Tune and drop in filter 1/4 mile results

[BobSmith]

I wanted to post this to add data for any future post searches for owners trying to find information like this.
2013 SHO PP. Gearhead AO tune (with supporting plugs, thermostat, 3bar) and k&n drop in filter only.
Results were 13.218 @ 104.72.
Launch was at approximately 2k and there were no traction issues.
It was 74* out, and did not think to document other conditions.

Time wise, I'm underwhelmed. I've seen times posted for tune only cars as low as 12.60's. Obviously there are variables such as weather conditions, and I understand that.

Driveability is great. Shifts are very, very quick and crisp, but not hard.

So far Gearhead customer service has been good. I'll be reaching out from here to see if there's any improvements to be made in the tune.

 

[76FoMoCo]

Do a data log and send it to Matt your initial tune may not be all you'll get out of it. Also what was your OAR?

 

[BobSmith]

Do a data log and send it to Matt your initial tune may not be all you'll get out of it. Also what was your OAR?

No idea. This was a last minute rushed invite that I didn't have anything for but myself, the car, and a 1/4 tank of 93 octane.
So I thought it might be an ideal scenario for other beginners (with this car, not cars in general) to hear about.
I just got the car, and the tune shortly after.
I figured it'd give me an opportunity to get a timeslip.
A data log was the first thing that came to mind when I saw the time slip.
I'll definitely be contacting Matt to see if there's anything left on the table.
I also can't stress enough how beautiful the shifts are. On the street, it's smooth as butter.
Under throttle they are quick, crisp, and not harsh.
Like if I could pick the perfect shifts, this would be it.

 

[DadMobile]

A data log for sure. Sounds like your getting some false kr or might be leaking some boost. When I first had my SHO tuned my plastic intake pipes started leaking from virtually every seem.

What RPM did you launch, what was your 60’?

 

[SHOdded]

more typical of people running at high altitudes and not using 93+ octane fuel from what i have seen. other than normal weather, track and vehicle setup conditions.

 

[BobSmith]

A data log for sure. Sounds like your getting some false kr or might be leaking some boost. When I first had my SHO tuned my plastic intake pipes started leaking from virtually every seem.

What RPM did you launch, what was your 60’?

It was about 2k rpm.
60ft was 1.977

 

[76FoMoCo]

Location of the track?

 

[BobSmith]

Location of the track?

World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, IL.

 

[BobSmith]

This is what I could find on the weather.

Friday, August 12, 2022, 6:00 pm — 12:00 am
75 / 72 °F
Passing clouds.
Humidity:59%
Barometer:30.1 "Hg

 

[76FoMoCo]

Weather forecast: World Wide Technology Raceway

Weather forecast for World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois. Air density and density altitude for racers and engine tuners.

airdensityonline.com

 

[76FoMoCo]

Your DA looks like you will gain .2 to .3 in good air. Looking at what it is now the DA at the time you went was around 2300 to 3100.

 

[RickyRecon]

Probably a mix of temps/DA, and the fuel. I’m in the Midwest too, and the 93 around me usually tests at 5% ethanol. When Brad was doing my e30 tune, we started with 93 first and he said it was behaving more like 91.

The AO tune, at least in my experience, seems to be optimized around e20. On straight 93 I would get around +2 knock at WOT and similar times on dragy. I sent Matt logs and he said everything was good, “another point of octane yo be perfect, but otherwise nothing to change.” So I added a few gallons of corn and that got the times down, and knock to about +.5 at WOT. And yes, his refinement of the transmission is a master stroke.

Still tune only now I’m consistently running low 12.6s high 12.5s on dragy with negative knock sensor readings at WOT with the e30.

Ethanol is your friend

 

[Jordan_R]

Should be high 12's all day. Post a picture of the time slip and we can kind of see where it's lacking. Could be 60' or it could be that you are having some false knock which these cars are extremely known for having that is pretty easily fixable.

 

[BobSmith]

Wow, thanks for all the responses and input!

I'll certainly be doing some data logging on the AO tune and see if there's anything left on the table. And probably ultimately go to the e30 tune for warm months. I've got close access to e85 stations, just need to test it to see what it comes out at.

 

[BobSmith]

Should be high 12's all day. Post a picture of the time slip and we can kind of see where it's lacking. Could be 60' or it could be that you are having some false knock which these cars are extremely known for having that is pretty easily fixable.

I am 150

 

[RickyRecon]

Wow, thanks for all the responses and input!

I'll certainly be doing some data logging on the AO tune and see if there's anything left on the table. And probably ultimately go to the e30 tune for warm months. I've got close access to e85 stations, just need to test it to see what it comes out at.

13.2 is still a solid improvement considering stock SHOs usually clock in at 13.8-14.2 ish, but definitely send him some logs, for verification purposes if nothing else. I think the AO tune will compensate up to 94 octane, maybe 95, but GH would be able to tell you for sure, and will most likely recommend mixing in some e85 to get the most out of the tune.

If you go the e30 route, and I highly suggest you do, just keep in mind that if you stick with GH, Matt is going to want you to have the upgraded hpfp. You MIGHT be able to talk him into it if you install an ethanol sensor. However if you don’t want to drop the ~$1500 for a fuel pump right away, Brad (AJPTURBO) will tune for e30 on the stock fuel system if your pumps are healthy. I’m right on Lake Michigan, and told him that our winters are no joke, but he said I shouldn’t need to switch tunes in the winter. I think that has to do with my tune not being on the bleeding edge. We’ll see though.

It’s a game changer for sure, the best part is how much harder it pulls up top. Incidentally, my exhaust tips don’t get black with soot anymore since making the switch, so I’m guessing it runs a bit cleaner too?

 

[BobSmith]

13.2 is still a solid improvement considering stock SHOs usually clock in at 13.8-14.2 ish, but definitely send him some logs, for verification purposes if nothing else. I think the AO tune will compensate up to 94 octane, maybe 95, but GH would be able to tell you for sure, and will most likely recommend mixing in some e85 to get the most out of the tune.

If you go the e30 route, and I highly suggest you do, just keep in mind that if you stick with GH, Matt is going to want you to have the upgraded hpfp. You MIGHT be able to talk him into it if you install an ethanol sensor. However if you don’t want to drop the ~$1500 for a fuel pump right away, Brad (AJPTURBO) will tune for e30 on the stock fuel system if your pumps are healthy. I’m right on Lake Michigan, and told him that our winters are no joke, but he said I shouldn’t need to switch tunes in the winter. I think that has to do with my tune not being on the bleeding edge. We’ll see though.

It’s a game changer for sure, the best part is how much harder it pulls up top. Incidentally, my exhaust tips don’t get black with soot anymore since making the switch, so I’m guessing it runs a bit cleaner too?

Great info, thank you!
I did reach out to Matt right after I got the (AO) tune and he said I could definitely add a splash of e85.
My plan was to make my 93 octane passes and bring a jug of e85 to add for additional passes, but the hauler truck didn't make the trip with us.
E30 tune will definitely follow. I need to get a tester to see where the stations around here sit, then I'll reach out to Matt and see if he'll work with it. I don't think the hpfp is a desired route at this time, as from my reading, I think perhaps intercooler and downpipes will be my next steps.
I'd just like to get it ironed out as it sits first before I throw more money at it.

 

[802SHO]

Changing nothing but getting a better launch …1.7 would be great, 1.8 would be good….either I think would get you in the 12’s. Did you avoid the water? Many driver mods can be done as well. 1/4 tank of fuel is good. Could also make sure to remove anything extra in the car, essentially an empty car of personals items helps. And taking a little pressure out of the tires also can be beneficial at times.

Then there’s the question of did the car get any cool down time from driving to the track or did you just go right away? Also did you just let it sit and idle in the staging lanes? I’ll shut the car off if I hate to wait more than 30 seconds or more.

Did you turn traction control off or leave it on? Did you leave it in D or put it in S and manually shift? Need to do at least 3 runs I would say, just one run doesn’t mean that’s all your car has in it. Usually I’ll do at least 3 runs if I can. Usually my best time is my first run but it isn’t always the case.

Then there’s the question of is there a lane better prepped than the other? At New England Dragway the right lane gets more prep and is used in private rentals and every single best pass I did was in the right lane only.

There are tiny grooves in the track too, like tire grooves, minuscule perhaps but it’s best to line up as best you can, damn smack in the middle in the groove.

All this makes a difference and if you do everything you possibly can in 3 attempts you’ll be able to report a much better results than a 13.2 guaranteed!

 

[BobSmith]

Changing nothing but getting a better launch …1.7 would be great, 1.8 would be good….either I think would get you in the 12’s. Did you avoid the water? Many driver mods can be done as well. 1/4 tank of fuel is good. Could also make sure to remove anything extra in the car, essentially an empty car of personals items helps. And taking a little pressure out of the tires also can be beneficial at times.

Then there’s the question of did the car get any cool down time from driving to the track or did you just go right away? Also did you just let it sit and idle in the staging lanes? I’ll shut the car off if I hate to wait more than 30 seconds or more.

Did you turn traction control off or leave it on? Did you leave it in D or put it in S and manually shift? Need to do at least 3 runs I would say, just one run doesn’t mean that’s all your car has in it. Usually I’ll do at least 3 runs if I can. Usually my best time is my first run but it isn’t always the case.

Then there’s the question of is there a lane better prepped than the other? At New England Dragway the right lane gets more prep and is used in private rentals and every single best pass I did was in the right lane only.

There are tiny grooves in the track too, like tire grooves, minuscule perhaps but it’s best to line up as best you can, damn smack in the middle in the groove.

All this makes a difference and if you do everything you possibly can in 3 attempts you’ll be able to report a much better results than a 13.2 guaranteed!

They had the water across the whole lane. Lol Naturally I was going to try to avoid it but had to drive through it. I did a couple short launches once i went thru it to make sure it was going to be OK.
Traction wise, everything was great.
Hooked out of the hole, slight tiny chirp into 2nd.
This was my 3rd pass of the night.
I was there 6 hours total, trying to cool down best I could in between passes. And was doing the ole hood up, start it, get it moving, shut it down shuffle in the staging lanes.

I think you bring up a good point on the 60ft though. There's probably more to be had there:
1st pass everything felt perfect, start to finish, but the timer faulted for myself and the other lane.
2nd pass I got too much against the brakes between pre stage and stage and ended up redlit. That pass was a total cluster.
3rd pass is one being discussed.
Wasn't as aggressive as I could have been up against the brakes, but still what I'd consider a decent representation of what the car had in it.

 

[802SHO]

Something @DadMobile does, he can’t avoid the water either bc it’s all over. He will do a mini launch and go maybe 25 feet or so down the track, back up slowly and I’m not sure if he does that again or if that’s it. The track lets him do it and he is able to get his tires pretty darn dry. Hopefully he’ll chime in on what his method is.