Complete new build and I need to tune it

**whiz92** · 10-11-2013

Ok so I've got a 04 GTP Comp G and I recently destroyed the motor racing a new charger (I won until I got to the end of the interstate and heard that awful yet familiar knocking). I preceded to look for a junkyard motor and the only ones I could find in the area were from N/A cars so I said screw it I'll make it work. I have since bought said engine, tore it down to bare block and cleaned it and replaced all the seals, oil pump, timing chain and tensioner. I also bought the short stack intercooler kit from ZZP, pacesetter headers with 3" high flow cat, autolite 104's, 180* thermostat, and a 3.4 inch pulley. All this has been installed and its ready to go but I sent my computer to PCM of NC to have it tuned and it turns out they cannot tune it due to the fact they don't have a file on hand of a similarly modded car. Rather than pay the $600 plus for a dyno tune I had the idea of buying HP tuners and getting a flash from someone on here with similar mods and then flashing it to my car and researching how to tune and then tweak the flash to fit my car therefore I'm spending about the same amount but in the process I get HP tuners and learn a new skill. Any thoughts, comments, advice, .02 and help is much appreciate

Dylan

**tms8582** · 10-11-2013

I think it would be cool to learn the ins and outs of tuning but i bet zzp or intense could get you a decent mail order tune. Did you use the l32 cam? If so all that's really changing is your na block has more compression. I'd give John a call at intense. I bet he has done a dozen pcms with your exact setup. I'd guess the ss intercooler and headers a will allow you to run that 3.4 no problem.

**Z34Phoenix** · 10-12-2013

No. A 3.4 o. A topswap is like running a 3.0 on a normal engine. Headers and ssic will prob let u run a 3.6.... Maybe. If you have rockers or a cam the 3.4 might be ok, but I would not trust a mail order PCM to do the job.

**coolone** · 10-12-2013

Thoughts are this... Put the 3.8 back on till tuned. If you're gonna play around with it, continue modding, etc., then HPT is a worthy investment cause the boxed tune is half way there ($).

HPT site, here and many other resources to get you going with tuning. You should start with a base file anyway and then a weekend (for noobie) of driving and adjusting will get ya your own tune. Starting stock and working down to what pulley you want, always adjusting for the ever engine killing knock. With a boxed tune you may still have knock, then what?

Only and best way to go is in car tune.

my $.02

**REDCRAPGP** · 10-12-2013

I would run a 3.8 until you get it tuned first. Your in NY I'm sure there's quite a few guys that can still tune within your area. Maybe meanwhile get a mail order PCM and not beat on the car.

**blackflag** · 10-12-2013

sell the ssic, get a s2ic. run the 3.4

**darkhorizon** · 10-12-2013

Stock pcm should work fine.

**whiz92** · 10-12-2013

Concerning the cam, I used the one that was in the n/a block. I got on rock auto, oreily's, and researched as much as I could and the cam in the L26 and the L32 are the same. Also I finally got car completed today and took it for a short spin and if i get into any boost or accerate lightly to above 3000 ish rpm it misfires. Is that due to not being tuned or could I be running too cold plugs?

**whiz92** · 10-12-2013

Also how do I find someone on here who's in or near NY that I could persuade to come tune or help me tune my car?

**Z34Phoenix** · 10-12-2013

OMG! you are running a topswap. stock NA pcm will destroy that engine in no time. even at 3k you prob are seeing boost and it is detonating.

**whiz92** · 10-13-2013

I'm using the L32 pcm. And I havent run the car far. basically about a mile from the shop to base housing.

**darkhorizon** · 10-13-2013

Originally Posted by Z34Phoenix

OMG! you are running a topswap. stock NA pcm will destroy that engine in no time. even at 3k you prob are seeing boost and it is detonating.

Uh. No... stock will work fine the pulley is likely. a bit small

**coolone** · 10-13-2013

The stock PCM does not account for fueling with the added boost... So you'll be FINE, unless you introduce something to the engine the PCM is unable to adjust for, namely higher rpm/boost. Keep at it and you'll be looking for a new engine, one mile or two blocks, don't matter. You'll be tempted again to hit the throttle, then BOOM!

Are you even monitoring for knock? Come on... You've researched the cam, but nothing else? Spent all that money on the build but don't want to pay for a tune (dyno) even if that's all that is available to you?

**whiz92** · 10-13-2013

I know the tune is vital. I just need to find someone to do it. I actually am in SC right now but I'm moving to NY this saturday so I dont know anyone in NY. If someone told me a way to find someone who knows how to tune in NY I'd gladly pay. And I will be monitoring for knock. I'm ordering this to allow me to see everything on my phone. Seems like a nifty little device

http://www.scantool.net/obdlink-mx.html

**2003 SSEi** · 10-13-2013

I would sent it to someone who knows what they are doing...I wouldnt trust someone that "didnt have a file"

or depending where you are in NY, come over to Pittsburgh and ill Tune it, for the cost of credits

**whiz92** · 10-13-2013

2003 SSEi I might hit you up on that. Ill be coming through there on my way to NY. Would you be free sometime around the end of Oct?

**darkhorizon** · 10-14-2013

Originally Posted by whiz92

I know the tune is vital. I just need to find someone to do it.

A tune is not "vital". What you have now will work fine unless you have too much pulley on it for your setup, which you probably do.

The stock PCM does not account for fueling with the added boost

This could not be more wrong. The PCM does not read "boost", it reads air, and a stock PCM can read up to at least 20% more air than stock without modifications. With some "tricks" you can push that number even further.