Aug 26, 2008

Tune Your Engine System Yourself

In the search for higher performance or better fuel economy, many car owners have sought to alter their engine’s computer management system. But up until now, that was a daunting task involving a laptop computer and handheld tuners, and the opportunity to screw things up was very real. Happily, there is a new solution. Professional Products has engineered and designed what it calls the most user-friendly engine-management system (EMS) available. Its Stage 2 EMS is so versatile that it can run throttle body injection (TBI), multi-port and even forced induction electronic fuel injection (EFI) systems with up to 30 psi of boost. What makes its system so unique is that you don’t have to be a trained expert to tune your engine. Once it is installed you can just fire it up and drive it for about 30 minutes, and the Smart-Tune Technology will tune the engine while you drive to your driving style.

The new engine-management system utilizes a wideband O2 sensor to tune and adjust the engine continually for varying conditions and driving styles. It can drive 16 high-impedance or 8 low-impedance injectors, and installation is simple, too, with a minimum number of wires that are clearly labeled and fitted with OE-style GM connectors. The Stage 2 EMS is compatible with most popular ignition systems, including vintage breaker-point ignitions. It will even operate with coil-on-plug ignitions when teamed with an MSD or other aftermarket ignition controller. It is perfect EMS for late-model EFI engines installed in early-model project cars. And for those who like to tinker and want to program their EFI manually, Professional Products includes its “Dashboard” software to do just that. However, the company claims most pro tuners have found it difficult to improve on the Smart-Tune Technology.