Chasis Dyno Tuning is A GOOD THING!!

[Rickd]

Got my new ERA FIA 2 weeks ago. Was running a little rough, and turned out to have a bad mechanical fuel pump and alternator. Replaced those and my "mechanic" thought he would tweak the carb and timing. Said "that's where she needs to be". Didn't feel, sound, or smell right so I located a chasis dyno tuning outfit in Pompano Beach Florida - Mustang Specialties. Took her in this morning. This is with a 331 stroker with AFR 165's on it. First pull 210 hp at the rear wheel. My "mechanic" had put a total of almost 58 degrees timing on this motor!! Reset timing to 34 degrees total advance, and leaned the carb a bit. Second pull, 312 rwhp. WOW a little improvement. Then adjusted the carb jetting and ended up at 4th pull with 326 rwhp, and a nice, clear idle sound, and crisp acceleration. On the second pull at 6000 rpm the room filled with black smoke (total miles on the motor 500), so she had been running very rich. After the tuning, put in a new set of plugs. A good chasis dyno tuner can set the fuel / air mix to what it should be. Relying on someone's "ear" can be fatal. Life is good!!!! Rickd