2012 Civic Si tuning do's and dont's for a beginner
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mastercarlock
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Tue Sep 26, 2023 8:00 pm
2012 Civic Si tuning do's and dont's for a beginner
Hey guys I recently got a 12 Civic si and also purchased a Hondata, my car has a RAM air intake, ... DP (stock header cat was removed and it is straight piped to the muffler, act stage 2 clutch with lightweight flywheel, and stock everything else. I got the Hondata because I wanted to improve my launch control, raise the RPM limit (how much is safe for a stock head?), remove the speed limiter, add no lift shifting, remove rev hang, and change the VTEC engagement points so it engages sooner in the RPM range. I know speed density is a HUGE thing for tuning these cars and if possible I plan on sharing some data logs in the future so I can learn how to tune from here. Do you think my goals are reasonable and safe for a daily driver? I would love some opinions on what I want to do so I can avoid engine failure and some tips and tricks on how to use the software efficiently. Thank you in advance!
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CalibratEd
- Posts: 1674
- Joined: Fri Feb 07, 2020 3:20 pm
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Re: 2012 Civic Si tuning do's and dont's for a beginner
Welcome to the forum,
"I got the Hondata because I wanted to improve my launch control, raise the RPM limit (how much is safe for a stock head?), remove the speed limiter, add no lift shifting, remove rev hang, and change the VTEC engagement points so it engages sooner in the RPM range."
Switching the launch control is OK. Raising the limiter is not necessary if the car is not making power that high. Playing with the VTEC engagement can help but you would be doing it blind. All the tables needs to be tuned so you can get the optimal VTC angles and then set VTEC engagement.
"I know speed density is a HUGE thing for tuning these cars and if possible I plan on sharing some data logs in the future so I can learn how to tune from here"
Yes, switching to speed density is best thing to do for these cars. Post the logs and calibration file you are running and tell you if you're on the right track. If you plan to learn to tune I suggest you become familiar with the theory first. I have a few Greg Banish books that i still reference when needed. If you understand the theory you will have a better understanding of why certain changes do what they do in the software. The next thing you need to is become familiar with the software. This way you know what tables are available. You then need to learn about your vehicle and the particular tuning process.
"I would love some opinions on what I want to do so I can avoid engine failure and some tips and tricks on how to use the software efficiently"
This depend on you. You can take the forum and youtube route. Evans tuning has a few youtube videos that are good. If you have the money to spend you can also find people who charge for classes. I myself have thought of make a Youtube channel. I just need some video ideas and time to get it done.
Once you start self tuning make sure you are making small changes and take it slow.
- Ed
"I got the Hondata because I wanted to improve my launch control, raise the RPM limit (how much is safe for a stock head?), remove the speed limiter, add no lift shifting, remove rev hang, and change the VTEC engagement points so it engages sooner in the RPM range."
Switching the launch control is OK. Raising the limiter is not necessary if the car is not making power that high. Playing with the VTEC engagement can help but you would be doing it blind. All the tables needs to be tuned so you can get the optimal VTC angles and then set VTEC engagement.
"I know speed density is a HUGE thing for tuning these cars and if possible I plan on sharing some data logs in the future so I can learn how to tune from here"
Yes, switching to speed density is best thing to do for these cars. Post the logs and calibration file you are running and tell you if you're on the right track. If you plan to learn to tune I suggest you become familiar with the theory first. I have a few Greg Banish books that i still reference when needed. If you understand the theory you will have a better understanding of why certain changes do what they do in the software. The next thing you need to is become familiar with the software. This way you know what tables are available. You then need to learn about your vehicle and the particular tuning process.
"I would love some opinions on what I want to do so I can avoid engine failure and some tips and tricks on how to use the software efficiently"
This depend on you. You can take the forum and youtube route. Evans tuning has a few youtube videos that are good. If you have the money to spend you can also find people who charge for classes. I myself have thought of make a Youtube channel. I just need some video ideas and time to get it done.
Once you start self tuning make sure you are making small changes and take it slow.
- Ed
Instagram: calibrated.tuning