ITS Ford Mustang(s) Build - Stripper Stang Part II

[Ron Earp]

Besides the handling and exhaust, we’re still doing a lot of ECU tuning, particularly with modeling the mass air flow transfer function to fine tune fueling in all conditions. We’re also starting to play with individual cylinder spark timing for each cylinder, a la this excerpt from a presentation on optimizing engine power.



In talking with Jeff G. he knows someone with experience in making the pressure measurements needed to figure out what the optimal timing is, and he's got access to the modified spark plug pressure sensors and data collection equipment. So we might try and make some measurements on the cars to see if there are any gains to be hand. Curiously enough the stock Ford EEC-V that we use to control the motor has individual cylinder trim spark timing, -5 to +5, with user definable RPM ranges these would take effect within and modify the commanded spark valve. That Ford built the functions into the ECU in the first place seems to indicate it might be needed for some certain applications, however our trim tables are all set to zero with no modifiers being used.

And in doing this work we've had numerous dyno sessions over the last couple of months. I think we've probably gone four times this year just to test ECU and tuning parameters. Fortunately we've got a great shop to work with where we can show up, strap down, and run the cars at generally $100 / hr. We always have our testing regime and files created ahead of time so we can get five or six tests done in that time. And we'll need to go back for the exhaust and maybe spark studies if we get that portion checked out enough to take a stab at it.

Work continues. There is always something to do.