RMcElwee - 350 HP LS1 Miata (need help with tuning / EFILIVE)

rmcelwee · 02-10-2011, 11:47 AM

First day, first post - My name is Robert McElwee and I live in Moncks Corner, SC. I'm not a big gearhead (only a shade tree mechanic) but I've always wanted to build a V8 Miata. I found one that was already built with an LS1 and T56 from a 2000 Trans Am (springs and cam are the only upgrades) and couldn't pass up the price. I was not happy that I didn't get to build it myself but I have purchased a nicer looking Miata (the original one is completely trashed) and will swap everything over so I guess it is kind of the same thing. I put it on the dyno the other day (graph below) and it is running a little lean. I was getting ready to get it tuned and a friend told me that I should just do it myself with EFILIVE since I am only wanting to fix a lean spot. I've done some laptop tuning before on a turbo miata with a full replacement ECU so this isn't a huge issue for me. The only thing is I am unfamiliar with the software/cables to get this thing hooked up and searching on the net has been a nightmare. Anyone here that can help me? Thanks!

Ugly car:

Nicer looking donor car (hardtop Miata):

DolSVT00 · 02-10-2011, 11:59 AM

Welcome.

There's some knowledgeable guys on here with good experience using EFI live and HP tuners.

Those seem to be the big preference when it comes to the LS biased motors, I'm sure Zach, Bad Bob and a few others could get you pointed in the right direction.

98nbmz · 02-10-2011, 12:39 PM

Swap in an obd2 port, prob get it from a junk yard this will allow you to use efi live, hp tuners, etc..

slowgreen99 · 02-10-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98nbmz

Swap in an obd2 port, prob get it from a junk yard this will allow you to use efi live, hp tuners, etc..

IF the car is wired for the ls swap, it should have an OBD2 port correct?

98nbmz · 02-10-2011, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowgreen99

IF the car is wired for the ls swap, it should have an OBD2 port correct?

Not if he used the miata harness

Sean · 02-10-2011, 01:28 PM

Welcome. Looks to be a fun project. A v8 Miata sounds like a blast.

Matts94Z28 · 02-10-2011, 01:48 PM

Welcome. Is this the same car that had a big build thread on LS1tech a while back?

bwelch · 02-10-2011, 02:01 PM

bad ass! even though I cant fit in it

red99pony · 02-10-2011, 02:30 PM

what are you going to do about the piece sticking through the hood?

BAD BOB · 02-10-2011, 02:54 PM

efilive just plugs into the obd2 port then using a wideband you have to figure how to wire your one into the efilive box. all pretty simple

Mike · 02-10-2011, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bwelch

bad ass! even though I cant fit in it

x2

snakeplissken · 02-10-2011, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike

x2

minytrker · 02-10-2011, 04:11 PM

Give JP a call 843.608.8579 http://lsxtuningandperformance.com/ He uses EFI Live and does tuning.

rmcelwee · 02-10-2011, 11:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowgreen99

IF the car is wired for the ls swap, it should have an OBD2 port correct?

Yes, it has the Miata ECU and wiring harness but has a GM ECU with OBDII port wired to the engine. I currently get my MPH and water temp through the OBDII port (Scangauge).

rmcelwee · 02-10-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matts94Z28

Welcome. Is this the same car that had a big build thread on LS1tech a while back?

The PO tried to sell it there a while back. I don't think he ever did a build thread on it. If he did, I'd like to see it since he really wasn't very helpful with many details on how the car was put together.

rmcelwee · 02-10-2011, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by red99pony

what are you going to do about the piece sticking through the hood?

When I swap the engine into the new car I will buy another 90 degree bend (or whatever it needs) to get it back under the hood. The hood is not worth $10 on a good day so I understand why he didn't feel any remorse about cutting it up. Still, I think it may be the best feature on the car. It definitely gets more reaction than anything else.

"I've got a V8 Miata."
"Oh yeah?"
"It has a hole cut in the hood."
"DAMN! That thing must be fast!"

Carlrx7 · 02-11-2011, 12:09 AM

i wanted to do the same for the rx7, but i didn't want to go backwards.

i have hptuners, and if it has an ls1 pcm and harness, i also have a tuning wideband. gimme some beer and pay for the credits.

to me, that lean spot looks like your either out of injector or the pump is going poop.

98nbmz · 02-11-2011, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlrx7

i wanted to do the same for the rx7, but i didn't want to go backwards.

i have hptuners, and if it has an ls1 pcm and harness, i also have a tuning wideband. gimme some beer and pay for the credits.

to me, that lean spot looks like your either out of injector or the pump is going poop.

Stock ls1injectors are good for over 400 HP doubt it would be them. Could be the miata pump though. Using the stocm miata or walbro?

rmcelwee · 02-11-2011, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 98nbmz

Stock ls1injectors are good for over 400 HP doubt it would be them. Could be the miata pump though. Using the stocm miata or walbro?

It is a walboro255.

rmcelwee · 02-11-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carlrx7

i wanted to do the same for the rx7, but i didn't want to go backwards.

i have hptuners, and if it has an ls1 pcm and harness, i also have a tuning wideband. gimme some beer and pay for the credits.

to me, that lean spot looks like your either out of injector or the pump is going poop.

I might get with you sometime on the tuning. Should be pretty easy to just add a little fuel here and there (or at least it has been on the other brand ECUs I've tuned).

02-10-2011, 11:47 AM	#1
rmcelwee Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 10	RMcElwee - 350 HP LS1 Miata (need help with tuning / EFILIVE) First day, first post - My name is Robert McElwee and I live in Moncks Corner, SC. I'm not a big gearhead (only a shade tree mechanic) but I've always wanted to build a V8 Miata. I found one that was already built with an LS1 and T56 from a 2000 Trans Am (springs and cam are the only upgrades) and couldn't pass up the price. I was not happy that I didn't get to build it myself but I have purchased a nicer looking Miata (the original one is completely trashed) and will swap everything over so I guess it is kind of the same thing. I put it on the dyno the other day (graph below) and it is running a little lean. I was getting ready to get it tuned and a friend told me that I should just do it myself with EFILIVE since I am only wanting to fix a lean spot. I've done some laptop tuning before on a turbo miata with a full replacement ECU so this isn't a huge issue for me. The only thing is I am unfamiliar with the software/cables to get this thing hooked up and searching on the net has been a nightmare. Anyone here that can help me? Thanks! Ugly car: Nicer looking donor car (hardtop Miata):

02-10-2011, 11:59 AM	#2
DolSVT00 Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Goose Creek Posts: 3,913	Welcome. There's some knowledgeable guys on here with good experience using EFI live and HP tuners. Those seem to be the big preference when it comes to the LS biased motors, I'm sure Zach, Bad Bob and a few others could get you pointed in the right direction. __________________

02-10-2011, 12:39 PM	#3
98nbmz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Ridgeville Posts: 1,167	Swap in an obd2 port, prob get it from a junk yard this will allow you to use efi live, hp tuners, etc.. __________________

02-10-2011, 01:28 PM	#6
Sean Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Wilmington, NC Posts: 918	Welcome. Looks to be a fun project. A v8 Miata sounds like a blast. __________________

02-10-2011, 01:48 PM	#7
Matts94Z28 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Summerville Posts: 12,039	Welcome. Is this the same car that had a big build thread on LS1tech a while back? __________________ Charleston Performance Solutions 4560 Rivers Ave. N. Charleston SC 29405 843-225-1142 https://www.facebook.com/CharlestonPerformanceSolutions www.facebook.com/Selepack

02-10-2011, 02:01 PM	#8
bwelch Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 3,774	bad ass! even though I cant fit in it __________________

02-10-2011, 02:30 PM	#9
red99pony Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: goose creek sc Posts: 818	what are you going to do about the piece sticking through the hood? __________________ 02 lightning all stock 99 mustang gt Tork Tech terminator kit making a little boost

02-10-2011, 02:54 PM	#10
BAD BOB Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: SUMMERVILLE Posts: 3,681	efilive just plugs into the obd2 port then using a wideband you have to figure how to wire your one into the efilive box. all pretty simple __________________ IM BAD BOB

02-10-2011, 04:11 PM	#13
minytrker Senior Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 1,089	Give JP a call 843.608.8579 http://lsxtuningandperformance.com/ He uses EFI Live and does tuning. __________________ 1999 Z28 Camaro\|Cut up 2003 CC Duramax Dually\|19.5 w/245/70/19.5\|5in exhaust 2009 G8 GT 408hp/402tq sae\|Rotofab CAI\|LS9 Cam\|Headers\|GXP Mufflers\|Custom System 2009 Tahoe stock

02-11-2011, 12:09 AM	#17
Carlrx7 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Ladson,SC Posts: 3,813	i wanted to do the same for the rx7, but i didn't want to go backwards. i have hptuners, and if it has an ls1 pcm and harness, i also have a tuning wideband. gimme some beer and pay for the credits. to me, that lean spot looks like your either out of injector or the pump is going poop. __________________ Dark Aladdin