From the "SuperCharger Tuning Manaual":
•Tuning is a must. A supercharger allows more air to flow into your engine, that with the addition of more fuel can be the foundation to make much more power. Achieving the proper air/fuel ratio and spark timing is key to making great power and engine longevity. Currently, the Lincoln LS can only be tuned via re-flashing the PCM using tools from Super Custom Tuners (
www.sctflash.com), which are sold through a dealer network of professional engine tuners. We worked very closely with Torrie McPhail of UnleashedTuning.com, who assisted with us through many stages of this project. He can sell you both the SCT device and work with you to develop the tuning your specific car needs.
Torrie McPhail
Fast Parts Network, LLC
652 Nautical Way, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Torrie@unleashedtuning.com or
Torrie@fastpartsnetwork.com
Tuning Details
As stated before, tuning your car is a must.
What do we mean by ‘tuning’?
Tuning is adjusting the engine parameters to yield optimal performance, either in terms of power output or economy. On older engines, setting the idling speed, mixture, carburetor balance, spark plug and distributor point gaps and ignition timing were both regular tasks on all engines and the final but essential steps in setting up a performance engine. On modern engines all of these tasks are automated by the car’s computer system. Although automated, these parameters still require re-calibration if you have made significant changes to the engine – changes that are outside of the computer’s ability to naturally compensate within standard tolerance. This supercharger kit will push the need for re-calibration outside of the computer’s ability to self-adjust.
How to tune?
The Lincoln LS is tuned by creating a customized program and uploading it to the car’s computer. The only method to accomplish this (currently) is by using products from Super Custom Tuners (
www.sctflash.com) . The SCT products are sold through a network of tuning companies that have special software which enables them to modify the program and create a new file that the SCT device can upload to your car. They will use a ‘base’ copy of your car’s stock computer program, modify it to meet the new requirements and then load it into the SCT device. The SCT device will save a copy of your current computer program (the first time) so that you are always able to return the stock program into the car. Once the stock program is saved, the new customized file it uploaded.
The tuning companies use a blend of experience, data logging and actual testing to develop their tunes – which is much more technical than I will describe here. My suggestion is to find a tuning company that you trust and will build a relationship. They must be an SCT reseller, have experience with supercharging, an in-house dynometer is an asset, as would familiarity with the Lincoln LS.
Again, I recommend Torrie McPhail of Unleashed Tuning -
Torrie@unleashedtuning.com
Tuning Process
You start first by contacting the Tuning company and explain what your project. They will either need your current computer base code (sticker on your PCM) or your VIN number (which they can use to find your base code). They then take this code and develop a ‘starter’ file for you. This is then uploaded into the SCT device, which you use to upload into your car. This starter file is good enough to get the car running and drivable – again – do not step on it, it is not safe to do so yet.
To complete the tuning - you must run your car at wide-open-throttle (WOT) in fourth gear while running through the entire RPM range, gather information (like air/fuel ratio) using this information to create a final tune file. Either go to your SCT dealer and perform the final tuning on their in-house dyno, or you setup to run your car while actively logging data (which is what I do). In either case, you need to capture information from the car and the air/fuel ratio via wideband O2 sensor. Performance shops with dynos are familiar with this type of tuning and have a wideband O2 sensor computer, and can install the O2 sensor in your exhaust for you.
Here’s what I did:
- I use a SCT Livewire to connect to the car’s ODBII output. I then use SCT LiveLink software on a laptop connected to the LiveWire to record the data from the car.
- I installed a LC-1 unit (wideband O2 controller) from Innovate Motorsports, had a local muffler shop install a new bung for the O2 sensor. I then wired the LC-1 into the Analog2 input port on the LiveWire. There is a published procedure to dial this unit in and correct for ground offsets.
- I also wired in my Autometer C2 boost gauge (the MAP sensor) into the Analog1 input port on the LiveWire.
Using the LiveLink software I monitor:
- Long_Term_Fuel_Trim_Bank_1
- Long_Term_Fuel_Trim_Bank_2
- Short_Term_Fuel_Trim_Bank_1
- Short_Term_Fuel_Trim_Bank_2
- MAF_Counts
- RPM
- Open_Loop
- Vehicle_Speed
- Load
- Spark
- Coolant_Temp
- Intake_Air_Temp
- Pressure_drop_across_fuel_injector
- Analog2 (Air/Fuel ratio from the LC-1)
- Analog1 (Boost/Vacuum from the MAP sensor of the C2 boost gauge)
So the laptop running LiveLink records these parameters while I run the car from a dead stop through 6500rpm. I save off the file and then e-mail it to Torrie, who decodes the data and makes adjustments to the custom tune file if needed. He then e-mails me the new file, which I upload into the car. This can be an iterative process until Torrie feels he has SAFELY maximized your performance.
Keep your eye on the Air/Fuel ratio during your run. Quickly lift off the accelerator if your ratio goes above 11.5 to prevent running lean (and the damage may occur).
