Tuning an au with haltech..whos interested?

**Stav** · 03-03-2009, 04:37 PM

I was just gauging interest in how many people would be interested in my doing a step by step account on tuning your own car with the haltech interceptor.....

ten[A]cio[U]s · 03-03-2009, 04:53 PM

Hi stav,

I would be very interested. I have always wanted the ability to tune my car between steps but without having to pay big $!

I do have a few questions though mate,

How much would it cost for the unit?
How much would it cost to be install?
Can I install it myself safely and reliably?
What gain over a flash tune can I get?
Is tuning software included?

Cheers,
Matt

Fordfan4u · 03-03-2009, 04:53 PM

curious....

**Stav** · 03-03-2009, 05:04 PM

Seriously man...it has pros and cons. I went haltech when I went 14.2 1/4 mile et because it is now easier to tune a car than in the good old days. If your a modifying nut like me the edit was poor value.

It doesnt remove rev limitiers..it can do idle air fuel mixtures but with big cams it will need a retune with battery restart.Top end air fuel ratios stay the same with haltech. Ignition timing can be tuned from say 1000rpm up.

The biggest plus is the cost effectiveness. Youll need the interceptor and wideband air fuel ratio monitor or data logger. The exhaust requires a second ego sensor bung to install the data logger sensor. I havent got recent pricing on haltech but will do so tommorow.I will also get pricing on the wideband.

Th charm for me is that I had the edit and was never in control of tuning.The haltech interceptor does have full computer software to change ignition timing and iair fuel ratios across the rev range.As mention timing is adjustable from say 1000rpm up.The air fuel is totally adjustable.I am getting 480 km on a tank of fuel on the wagon as the focus is not performance but economy. You have to have the wideband to measure your changes and it also helps issues like fuel starvation which point to better fuel pumps bigger injectors etc..

**Stav** · 03-03-2009, 05:08 PM

The haltech can allow you to achieve the best tune for your car provided you have a decent knowledge of tuining and be very very careful. The result however can as has been in my case the ability to destroy stock gen3's off the mark and to 80 kays..better fuel economy and alot more torque.

I suppose it ties in your mods to work at a peak..

ten[A]cio[U]s · 03-03-2009, 05:13 PM

I will want to try and get the best mix of both words. When the 3.9's go in I probably go down to around 400km from a tank if not worse.

So it will need a tune bad just to try get it back up to 450 and get the most out of the cam.

**Stav** · 03-03-2009, 05:24 PM

Im running 4:11's

ten[A]cio[U]s · 03-03-2009, 05:27 PM

Oh very nice lol

What rpm do you do at 100, 80, and 50km stav?

BlacklistedXR · 03-03-2009, 05:30 PM

Any links to the Haltech unit in question? Sounds good but i would like to see pics of the unit and how it works. Any ideas on the cost of the unit with tuning software and acessories?

**Stav** · 03-03-2009, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy-au

Oh very nice lol

What rpm do you do at 100, 80, and 50km stav?

I honestly dont remember hehe.I have just been driving the car lately and enjoying it.I will have a look and post tommorow for you.

ten[A]cio[U]s · 03-03-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stav

I honestly dont remember hehe.I have just been driving the car lately and enjoying it.I will have a look and post tommorow for you.

Thanks stav,

I will have a think about it and go from there.

**Stav** · 03-03-2009, 05:41 PM

Man I havent been around here much lately so it needs a bit of spring cleaning my haunt here lol. I will put down the facts as I understand and yo guys do what you feel. its gonna be a long thread..

I am talking about an interceptor piggyback unit.

StealthAu · 03-03-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crazy-au

Thanks stav,

I will have a think about it and go from there.

If you do more driving around town and limited highway kays, shorty gears go un noticed petrol dollar wise. They can improve economy for stop start traffic, or so I have found.

**Stav** · 03-03-2009, 07:41 PM

my cars best freeway economy is at 90 kays.

EvilChief · 03-03-2009, 09:33 PM

The haltech units that stav is running have been superceeded with a new unit and a new program, however all the tuning principals still apply.
Platinum Interceptor
$750

The old unit same as stavs (please correct me if i am wrong), is still available:
Haltech Intercptor
$1095

**Stav** · 03-03-2009, 10:28 PM

id have to check the pricing evilchief. As I understand the platinum is the non waterproof ecu and the other unit is water proof. I think those prices are ex gst but I will check with my supplier tommorow

BlacklistedXR · 04-03-2009, 12:42 AM

Hmm its interesting as it looks like a good alternative from the SCT Flash Tuners. But i think the SCT Flash 3 might have it over this unit if you are going to get someone to tune your vehicle for you as it has on screen data logging capabilities and user adjustable features from the hand unit such as air/ fuel mixtures, timing, rev limits, etc. BPT sells the Xcal 3 for $695 as well.
I know this is not a Haltech vs SCT thread but thought i would mention it to compare both units and to find out which would suit our applications better. i think the Haltech will have it all over the SCT in that you are able to tune your vehicle yourself without taking it to a workshop to get it tuned.
ill keep an eye out for this thread as it is interesting and would like to know the capabilities of this unit.

EvilChief · 04-03-2009, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stav

id have to check the pricing evilchief. As I understand the platinum is the non waterproof ecu and the other unit is water proof. I think those prices are ex gst but I will check with my supplier tommorow

thats correct, the prices quoted are RRP inc

**Stav** · 24-03-2009, 11:10 PM

Seeing this thread is a how to...I have decided to give you guys a better idea of real life tunning..
I will start tommorow...

**Stav** · 25-03-2009, 08:09 PM

Ok so why tune your car? I have seen many dyno sheets of our typical fords..at idle the ego sensor makes corrections and holds the air fuel ratios at a target of 14.7 :1 ..This is supposed to be the ideal ratio and tends to keep emmisions At light throttle ideally 14.7:1 helps fuel economy as wel. Once the throttle goes about half way air fuel ratios like to sit 13.5 to 12.5.Any leaner I found power dies somwhat or it just goes too lean and can induce pinging or detonation. At full throttle afule should be in the vicintiy of 12.5 to 12.9 as fuel burns fastest at this range and creates more power ..torque. The idea is to get air fuel ratios spot on first and then playing with ignition timing.
When the car is started though it runs in cold start mode like a choke from the old days to make the engine heat up and come alive. Once this has finished the ego sensor predominantly controls low throttle opennings for fuel economy and trims fuel accordingly via computer and ego sensor. Once floored the ego is ignored and predetermined maps are accessed.These from ford are typically very rich and waste fuel. This also means the engine is not operating at peak efficiency by not getting a more optimal burn in the cylinder. More to come tommorow.Big day at work so I am gonna look at pretty pictures on the forum for a while.