RowdyDouglas wrote: ↑Sat May 20, 2023 4:43 am
Separately, here is a side rant from a theoretical perspective because this will be the first engine I have tuned. Maybe this is more of a Tuner Studio commentary rather than Speeduino, but I am sure this community can address it:
- Typically timing adjustments seem to be done by ear/seat of pants in small amounts
- If you have a dyno then it is done based on the dyno results
Tuning is always done with data. ECM data, dyno data, sound, smells, etc, but always data. So yes, ears and seat-of-the pants are useful to a limited extent, and mostly as verification of what the other data is telling you; but the data from your ECM and logs is the primary source for info to guide tuning. When processed through MegaLogViewer it can create a form of "dyno" data that is very useful to guide tuning, whether on the street, track or dyno.
Tuning is always about efficiency. Efficiency enables more of whatever you are after. Torque, horsepower, economy, emissions... whatever it is, it is best at peak efficiency. We use data that indicates efficiency in whatever mode we are tuning, and there are
many indicators.
RowdyDouglas wrote: ↑Sat May 20, 2023 4:43 am
- Autotune only adjusts VE table
Correct. The parameters for other tuning is a bit too much for current versions of TS and MLV. Bummer, as it could be capable, but the biggest hurdle is training users to use it effectively.
RowdyDouglas wrote: ↑Sat May 20, 2023 4:43 am
- Is there a log/analytic or can someone create a way to analyze the acceleration of the vehicle to determine if it improves after a timing change?
Sure. There are many modes of operation (idle, accel, cruise, power, decel, etc), and acceleration is just one. Look for what data would change or indicate change, in that mode and under those conditions. Watch that data. Examples could be rpm/s, or time vs rpm, or speed over distance, etc.
RowdyDouglas wrote: ↑Sat May 20, 2023 4:43 am
- I imagine from logs one could compare speed/acceleration cross referenced to the timing table (maybe try accounting for gear) and tell if there was an improvement
That's a good one, especially if simplified. Consider various ways to measure what acceleration is. Use data to define it. Plot that data. Run multiple
identical tests comparing each to changes you make to timing. Use the timing that indicates best acceleration. This is the process of "test 'n tune" using comparatives, and is a form of diagnostic tuning. The basis of diagnostic tuning is to compare results, from bad to best and back to bad. Now best is easy to identify as the best setting.
Find BEST Tuning-Diagnostic bracketing.png (16.1 KiB) Viewed 5170 times
RowdyDouglas wrote: ↑Sat May 20, 2023 4:43 am
- I know this would be effected my road condition/slope/wind/weight of load in vehicle but it seems better than just seat of pants tuning if one is inexperienced and doesn't have a dyno
Even professionals find the butt-dyno to often give poor or even incorrect results.
Other forms of sensory data can still be useful, such as adjusting idle timing and hearing the rpm rise, indicating increased torque. However, this is always verified with data. Use more than one source of data whenever possible, i.e., knock sensor, amplified ears, EGT, reading spark plugs, etc, or some combination of them. The skill isn't so much reading them as identifying and using the best or most-appropriate data sources — what indicators (data or data sets) will tell you what you want to know?