Very disappointed at the track.

[sho time]

So I went to the track this weekend things weren't as we expected the car is equipped with the Livernois tune stage 4 and cold air intake. Best time was 13.95 @99.7 mph followed by 14.18 @ 100.94 & 14.14 @96.4. First pass was with trac cont on and launch at 2k rpm 2nd 2 trac off and 2500 launch. I really didn't notice the tune when I installed it but now its confirmed. I did notice what sounded like valve train clatter at the top end of the track any ideas. Everyone mentions how they awoke a monster with the tune. How am I falling in between the cracks? Of course im running 91 octane. Could it be plugs?

 

[SHOdded]

Times seem a tad slower than stock. Are you paddle shifting or letting the car shift? Highly recommended to let the car do the shifting for you. What is your launch rpm?

 

[sho time]

Letting the car shift as that is what was recommended by everyone I spoke with. Firrst launch was 2k rpm, 2nd and 3rd were at 2500. Trac control on for first and fastest pass.

 

[RedCandySHO]

Sounds like it has some detonation at the top end and pulling timing. Valve train clatter is not normal....

 

[Dave]

Something sure is wrong. I did a 13.006 with just a tune. I would first try returning to stock and then re loading your tune. You should really notice a difference. The last time I drove a stock tune, I felt like I was pulling a trailer. I would also switch plugs to a Motorcraft SP534 gapped at .30 Lower the tire pressure to 30 and launch at 1800-2000 with traction control off. Stage as shallow as possible just clicking the "staged" light.

 

[brucelinc]

For whatever reason, it doesn't even sound like the tune got loaded - seems like the times are about right (or even a bit slow) for the stock tune. As DJE says, definitely return to stock (if it isn't already) and load the tune again.

 

[snaf2u]

Mine did 13.42 @ 104+ stock but the best stage 4 tuned run was only 13.25 and each run got worse after that. Felt like it "sagged" after 3K in 3rd and 4th.(pulling timing?) Got as bad as 13.8 before I gave up on the tune for the winter. I will try again this spring but was disappointed as are you.

I see recommendations to change plugs etc. but I asked for a tune for my stock SHO and that is what I wanted. It is leased and I am not going to modify further until I decide if I will buy it. If the car won`t run properly on the tune I got then I didn`t get what I asked for and will have to change tuners.

 

[bpd1151]

I wonder if the OP's suffering from the infamous chaffed knock sensor wires?

Almost sounds like it.

 

[SHOdded]

I wonder if the OP's suffering from the infamous chaffed knock sensor wires?

Good idea! Haven't heard this one pulled up in a while.

 

[sho time]

I had read that the chaffing wires was a possibility especially since my ride has 108k miles. I checked it the weekend I bought it but I'll check again. It runs smooth as silk but I checked the the plugs and when I pulled the first coil the boot stayed on the plug. I cross referenced the plug and it is indeed an sp528. I ordered a set of sp534's and new boots. When I first installed the tune I did not notice any power gain at all I contacted Anthony at Livernois (Very Friendly) and he resent the tunes as well as a stage4 170 degree thermostat tune and he asked me to install that I still really did not notice power gain but I could tell the fans were suddenly running so I knew the tune was installed. I began to think something was wrong with the old butt dyno. So I reinstalled stage4 and assumed I just wasn't feeling it. Until of course track day. Temps were a cool 65 degrees although humidity was probably high considering we got rained out. I'm hoping that with the plugs and boots that It should correct the issue. I hope Anthony is ready for my call. and maybe we can start over from the strategy code. I got had it handed to me by an AMG Mercedes that ran a 12.2 to my 14.14 pass ouch. I'm afraid I cannot afford that embarrassment again...lol

 

[sho time]

checked the wires again and they are still fine..... oh well back to the drawing board.

 

[brucelinc]

checked the wires again and they are still fine..... oh well back to the drawing board.

Any update on this? Seriously, there is a night/day difference between a stock SHO/MKS and one with a tune. Your butt dyno will pucker when you experience the tune the first time and your face will burst into a grin. Something very strange is going on with your situation.

 

[wingnut#24]

stge 4

Had my LMS stage 3 93 octane in for about a year. had to deploy the stock for a bit of warranty love and care, felt like the thing was pulling a trailer. got home popped the Stge3 back in the following weekend, and grinned ear to ear. using 2 GPS and a little math to verify and convert a known 1/4 mi. 13.83, and 13.91 stock, and 12.7, and 12.67 with stge 3, 18 degrees outside in S/E Michigan about a month ago. a bit more than usual of tire spin off the line, as well as 1-2, and 2-3 upshifts with the car doing the shifting t/c off. Summer is better as I shed the Michelin Latitudes and go back to the comp II's alot more stick to those. perhaps you have a corrupted/ mislabeled file or something. as noted my LMS stage 3 93 octane, CAI. night and day difference... http://jelloslug.com/shoforum/munch.gif

 

[black99lightnin]

Stage 4 is for 93+ octane. I'm sure it's detonating, and pulling timing.

 

[EcoPowerParts]

Throw in some 100 octane unleaded with the same tune and test again, I would also suggest datalogging your knock. Maybe somebody local has an SCT device you can borrow to connect you'll need a 3000 or 3015 to do it.