Thread: Can a stock ECU be tuned?

I am thinking about getting the interface cable between the OBD2 port and my laptop. Can the stock ECU be tuned? What I am looking to do is get more mileage out of my ride (for now) and also have the ability to check codes, etc. on all the cars in the family. I want to upgrade and do some tuning on my ride but that is in the future. I am trying to learn as much as possible about tuning but if I can't do the mileage improvements needed, I'll just hold off on buying the cable. Please share your thoughts, as I don't know nearly enough about tuning ECU's.

Thanks,

Phil

If im not mistaken I think SAFC II is all you can use for the stock ECU but that is not a good way to tune and you need to know what your doing or have help with it....Best way is a EPROM ECU get it socketed then buy DSMLink and your good to go....Im sure others will elaborate on this for me though....Have at it guys

Originally Posted by wowzers

If im not mistaken I think SAFC II is all you can use for the stock ECU but that is not a good way to tune and you need to know what your doing or have help with it....Best way is a EPROM ECU get it socketed then buy DSMLink and your good to go....Im sure others will elaborate on this for me though....Have at it guys

I believe he has a 420a.


In this case you should look up Megasquirt.

Oh snap haha....Im dumb and didnt look below where it says his ride is.....Im somewhat okay with working on cars and the whole thing about megasquirt never quite sat right with me....Its complicated as hell and expecially if you buy the kit where you gotta make it yourself goodluck....They need to make a better product to tune the 420a


Heres a thread about 420a SAFC II tuneing http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/420a...sted-420a.html

Yeah, I have the 420A Engine.. Looks like I have a lot of homework to do on the subject. Thanks for the replies. If anyone else has more to add, please do.


Thanks,
Phil

Your pretty much stuck with an aftermarket standalone like aem or you can try a piggy back like an afc. Although you should be getting pretty dam good gas milage with your n/a assuming all maintenance has been taken care of.

Currently my mileage is at 25-26 mpg. I'm hoping to get 30+ out of it. All maintenance has been done, I keep up on that religiously. I try to keep my foot out of it as much as possible, but thats easier said than done. One thing I am gonna try is synthetic oil on the next change and see if that helps. Thanks to all who have posted on this so far, I've learned a lot already.

Phil

Is that city?!?! my car gets close to 30mpg on the fwy o-0. Check your front o2, tire pressure, synthetic oil isn't a bad idea either. You should be getting better mpg.

Nope thats hwy mpg.. Tire pressure is right on the nose. I prolly should change out both O2 sensors since I'm not sure when they were changed last. One thing that sucks about buying a ride from a dealership is not knowing the history. I was thinking a 4cyl. auto trans. should be getting better than 25-26 on the hwy. the only thing that would make that set-up better would be a manual trans. I had an old pontiac that got 32 with a manual trans in it. I hated the car, but loved the mileage. Thanks for the tips.

Phil

Manual transmission cars typically get better MPG depending on the driver.