Tuning FAQ Submissions

[Axianator]

In an attempt to finalize the design for the upcoming SHO-specific tuning primer and related website material, I thought it would be neat to provide an additional (and hopefully valuable) community service by putting together an FAQ dedicated to answering many of the myths and quesitons that have been floating around the community for the past several years.

Using common sense, good taste and remaining within the boundries of the SHOForum TOS, please post any EEC-related Q's (e.g. "how does this work?", "why does my tranny do this?", "what happens when ... ?", etc.) that you would like to see addressed and/or answered in the FAQ. If the question is worthy and capable of being answered, we will include it in the FAQ.

Given that this project is currently on-going, there will be no cut-off date for FAQ submissions.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program ...

 

[ShoGuy93]

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program ...

O thats great Adam :laugh_ti: Question for you? When's our tunning date?

 

[yamahaSHO]

Adam, what kind of facts are you looking for aside from what can already be read in the 'manual'?

 

[somedude_001]

Q: i plugged in my tweecer into my car's computer and any time i change my switch to any position other than stock my car runs poorly and starts missing and sputtering, these is also some white goop on the tweecer when I pulled it back out would that have anything to do with it. *this would also apply to "my computer cannot read eec properly"*

A: the computer was not properly cleaned prior to use, to fix this use some rubbing alchol on a que tip to remove this anti corrosive coating on both the top and bottom of the terminals.

i wan't sure if you wanted me to include the answer.

Q: I recently purchased a Tweecer non real time and i can only get 2 (two) of the positions to work what am i doing wrong? position 3 and 4 just mirror 1 and 2 it seems. I tested this by setting the neutral revlimiter differently on each setting.

A: ???

 

[Axianator]

O thats great Adam :laugh_ti: Question for you? When's our tunning date?

Adam, what kind of facts are you looking for aside from what can already be read in the 'manual'?

I'm looking for any and all engine, tranny or EEC-related Q's, both general and SHO-specific. I'd rather someone post a question here that they weren't sure about and end up with too many questions to answer than I would not enough and miss something important.

Q: i plugged in my tweecer into my car's computer and any time i change my switch to any position other than stock my car runs poorly and starts missing and sputtering, these is also some white goop on the tweecer when I pulled it back out would that have anything to do with it. *this would also apply to "my computer cannot read eec properly"*

A: the computer was not properly cleaned prior to use, to fix this use some rubbing alchol on a que tip to remove this anti corrosive coating on both the top and bottom of the terminals.

i wan't sure if you wanted me to include the answer.

Q: I recently purchased a Tweecer non real time and i can only get 2 (two) of the positions to work what am i doing wrong? position 3 and 4 just mirror 1 and 2 it seems. I tested this by setting the neutral revlimiter differently on each setting.

A: ???

Thank you, Alex. Now if only we could get more questions like this ...

 

[yamahaSHO]

I guess I need a question to answer... It's much easier that way. Adam, I may hit you up off the forum if you'd like any of my input... Unless someone has a question they want answered here.

 

[Axianator]

I guess I need a question to answer... It's much easier that way. Adam, I may hit you up off the forum if you'd like any of my input... Unless someone has a question they want answered here.

Your support is always welcome, f0cker.

Here are a few brief sets of example Q's that outline (in a general sense) what I'm looking for:

-= General EEC operation and tuning =-

What are breakpoints and how are they used?
What's a hysteresis period and when are they used?
Can the EEC be reprogramed to make it do what I want?

-= Spark calculation and tuning =-

What is spark advance and how is it calculated on the SHO?
What tables, functions and parameters are used to calculate spark advance?
Will increasing overall spark advance alone give me more power?
I'm adding a blower or nitrous to my SHO - how should I modify my spark advance?
How is adding spark via the global adders different from adding spark to a table?

-= Fuel delivery operation and tuning =-

What tables, functions and parameters are used to calculate fuel delivery?
What role does the MAF sensor play in fuel delivery calculations?
What's the best method for tuning my fuel delivery - MAF transfer or injector slopes?
Why do some people tune fuel delivery via the MAF and others via fuel multipliers?
What's the difference between closed loop and open loop and how are the two used?

-= Adaptive control operation and tuning =-

What is adaptive control and how does it affect my modifications?
When is adaptive control in use and how do I disable it?
Is it possible to modify the factory adaptive logic to better serve my needs?

-= ATX tranny operation and tuning =-

What's the best and/or safest way to achieve firmer shifting on my ATX?
What is the maximum amount of line pressure that I can safely command?
What functions do I need to modify in order to raise/alter my shift points?
How does the EEC calculate engine torque output and will it affect my modifications?
Is it possible to modify manual shifting behavior for quicker and/or firmer manual shifts?

-= Torque converter operation and tuning =-

What purpose does the converter serve on a Gen 2 ATX SHO?
Under what conditions, speeds and gears does the converter lock/unlock?
Will modifying converter behavior help my power output or driveability?
What kind of modifications should I make to my converter schedules?
Is it possible to achieve second gear lockup at any throttle position?
Is it possible to acheive third or fourth gear lockup at WOT?
How much converter slip (if any) should I add to my calibration and where?

As I mentioned previously, the more questions we have to answer, the better.

Post those Q's!

 

[yamahaSHO]

Damn you!!! Now I have to take some time to type some stuff up.... I'll get back to you later.

 

[NotSoSlowSHO]

buahahaha

Ill be awaiting the answers
I STILL have yet to fully sink myself into understanding this tweecer and the EEC IV. I simply havnt had the time.

This should be a great resource for many, myself included

 

[ShoGuy93]

This should be a great resource for many, myself included

Me to... I will be watching this thread very closely! Thanks Adam

 

[Sh03d]

Does the tweecer work with ONLY 89-95 SHO or will it work for any OBD1 Ford car?

What connections or cables are used?

Can I switch settings on the fly?

Thats all that I can think of right now.

This would make a good sticky.

 

[SinisterSHO]

Yes, can I switch my settings on the fly? Can/should I change things while driving?

 

[AREA 91]

I've changed settings while driving, and I DO NOT recomend it. The SHO got mad!

 

[somedude_001]

I've changed settings while driving, and I DO NOT recomend it. The SHO got mad!

I change my setting all the time, its just gets upset when you write to eec when the car is running but when you change the positions on the tweecer it doesn't matter.

 

[SHOWYA]

When?

So is there an aproximate date on when the new tweecer parameter and faq for the sho will be posted?

 

[jeanrw2000]

To everyone,

In an attempt to finalize the design for the upcoming SHO-specific tuning primer and related website material, I thought it would be neat to provide an additional (and hopefully valuable) community service by putting together an FAQ dedicated to answering many of the myths and quesitons that have been floating around the community for the past several years.

Using common sense, good taste and remaining within the boundries of the SHOForum TOS, please post any EEC-related Q's (e.g. "how does this work?", "why does my tranny do this?", "what happens when ... ?", etc.) that you would like to see addressed and/or answered in the FAQ. If the question is worthy and capable of being answered, we will include it in the FAQ.

Given that this project is likely on-going, there will be no cut-off date for FAQ submissions.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled program ...

SHOSAVIER

 

[Ict_Lx]

So what's the deal? Does this work on gen III's (OBDII) or no? I was going to get an X-CAL II but this sounds better. I have long term plans that would be easier if I can use something like a tweecer.

 

[Axianator]

Yes, can I switch my settings on the fly? Can/should I change things while driving?

In order of asking - yes, yes and I wouldn't recommend it.

The only time you or anyone should experience a problem when uploading data to your TwEECer with the engine running (KOER) is if you attempt to do so while the TwEECer is connected to a processor (like the B9Bx, B9Cx, L0S, W0Z or H3Zx) where it has to emulate the "preferred" calibration (either the X2J on an MTX or the D4U1 on an ATX). Here's how it works:

Say we have a Gen 1 MTX car equipped with a B9B computer. In order to benefit from the newer/updated/preferred X2J calibration on our Gen 1 MTX, we simply configure our TwEEcer to run as an X2J and bam - we automatically possess all the inherent benefits of the X2J program on our B9B MTX computer. All the TwEECer has to do is bypass the B9B factory image and then pass the uploaded X2J image back to the EEC in emulation and voila - we have an X2J on our MTX and we didn't even have to physically swap PCMs.

The caveat to this newfound benefit comes when you try to upload a new calibration to the TwEECer and, by design, the module returns full control to the EEC while it busies itself with receiving your new data. If the TwEECer was connected to an X2J-equipped car (or, in the case of an ATX, a D4U1-equipped car), this upload process would not pose a problem since the TwEECer won't try to emulate what's already there. However, we don't have an X2J computer in our test car, we have a B9B - hence the need for the bypass and emulation (which is not completely unlike a somewat tricky but completely legal "bait and switch" tactic in laymen's terms).

Once the TwEECer has finished receiving it's data, it will attempt to bring itself into the loop again by taking back the control that it just lent to the EEC. Since the EEC doesn't always like to play nice with the TwEECer's methods for regaining control of the system, it is during this half-second struggle with the EEC for control that things can get ugly. At the very least, you may not notice a thing during this process (which is always our goal) and the EEC will give up without a fight. At other times, the EEC will throw an utter tantrum and kick itself into "limp home" mode, which will effectively stall the engine and force to restart your car in order to regain control.

Thus, the moral of the story is - don't attempt to upload data to your TwEECer while in KOER.

So is there an aproximate date on when the new tweecer parameter and faq for the sho will be posted?

Current ETA for both the tuning primer and TwEECer FAQ is around spring 2006.

So what's the deal? Does this work on gen III's (OBDII) or no? I was going to get an X-CAL II but this sounds better. I have long term plans that would be easier if I can use something like a tweecer.

Since the TwEECer software does not yet support any of the Gen 3 processors, you will have to settle for the X-Cal 2 (or equivalent) if you desire any degree of control over your Gen 3 SHO's EEC. Once Josh and I have rolled out the next round of TwEECer software updates for the Gen 1/2, I plan to begin adding access and support for all of the Gen 3 processors within the TwEECer software.

Thanks to everyone for their kind words and contributions thus far. Please keep the Q's coming!

 

[Ict_Lx]

"Since the TwEECer software does not yet support any of the Gen 3 processors, you will have to settle for the X-Cal 2 (or equivalent) if you desire any degree of control over your Gen 3 SHO's EEC. Once Josh and I have rolled out the next round of TwEECer software updates for the Gen 1/2, I plan to begin adding access and support for all of the Gen 3 processors within the TwEECer software."

Thanks. I suppose I'll get the X-Cal II and go from there.

 

[ManicMike]

This will deffinally help me in choosing what "chip" i should go with. Even though the Tweecer is highest in price (like $388 from MidWest.) It is in the lead (over superchip, LPM, ect.)