When should I start tuning variable cam control?

Hello.

I have started learning tuning and I feel like I am confident enough to try to tune myself. However, after finishing this course, I am having some trouble deciding when to do variable cam tuning. I want to tune a turbo K24 on a Haltech ECU. I have a Turbosmart electronic wastegate so I will start tuning at 20kpa of boost pressure since there is no spring. To my current understanding, this is the order I will tune in:

1. Steady state fuel and ignition

2. Full power fuel and ignition

3. Continuously variable cam control

4. Check and adjust fuel and ignition in steady state and full power

5. Switched cam control

6. Check and adjust fuel and ignition in steady state and full power

7. Tuning for more boost

My base map has a table filled out for continuously variable cam control so I will just extend that into the positive boost areas. I will tune with the switched cam control off until I get to that step. I chose this order to hopefully reduce the amount of work I need to do and also not make too much power (if I tune for boost earlier). I want to tune the variable valve timing first before the switched cam control since I will be using 2 maps for switched cam control. Am I going in the right direction or is there something I can change that would make more sense?

Thanks for the help.

- Erikas

You will want to verify the Variable Cam control is working (tracks commanded cam position) early on before much tuning of fuel or ignition. As long as you are starting with the stock maps extended the max load values to your higher maximum load, then you should be fine with leaving this until you have plenty of dyno time to work on it.

I would also suggest that you confirm your Switch Cam control (VTEC) is working before you tune the full power fuel & ignition.

I agree. But lets assume that I have tested everything, optimized the PID, and I am ready to tune. The order I made is for when I am actually tuning and I omitted the preparation steps before it.

What you have makes sense to me.

Sounds good. Thanks for your input! Have a good day.