Spark Map Tuning with tunercat
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,925
From: Detroit
Spark Map Tuning with tunercat
I am new to tuning and I am taking one step at a time setting up the tune for my new engine. (I am ademately trying to learn this stuff).
Im currently using datamaster to log, and tunercat for the tuning.
To analyze my log data, I exported a CSV file to microsoft excel and put manifold pressure, RPM, and spark retard into a pivot table. The first thing i noticed is that datamaster logs in a MUCH higher data resolution than the spark map in tunercat. For my first tune I kind of eyeballed where there was spark retard and actually pulled timing from the stock tune (i have an advanced cam) and this seemed to help quite a bit. However, i can still tell the spark map is off in many places by just driving the car, and I am definitely not one to be happy with an eyeball tune after seeing what my buddy has been able to accomplish with HPTuners. When I try to put the Excel pivot table into the same resolution as the [tunercat] spark map, it seems as though excel just throws out the in-between data instead of averaging it. (although i havent really figured out what it does). If that is what is happening though, obviously that makes the log much more statistically insignificant for an accurate adjustment.
The other thing i noticed is that I log a lot of .1, .2, or .3 degrees of spark retard, but the spark map can only be adjusted in increments of .5.
Anyway, im really just looking for some tips here. It seems like it would be a straight forward process if I could get the software to do what I want, however I am always open to learning new tuning theories.
Im currently using datamaster to log, and tunercat for the tuning.
To analyze my log data, I exported a CSV file to microsoft excel and put manifold pressure, RPM, and spark retard into a pivot table. The first thing i noticed is that datamaster logs in a MUCH higher data resolution than the spark map in tunercat. For my first tune I kind of eyeballed where there was spark retard and actually pulled timing from the stock tune (i have an advanced cam) and this seemed to help quite a bit. However, i can still tell the spark map is off in many places by just driving the car, and I am definitely not one to be happy with an eyeball tune after seeing what my buddy has been able to accomplish with HPTuners. When I try to put the Excel pivot table into the same resolution as the [tunercat] spark map, it seems as though excel just throws out the in-between data instead of averaging it. (although i havent really figured out what it does). If that is what is happening though, obviously that makes the log much more statistically insignificant for an accurate adjustment.
The other thing i noticed is that I log a lot of .1, .2, or .3 degrees of spark retard, but the spark map can only be adjusted in increments of .5.
Anyway, im really just looking for some tips here. It seems like it would be a straight forward process if I could get the software to do what I want, however I am always open to learning new tuning theories.
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 41
i was having some spark retard problems this weekend at 3 degrees every above factory so i just set the timing back to stock and the car picked up a easy 10 hp. because there is no retard i am going to try a degree more here in the future
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,517
From: Engineerland
Usually when it logs .1 or so knock retard all the time its because it has experience knock at some point in time between now and the last pcm reset. Alot of times cars will show .1 at idle all the time after having knock.
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