SQC Dyno Check List

The purpose of this checklist is to save you time and money. Any work beyond setting the base timing on the distributor and tuning the computer will be extra. The car must be in perfect running order to have a proper tune done. A preexisting mechanical or electrical problem cannot be fixed with a tune. It must not leak oil, misfire, or have any other mechanical/electrical issues.

The purpose of this checklist is to save you time and money. Any work beyond setting the base timing on the distributor and tuning the computer will be extra. The car must be in perfect running order to have a proper tune done. A preexisting mechanical or electrical problem cannot be fixed with a tune. It must not leak oil, misfire, or have any other mechanical/electrical issues.  

01

Wideband Sensors

It is always good to have a Wideband Oxygen sensor in your car. Some newer cars have factory wbo2. If you don't have a wideband please have a bung with 2 feet of pipe after it for my wideband sensor. I also have a tail pipe attachment if you have a full exhaust that has a straight exit pipe/muffler.
02

Gas

Have at least a half tank of gas in the car for a dyno tuning session. If you want to do both a 91oct gas and a race gas/E85 tune on the dyno, bring the car with about a ¼ tank of your primary fuel and 5 gallon can of the 2nd fuel to put in after we finish the first fuel tune. The car must have a full tank of fuel when you drop it off for a street tune. (I will only do high boost on the dyno.)
03

Compression

The engine must not burn oil or coolant. If there is smoke coming out of the tail pipe that is a strong indication of a weak motor. White smoke is coolant, blue smoke is oil, and black smoke is fuel. Check that the engine has good compression, meaning that the compression should vary less than 15% between all cylinders. I can help you do compression and/or leak down tests before your dyno appointment or street tuning session.
04

Fluid Leaks

There can be no major fluid leaks of any type, specifically brake, power steering, coolant, or fuel.
05

Radiator & Coolant

Your radiator must sized to be able to support your set up and keep it cool. Make sure that it has adequate antifreeze fluid and has no air pockets. A strong puller style fan is recommend. The higher the cfm rating the better.
06

Vacuum Leaks

There should be no vacuum leaks. Check all vacuum lines to make sure they are secure. Use zip ties or clamps to hold them on. If a vacuum line blows off the wastegate or fpr during a high boost pass you’re gonna have a bad day! Listen for whistling or sucking noises. Bouncing idle is also an indicator for a vacuum leak.
07

Oil Level

Check you oil level and do not over or under fill the engine with oil. Over filling the oil pan will cause turbo oil seal failure. In addition, I recommend checking with your turbo manufacturer for oil feed line sizing. The oil return should be -10AN with no kinks or loops. Note that oil returns are gravity fed and if the oil backs up its going to come out the seals.
08

Boost Leaks

To avoid boost leaks, make sure that your intercooler clamps are tight and that the couplers don't have cracks or tears. I recommend T bolt style clamps and silicone hump couplers on bead rolled pipes. You don't want a blow off during a dyno session.
09

Brakes

It is essential that your brakes work well. This is for obvious safety reasons during street tuning and beyond. Often stock brakes glaze over after only a couple passes, which can cause complete loss of braking ability.
10

Spark Plugs

Bring at least 1 extra set of spark plugs. I can pick up a set if you give me advanced notice. I recommend NGK spark plugs and OEM spark plug wires for Hondas. When going over 10 psi, you will want to upgrade to an ignition amplifier box such as MSD or M&W with an external coil and matching cap. I recommended gapping spark plugs from .30 to .18 for most turbo cars. SRT 4's are the exception to this, they like .35 on high boost.

  • Supra's, RB's, Honda B, D, H series:
    Up to 450whp: NGK BKR7E (Napa part #4644) or NGK BKR7Eix (Napa part #2667) ,
    High boost / 500 + whp: NGK BKR8EIX (Napa part #2668)
    Really High boost / 700 + whp: NGK BKR9EIX (Napa part #2669)


  • K-series & s2000: Up to 600whp: NGK BKR8EIX-11 (Napa part #2668)
    High boost / 600 + whp:NGK BKR9EIX-11 (Napa part #2669)


  • GM LS series: Up to 600whp: NGK TR6 (Napa part #4177)
    High boost / 600 to 1000 whp: NGK BR7EF (Napa part #3346)


  • SRT-4's:
    Big turbo upgrade or highly modded: NGK LZTR6AIX-13 (Napa part #2315)
11

Fuel Pump & Injectors

Your fuel pump and injectors must be capable of the power you want to achieve. Walbro 255lph fuel pumps are good for about 500whp. Bosch 044 pump is good for about 700hp. A1000 fuel pump is good for about 900hp. Stock Honda – 6 AN fuel lines are go up to 500hp. Upgrade to -8AN for 500 to 700 hp. I recommend Injector Dynamics / Bosch ev14 style injectors. I recommend getting injectors large than you need so that you have room to grow later on. Feel free to call us. We design and install high horsepower fuel systems.
12

Clutch

The clutch should not slip and should be rated for the torque/power you want.
13

DriveTrain

Make sure that the drive train is up to the task. There shouldn't be any weird sounds, i.e. no bad cv joints, wheel bearings, transmissions, differentials, etc.
14

Tires

Inflate your tires to spec and assure that they are in good condition. A blow out on the dyno or when I am street tuning can be very dangerous.
15

Bolts

All nuts and bolts should be tightened, in particular, the exhaust manifold bolts. If there is an exhaust leak you will create more lag and you will lose power on a turbo system.
16

Exhaust

If you want your turbo car to do over 300whp it is essential that you have at least a 3” downpipe and exhaust. I do not recommend cats for turbo cars.
17

Boost Control

You can only triple the wastegate boost with normal electronic boost controller and usually less with a manual boost controller. Pick a wastegate spring pressure that is at the lowest level of boost that you will regularly run, and nothing lower than that. The stronger the spring the less lag you will have with the boost controller. Also note that in our altitude you must subtract 2 psi from the advertised rating (i.e. a spring rated at 7psi will do 5psi on the gauge). This is assuming that your turbo can flow air at that level and the manifold doesn't induce boost creep. There are now boost electronic controllers that use co2 to hit even higher boost levels. AMS and Turbo Smart being a couple.
18

PCV Valves

On turbo Honda cars remove the PCV valves that run to the intake manifold. Instead run the hoses from the PCV block port and the valve cover port to a catch can breather system, such as the Endyne kit. This is to avoid crank case pressure. Your rings will love you for it.
19

E85

E85 - A pump fuel that is 85%ethonal/15%gasoline - 105 octane, 10% oxygenated, and cheaper than 91 octane. The down side is you use about 30% more of it so mpg goes down. If your tuning system allows dual maps or a flexfuel sensor you can get a tune for both 91oct and e85 fuels. If that is not an option you must use the fuel you are tuned for as switching will cause a overly rich or lean condition.

Electrical Checklist

01

Wireing

Check your wiring for any shorts, loose connections, and/or exposed wires. Make sure to protect wires from high heat and harsh environments. Having good, clean grounds are very important.
03

CEL Lights

If you have a check engine light it needs to be sorted out before tuning. Major sensors: Maf or Map, Iat, Tps, Clt, Primary O2, Knock, Crank & Cam Sensor are all critical to tuning and a well running car. If you have a code we can tell you what it means and what steps need to be taken.

Other Stuff

01

Street Tune

You must present current car insurance and registration for me to do a street tune on your vehicle.
02

Disclosure

SQC Tuning will not be held liable for any damages to you or your car as a result from any tuning, mechanical or electrical work, or use of products sold by me. By choosing to modify your car you are voiding warranties and causing your car to have a shorter life span. By deciding to modify your car, to include any work that I perform, you take complete responsibility for anything that may go wrong. Increasing the power of your car directly increases the wear and tear of all its components. If you don't like the sound of that, then keep it stock.