Rolling Road Tuning: The FC Tuning Essential Preparation Checklist

FC Tuning’s Essential Preparation Checklist

Visiting FC Tuning’s HQ at Motorworx for ECU mapping is a crucial step in unlocking your vehicle’s potential, providing you with an insightful glimpse into the intricate process of engine tuning. To ensure you receive the utmost benefit from your engine mapping session, it’s vital to come prepared. This comprehensive checklist is designed to guide you through preparing your vehicle for its tuning appointment, guaranteeing efficiency, safety, and the best possible outcome.

Before Your Appointment:

• Fuel Up: Arrive with a full tank of the fuel grade you commonly use (e.g., 95, 97 or ideally 99 RON SHELL V Power). If your vehicle is known to consume more fuel with a race tank bringing an extra jerry can is advisable. Please avoid leaded fuels or those with additives, as they are incompatible with our sensors.
• Throttle and Linkages: Confirm your vehicle can achieve full throttle without hindrance or snagging. Proper throttle response is critical for accurate mapping.
• Fluid Levels: Check and top off oil and coolant levels. Correct fluid levels are non-negotiable for the health and performance of your engine.
• Leak Inspection: Ensure there are no leaks (fuel, oil, coolant). This is crucial for both safety and engine performance.
• Cooling System: Verify the condition of coolant hoses and the radiator. They will undergo a significant stress test during the tuning process.
• Ignition System: Inspect spark plugs and HT leads, ensuring they are in prime condition. Spark plugs should be of the resistor type suitable for engine mapping. (BCPR7ES, or worst case, BKR7E if you cant source any resistor types)
• Turbocharged Vehicles: Secure all boost pipes to prevent disconnection under pressure and ensure vacuum lines are sufficiently cable tied
• Tyres: Check for adequate tread and correct tyre pressure. Properly maintained tyres are essential for accurate rolling road readings.
• Ground Clearance: Consider the clearance of spoilers or low-hanging components. Removing them might be necessary to ensure access to the rolling road. Sometimes even having to raise suspension may be necessary if the car is a LOW rider.
• Under-Tray Removal: If your vehicle has engine under-trays R34’s R35, Some Audi/Porsche/BMW’s, removing them may enhance clearance and airflow for the tuning session and also ensure a speedy strap down of the vehicle.
• Tyre Pressures: Check Tyre pressures all around, especially if 4WD

Additional Recommendations:

• Comprehensive Check: Revisit all vehicle components to ensure nothing is overlooked. A thorough check ensures a smooth and productive tuning experience.
• Accommodation: If you’re considering an overnight stay, we recommend “The Travel Lodge, Marlow, right across the road from Motorworx” for ample parking suitable for trailers. Mentioning our referral may enhance your welcome.

New Builds – If your feeling brave and you have some technical and mechanical know how then do the following, if not just leave it to me:

• Compression Check Cylinders: Compression test and email results to your designated Zendesk Ticket number which you will have via email comms, or drop me an email if your unsure and I will advise
• Boost Leak Test / Smoke test: This is if you have access to a workshop and have a BluePrint smoke test machine, or drop me an email if your unsure and I will advise
• Preload Internal Wastegate: Use a midi vac or drop me an email if your unsure and I will advise
• Check Preload on External Wastegate: You can check your spring colour of your WG manufacture or drop me an email if your unsure and I will advise

By adhering to the above ‘Steve @ FC Checklist’, you’re setting the stage for a successful engine tuning session on the dyno, ensuring your vehicle is primed for optimal performance enhancement.

Looking forward to optimising your vehicle’s performance with the state-of-the-art Dyno Dynamics tuning and OBD diagnostic capabilities.