Got a new EFI tuning book, any other suggestions for reading?

[dhondagod]

This one is an SA design book written by Greg Branish titled "Engine Managment, advanced tuning"


So far Im enjoying it as its filling in some of the blanks for me as far as the actual tuning end of it. Anybody have any other books to read that would be helpful? What do you guys use, or have used, for reference? (besides actual experiance)


My background is stock efi driveability complaints, check engine lites, failed Calif smog repairs etc... Familiar with the hardware and component and how they interact. Want to get more into the tuning end for some of my personal projects.


Chris

[ImpalaSam]

I finished that same book a few months back. Like you it filled in some holes in my knowledge base.
I think I have a good grasp of how efi works now I just have to get out put what I know to work!

[dieselgeek]

a good read if you want to know "what to expect" when doing your first EFI system, is the MegaManual.


The problem I have with the "EFI101" classes, and most of the books written by the "EFI Superstars" (usually, self titled): they don't address more htan about 10% of the work/effort involved. You can't go to EFI101 classes and be trained on how to properly install a system, and diagnose electrical problems, use a voltmeter (very basic and easy), or an oscilloscope. People fork out thousands of dollars for this class, and the guy's books, and get MAYBE 10% of the real picture.


Tuning is so easy - it's like playing the "price is right" - it's the install and debugging that none of the "super tuners" want to bother detailing. It's a sore subject with me because I butt heads with some of those guys. I think it's a ripoff to pay $1000+ to have some guy tell me how to use math to "predict" proper ignition timing (when 5 minutes on a chassis dyno, which you need if you want to really optimize the combo anyways, will do that for you) as oppose to explaining things like Power Coupled noise, or how to power your sensitive electronics, etc.

It's a pipe dream of mine to do a book or video with what I think is a better approach, but that's on hold thanks to the economy...

[horsewidower]

a good read if you want to know "what to expect" when doing your first EFI system, is the MegaManual.


The problem I have with the "EFI101" classes, and most of the books written by the "EFI Superstars" (usually, self titled): they don't address more than about 10% of the work/effort involved. You can't go to EFI101 classes and be trained on how to properly install a system, and diagnose electrical problems, use a voltmeter (very basic and easy), or an oscilloscope. People fork out thousands of dollars for this class, and the guy's books, and get MAYBE 10% of the real picture.


Tuning is so easy - it's like playing the "price is right" - it's the install and debugging that none of the "super tuners" want to bother detailing. It's a sore subject with me because I butt heads with some of those guys. I think it's a ripoff to pay $1000+ to have some guy tell me how to use math to "predict" proper ignition timing (when 5 minutes on a chassis dyno, which you need if you want to really optimize the combo anyways, will do that for you) as oppose to explaining things like Power Coupled noise, or how to power your sensitive electronics, etc.

It's a pipe dream of mine to do a book or video with what I think is a better approach, but that's on hold thanks to the economy...

DAMN that's hitting the nail on the head with a 10 pound sledge!!!

I have my EFI 101 cert, didn't teach me anything about debugging and wiring. That's where the shit hits the fan and you finally decide to take your thousands of dollar systems and shit can them for a carb. I've suggested that they add a wiring and debugging class to their curriculum and I think they will.

The tuning part is the easy part. Its also the fun part. Debugging power coupling issues (thanks for the tips DG) crank trigger sensors, cam synchronizers and ... is where the time, money and frustration is spent. NO ONE, to my knowledge, is providing instruction on that essential part of the equation.

I'm on my third wiring job, the first one was done by a former Comptech employee who had also worked wiring for Dan Gurney, the second time it was done by a former CART mechanic of the year, the final and hopefully last time was done by my buddy who is a mechanic with the Metro fire department, he ripped out the other wiring (I damn near shit when I walked through the garage door) and meticulously went through and replaced everything with shielded wiring where it needed it, separated grounding systems, checked each and every circuit etc. Now it runs.

[shaun callaway]

good job dude.

i know when i do my stuff i prefer to do all the wiring myself that way if something is wrong i can blame myself, and there are too many self proclaimed "electricians" who think they can wire a car.

my favorite line is "my buddies and electrician" i laugh every time.

[horsewidower]

good job dude.

i know when i do my stuff i prefer to do all the wiring myself that way if something is wrong i can blame myself, and there are too many self proclaimed "electricians" who think they can wire a car.

my favorite line is "my buddies and electrician" i laugh every time.

You are so right. We didn't start to get things whipped until we decided to dig in, learn what needed to be learned and do the work ourselves.

Before we did that, we found ourselves at the track with no idea why the car was doing what it was doing. And with no idea how to fix it. And I couldn't afford to have a guy sitting in a lawn chair making $150 an hour waiting for me to have something break. And, they always break.

[shaun callaway]

yep

if you were out here i would come out and help you for nothin though hahahahaha

[horsewidower]

Ah, but I am. Just north.

[shaun callaway]

lol where abouts

[horsewidower]

We'll have to meet up at Buttonwillow sometime.