Well its the first day of my vacation and this morning I went for a dynotune to get my BEGi fmu sorted out so I can boost again. Just as I previously had the stock Vortech fmu on as I now have the BEGi fmu with Aeromotive fpr on I'm still getting detonation at the top end. The Max still has the stock 270cc injectors in but I've put in the Walbro 255 fuel pump and one-step colder plugs.

The guy that did my dynotune tells me that I need an ecu upgrade to deal with it. Of course this is my first time hearing about the Unichip. The guy tells me all about the Unichip and even showed me a Tahoe and a Dodge Ram hooked up with this device in his shop. The Tahoe had two injectors mounted in a special IM with a small Vortech fuel rail. When I say injectors I mean like the 270cc side-feed ones that our Maxes use. The guy tells me that the detonation is due to leaning out.

After looking through some threads dating back to 2004 it seems that the Greddy emanage will do a better job of handling the timing. The guy quotes me $900USD (I read $1000 USD in the old threads) and about 3 hours labour ($225.00CDN).

In a phone call on speaker phone with this guy I'm dealing with and his contact with Unichip (btw, this guy is also a Unichip dealer) they say that its possible to hook us Maxima people up. Now in these old threads in the Org its been said that you still have to dynotune to get it right but only Unichip dealers can do the tuning.

Oh yeah, I think that I'll have to resign myself to the fact that with an autotragic my numbers will not get any better than 222hp at the wheels.

So what do you guys think about this?

 

Time for a 5-speed swap. $1000 in parts = +100whp.

 

well without more details on the setup it's hard to give advice, but yeah 222whp is pretty sad unless you're still on the stock pulley.

forget the unichip, it's not a bad unit (I know guys making over 500 to the wheels with it) but like you said, you can only get it tuned by authorized dealers who have the software, and it's more expensive than an emanage blue.

 

Here's what I've got:
V2, 3.125 pulley, Budget Y and resonated B pipes, stock muffler, stock injectors, Aeromotive fpr, BEGi fmu, Walbro 255.

I can't understand why I got about the same hp numbers with my 3.33 a few years ago and 3.125 now? I'm at 6lbs boost with the 3.125.

What can I do about the detonation?

 

the stock pulley is a 6psi pulley... 3.125 should be like 10psi if I recall correctly - where's your other 4psi at?

to get rid of detonation you need to get proper equipment to tune with. I find it hard to believe that you're detonating on only 6psi though unless you're running incredibly lean or running non premium gas. posting your dyno and knowing your AFR would be helpful.

 

Using Chevron 92 octane. My Blitz bov was leaking air too, right up to 2100rpm. Maybe thats where my 4psi is going? Maybe I should put my original Bosch bov back on to see if that helps?

I'll post the dyno as soon as I get a chance.

 

Hmm well I'm no expert on those BOVs so I can't answer that question - but I wouldn't give up on your setup just yet. I think you probably have a very specific problem or two that is leading to your low numbers, and once fixed, your car will be significantly more powerful.

 

I'm going to install a fresh set of spark plugs for starters.

 

Try 100 octain gas.

 

I agree, start looking for boost leaks, for starters. (I seem to be agreeing with you a lot lately Neal lol). And I'm a little skeptical of the detonation really being there also, but I suppose in theory it's possible.

I would add... get rid of the FMU and get an EU and be done with it. That will give you all the control you'll need and more.

 

1st of all, what does the air/fuel look like?

 

Autos will dyno slightly different the manuals...

I pulled about 248 hp with my stock pulley with Walbro (5 speed) way back. I never dynoed with my new setup.

Aren't you running a J&S, too?

 

Like the others said, you definitely need to track down the missing 4-5psi of lost boost. Start with replacing your Blitz BOV with the Bosch and go from there.

What gauges do you have?

 

Nope. No J&S.

Sorry, but more questions:
I found a local guy selling an emanage ultimate for $500Cdn. Comes with the unit itself, software and the 3rd harness specifically used for the ultimate. Is that what comes in the kit? Whats the model number for the EU? So that means I'll have to buy a laptop for this? Just reading up on DandyMax's emanage thread at the moment. So I need the J&S in conjunction with the EU?

I've got Autometer fuel pressure, egt and boost gauges.

 

Yes, but you need the complete (starting from scratch) harness, not just the 3rd harness unless you're coming from Emanage Blue. It also comes with Installation instructions and operation instructions. Make sure you use Dandy's EU writeup, it's awesome. I couldn't find one flaw in it so far!

 

Blackcat, you can surely make more than 222 whp. Just get a good tune and your numbers will significantly improve.

Hell i did 299whp with 10.5 psi on my 2000 auto.

 

hi chunger! not sure if we ever talk, but good to see some OGs still hanging around.

 

Wow it's been a long time... LOL

BlackCat - The J&S trims just enough timing independently on 3 channels (2 cylinders each) to prevent detonation, it also can pull timing per pound of boost (starting at a settable psi). I'm not familiar with the other unit so I can't say anything about it.

 

BlackCat- If your interested in Emanage Ultimate, please buy the unit NEW and nothing else. DO NOT PURCHASE THE UNIT OFF EBAY cause it wont be covered under any type of waretee.
Go to www.Forgedinternals.com and order through Sharif. (hes the main guy on www.my350z.com)
Its better to start off with a NEW Unit cause if there any problems with the install, you can elimate the unit being a problem. If you buy it used, itll always be in the back of your mind.

-matt

 

I'm trying to get the dyno guy to email me the dyno file but he's been having computer problems when I was there and today its still not fixed. Hopefully he'll have it fixed next week.

 

So you're saying you just recently dynoed? Cool. Does your boost gauge read 10psi now?

 

Am I REALLY the only one that suspects this dyno guy is super shady and just trying to make a buck off selling a unichip? I was thinking this even before he started having difficulties getting you the runfiles..... what's next..... "oh, I apologize but the entire system had to be erased and software reinstalled so I don't have them any more". I would go somewhere else after you fix your leaky bov.......

 

No....I've not had a chance to put the Bosch bov in yet to see if I gain back my boost. Access to the screw on the engine side of the bov mount was a biatch to get at so I'll try tomorrow night.
I had to retighten the bolt holding in the Koni cartridge on the right strut last night and getting an alignment after work today.

 

No, the dyno guy seems to be on the up-and-up because showed me his pc and its kicking out a syntax error message. Its a new no-name desktop with core 2 dual. I got him to download the Explorer update from Microsoft but that didn't help his problem so he's getting the pc shop to deal with it. After all, he did straighten out my BEGi fmu.

As for the pc (separate pc) that's hooked up to his dynojet he had to restore the harddrive when I got there because a rookie employee f-ed up the pc. He asked me to give him a shout again next week.

 

"oh, I apologize but I had to restore the entire harddrive because a rookie employee f-ed up the pc so I don't have them anymore"

Granted it's very possible my gut feeling is wrong, but do you have anything to loose by trying a different place next time?

 

There's not many dynos in the area but at this point it doesn't hurt for me to try someone else. I just have to drive further out, thats all.

At first I thought the problems was because of having Windows Vista but when I looked at the dyno guy's pc he had Windows XP. Anyhow its a software issue.

In my quest for more hp I picked up 4 SR20DET injectors and am looking for 2 more.

 

After replacing the Blitz DD bov with the Bosch bov, the missing psi is still missing. Gonna have to do the soapy water test next.

On a good note I changed the platinum plugs with NGK V-Power BKR6E-11 plugs (gapped at .036) and fresh Mobil 1 oil and I have giddyyup and go again.

Now I have to deal with those noisy Pirelli PZero Neros....

 

I would try to find the boost leak. Also you should be making more power than that. If you are really leaning out on the top end then you may need to change out your injectors for larger ones. I did at about the same point you are at.
If funds are tight, then you can do a eManage blue (that is what I am still running) for alot less and get what you need to tune right.

 

cool cool, I geuss. And yeah, I'm glad that you're considering going somewhere else, you might find it worth the extra drive time.

How did the plugs look.........

 

Actually the plugs looked pretty good and they're platinums plugs too. Can these be regapped and reused? Detected some slight wetness on some of the plugs and that would be the gas. Took a look down the holes at the top of the pistons and they look black 'carbonated".

Yep, considering the emanage ultimate soon. In the current Modified magazine there's a writeup on the many brands of ecu add-ons.