Car, Van, Bike Tuning FAQ's

Performance Exhaust Systems

4-1 Headers, Tri-Y Headers, Tuned Manifolds, Downpipes

Yes, one of the most important bolt-on mods. Start here, work back to the tail pipes
Considerably aids breathing, engine runs cooler - can also be heat wrapped

Q. What size exhaust tubing is best?

A. Sizing up is always beneficial from mass produced factory items. Careful selection required, if system tubing is too big flow will suffer affecting torque and horespower.

The exhaust system is a compliment of the intake side of the engine. With both working together a syphon effect is created that promotes a higher level of cylinder filling and combustion. Size accordingly to the size, spec and use of the engine and the exhaust will help tune your setup to the desired rev range.

Some examples:

Escort GT 2.0 300 bhp - single 2-1/2"
Nissan GTR R-35 650 bhp - twin 3"
VXR8 550 bhp - twin 2-3/4" to 3"
Fiesta 1.0T Eco boost 200 bhp - single 2-1/4"
Fiesta 1.6 Ti-VCT 160 bhp - single 2-1/4"
Mercedes A45 AMG 400 bhp - single 2-3/4"

Installing a Performance Exhaust System on a Van - will this make a difference?

Yes, depending on the engine configuration some will benefit more. A bigger diameter pipe and sports backbox will aid flow providing more torque, power while enhancing fuel economy on longer touring runs or motorway travel.

Camshaft Selection

(below numbers indicate total duration not duration at 0.050")

NA:

260 - great for towing or low end power
270 - mild street/Fast Road
280 - Stage 2/ Race & Rally/Tarmac/Street
290+ - MAX Effort, Street/Strip/Race

V-TEC (the original) VVT/Ti-VCT/VAMOS - variable cam timing

much less duration required (up to 20 degrees) due to benefits of cam timing being activated/advanced mechanically or hydraulically by the ECU and engine design.
Ghost cams in Coyote engines get lockouts which remove the above

FI/Blower Cams:

273/293 (in/ex split) medium level of inlet duration with a big split that takes advantage of exhaust scavenging - especially in turbo cars

Lift:

As much as your springs can take. Be sensible to aid valvetrain longevity
Change Springs every 20k miles when running higher levels of lift

Cold Air Intake (CAI)

Q. Do I need a remap to take advantage of the new airflow?

A. Not always essential as ECU will relearn and compensate to a degree however its always recommended to tweak with a tune revision to get full benefits of new CAI.

I've installed a 'sports can' on my sportsbike - will I run lean if I don't get the fueling adjusted

Yes installing a high flow, less restricted end can such as Yoshi, Akro or Termi will likely make the fueling in the upper revs run leaner. You will probably be ok unless you're a quicker rider who spends a lot of time up there - racetracks, motorways etc... Pretty much all factory bikes leave the factory with a 'rich' tune so there is a safety margin here.

However, you will be leaving power on the table by not remapping for the additional airflow, benefits of a more responsive mid-range and freight train top end pull to redline!

An indication of being too lean in the lower revs is if the engine stumbles, surges or has hesitation when rolling on the throttle, and this behavior didn't exist before the new sports can was fitted..

Remote Tuning - Do you offer a remote tuning service?

Currently this is not something we offer but we are considering adding this in the future.

A/F Ratio/Lambda - is there an ideal number for most power? if so do you always tune to this?

For a gasoline engine:

14.7:1 is the best ratio for economy and cruising
13.0:1 is the best ratio for power although debatable/unsafe as this tends to get hot!
12.7:1 is a nice safe sweet spot however all engines are different, some respond favorably running a slightly richer mixture which also can aid torque production
FI engines generally tune around 11.5:1 to 11.9:1 - depending how brave your tuner is

I've changed my cam timing, do I need to remap or retune ?

Yes, this is highly recommended to take full advantage of where you are moving the torque and power zones by advancing or retarding timing.

Should I have my bike serviced and throttle bodies balanced/synched before a remap?

Yes, definitely recommended. To get the maximum benefit from the remap (especially if doing Stage 2 tuning), have your mechanic meticulously do this. Also have the TPS checked/calibrated. An engine with synched and equally flowing throttle bodies plus accurately dialed in TPS runs harder and pulls cleaner through the rev range. Not forgetting ultra smooth part throttle and mid range response.