What tuning software is best for a tight budget?

[e3irsty]

Got a problem. I have been looking deep into megasquirt there pnp and unassembled kits with 55 pin adapters. It says not to buy it with no experience. I have no experience. Im 18 and not too tech smart well atleast no nothing really about tuning or what I'd be doing. I don't know what to do anymore. Just want to boost my m20 and do it mostly on my own

[nando]

If you aren't willng or able to learn, you aren't going to be able to tune a turbo by yourself regardless of the tuning platform you choose.

Also dont forget to budget a few hours of dyno time, which can range from $50-$150 an hour. Thats assuming you know what to do..

[ForcedFirebird]

If you aren't willng or able to learn, you aren't going to be able to tune a turbo by yourself regardless of the tuning platform you choose.

Also dont forget to budget a few hours of dyno time, which can range from $50-$150 an hour. Thats assuming you know what to do..

Was going to say something similar.

OP, your best bet would be to just take it to a tuner that can do OBD1 BMW, and be done with it. Cost you several hundred, but in the long run, you won't be breaking hard parts because you wanted to tune it yourself.

[e3irsty]

I am very willing. But it literally said do not buy for first time tuning. I understand some what to aim for certain air to fuel ratios from ideal. Part throttle and full throttle. But not too sure about everything

[The Dark Side of Will]

I am very willing. But it literally said do not buy for first time tuning.

There's a big difference between starting with a tune that's close (e.g. stock tune on modded engine) and starting with a map full of zeros.

I haven't read the package, but I suspect they're referring to the latter.

[e3irsty]

I'm just gonna go with miller turbo tuning kit for like 1200 dollars. Dont think its worth that much but best bet for me I guess

[ForcedFirebird]

If you are willing to spend that, just get Keith's (Whodwho) plug and play megasuirt. Plug it in and drive away, has all the base maps on it already for a much better price, and far more control over your engine.

http://www.r3vlimited.com/board/showthread.php?t=202653

[nando]

$1200? ouch. you still have to tune it - if you don't know how to tune, it's not going to matter what you get.

[ForcedFirebird]

$1200? ouch. you still have to tune it - if you don't know how to tune, it's not going to matter what you get.

$1200 to keep Motronic too!

[Andy.B]

For a low to medium boost application, wouldn't a TCD turbo chip, rrfpr, wideband O2, and injectors added to the factory motronic system be sufficient for the OP, given his restricted budget and tuning knowledge?

It would cost few hundred dollars and take a couple of hours to install, vs building/wiring an ms system and paying for dyno time or dropping 1.2k on a miller setup (to not really get any added practical benefits over the TCD chip).

[ForcedFirebird]

^^^RRFPR, TCD chip, WB etc wouldn't be much (if any less) than just taking it to an OBD1 tuner, or buying a P&P ;)

[nando]

For a low to medium boost application, wouldn't a TCD turbo chip, rrfpr, wideband O2, and injectors added to the factory motronic system be sufficient for the OP, given his restricted budget and tuning knowledge?

It would cost few hundred dollars and take a couple of hours to install, vs building/wiring an ms system and paying for dyno time or dropping 1.2k on a miller setup (to not really get any added practical benefits over the TCD chip).

you'd still spend several hours ($$) on the dyno fine tuning it and it will never run as well as an actual tuning system.

BTW, there's no real wiring involved with a MS kit these days.

for $1200 plus all the turbo parts, just do a 24v swap and have more power plus way more reliability than a cobbled together, poorly tuned turbo setup.

[Andy.B]

^^^RRFPR, TCD chip, WB etc wouldn't be much (if any less) than just taking it to an OBD1 tuner, or buying a P&P ;)

True, but I assume a wideband would be part of any solution.

[ForcedFirebird]

True, but I assume a wideband would be part of any solution.

Dynos have WB's integrated. Even if the car has one installed, I use the dyno WB since it logs with RPM/power.

[Andy.B]

you'd still spend several hours ($$) on the dyno fine tuning it and it will never run as well as an actual tuning system.

BTW, there's no real wiring involved with a MS kit these days.

for $1200 plus all the turbo parts, just do a 24v swap and have more power plus way more reliability than a cobbled together, poorly tuned turbo setup.

Both are good points. It sounds lik the PNP megasquirt is probably the best option for someone committed to keeping the m20 and adding boost.


I'm not professing to be very knowledgeable about any of this... Just throwing out ideas from what I've seen. I am beginning to mentally plan out a turbo build myself, so I appreciate OP's question.

It seems like it's such a slippery slope of expense... "If you are going to spend $ on part a, why not spend $$ on part b instead?" I'd genuinely like to know the solution that offers the best balance of cost/functionality for a low/med boost build.