Hello, I have done some research on other threads but I was wondering should I bother spending the money for a shop to tune my car or just ride it out.

History:

I have an 88 Formula 350 TPI 5 speed. I haven't done anything with the interior of the engine yet, but I have added hooker headers, new Y pipe and a 3 inch stainless all the way back to a flowmaster muffler. I just had some of this work done, and since receiving it back, it backfires a lot more. I know this is from the increase flow rate of air.

Currently there is a whining noise coming from the diff (either pinion seal, barring or a gear issue) I am having that fixed in a few days. From what I'm told that as of right now to really bring my car to its full potential I need to get it tuned. Now for my question, should I spend the money to have it professionally tuned yet? or should I have a little bit more work done before doing so.

A friend told me that putting in a chip before having it tuned needs to be done, but after reading some threads about chips, they are not worth the money for these cars. I've only owned this car for a little over a year now, so I am still learning so please take it easy on me. Thanks

 

Tuning will help you get the most out of your setup. I'd recommend a proper tune when ever you make internal modification. I don't think adding headers and exhaust will necessitate a tune but anything like a cam, heads, roller rockers, intake will certainly require a tune. If your doing basic air flow upgrades then an adjustable fuel pressure regulator should suffice. To check the adjustments a wide band O2 should be used. They are very affordable now and doing upgrade with out one is like shooting in the dark.

If you want to DIY then you will need a wide band O2, an eprom programmer and lots of time to learn. I tuned my TPI setup myself and the increase in drivability and power is very noticeable with a proper tune.

 

Agreed ... just get an adjustable fpr and wideband o2 for now .. check ur FP before removing stock regulator and start by increasing it about 2 psi and go from there .. also can play with the base timing and c what it does .. my lo3 liked about 4-6* base over the stock 0* after adding 1.6rr cai bigger tb headers exhaust and rear gears ...

91' bird 305 TBI T-5, trick flow heads, 4.10 gears, full UMI setup, track times coming soon!

 

You can get the hypertech memcal. works good.






QUOTE=DrWaffle;5739781]Hello, I have done some research on other threads but I was wondering should I bother spending the money for a shop to tune my car or just ride it out.

History:

I have an 88 Formula 350 TPI 5 speed. I haven't done anything with the interior of the engine yet, but I have added hooker headers, new Y pipe and a 3 inch stainless all the way back to a flowmaster muffler. I just had some of this work done, and since receiving it back, it backfires a lot more. I know this is from the increase flow rate of air.

Currently there is a whining noise coming from the diff (either pinion seal, barring or a gear issue) I am having that fixed in a few days. From what I'm told that as of right now to really bring my car to its full potential I need to get it tuned. Now for my question, should I spend the money to have it professionally tuned yet? or should I have a little bit more work done before doing so.

A friend told me that putting in a chip before having it tuned needs to be done, but after reading some threads about chips, they are not worth the money for these cars. I've only owned this car for a little over a year now, so I am still learning so please take it easy on me. Thanks [/QUOTE]

 

I wouldn't mess with achip... Bump timing 2* and get an adjustable FP regulator ...then once u do more to it then get a custom tune

91' bird 305 TBI T-5, trick flow 175 cc heads, 4.10 gears, lots of suspension upgrades......... 24mpg @ 2300rpm hwy 65mph ........ 8.63@ 85mph 1/8th on street tires... 8.000's soon