[Shotimes] What Cause a car to run too lean?

[Mark Nunnally]

> Okay.  The context of this discussion is using remote control programming
> of the LPM using mid to late 90s tweaks.  I guess the programming isn't
> good now and wasn't good then, it's just that enough test hadn't been
> collected yet.
>
> Now, is it safe to assume that for the same configuration (mods),
> personalized tuning of this chip would do something to improve
> performance?  If the answer is yes, can anyone quantify the benefit.  BHP,
> TQ, lap times, whatever.

The LPM did exactly what the newer tuning aids do, and all that is...is
allow you to change the parameters of the stock settings.  Typically the
factory stuff is concerned with EPA sniffers, making the cats last awhile,
and the safe ability to run crap gas under bad conditions (ie running 87
octane in july pulling a trailer through the mojave desert).  So the "LPM"
isn't any better, or worse, than the current tuning tools.  Any gains, or
losses, are more to do with the actual tuning settings being used.  Most of
the problems with the LPM was it was hard to get a given car to run right,
just buzzing a chip and mailing it off for the owner to try.  With the new
tuning tools, some with on-board datalogging ability (so you can actually
SEE what changes are doing), it's easier to see and get results (be it
positive, or negative).

Basically, for a stock or bolt-on stage SHO, this is simply adding a little
spark down low, and some in the middle.  Leaning out the WOT fuel to make a
little more power up top, maybe slightly adjusting the secondary opening,
maybe bumping up the rev limiter a few hundred rpm (sometimes handy for open
track, no power gained but you can carry a gear a little longer before a
shift) raising the idle maybe if you have UDP's, or cams.  Turn on the fans
a bit sooner, etc.  None of that will make a bunch of power, but can help a
bit.

The real benefit for them is for guys like josh, who's engines and such are
WAY far beyond what the stock EEC can control.

The EEC is pretty adaptable, still running basically the same even with
really wild cams in my 3.2L (still runs rich at WOT, etc)

mark