Mixed Opinions On Tune After Cooler?

[fletty]

Hey Everyone

After doing multiple searches on both here/google/fordforums im getting mixed opions on why or why not to get a tune after installing an after market intercooler.

Almost seem's 50/50 as to weather or not people beleive it's safe to run without a tune. From what I have read this is my conclusion:

By increasing the size of your intercooler, you are going to effectively be able to cool a larger volume of air, thus giving you "reliable" power and you wont suffer from heat soak? But the air temperatures are going to be alot lower than with your factory cooler which will affect your AFR's? and you may lean out or over boost? Correct?

What I dont get, is when your driving around in sub degree temperatures ie -5 your car will theoretically perform better in the cooler weather and your stock cooler is going to work alot better, Obviously your standard ecu can adapt to this and prevent boost creep or overboost?

No matter what, The engine is still only going to let 10psi or +10% pass through the system, so I dont see how putting a bigger cooler on and running your car more efficently is going to create problems.

I do understand in order to get the most out of the cooler you will need a tune, but even if you dont see any gains in power without a tune, it is going to be more realiable in the warmer weather and after giving it a thrashing compared to the stock one surely?

I live 5 hours away from my tuner which is why I dont intend on getting a tune done just yet

[sexual harrassment panda]

Just a cooler and a panel filter and you should be fine, many have done this.

As you know, a tune would always be the best option, injectors are close to their limits already

[fletty]

  On 20/07/2012 at 9:54 PM, sexual harrassment panda said:

Just a cooler and a panel filter and you should be fine, many have done this.

As you know, a tune would always be the best option, injectors are close to their limits already

If I decide to go ahead, will have cooler, pipeing, KPM intake, 4" muffler replacement, and centre/rear muffler removed.. Injectors, Valve springs, Turbo back system will be put on by my tuner.

[ratter]

Is your car tuned in closed or open loop boost control?

If there is less pressure drop from the better cooler, have you thought what happens to this extra air at the engine?

[fletty]

  On 21/07/2012 at 2:11 AM, ratter said:

Is your car tuned in closed or open loop boost control?

If there is less pressure drop from the better cooler, have you thought what happens to this extra air at the engine?

Should have said, Car is stock standard, so factory tune only?

Fair point, but how is that extra air been measured? I was under the impression the same volume of air is still going to be passed through the cooling system as compared to the standard cooler, How can more air be drawn through? If factory tune is only at 10psi, apart from the air temp I would have thought the volume of air would still remain the same it is just been cooled more effectively.

I'm no expert, but im really just trying to get my head around it.

[Stazza_Brendan]

I ran my BF2 with aftermarket cooler, piping and an underbattery intake for ages. AFR's on the dyno were safe as houses.

There was nothing left of the stock intercooler setup on my car.

[discostig]

Well if the boost is higher at the throttle body than before (due to new intercooler), you have more air going in than before. Car expects a certain PSI and gets more...lean out condition?

But if it's closed loop factory tune, I assume (danger!) that the MAP sensor can account for a small variation...so it can handle cold nights. If you have better intercooler AND a cold night...? I await input from one of the other members who actually knows what they are talking about

But hey, as above fit one up and get a dyno run, costs bugger all to check AFRs and fuel system feedback, for peace of mind.

[fletty]

  On 21/07/2012 at 8:07 AM, -SteveR- said:

Well if the boost is higher at the throttle body than before (due to new intercooler), you have more air going in than before. Car expects a certain PSI and gets more...lean out condition?

But if it's closed loop factory tune, I assume (danger!) that the MAP sensor can account for a small variation...so it can handle cold nights. If you have better intercooler AND a cold night...? I await input from one of the other members who actually knows what they are talking about

But hey, as above fit one up and get a dyno run, costs bugger all to check AFRs and fuel system feedback, for peace of mind.

How is more air been put into the cooler to begin with but? That factory tune limit's the amount of air been put into the system befor it reach's the throttle body doesn't it? How else would it not overboost from standard.

Cold night/Hot day, the "amount" of air will still be similar depending on density, it is the intake temperature that will differ?

By going off my boost gauge, if I hit no more than 11PSI am I still at danger of leaning out?

I live a fair distance from any reputable workshop with a dyno, even just to check my AFR's. Main reason why I try and get as much knowlege as I can about things before I waste my time and money

[discostig]

Ah not being near a dyno makes it harder. I don't like gambling as you may be able to tell so I gathered parts and waited until they could all be fitted/tuned at once. Nizpro intercooler sat around for a few months, didn't want to risk putting a leg out of bed so to speak, on my shiny new car! Being under warranty still was also a factor.

I'd be paranoid about boost gauge being accurate Don't mean to scare monger, but you can see why it's 50/50 with doing this. She'll probably be fine of course, but what if it's not. Without a dyno run to check things, you just don't know. That's your biggest problem.