First off, it's amazing how badly driveability can be nailed just putting in mild cams and a damn air intake on an Evo 8. That being said, I'm getting her tuned and damned soon - after another change or two. At any rate:

Obviously a long time ago I chose to do the flash route instead of a full management system. However, I feel that there's room in off-the-shelf flashes for finer tuning and I'm a complete noob at it. Even a custom flash would seem to have room in it when conditions are different (tune in fall, run less efficiently in heat of muggy summer, etc.).

So how do I get an 8 tenths to 9 tenths either based on slack in the tune or changes in environment on race day?

I don't want to drop 1500+ in a management system. An SAFC2 does only fuel, not timing - but God knows it's much cheaper. I don't have a logger, either. I'm sure I need one but does an SAFC2 do enough that it would fit that bill also?

Yeah, I could do a shitload of research and figure out what it is I should do but thought I'd draw on the community cuz you've done this before, eh?

I'd love to hear what y'all think - thanks!

If you are going to do any kind of fuel tuning, you need a data logger. The SAFC2 doesn't log at all. It will give a real time reading of certain parameters, but that doesn't help much when you need to keep your eyes on the road during a WOT tuning pass. If you're wanting some extra tuning flexibility for the EVO without dropping a lot of dough, go for the SAFC and a pocketlogger. You should be able to find both used on ebay to save even more cash.

Btw, don't plan on the tuning getting rid of all driveability issues created by the cams. Chances are you'll have to live with a lopier idle and slightly less low end. Did you go with 264/264 or 264/272? For some reason I thought you went with the latter, in which case a 272 isn't exactly a mild cam. That's the same combo I'm running on the Talon and its lopy, no two ways about it.

Have you looked into Utec at all?

I've used it on an Evo before, with cams, and it was quite easy to deal with. I thin it was closer to 900 bucks.

It sounds like you really do want the AEM setup, just w/out the price. Save over the winter or something

I'm just going the flash route for now, Al, (dynoflash on evom.net) is going to be here tuning someone's car I think next sunday. I'm hoping to have him just flash my ECU then, that way I dont have to worry about downtime.

I met a guy here in AD that has a rally red evo with cams and such, thats going up to AMS on the 29th.

I've got my logger if you want to make a couple of runs and see what she's doing.

I should be getting tuned via Al from Dynoflash whenever it is he gets here (I've committed but he's not got his schedule published yet). After that a log would be great. Then I can decide whether I think anything needs to really be done. I don't know much about the UTEC - I'll look into it.

Thanks guys!

UTEC is like a grand. For that money, you'd be better off with an aem ems.

If you're looking to pick up an SAFC (or safc2) and a logger combo let me know. I've got mine for sale.

I've had 272's in my gsx and my evo and I think the idle is just fine. Maybe its the gears in the evo though. In any event, I didn't suffer any idle issues with the straight 272's in my gsx.

The idle and driveability have about straightened themselves out - ECU just had to learn after being unplugged forever. I'll keep the SAFC2 & logger in mind, Kris, thanks.

Kazz

I saw you posted about the flash on EvoM. I replied and said whats up, lol

I'm also going to hunt Al down whenver he's here. I'm going to go ahead and get the flash done.....

How come you are selling your SAFC/Logger

I went with a full EMS.

how much for the SAFC2