69 Camaro at Best of Show

[Matt@BOS]

Originally Posted by James OLC

FWIW I would definitely change out the MEFI 4 although at this point I'm sticking with it because the next step for me with the ECM is a big step. IF I were to be starting all over with a simple build I would probably stick with a GM piece.

IF you want to give the MEFI another chance, reach out to Mike Norris - he can steer you in the right direction.

That reminds me, Bob (I believe that is his name) who is the man behind the MEFI 4 Burn software is local to Southern California, and told me he would be really happy to work out a solid open-loop tune on my car. He would just tune as i drove around on the street. I remember Mike Norris speaking well of him, and I would have given him a shot after getting a baseline tune had the 454 not taken a dump.

[Ron in SoCal]

Originally Posted by James OLC

FWIW I would definitely change out the MEFI 4 although at this point I'm sticking with it because the next step for me with the ECM is a big step.

Motec?

[phillym5]

Matt...

For tuning.. take it to Westech.
After the experience i just had with them... i will only let Westech tune my car.
Ernie is the best of the best.

Shoot... i found out they tuned all 4 of Big Reds motors!!!
Ernie got my car feeling better than its ever felt.

[Bryan O]

Originally Posted by phillym5

Matt...

For tuning.. take it to Westech.
After the experience i just had with them... i will only let Westech tune my car.
Ernie is the best of the best.

Shoot... i found out they tuned all 4 of Big Reds motors!!!
Ernie got my car feeling better than its ever felt.

^^ What phillym5 said.

Recently, I took my car there as well. Ernie is great. Trevor and I had a great time watching him tune the car.

My car has a MEFI 4B. No problem for Ernie. The numbers came back lower than those from TurnKey's dyno. However, he got a 3% increase in both HP and torque; 427rwhp & 434 torgue. More accurate. To a large degree, Ernie was also able to alleviate a backfire issue I had. Under load and stepping on the throttle hard in second gear at about 1,800rpm the car would backfire. My car is much more street friendly now.

[Matt@BOS]

Bryan, Josh, glad to hear you both had good experiences with Ernie at Westech. My initial plan was to have them dyno the LS7 454 when it was ready, but since I sent it up to Charlie and Austin at RPM in Santa Clarita, I feel compelled to let them tune it, since pretty much all they do is build and tune LS engines in 'Vettes, etc. Gregg has also had good results there, which gives me more confidence.

I trust they will do a much better job than Corey at Turnkey. If and/or when I throw the Jenvey ITB manifold on it will probably go to Bob or Ernie. Also, if something feels "off" I will take it Westech, or if it needs better street manners, I might send it to Bob at Mefi 4 Burn.

[James OLC]

Originally Posted by Ron in SoCal

Motec?

Motec or Cosworth. From a hardware standpoint I think that the Cosworth system is a "better" and "simpler" system than the Motec (since you need multiple components with the Motec setup) but I think that there is more knowledge and ability for the Motec parts.

[Matt@BOS]

When it rains, it pours...

I just got a call from Austin at RPM, which was both good and bad. It was good because at least I know they are way more on top of their sh** than anyone else I have dealt with so far. Apparently the machine shop which JR used (Total Performance) overbored the block to somewhere right around 4.186.5. Lovely, right? Both Wiseco and the ring manufacturer RPM uses agree that the bore size is slightly too big for the 4.181 piston which is one of the parts I was actually going to re-use. Now I need new custom pistons because nobody makes a 4.182 piston to stock on the shelf.

Now I am probably going have to drag my block back down from Santa Clarita, Total Performance which is a full day trip with LA traffic, just so that Total Performance can verify that it isn't right, then I get to spend another day driving it back up!

Starting to look more and more like I won't be making Del Mar after Thanksgiving.

[Payton King]

The Camaro is mad you are working on a Mustang.

Seriously, I feel for you man. Would it be easier to source another block?

[Vegas69]

That's what I'm saying, scratch that block for a quality short block set up.

[James OLC]

5.3 at BOS.... You can be up and running by Sunday... Just saying.

Seriously - sorry about the run if bad luck. When it rains it pours...