Tuning the SKY

11590 Views 30 Replies 14 Participants Last post by Mallard, Apr 21, 2006

DarkkstaR

Discussion Starter · Apr 17, 2006

I am super close to buying a Sky now, I'm definately a fan of them. A bit trendy, but I can get a pretty nasty deal on one so it's all good. I drove one, and really enjoyed it. But it seems power is the main issue for me right away, and I'm not used to an NA car

I'm wondering what systems are able to work alongside the Sky for DIY tuning. I'm coming from a b5 Audi A4 1.8T, everything I did was DIY on the car, including writing my own software for the ECU to tune my bolt-on turbo upgrade properly. I prefer to DIY things, as you can see. I'm not super knowledgeable in anything I just pick what I want to do and find out how to go about it. I'm a bit rusty cuz I haven't done much with cars in awhile, so excuse me for asking some simple stuff.

From what I've read, the Sky is a open-loop O2 system like many modern cars, and a piggyback system (S-AFC, e-manage) will not work easily without the ECU fighting changes. I read somewhere in my research that without a reflash to change that portion of the ECU, you cannot use a piggyback system. The new Greddy e-manage allows ignition and fuel changes, so if I could get this to work with a reflash, I would be happy

MegaSquirt and full standalone are not an option for me as my NYS inspection is not going to allow it. So I am interested in some approaches to take if I decide to boost the car. The Hahn turbo kit seems good, but I am a DIY guy at heart and I know people who can fabricate parts of a very high quality, that are used to high performance cars and working with them. So in other words, I'd love to size a turbo myself, have a equal length manifold made, and piece the rest up a bit cheaper. Coming from the Audi tuning scene, I am happy to see parts cost a bit more reasonable, and aftermarket items are definately reasonably priced.

Basically, I enjoy tuning the car myself, and I've made very impressive track times with my Audi's setup on my own "hackjob" tuning compared to the average joe running "big name" ECUs. So I was wondering what's been accomplished...

Thanks!

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todaresqSL2

· #2 · Apr 17, 2006

So far it has just been Mallett, Werks and Hahn doing either turbo's or the great V8 swaps.

I have not seen anyone on the Sol boards do any fabrication to engine parts yet. Sure, there are a few that have done the bolt ons and body mods, but nothing engine wise... except for the already mentioned stuff above.

Where in NY are you? And what do you consider a "nasty" deal? I can't think of any store selling a SKY for less then MSRP... and if it is MSRP, it is not a nasty deal... just a good deal.

DarkkstaR

Discussion Starter · #3 · Apr 17, 2006

I want nothing to do with a swap, just a diy method of tuning the stock ecu and passing inspection (no standalone).

I don't plan on paying even close to msrp, but I'd rather not get into that, I just want to learn about engine management

eldeeko

· #4 · Apr 17, 2006

http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm

Give the mallett site a try, good information on Sky/Solstice here.

http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm

DarkkstaR

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 17, 2006

buffalo ny, btw.

krazygoat

· #6 · Apr 17, 2006

Brammo motorsports is doing supercharged ecotech tuning for the Ariel Atom, you might be able to figure out what they are doing to get 275 and 300hp from their supercharged ecotechs and 205 from their naturally aspirated ecotech.

belletire

· #7 · Apr 17, 2006 (Edited)

DarkkstaR said:
I don't plan on paying even close to msrp, but I'd rather not get into that

:skep::skep::skep::skep::skep::skep:

eldeeko

· #8 · Apr 17, 2006

DarkkstaR said:
I want nothing to do with a swap, just a diy method of tuning the stock ecu and passing inspection (no standalone).

I don't plan on paying even close to msrp, but I'd rather not get into that, I just want to learn about engine management

I have yet to hear of one being stolen, although some haven't yet made it out of the railheads..could it be there is a crew of hijackers out there? Anything $1.00 less than MSRP is unheard of as yet! Huummmm, DarkkstaR (midnight auto),(New York) same as LA. Maybe there are more out there to be purchased for lower than MSRP? I'll take a couple (yeah, right!)

DarkkstaR

Discussion Starter · #9 · Apr 17, 2006

come on guys, you've gotta be kidding.

company test car, is more along the lines. or gm employee discount. a few ways, all LEGIT.

lets get back on topic now please.

belletire

· #10 · Apr 17, 2006

A drive & buy is a (remote) possibility. But no employee discount.

But, back to the topic. You would probably get more info from the Solstice forum. There are more members and they have had their vehicles longer.

There is a link at the bottom of the page.

eldeeko

· #11 · Apr 17, 2006

DarkkstaR said:
come on guys, you've gotta be kidding.

company test car, is more along the lines. or gm employee discount. a few ways, all LEGIT.

lets get back on topic now please.

Ouch! Hit a nerve. Employee discounts aren't eligible on the Sky..Must be one of those they were supposed to return to factory for shredding..OK!
Good idea in post above this.

1994SC2

· #12 · Apr 17, 2006

I'm on to your plan for a deep discount ... Skys will earn you 4 cop stars

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DarkkstaR

Discussion Starter · #13 · Apr 17, 2006

thanks for the advice.

I can see this forum is already full of some brilliant posters, lol. I'm not interested in all this about msrp, I just want to know about tuning the car!

Mallard

· #14 · Apr 18, 2006

DarkkstaR said:
thanks for the advice.

I can see this forum is already full of some brilliant posters, lol. I'm not interested in all this about msrp, I just want to know about tuning the car!

I replied to you in the other forum as well, but I'll touch on tuning options here.

LS2 Edit software is available for our car which allows you to re-flash the stock ECU and tune all parameters. HP Tuners should be out for the car soon as well. I don't know of anyone running a piggyback on these cars but it's worth a shot if you want to invest the time. On my old car there were problems with the ECU and piggybacks as well. Haltech F10X, E6X, a modified version of the SMT-6, E-Manage (not Ultimate), and the Split Second PSC-1 AFC all were used with few issues once up and running.

I, for one, would go with HP Tuners or LS2 Edit.

DarkkstaR

Discussion Starter · #15 · Apr 18, 2006 (Edited)

Exactly what I was looking for.

Thanks again!

At the price of LS2 Edit and HP tuners, there's no reason to mess with Haltech and e-manage except for the fact it's a more common interface. I'm down to learn new software all the time, now it's time to find out which is better

1994SC2

· #16 · Apr 18, 2006

Mallard said:
I replied to you in the other forum as well, but I'll touch on tuning options here.

LS2 Edit software is available for our car which allows you to re-flash the stock ECU and tune all parameters. HP Tuners should be out for the car soon as well. I don't know of anyone running a piggyback on these cars but it's worth a shot if you want to invest the time. On my old car there were problems with the ECU and piggybacks as well. Haltech F10X, E6X, a modified version of the SMT-6, E-Manage (not Ultimate), and the Split Second PSC-1 AFC all were used with few issues once up and running.

I, for one, would go with HP Tuners or LS2 Edit.

I understood a total of 15 words of that entire post. I need to get a book... or a video... or like a personal trainer.

qwack

· #17 · Apr 18, 2006

1994SC2 said:
I understood a total of 15 words of that entire post. I need to get a book... or a video... or like a personal trainer.

Thats pretty good, I only got about 7.

usmc

· #18 · Apr 18, 2006

Darkkstar - you might have more luck over on the SOL forum. The audience over there is much more technical and has had quite a few more months with the car than we have.
not trying to chase you away, its just that I have learned alot more over there about this kinda stuff.

ILVMYGT

· #19 · Apr 18, 2006

So how does the LS2 Edit software work? What are it capabilities? Can you pull diagnose codes with it?

1994SC2

· #20 · Apr 18, 2006

usmc said:
Darkkstar - you might have more luck over on the SOL forum. The audience over there is much more technical and has had quite a few more months with the car than we have.
not trying to chase you away, its just that I have learned alot more over there about this kinda stuff.

Is there a good resource (hopefully tailored to the kappa cars and free) to get better acclimated with all this jargon? I’m not the type of person who takes apart electronics or engines but I do like to know how it could be done and what the terms of the process mean.

Thanks!

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