Dyno tuning the pushrod motors

[RichV]

I'm curious as to what mods you have, the cost of your tune, and how much HP did you gain. Or is the tune more for driveability? What exactly did the tune do for you?

Is the T4M0 so damn sensitive to mods? What about the 94/95 Cobra ECU, same? Because just swaping a MAF with a matched set of injectors does not do the trick?

Reason I'm asking is eveyone on here speaks tune this and tune that for the 94/95 platform where on the Foxes it's a waste of money for basic bolt ons. Once you get into the 350+ rwhp category with either compression, boost, nitrous, then I can definitely see a reason.

I spoke to my dyno guy about this, he tunes SCT IIRC,does some big HP drag cars. His opinion is the same as mine, waste of money until you boost it.

I really want to hear from you guys that have data to show. I've asked in a few different posts without any real data, and I just don't have the experience yet with the 94/95 ECUs.

Also, what is necessary to convert to a Fox ECU?

 

[Venom351R]

No do not convert to a fox ECU. If the tuner can not tune a 94/95 ECU then they are idiots.

I''m awaitaig a Moates Quarterhorse tune on the dyno in the next few weeks. I'll let you know what the difference was from the first base pull w/ the timing/fuel presure set to where it ends up after tweeking the tune.

 

[RichV]

Ive been keeping up with your posts, I know you have a little more in it than the average joe, or myself. But I'm definitely curious on the before and after #s.

 

[Venom351R]

the old combo it put down 344/347 after the tune, befoe the tune I think it was around 330 something I cant remember. It did pick up a decent amout from the last tune although what I know now from the previous tuner Im glad Im taking it where it is now. Its pretty hard not to get your money out of a tune, even the better drivability is worth it and its not just the peak HP numbers that matter its what it picks up through the whole curve. The shop I have it at now charges between $300-$500 depending on the time needed on the dyno. Being that mine is N/A it should be on the lower end of the cost.

 

[ProKiller]

my feeling is more about safety then power increases. yes a power gain is what you want but the point is to gain that power by optimizing the combo you already have all while doing it safely. if you have basic bolt-ons i wouldn't bother. only when you start putting a H/C/I on do you need to start thinking about it.

 

[MustangChris]

Rich,

Give Scott at P&P Performance a call. He can help guide ya.

 

[RichV]

I've got a few sources for tuning, I'm more curious at what difference it actually makes.

So far, there are still no before and after #s or dyno graphs on even a HCI 302. I would have thought someone would have some hard facts since tuning is the 1st thing suggested to a lot of newbs.

Venom and ProKiller are a no brainer on tunes. You definitely need to get those combos tuned for safety and efficiency.

 

[ProKiller]

you can check out the new 5.0 mustang magazine to see how they did a back to back dyno of a fox with basic bolt-ons and a tune was one of them. it didn't gain much if i recall. don't have the article with me at work.

 

[Venom351R]

I just read that article awhile ago. While the early cars did not benefit as much from tunes the newer cars surly do but even with a pushrod having anything that is done to it from H/C/I and above should be tuned.

 

[rz5.0]

You can have regular bolts on on the 95 with out a tune.. Even an intake swap.. The cam makes the most problems with no tune....I'm on the process of tuning my 95..its a pain.. But I never tune a fox so I would not know the difference...

 

[Raffaelli]

Swapped a A9L into my 94.

Had the auto computer. (when it was both a auto and 5 speed).....SuckFest

T4M0 on a 5 speed......Pretty nice being able to rev over 4 grand.

Stock A9L and a fox harness....Was faster with one dead hole than previous. After I found the problem it ran SWEET.

A proper tune is great if your all done modding your car. Since I will never be "done," I have a hard time dropping 600 bucks every time I change something. On the flip, a A9L is not an easy swap. Lots of electical gremlins come with it. (fans/ AC/ Speedo, Tach, ect)

Good for race car bad for street car.