Hi everyone. I just got off the phone with a dyno shop here in Denver. Denver is at 5,280 feet elevation by the way.

I have Dougs tunes and the JLT II coming in the next couple of days. I was going to install it this weekend and to be safe I was going to take it to the dyno shop next week to have the A/F checked.

Awhile ago I talked too Doug about elevation and he told me that the copmuter will adjust automatically for the altitude. SO I thought cool no problem!

But after talking with this guy at the tuner shop. He tells me that the canned tunes are no good for this altitude. In fact he laughed when I told him that I have been told it is ok.

He then proceeded to tell me that the Diablo is a better tuner because he can fine tune more parameters with it.

So I am not sure what to beleive. Is the altitude going to be a major problem? Is there anybody on these boards who lives at high altitude and has either the Brenspeed or Bama tunes and had a dyno check done already to verify that the canned tunes are safe at this elevation?

Thanks in advance.....

 

Hey. I have Doug's C&L Trueflow and Xcal2 with Bamatunes here in Boulder. I haven't dynoed my car to verify the A/F, but I'm sure they're ok since I don't get any DTCs using them.

I tested my C&L Intake w/ Stock Prog, I figured since the Mustang is not factory tuned differently for Colorado altitudes, it might work better with C&L allowing more O2 (like at sea-level)... but no, I got LEAN Bank 1&2 with Stock Program... so it definitely needs tune. The car defintely wakes up with Bamatunes, though I have some issues with power around 1,500 - 2,750 RPM range. I don't think it's Altitude (less O2) problem, but more likely what I like.

Doug is a great guy and is working on my tunes to get them to be what I like. We all have different preferences, but CO definitely has some unique, cause we basically always have either uphill or downhill...

I'd be intrested to know, what A/F reading you get with Bamatunes when you dyno your car... heep me updated.

I'll PM you.

///M

 

I think Doug's gotta be right on the altitude and computer correction. I mean, if that weren't true, then every car on the road would need to be adjusted when changing altitude. I'm sure a tuner could eek out a little more HP from a canned tune for the specific altitude you live in, but for the most part you should be ok until then.

 

Believe the guy who's day job is actually working on these cars...

Doug at Bamachips.

Your "tuner guy" is trying to get you to spend money with him.

The car's computer will adjust itself for the change in elevation, and so will any canned tune done properly.

As far as Diablo being better... that's just merely a matter of opinion, your "tuner guy" there in Denver is obviously a DibaloSport shop, so of course he's going to tell you that.

Now that Doug does both, ask him and I'm sure he'll tell you that it's really not about the tuning device but rather the actual tuner (The person) that makes the difference.

There's a guy on my site who lives in Flagstaff, AZ (elevation 7,000+)(kurts06GT) who hasn't had a problem with the a/f with his aftermarket tunes and he's tried a few different ones too.

 

Right after he said that the Diablo was better I immediately became suspicious of this intent.

I found another dyno shop near Denver that are Mustang Specialists and deal strictly with SCT. I think I will be going to these guys instead. I just want to get things checked out after the tune.

Thanks for your replies everyone!

 

EFI engines compensate for changes in altitude using sensors. I believe these 4.6L V8's use a MAP sensor (manifold absolute pressure) instead of the BAP (barometric air presssure) sensors found on the 5.0L engines. When you turn the key to start the engine, the ECU takes a MAP sensor reading to get the air pressure and it will take at least another reading at WOT. Someone please chime in if i'm not accurate.

Edited: I may be incorrect above. The MAP or BARO sensor is read continuously on the Mustang 4.6L V8's not only at startup and WOT as I previously mentioned. The bottom line is, the system compensates for changes in altitude/air pressure.

 

Are you going to Auto Tech? I hear they are a good Mustang tune shop in Denver.

 

Yes, Stang Auto Tech

 

Where are they located? Might have to check with them on a tune.

 

7202 W 116 Av
Broomfield, CO 80020 - 6912
(303) 404-3813