor is used for forced induction vehicles which are to be tuned over 11 psi of manifold pressure. The factory Honda map sensor only supports up to 11 psi of map pressure.
Can I run my vehicle on a basemap & not worry about it?:
No matter how good the basemap, every forced induction vehicle should be dyno & or street tuned by an experienced tuner to ensure engine safety.
Where do I find a local tuner?:
Phearable.net is located in the Tampa, Florida area. Click here for more info on our services.
If Phearable.net is not local to you, we have links to tuner directories on our tech section via
http://phearable.net/tech
* Tuning introduction / check list
A lot of people do not understand the importance of tuning a vehicle. Most people assume tuning is to make horsepower, what they do not realize is tuning is extremely important due to the fact that an untuned engine will eventually fail without proper tuning by an experienced tuner.
- Before you have your vehicle tuned check list:
* Oxygen Sensor Bung: You must have a oxygen sensor bung which is accessable & installed in a proper location to where a good air/fuel pickup can be achieved. The oxygen sensor bung MUST have clean threads & be clear of any welds which may stop a larger wideband oxygen sensor from being installed into the bung.
* Fuel Pump & Injectors: You must have the proper size & type injectors & fuel pump for your vehicle setup. Please consult with your tuner to ensure you have the proper combination.
* Spark Plugs: Proper spark plugs & spare spark plugs for your application. Please consult with your tuner if you are unsure as to what spark plugs to run.
* Check engine light: Resolve all check engine codes before you have your vehicle tuned.
* Charge piping: Charge pipe couplings must be secure to prevent pipes from blowing off during tuning & causing delays.
* Engine compression (No more then 20psi between cylinders.)
8:1-8.5:1 c/r = 150-170 psi per cylinder 8.5:1-9.5:1 c/r = 170-210 psi per cylinder
9.5:1-11:1 c/r = 210-275 psi per cylinder 11:1+ c/r = 250+ per cylinder
* Electrical issues: Please resolve all electrical issues before tuning.
* Brakes, Suspension, Tires: All of these components are extremely important, especially if your going to have your vehicle street tuned. Please make sure they are all in good condition.
* Proper octane fuel for your application: Please inform your tuner of what fuel you are running. You should run the highest octane which is widely available in your area such as 93 octane. Try to prevent having your vehicle tuned with gas which has been sitting in your vehicle for more than 20-30 days.
* Forced Induction vehicles should invest into a pcv catch can system such as the endyne kit.
- What is required to have your vehicle tuned on Crome Pro:
1. A vehicle/motor/setup in good mechanical condition.
2. A chipped/socketed obd1 ecu & a obd conversion harness if your vehicle requires one.
(Consult with your tuner to provide you with a chipped ecu or ecu chipping services)
3. The proper sized & resistence injectors for your application. (Ask your tuner)
92-00 Civic/Integra vehicles require Saturated HIGH RESISTANCE injectors (11-14 ohm)
LOW RESISTANCE injectors maybe used in 92-00 Civic/Integras using a resistor box.
240cc = 180-190whp 310cc = 200-220whp 370cc = 220-280whp
440cc = 280-330whp 550cc = 330whp-380whp 660cc = 380whp-425whp
720cc = 425whp-475whp 880cc = 475whp-525whp 1000cc = 525whp-600whp
4. The proper sized fuel pump. (Most street applications: Walbro 255lph fuel pump).
5. A couple of sets of spark plugs. (NGK BKR7E-N-11 for most applications under 400 whp.) Consult your tuner.
5. Optional: Fuel pressure regulator & Guage
6. Optional: Cam Gears for dyno tuning purposes.
- What is Air Fuel Ratio & Ignition Timing:
Air/Fuel ratio is the ratio of air to fuel. Ignition timing is the point at which spark is produced to create combustion. 25-30% of air/fuel mixture energy actually becomes "work" aka thrust. The remaining 70-75% becomes exhaust. Ignition timing & A/F ratio are both used to control the heat which an engine produces during combustion. For example, in most cases forced induction motors require a richer air fuel mixture of 12 parts fuel to 1 part air at wide open throttle using pump gas. Where as naturally aspirated motors usually run 13 parts fuel to 1 part air at wide open throttle. Running a richer air fuel mixture on a forced induction motor, helps absorb the heat which is produced due to the higher charge density.
- What is detonation:
Detonation occurs in the combustion process when the advancing flame front, which is pressurizing and heating the unburned mixture ahead of it, does so at such a rate that unburned fuel in that zone achieves its auto-ignition temperature before the arrival of the actual flame front. The result is that the unburned mixture combusts "spontaneously" and over the entire zone where the auto-ignition temperature has been achieved. The apparent flame speed in this zone is many orders of magnitude faster than that in conventional combustion initiated by a normal flame front, with the result that the local rise of pressure and temperature is significantly sharp. This produces the characteristic "knocking" or "pinking" sound, and the local mechanical devastation that this can produce on piston crown or cylinder head can be considerable. Actually, "knocking" is the correct terminology for what is a really a detonation behavior over a small portion of the combustion charge. A true detonation process would be one occurring over the entire compressed charge. However, because detonation in this strictly defined sense does not take place in the spark-ignition engine, the words "knocking" and "detonation" are used interchangeably in the literature, without loss of meaning, to describe the effects just discussed.
